Keeping Legislators Informed: A Study of Feedback from Legislators on Information Provided by the University of Manitoba. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.

A 1986 study was designed to obtain feedback from members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the Province of Manitoba on the information they receive from the University of Manitoba and ways in which the university could keep them better informed. Interviews were done with 47 of the 57 MLAs. Findings indicated the following: the University of Manitoba is not doing a particularly good job of keeping MLAs informed of its interests and concerns; 47% of those interviewed are dissatisfied with the level and types of information they are receiving from the university; 74% would like to receive additional information. Three recurring themes were: (1) legislators place a high value on secondary relations (the unofficial, less formal contacts between government officials and university personnel); (2) institutions should proceed slowly and cautiously in their attempts to improve university-government relations; and (3) the University needs a more positive approach to selling itself. An appendix lists interview guidelines. Contains 11 references. (SM)