Congressional, state, and local meetings provide an excellent opportunity to engage government officials on issues important to WashU and our communities. As a constituent and/or representative of WashU, your personal story about the positive impacts of WashU in your district is invaluable and informative for key-decision makers.

Please contact the Office of Government and Community Relations at 314-935-5752 or governmentrelations@wustl.edu, and our team can assist you with preparations if you are interested in meeting with your elected officials, or if you have already scheduled a meeting. Our local Washington, D.C. or Jefferson City based team members may also be available to accompany you and help you navigate the capitol on the day of your meeting. In advance, here is a short guide of best practices for meeting with government officials as a WashU Advocate.

Preparation for the Meeting

  1. Goal: The overall engagement goal is to establish long-term, collegial relationships with local, state, or federal offices and advance policies that benefits WashU’s mission. Define a short meeting agenda based around this larger goal with the main objectives for the specific policy issue for your visit.
  2. Research: Understand the key issues for WashU, the government official’s background, and stance on relevant topics. You may meet directly with a Representative or Senator, or you may meet with a staff member familiar with the issue. Here are some of the common positions you may meet with: Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, Senior Policy Advisor, Legislative Assistant,  Legislative Correspondent, and Executive Assistant.
  3. Materials: Elected officials and staff will appreciate one-page summaries you can bring about the relevant issue, and other informative handouts about WashU’s overall impact in the legislative district. You may also bring business cards to exchange upon introductions.

During the Meeting

  1. Arrival: Plan to arrive early for your meeting to navigate the buildings efficiently and check in with staff. Review maps of the location in advance of your visit.
  1. Introductions: Introduce yourself, your background, connection with WashU, and why you are advocating for the University.
  2. Personal Connection and Story: Share personal stories, data, and examples of WashU’s impact in the legislator’s district to make your meeting more compelling and persuasive.
  3. Clarity and Brevity – Ask: The meeting may typically last 30 minutes or less, so it is important to clearly stay focused on your key points and facts around the issue without using technical terms and acronyms for a general audience. State your specific request for the government official’s support.
  4. Respect and Professionalism: Always be courteous, even if there are policy disagreements, look to discuss areas of common ground. Remember you are representing WashU, and the goal is to maintain long-term supportive relationships.
  5. Ask Questions: Engage the government official with thoughtful questions about their perspective and other ways they can potentially support WashU.

Follow-Up

  1. Thank You Note: Send your elected official a follow-up email or letter expressing gratitude for their time and consideration of the critical issues for WashU.
  2. Additional Information: Provide any additional one-pagers, supporting documents or other detailed information your elected official and staff might find helpful.
  3. Social media: Connect with the Office of Government and Community Relations and University Marketing and Communications to publicize your meeting and thank the elected official again for meeting with you. For more information, visit WashU Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices.

University Channels:

Sample posts:

@ExampleSenator  thank you for meeting with advocates, discussing the university’s priorities and supporting @WUSTL! #WashU  #WashUinDC

Great to meet w/@ExampleSenator’s office today. I appreciated hearing about support for @WUSTL legislative priorities! #WashU  #WashUinDC

Legislative Tracking

You may monitor of the progress of federal and state legislation with the following resources.

Engaging Locally – Events & Meetings in District

Engaging with elected officials in their local offices or inviting them to WashU events can strengthen government relationships and support for WashU. Well planned events can highlight the work of the University and your impact, and further engage elected officials with a speaking role in the event.

The university welcomes campus speakers representing a diverse range of views, beliefs, and governmental responsibilities. However, to ensure the university can host a particular official, candidate, or political campaign representative in accordance with the Guidance on Political, Campaign and Lobbying Activity, members of the University community must first contact the Office of Government & Community Relations at 314-935-5752 or  governmentrelations@wustl.edu before extending an invitation. Requests from government officials to visit campus should immediately be shared with the Office of Government & Community Relations so that the proper university leadership can be involved in hosting such a visit.