Government Relations is the primary liaison between UNH and the executive and legislative branches of New Hampshire state government. We work closely with the Board of Trustees and our colleagues at Keene State College, Plymouth State University and Granite State College. We track legislation that could impact the university and coordinate expert testimony on key University-related resources.

The primary focus in state government relations over the next nine months will be to support our state appropriation request. In the last state budget, lawmakers cut state support to UNH by 49 percent, the largest cut in the nation and leaving NH last in the nation in terms of public support for higher education.

The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees - which officially determines our state appropriation request and tuition levels—voted in support of asking lawmakers to restore the 2011 budget cut of 49% in exchange for UNH providing more financial aid and freezing tuition for New Hampshire students for two years. This is a position that 71% of New Hampshire adults support, according to a recent poll from the UNH Survey Center.

You can help us make this case to lawmakers and candidates by joining UNH Works and signing up to be a UNH Advocate.  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. 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.

For more information about state government relations contact Mica Stark or (603) 862-2450.
 
State Offices:
Gov. Maggie Hassan
New Hampshire General Court
State Senate