What lawmakers and the
media want to know
Chancellor takes UCLA's message to Capitol Hill
BY JUDY LIN
UCLA Today
He was clearly a man on a mission: Chancellor Albert Carnesale
went to Washington, D.C., April 17-19 to advocate for UCLA’s
interests in meetings with members of the California congressional
delegation who serve in leadership roles in the House of Representatives.
Among those who heard his message were Reps. Howard Berman (D-North
Hollywood), Jane Harman (D-Venice), Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), Howard
P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita), Lucille Roybal-Allard
(D-Los Angeles), Linda Sanchez (D-Lakewood), Adam Schiff (D-Burbank),
Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) and Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles).
Carnesale emphasized the positive impact of research funding, offered
UCLA faculty as a well-grounded resource on diverse subjects, discussed
the widening public-private university resource gap and more. His
visit tied in with a meeting of the Association of American Universities.
Accompanying him to Capitol Hill was Keith Parker, assistant vice
chancellor of government and community relations, who noted: “Chancellor
Carnesale is an invaluable resource to UCLA in helping Congressional
leaders and policy makers — people who make decisions that
impact us — more fully understand our needs and our contributions.”
Continued support for research funding is one such interest. “Congressional
members need to know how this funding is used and why it’s
important,” Parker said. “The dollars that go to basic
research really do make a difference in terms of discoveries made
and the quality of our lives.”
Carnesale invited leaders to use the university’s brain trust
of faculty members who possess extensive expertise on such issues
as Social Security reform and technology.
The chancellor also met with reporters and editors from the Los
Angeles Times D.C. bureau, who wanted to know his perspectives on
national security, nuclear proliferation and related issues, based
on his deep expertise and experience in these areas. In a meeting
with the Chronicle of Higher Education, he discussed, among other
topics, his views on the future of public higher education and strategies
to help narrow the resource gap between top public and private universities
in order to ensure continued excellence.
“The chancellor’s visit maintains an essential connection
to our Congressional members and other decision makers,” Parker
said. “Leaders look to him for insight. He’s a tremendous
asset for us.”
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