Congressional staffers tour University

Photo by Dana Johnson

Congressional staff members touring campus last week included Kenney Scroggs (left to right), Laura Delaney, Bill Snodgrass, Paul Chapman, and Chester Goad. Jeff Vincent (background) helped to organize the daylong event, which included an overview of the Free-Electron Laser by Bill Gabella (right).

by Skip Anderson

Nine congressional aides toured campus Nov. 28 to become better informed about the University and several programs of interest to federal lawmakers.

The Tennessee offices of seven of the state's 11 members of the U.S. Congress -- two senators and nine representatives -- were represented.

"This tour is designed to enhance the already strong relationship with the staff of the Tennessee federal delegation," said Geoffrey H. Vincent, director of the University's Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C. "It is important for the people who work on the front lines with the constituents to be personally familiar with Vanderbilt and its people. It is equally important for them to have a sense of the breadth of scholarly research undertaken here, and how this institution serves the state of Tennessee."

Organizers hope the enhanced familiarity will help the staff members better understand higher education issues and Vanderbilt-specific issues they deal with on a regular basis, said Vincent. The tour emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of much of Vanderbilt's research, the University's involvement in the community and the state, and the importance of federal investment in university-based research.

Participants in the daylong event included Bart VerHulst, state director and Jeb Beasley, field representative from U.S. Sen. Bill Frist's office; Laura Delaney, caseworker in U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson's office; Kenny Scroggs, district field representative from U.S. Rep. Ed Bryant's office; Bill Mason, district administrator and Jason Spain, field representative from U.S. Rep. Bob Clement's office; Jim Stubblefield, field representative from U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon's office; Paul Chapman, district director and Chester Goad, projects director from U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary's office; and Bill Snodgrass, district director from U.S. Rep. William L. Jenkins' office.

After an overview of the campuses, the entourage received a preview from Ian Burr, associate vice chancellor for Children's Health Services, of the future Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, scheduled to open in fall 2003. After a luncheon that included Kenneth F. Galloway, dean of the School of Engineering; Richard McCarty, dean of the College of Arts and Science; and Michael J. Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for Public Affairs, the tour resumed at the Free-Electron Laser Center. William Gabella, the facility's associate director, provided a briefing about the world's most powerful tool of its kind. The tour concluded at the Susan Gray School for Children, where the congressional aides were greeted by Director Ruth Wolery. Participants were able to see how a student population comprised of children with and without cognitive disabilities learns together in a classroom environment. They also met with Pat Levitt, the incoming director of the Kennedy Center.

Although it is not uncommon for elected officials to visit campus, Vincent said the tour for selected staff members may not have been possible had the 107th session of Congress not been extended indefinitely.

"It can be difficult to coordinate such a meeting with congressional aides because their schedules are subject to the vagaries of the day-to-day activities of the elected officials," said Vincent, who worked with Steve Smartt, director of Sponsored Research, to coordinate the event. "When the congressional delegation returns to their respective districts, the schedules of these particular staffers become very tight."

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