The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: News

COWSERT

Representatives from the University are lobbying heavily to gain more funding for salaries, maintenance and other campus needs as the Georgia General Assembly begins its 2008 session this week in Atlanta.

Part of the University's efforts include meeting with government officials and lobbying.

Between August and December 2007, University lobbyist Randy Powers spent about $24,000 on lawmakers and state officials, $7,000 of which paid for legislators to attend the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The $7,000 covered food, tickets and travel expenses for lawmakers and their guests, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution report.

"The funds are spent on tickets to athletic events, meals and receptions that allow UGA officials to discuss UGA issues with key officials and give them the opportunity to learn more about UGA, its needs and priorities," Steve Wrigley, director of the University's Carl Vinson Institute of Government, wrote in an e-mail to The Red & Black.

"We also learn ways we can be supportive to the elected officials by providing expertise."

The University has goals for the 2008 session, with funding for the extension of the Medical College of Georgia at the top of the list, Wrigley said. The University is working to create an Athens campus for the medical school.

Wrigley also said funding for a new collections library and maintenance will take priority.

"The University's goals each year are largely the same - to seek the highest possible salary increase for faculty and staff so that we can remain competitive and offer excellence in instruction, research and support to students," he said.

Members of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government work directly with legislators in the general assembly to further projects. They have spent time on items such as turning the Navy Supply Corps School site into a medical college, Wrigley said.

"We work very closely with all the members of our local delegation, including (Keith) Heard and (Bill) Cowsert, plus Rep. Doug McKillip, Sen. Ralph Hudgens, and Rep. Bob Smith," Wrigley said Wednesday in an e-mail. "Our local delegation is where we start with our appeals for assistance."

"The institute provides training and policy research to the legislature and executive branches," Wrigley said.

Efforts to reach Keith Heard and Bill Cowsert were unsuccessful.

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