Keith Yehle

With the opening of the legislative session, government is fresh in the minds of many in the KU community. Some may not realize, however, that an office at KU is working full-time to represent the best interests of the university and its individuals, as well as tell the institution's story to elected officials in Topeka and Washington, D.C.

Part of the Office of External Affairs, the Office of Government Relations works "to facilitate a flow of information from the university to the state and federal government on KU's priorities, legislative initiatives and to respond to legislative inquiries," said Director Keith Yehle.

Paul Carttar, executive vice chancellor for external affairs, said the flow of information travels two ways, serving the KU community and elected officials.

"Elected officials at both the state and federal level are important constituents of the university, whose support for KU is essential if we're to meet our shared goals of advancing the interests of the state," Carttar said. "This requires systematic efforts to build relationships that enable us to understand their needs and for them to understand our capabilities."

The office maintains its dual purpose by relating important topics, such as the KU Cancer Center and the deferred maintenance backlog, to elected officials. That role is balanced by assisting the KU community in working with state and federal representatives and keeping abreast of important legislative issues.

An example of the former is encouraging the legislature to provide funding for the KU Cancer Center and to adopt the Kansas State Board of Regents' proposed plan to address the $584 million deferred maintenance backlog at campuses across the state. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius recently called for an annual commitment of $5 million to the KU Cancer Center. The regents' plan, which calls for a one-tenth-cent sales tax that would sunset in 10 years, a one-mil property tax levy and $150 million in bonds was not mentioned in the governor's budget, and the legislature has not acted on it yet.

Government Relations also works with elected officials who visit campuses to highlight the university's expertise and increase their understanding of KU's mission.

To assist KU faculty, staff, students and alumni, the office provides several services, such as assistance in preparing for meetings with elected officials. When meeting with a state or federal representative, Yehle said there is often only time to get across a few points. His office can assist individuals who have scheduled meetings make the most of their time.

"We can help coordinate a message that is concise and easily understood by legislators and staff," he said.

The office recently launched its Web site, www.govrelations.ku.edu. The site features important legislation facing KU, including sections on state and federal relations, and follows legislative bills that are important to KU. The status of the bills is regularly updated as they move through the legislative process.

The office has been active for years, but Yehle is new. Not entirely new though.

He has been on the job for seven months but worked for eight years as a senior staff member for Sen. Pat Roberts. Before that, he worked for Congresswoman Jan Meyers. A KU graduate and native Kansan, he was drawn to KU while working on Capitol Hill.

"I'd worked with the university for a number of years through Sen. Roberts' office and developed a close relationship with several people here," he said. "I really want to work with KU faculty and staff, and help them as part of the KU team."