Federal Policy Principles

EDUCAUSE shall organize a program in government relations and policy analysis that represents the issues of the entire association.

The policy program will be staffed by the DC office, but will involve the entire executive team as ambassadors and strategists. It will operate according to procedures (below) that appropriately involve members, staff, partners, the Board, and other stakeholders in the EDUCAUSE policy process.

EDUCAUSE shall maintain an up–to–date list of policy issues and positions in order to frame and communicate our chosen concerns and directions.

The advice and opinions of various stakeholders within EDUCAUSE will be collected in an organized fashion as defined in this policy to inform the development of EDUCAUSE policy positions. Issues will be selected and positions developed according to known criteria such as:

• importance to our members, impact on higher education,
• the interests and activities of other organizations,
• availability of resources, and
• probability of successful action.

Recommended actions might commit EDUCAUSE, for example, to lead the support or opposition; follow others in support or opposition; support or oppose only if asked; take no position; or just watch and wait. The EDUCAUSE policy issues list will serve as a coordinating basis for policy communications as well as a framework for more specialized discussions with groups such as Net@EDU, ELI, CNI, the CIO List, and our partners.

Policy staff shall maintain a regular and effective means of communications with EDUCAUSE stakeholders to seek their input and advice on issues as they emerge and evolve.

The most effective communications methods will vary by stakeholder group. Informal comments from all sources will be collected through the policy and executive staffs. Professionally designed surveys will be used annually for all EDUCAUSE members and for the Net@EDU, ELI, and CNI. Focus groups will be organized at the EDUCAUSE annual meeting, and, with their permission, at Net@EDU, ELI, CNI, other policy interest groups, and selected professional conferences. EDUCAUSE executives and policy staff will participate personally in selected EDUCAUSE programs, presidential associations, and partner organizations in academia, government, and industry. Government hearings and the publications of other associations, industry, government, and media will be monitored on a regular basis, as will database and search services. It will be an important activity of the policy staff to collect and assemble all such intelligence into a form that is useful for analysis and recommendations.

EDUCAUSE policy positions shall be recommended by the staff, approved by the executive team, and confirmed by the Board.

• In the normal case (i.e., when there is time) staff will gather information and recommend positions and actions as described above. Recommendations will be revised and adopted by the executive staff, who will forward them to the Board for confirmation.
• In the case of fast–breaking developments which permit no delay, staff will communicate at the highest level consistent with the circumstances. They will always involve the executive team, and minimally, attempts will be made to poll the Chair of the Board and other key opinion leaders.
• In general, no public statements will be made on behalf of EDUCAUSE unless a corresponding policy position has been developed.

Staff will always report all substantive decisions and actions to the Board

EDUCAUSE shall develop a family of new communications products for policy issues.

The centerpiece will be an annual publication with a title such as, "EDUCAUSE Policy Issues for 19XX" that will outline the key issues, how they were chosen, what they mean to members, and how members can respond. Quarterly updates will outline the status of each issue. "Special Alerts" may be used for fast–breaking developments. These policy documents will be coordinated professionally in formats for paper, web, email, list–serve, and presentations; and will be targeted to different audiences for best effect and value. Special groups such as congressional aides, the Board, Net@EDU, ELI, CNI, and CIO List, and the Alliance will receive tailored, face–to–face discussions. (The staff also plans to explore communications for grass–roots activities such as a "Day in Washington" for member representatives around the NetXX meetings.)

EDUCAUSE shall work with its partners in industry, government, and other associations on policy issues of mutual interest, using its special expertise to best effect.

EDUCAUSE should be recognized as a principal and trusted source for information and advice on policy issues of information technology for higher education. To this end it should maintain a portfolio of activities including presentations, reports, white papers, testimony, and advice based on hard data and compelling anecdotes. It should be a quick and reliable channel to the expert services of members. It should play an active role with partners in the form of participation, formal membership, interlocking boards, and other joint activities that can effectively unify the voice of higher education on important issues.