TIPS ON COMMUNICATING WITH LEGISLATORS: Recent budget cuts to the university and increases in tuition are a source of frustration for students. You can positively affect legislative decision-making. Legislators do read emails and letters from students. The Northern Iowa Student Government encourages you to contact your home district legislators and share your personal stories about how budget cuts and tuition increases are affecting your education. To locate your home legislator and members of the education appropriation committees, visit http://staffweb.legis.state.ia.us/find-leg/. I encourage you to share copies of your letters and responses from legislators. You can send letters to the Northern Iowa Student Government Office in Maucker Union, or email adam01@uni.edu or NISG@uni.edu.

Thanks for your support.
Adam Briddell
NISG President

The following communication tips serve as a resource when addressing your senator or representative.

-Never use a form letter or mass email for communication; legislators won't read these.

-Address your legislator as the Honorable (Legislator Name) and in the salutation, Senator or Representative (Name).

-Be polite and respectful.

-Always identify your hometown and that you are a student.

-State the reason for your letter in the first paragraph.

-Be concise and don't get too technical about the issues; the legislator always knows more about the issue.

-Get a commitment; ask your legislator to let you know his or her position on the issues.

-Include your return address.

-Write to legislators at the State Capitol during the session.

-Always thank your legislator.

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