Higher Education Government Relations Conference

2011 HEGRC banner

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 to Friday, December 02, 2011
San Diego, California

Navigating the Changing Compact- Between States and Public Higher Education
The 2011 conference program will focus on how college, university and system government relations professionals can successfully navigate the changing relationship between states and public higher education. These changing dynamics, intensified by the Great Recession and ongoing economic and fiscal challenges, involve a range of issues, including state funding, regulatory reform, and higher education governance. Through strong programming and networking opportunities, the conference will lend insight on how higher education legislative relations and public affairs professionals can facilitate effective government relations in the midst of evolving relationships between states and their public postsecondary institutions.

About the Conference

Now in its 18th year, the Higher Education Government Relations Conference is an educational forum for professionals whose responsibility it is to foster effective governmental and community relations on behalf of public colleges and universities, and state systems of higher education. The conference reflects a unique partnership among four national higher education associations: the American Association of Community Colleges, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Government relations staff from these associations, in partnership with the Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations (download pdf), comprised of state government affairs professional representing the entire spectrum of American public postsecondary education, help coordinate the conference.


Sponsorship

The 2011 Higher Education Government Relations Conference serves as an exceptional venue for generating product/service visibility and professional networking.

Task Force

Schedule at-a-Glance top

Wednesday, November 30
3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. — Programming

Thursday, December 1

7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. — Programming
Dinner on your own

Friday, December 2
7:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. — Programming and conference conclusion



Conference Program

(Check Back for Continuous Updates)

Wednesday, November 30

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Conference Opening
Mary Davenport, Chair, Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations
Interim Dean, Health and Service Programs, Saint Paul College, St. Paul, MN

Constance Carroll, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Opening General Session
Robert Shireman, Chief Consultant, California Competes

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.

Financing Public Colleges and Universities in an Era of State Fiscal Constraints
Edie Behr,Vice President/Senior Credit Officer and Manager
Managing Director, Public Finance Group, Health Care, Higher Education and Not-for-Profits (View PDF)
Moody’s Investors Service, New York, NY

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Reception and Advocacy Showcase
Join your government relations and public affairs colleagues in this exceptional networking and information-sharing venue. Learn about advocacy-oriented programs and practices that can be used to advance higher education as a state priority through one-on-one discussion with college and university state relations officers. 
 

Degree Efficiency Measure (PDF)
College Brain Trust Handout (PDF) 


Thursday, December 1 

8:00 – 9:15 a.m.
When the Ax Falls: Averting – or Dealing With – Sharp Reductions in State Higher Education Funding
Daniel Klaich, Chancellor, Nevada System of Higher Education (View PDF)  
Mica Stark, Special Assistant to the President for Gov't Relations & Strategic Initiatives, University of New Hampshire (View PowerPoint Presentation)
Karen Ball, Vice Chancellor for External Relations, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (View PDF

9:15 – 10:30
Cutting Funding, Cutting Strings: New State Governance Models for Higher Education
Bridget Burns, Chief of Staff, Oregon University System
Steve Swan, Vice President for University Relations, Western Washington University
Don Nelson, Director of State Relations, University of Wisconsin-Madison
 
10:45 – Noon
Performance-Based Funding: A Re-Emerging Approach to Boosting Institutional Outcomes
Thomas L. Harnisch, Policy Analyst, American Assn of State Colleges and Universities (View PowerPoint Presentation)
Russ Deaton, Associate Executive Director of Fiscal Policy and Administration, Tennessee Higher Education Commission (View Powerpoint Presentation)
Robert Smith, President, Slippery Rock University (PA) (View PowerPoint Presentation)

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Higher Education State Government Relations Awards Program – Honoring Achievement, Leadership and Innovation in State Relations 
Edwin Crawford Award for Innovation
Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Achievement Award

Luncheon Booklet (PDF)

McPherson Video

1:40 – 2:50 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 

Conveying Public Value through Economic Modeling and Advocacy
Kjell Christophersen, Co-founder and Senior Economist, Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (View PowerPoint Presentation)
Robert Smith, President, Slippery Rock University (PA)
Steven VanAusdle, President, Walla Walla Community College

College Access for Undocumented Students: Federal/State Legislative Actions and Institutional Facilitation
Tanya Broder, Senior Staff Attorney, National Immigration Law Center (View PowerPoint Presentation) (NILC PDF)
Patrick J. (PJ) Hogan, Vice Chancellor for Government Relations, University System of Maryland

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Crisis and Controversy Management – Learning from Experience 
Sesaly Stamps, Associate, DeConcini McDonald Yetwin and Lacy, P.C.
Karen Zamarripa, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy and State Relations, The California State University

Dinner on your own – or with fellow government relations & public affairs professionals
 


Friday, December 2

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Boosting Student Success Amidst the State-to-Student Cost Shift in Financing Public Higher Education
Dewayne Matthews, Vice President for Policy and Strategy, Lumina Foundation for Education (View PowerPoint Presentation)
Aaron Thompson, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (View PowerPoint Presentation)

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Washington Update: Briefing on Federal Legislation and Policy Issues (View PowerPoint Presentation)
Robert Moran, Director, Federal Relations & Policy Analysis, AASCU
Jennifer Poulakidas, Vice President of Congressional Relations, APLU
Jim Hermes, Senior Legislative Associate, AACC
Brian Flahaven, Director of Government Relations, CASE

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
State Outlook: Fiscal and State Policy Issues Impacting Higher Education
Daniel Hurley, Director, State Relations and Policy Analysis, AASCU (View PowerPoint Presentation
10:30-10:45 a.m.

Conference Closing
 
Announcement of 2012 conference venue and recognition of the Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations

 

 

Fees top

Early Registration (through November 18) - $475
Late Registration (after November 18) - $500

Registration Information top


How to Register

Please select among the two options below:


Accommodations top

Hotel 

  • San Diego Hilton Bayfront (HOTEL ROOMS SOLD OUT)
    1 Park Boulevard
    San Diego, CA 92101
    (619) 564-3333 Phone
    (619) 564-3344

 

***Please note---this hotels are not affiliated with the conference. Room rates may vary. ***

  • Omni Hotel San Diego (.5 miles to conference hotel) (Reserve Online)
    675 L Street
    San Diego, CA 92101
    (619) 231-5554

  • Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter (.5 miles to conference hotel) (Reserve Online)
    401 K Street
    San Diego, CA
    (619) 231-4040

  • Embassy Suites San Diego Bay-Downtown (1 mile to conference hotel) (Reserve Online)
    601 Pacific Highway
    San Diego, CA 92101
    (619) 239-2400 

Room Rates 

  • Special room rates: $199 Single/Double, plus 12.64% occupancy and sales tax
  • As you make your travel plans, please not that rooms are available at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront at the AASCU rate for the nights of Tuesday, November 29 through Friday, December 2. The room block does not include room nights pre and post meeting dates.

Hotel Cancellation Policy 

  • Cancellations will be accepted (2) days prior to arrival to avoid penalty. Any cancellation that occurs within (2) days will be charged one (1) night’s room and tax. Early departures will be charged a $75 fee. Cancellation fees may be waived if changes were the result of a family emergency or abnormal circumstance.

Travel 

  • Major domestic airlines serve the San Diego International Airport, a 10 minute drive from the hotel.

Transportation from Airport(s) to Hotel 

  • Most major car rental firms operate at the airport, as well as an airport shuttle service, taxis and limousines. There are also plenty of taxis waiting at the Hotel's cabstand to drive guests. Additionally, the concierge staff is very efficient in arranging private ground transport with the most professional livery services in the region.
     
  • Limo:
    Executive Corporate Limo – (619) 294-4000 or visit www.execlimoinc.com
     
  • Shuttle:
    Cloud 9 Shuttle – (619) 564-7908 or visit www.cloud9shuttle.com
    Fee: $8 per person each way from airport to hotel
     
  • Taxi: San Diego Yellow Cab – (619) 234-6161 or San Diego Cab, (619) 226-8294
    Fee: $7-$10 from airport to hotel.

Car Rental 

  • Car Rental: Hertz is the official car rental company for the Higher Education Government Relations Conference (HEGRC) offering discounted rates. Rates are guaranteed from November 29 –December 6, subject to car availability, from the San Diego International Airport.

    Rentals may have airport fees, surcharges, and motor vehicle fees related to car rental, which are separate charges from tax.
     
  • Reservations can be made by clicking here or by calling the Hertz Meeting Sales Desk at 800-654-2240 and mentioning the code Hertz CV#011B0074. Hertz will provide the best rates available. (All “0” are zeros). Standard rental conditions and qualifications apply. Advanced reservations are recommended.

Weather 

  • Temperatures in early December reach an average high in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s.

Cancellation & Refund Policytop

  • Cancel in writing by Nov. 18 to receive full refund.
  • Cancellations received after Nov. 18 will be charged a $150 administration fee that will be used to pay for meals and services already guaranteed at the hotel.
  • Cancellations received after Nov. 28 will not be refunded.

REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE

AASCU SUPPORTS

  • AASCU Supports APAHE and LEAP
    Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) is accepting applications for Leadership Development Program for Higher Education
    July 11-14, 2012
    Kellogg West, Pomona, CA
    Register Online 

Platinum Level


College Board Advocacy and Policy logo


Gold Level


DowLohnes Government Strategies logo


Laguardia Community College logo


Maricopa Community College logo


The University of Texas seal


Silver Level


College Brain Trust logo


Northeastern State University logo


Pima Community College logo


UNT Health Science Center logo


Bronze Level


McKenna Long logo


MnSCU logo


Awards Program


Capitol Impact logo