A Message from the President
December 18, 2014
Dear Faculty and Staff:
As we approach a new year and a new state legislative session, it is important that we work as a team across the Rio Grande Valley to assure that our legislative priorities are effectively communicated and that our state and federal legislators are being given appropriate and timely information. UTRGV has recently hired Veronica Gonzales as the Vice President for Governmental and Community Relations and she has hired Lisa Cardoza to serve as her Associate Vice President for Governmental Relations. Other hires are in process but all inquiries and questions can and should be directed to Veronica or Lisa.
Below is a legislative contact policy I am requesting that we all adhere to. Should you be contacted by elected officials or their staff, please notify Ms. Gonzales or Ms. Cardoza and please feel free to direct officials to them for answers to questions they may have or for assistance.
Legislative Contact Policy: The Office of Governmental Relations has the primary official responsibility to communicate with all local, state, and federally-elected officials and their respective staff regarding The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s present and future legislative funding and policy priorities. To ensure appropriate, timely and coordinated responses to all legislative inquiries, please forward for review all inquiries to:
The Office of Governmental Relations
Email: veronica.gonzales@utrgv.edu or lisacardoza@utpa.edu
Phone: 956-665-7495 or 956-665-2129
Fax: 956-665-5308
In addition, state law and University policy prohibit employees from representing the University and expressing opinions for or against any legislative action on matters relating to official University business or from using any University resources, including stationery, fax machines, e-mail and telephones, to conduct such activities. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s legislative contact policy does not preclude an employee from expressing opinions for or against any legislative action as a private citizen.
Please direct all questions relating to this subject to the Office of Governmental Relations.
Thank you all for your cooperation and Happy Holidays,
President