Welcome to UNH Works!

UNH Works brings together friends of UNH—alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and voters—to show their support for UNH to New Hampshire’s elected officials. To date, over 1300 advocates have signed up. We hope to convince state lawmakers to restore public funding for UNH, which was cut by nearly 50 percent last year. If the budget is returned to 2010 levels, the University pledges to freeze in-state tuition for two years and increase aid to students in need.

UNH Advocates can help us keep UNH affordable and accessible--and preserve our role in driving the state's economy and developing the talent, research and innovation that benefit all in New Hampshire.

We've created this website to keep you informed about state support for UNH, and about the University's achievements. Please check in often, and learn how you can help protect UNH's future.

Updates

NEW! Video makes case for public support

A new video features state business leaders and others explaining why public support for higher ed is critical to NH's economy and longterm success. See the video.

Nashua Patch video: Step up STEM education or lose best and brightest

Inventor, innovator and visionary Dean Kamen makes a convincing case for STEM education at the launch of the Emerging Technology Center at UNH Manchester. See the video.

The Telegraph: President Huddleston makes case for supporting NH students

In an interview with The Telegraph's editorial board, President Huddleston says efforts to restore public support for UNH are gaining ground at the State House as lawmakers learn more about the University's role in supporting the economy. Read more.

University System reacts to House Finance plan to cut budget proposed by Gov. Hassan

The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees and Presidents reacted to a recommendation by the House Finance Committee on March 27 to cut money for USNH from the budget proposed by Gov. Maggie Hassan. Read the statement.

Advocates join to testify at State House

Students, parents, alumni and business leaders joined at the State House on March 5 to back efforts to restore public support for NH's two- and four-year public colleges and universities. Read the story in UNH Today.

Public invited to statewide budget hearings

UNH Advocates are encouraged to attend a series of public hearings on the state budget being held across New Hampshire now through March 18. Hosted by the House Finance Committee, these hearings are an opportunity for citizens to learn about the budget, ask questions and share their opinions. See the schedule here.

USNH presidents' column endorses governor's plan to restore state support

The presidents of the state's four-year public colleges and universities offer their support for a proposal that would restore most of the money that was cut from the University System in 2011. Read the editorial.

Governor's budget promotes funding for USNH colleges and universities

In her budget address today, Gov. Hassan said, "The University System will receive an increase of $20 million in fiscal year 14 with an additional increase of $15 million in fiscal year 15, bringing the system back to 90 percent of where it was before the cuts." Read the full text of her budget address.

President Huddleston testifies before House budget writers, urges new partnership

President Huddleston called for a new partnership with state lawmakers in his testimony before the House Finance Committee on Jan. 17: "I want to change the tenor of the conversation that we have with one another. I want to end the sniping and the adversarial relationship. I want you to be proud of your institutions of higher education in New Hampshire.” Read his full testimony.

USNH parents appeal to state lawmakers

Parents of students enrolled in University System of New Hampshire schools recently wrote an opinion piece calling on state lawmakers to restore public support for higher education. Read the article.

Gov. Hassan highlights higher ed in inaugural address

In her Jan. 3 address to the Legislature, Gov. Maggie Hassan said, "Cutting state support for public education in half while lowering the tobacco tax two years ago was short sighted. It hurt our young people and, if not quickly addressed, will impair our future economic prosperity. We must begin to reverse course. In exchange, the University System, working with us, needs to increase the number of New Hampshire students admitted to our state colleges and universities and freeze in-state tuition." Read the full address.

State senator: Time to re-dedicate state resources to higher education

New Hampshire Sen. Lou D'Allesandro makes a convincing case that increasing state support for higher education is critical to the state's economic future and the families who depend on UNH for access to an affordable education. Read his column for the New England Board of Higher Education.

More than 1,400 sign on to be USNH advocates

More than 1,400 alumni, students, faculty and friends have signed on to support restored funding for New Hampshire's four-year public colleges and universities. Read more.

Patent and Trademark Resource Center opens at UNH School of Law

The UNH School of Law Library, recently designated as the New Hampshire Patent and Trademark Resource Center, will host a grand opening Nov. 1 from 9 to 5. The center will serve New Hampshire inventors, entrepreneurs, investors and lawyers. Read more.

News flash: NH tops nation in average student debt -- again!

A story in today's Nashua Telegraph reports, "If New Hampshire’s Class of 2010 thought it had it rough, the Class of 2011 just topped it." Read more.

Foster's editorial challenges UNH naysayers

The editorial board at Foster's says UNH critics should take stock of the National Science Board's concerns over funding cuts to public higher education. Read more.

Budget cuts concern National Science Board

The National Science Board says declines in state funding for public research universities -- including UNH -- threaten the nation's ability to innovate and compete globally. Read more.

Monitor: Solution demands partnership

Concord Monitor editorial: "After two years in which the university system has been demonized by legislators looking for budget cuts, a spirit of partnership would be a welcome improvement." Read more.

President details appeal for state support

President Huddleston makes the case for restoring state support to UNH. A recent poll shows that 71 percent of New Hampshire adults support restoring state funding if in-state tuition is frozen for two years and financial aid is increased for students in need. Read more.

Opinion: Time to invest in USNH

Richard Galway and Pamela Diamantis make the case for restoring state support of the University Sytems of New Hampshire. Galway and Diamantis are leaders of the System's Board of Trustees. Read their column in the Union Leader.

Poll: 64% of NH residents oppose cut

Sixty-four percent of Granite State residents did not agree with the state legislature’s decision to cut funding by 50 percent for public colleges and universities in New Hampshire, according to the latest Granite State Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Read more.

Business NH editorial: "Time to Step Up"

A Business NH magazine editorial concludes, "The business community must do a better job at driving home the message to the Legislature that we need a skilled workforce to grow and we need to give people the tools to create their own opportunities." Read more.

UNH contributes $1.4B to NH economy

A new economic impact study shows that UNH contributes more than $1.4 billion a year to New Hampshire's economy—or 2.3 percent of the state's $62 billion economy. That's an increase of more than $100 million since 2009. The survey also showed that UNH's contribution to the state's skilled workforce is valued at $642 million. Read more.

Veterinary Diagnostic Lab spared

The state commissioner of agriculture, the state veterinarian and UNH Today announced a reorganization of the N.H. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory staff that will allow for a renewed focus on increasing revenue and provide students in UNH’s pre-vet and pre-med programs the advising and hands-on experience in the lab that make UNH’s programs unique. Read more.

$20 million grant supports NH economy

Governor Lynch and President Huddleston announce a $20 million federal grant to support statewide economic development and New Hampshire's quality of life. Read more.

UNH community briefed on budget

President Huddleston announces an open forum to brief the University community on UNH budget issues and the impacts of recent state budget cuts. Read his letter.

Letter details response to budget cut

A letter to the University community outlines the response to a state budget cut and details opportunities. Read more.

Herald editorial assesses budget cut

The Portsmouth Herald assesses the state Legislature's handling of the UNH budget and weighs in on the University's response. Read the article.

Gittell: NH relies on skilled workforce

Professor Ross Gittell offers a spot-on assessment of what makes New Hampshire's economy strong -- and he's got the numbers to back it up. Read his guest column.

Business leaders line up for UNH

UNH competition inspires innovators

The Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation-to-Market competition at UNH is the oldest business plan competition in the state and one of the first in the nation. The competition is designed to stimulate entrepreneurship throughout the campus. Open to all students at UNH, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and Granite State College who have a proposal for bringing an innovative product or service to market, the competition helps students gain first-hand experience in commercializing new products and services, and provides access to faculty advisors and industry experts.

 Watch videos of 2011 finalists.

Huddleston outlines budget cut response

President Huddleston outlines the first steps that UNH is taking to absorb deep cuts in the proposed state budget appropriation for the University System. Read his letter to the UNH Community.

Huddleston testifies for UNH

President Mark Huddleston testified before the state Senate Finance Committee on behalf of the UNH budget. Leaders and students from the entire University System of New Hampshire also offered testimony at the crowded State House hearing. Read President Huddleston's testimony here.

UNH student Gina Chaput also submitted testimony to the State Senate on April 18. Read her remarks here.

Letter details UNH plans for proposed cut

In a letter to the University community, President Mark W. Huddleston outlines how the University is preparing to handle a range of impacts that a sudden loss in state revenue could have on our students, our community, and our mission. Read the letter.

Foster's editorial weighs in on budget vote

Foster's Daily Democrat weighs in on the state budget challenges facing the University:  "The point…is to get the state Legislature and the governor to take a long hard look at the state's commitment — or lack thereof — to maintaining a true state university system. They need to find and support ways to make and keep a higher education affordable." Read the full editorial.

NH House passes historic cut to higher ed

The New Hampshire House passed a budget on March 31 that would cut state support of UNH by $31 million, or 45 percent. Gov. John Lynch proposed a cut of between $5 million and $8 million. The state Senate now starts its work on the budget, and the Senate Finance Committee is expected to hold a hearing on the University's portion on April 18. Sen. Chuck Morse, the committee's chairman, says he plans to take a different approach to figuring out state expenses. See today's editorial in the Concord Monitor.

UNH community rallied for appeal

President Huddleston sends a letter to the UNH community. Read the letter.

President's column makes case for UNH

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