Syracuse University reported $60,000 in total lobbying activity for the first quarter of 2014, down from $70,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to its most recent filings with Congress.

Lobbying activity for the first quarter focused on science, homeland security and veterans. The first quarter report covered Jan. 1 through March 31. The report was due on April 21.

SU reported less spending for the first quarter of 2014 compared to previous first quarter reports in 2012 and 2013, respectively. This was a result of Chancellor Kent Syverud’s transition into his position and the amount of time SU spent lobbying because of the transition, said Eric Persons, associate vice president of government and community relations at SU in an email.

“Given the leadership transition with the new chancellor, it’s not unusual that the university reported less spending on lobbying, simply because we have been spending less time lobbying, and more time supporting the chancellor’s transition,” he said.

The areas the university did lobby in, such as science, homeland security and veterans, are all issues that directly relate to SU’s research and teaching on campus, Persons said.

“Our faculty and researchers regularly speak to our federal representatives about the important role that federal research funding has in science and developing innovation technologies to grow our economy,” he said.

In science and technology, SU lobbied for funding opportunities for research on energy efficiency, according to the report. In regards to homeland security, SU lobbied for “contact with regard to grant or other funding opportunities for research and training in the areas of forensic science as it relates to national security,” according to the report.

SU lobbied for continued support for the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, particularly for IVMF’s grant application to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship program, according to the report.

The V-WISE program assists women veterans, active duty and female family members in becoming successful entrepreneurs, according to the IVMF website. It is a three-phase program and is offered to 200 participants each session, according to the website.

“IVMF is very active working with our federal partners in order to continue to bring nationally recognized education and training programs to our returning veterans and transitioning military personnel,” Persons said.

Persons said SU doesn’t spend money on lobbying specific issues, but rather on maintaining relationships with government officials.

“What we report in our lobbying disclosure is a portion of staff salaries and expenses proportional to time spent on lobbying activity,” he said.

In 2013, SU lobbied a total of $300,000, which ranked 789 out of 4,126 educational lobbying institutions, according to OpenSecrets.org, a website that tracks money in U.S. politics and its affect on elections and public policy. This was up from a total of $280,000 in lobbying in 2012 and $240,000 in 2011, according to the website.

Danielle Staudt, executive director of the Association of Government Relations Professionals, said in an email that it’s common for universities with strong research efforts to lobby, as the federal government often gives out funding for research.

“Lobbying is important for any organization affected by decisions made by the government,” she said. “It’s a critical component to making sure that the needs of the university, its students and faculty are heard by elected officials.”

Currently, regulations surrounding student financial aid, education finance and the use of federal funding to support science and research are being heavily discussed, Persons said.

He expects SU will spend more time lobbying as the federal government acts on issues important to students and higher education. For example, the Higher Education Act is up for reauthorization, Persons said.

“This (the Higher Education Act) is the primary regulatory piece of legislation that guides the Department of Education’s oversight of student financial aid, and it impacts our admissions and daily operations,” he said.

Persons said SU’s lobbying efforts in the future may depend on the results of the 2014 mid-term elections and how issues such as the Higher Education Act are addressed.

The second quarter runs from April 1 to June 30 with a filing deadline of July 21.

Published on April 29, 2014 at 2:07 am

Contact Justin: jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306