Lobbyist represents IU in Washington

IU, like other institutions, is represented on the federal and state levels by individuals who try to look out for the best interest of the University.

Doug Wasitis is IU’s first and only full-time lobbyist in Washington and has been there since 2005.

“This year has been very active with the stimulus bill and the health care debate in addition to the new administration,” Wasitis said.

His duties include working closely with Indiana delegates on federal policies that would impact the University.

When a particular piece of legislation is pertinent to the University, Wasitis posts newsletters on the IU office of government relations Web site in order to inform the IU community of how it will affect its students and faculty.

An example of this is the new bill introduced by Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., that would try to solve the faculty shortage in nursing schools.

According to Wasitis’ Federal Update Six, which was released in May, “the IU School of Nursing at IUPUI was unable to admit 320 students because there was not enough faculty on staff to accommodate them.”

In order to “maintain a ratio of 10 students to 1 faculty member,” Byah’s plan will “assist in the financing cost of a master’s or doctorate in nursing for those who agree to accept a faculty position at an accredited school of nursing.”

Wasitis said that the legislation is still pending.

Tom Morrison, IU’s vice president for Capital Projects and Facilities, was formerly the associate vice president for Public Affairs and State Relations for IU.

Morrison said that his former occupation was the equivalent of Doug Wasitis’ at the state level.

However, the only difference is Morrison was not a registered lobbyist, such as Wasitis, but rather a University representative.

Morrison said his job included representing the University in all facets of the state government and presenting and testifying on behalf of IU.

State level officials also write newsletters, Statehouse Updates, for the public to see on the IU Office of Government Relations Web site.

Much of the Statehouse updates from this summer involved the struggle to pass the 2009-11 biennial budget for the state. This included IU’s state funding before the start of the state’s fiscal year July 1.

“Revenues for the state of Indiana have been lagging behind, as with every state in the country,” Morrison said.

“However, at the same time, we are a lot better off than other states. We are not seeing the impact at IU and our enrollment is higher than it has ever been.”

Jeff Linder is IU’s current associate vice president for Public Affairs and State Relations. Linder was a state representative from 1990 to 2000 and previously an associate vice president of government relations for Ball State University.

“IU could have a lobbyist on the state level if they so chose,” Linder said.

However, because of state regulatory policies differing from that of the federal level, it would most likely come from a law or lobbyist firm that would have a variety of clients in addition to IU.

This would be a problem, Linder said. “You cannot effectively represent a casino, Coke and IU and put in the time and effort to develop the expertise to know Indiana University,” he said.

Although IU does not have a lobbyist on the state level, he explains that his job is not that different from a state lobbyist.

“Government relations is a constant issue,” Linder said. “It is necessary to let the legislator know what our needs and goals are for better educational opportunities.”