Editorial | Lobbying for Penn

For most people, the word "lobbying" brings up images of scandal, big business and high-priced gifts. But in recent years, the lobbying industry has quickly expanded to new types of organizations.

From local governments to non-profits, everyone is realizing the value of hiring people to represent them to the federal government. And now, Penn has joined the fray.

This past summer, the University relocated its Office of Governmental Relations to Washington to better connect with government officials and congressional staffers.

Penn has been a major beneficiary of an era in which most government programs are carried out through grants and outside organizations: In the government-by-proxy world, Penn receives hundreds of millions of dollars in government funds each year.

The University ranks second nationally in funding from the National Institutes of Health and receives tens of millions of dollars per year from other government sources.

With the dollars already rolling in, there may seem to be little need for such an office. Yet, it simply means that there's all the more work to do.

The University is already scoring big with NIH funding, but the new office must work hard to spread that success to other grant programs. Furthermore, with the future of higher education a major topic around the country, Penn's influence could mean significant funding in any new or expanded government programs.

To keep the dollars flowing, office staffers must work hard to get out Penn's name to those who haven't heard it. And for those who have, staffers must make sure it's the first school they think of when considering new grants.

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