With the Nebraska Legislature in session, University of Nebraska employees are reminded of a guiding principle regarding communication with state representatives.
University employees are free to engage with elected officials, offer their expertise on policy issues, and make their opinions publicly known. However, unless directed by the University of Nebraska senior leadership team to engage policymakers on a specific matter, employees should make clear that they are acting as an individual and not representing the official position of the University of Nebraska. Additionally, unless acting at the request of the president and chancellors, employees engaging in advocacy should do so on their own time and should not use university resources (i.e. letterhead or university email) to do so.
If you have questions, contact UNMC’s Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Bob Bartee or UNMC’s Director of Government Relations Mark Bowen. Learn more at the Office of Government Relations website.