NU Advocates Action Center

Tools, Resources and More

You're an Advocate. Now What?

As a NU Advocate, we want to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to help make a difference. And our Advocates Action Center has all the tools you need. Take a look through, and if there’s something you think we should add, please let us know at externalrelations@nebraska.edu.

Legislature 101

The Nebraska Legislature is the only unicameral in the United States, which means it only has one house—most states have two, a House and a Senate.

Its members are called “senators”, and the legislature officially recognized no party affiliation. With 49 members, it is also the smallest state legislature of any U.S. state.

Click the link below to download the Nebraska Legislature Lookbook, which contains a history of the unicameral, information on observing the legislature, a roster of current senators, an overview of the legislative process, a glossary of legislative terms and more.

What Advocates Do

When you become an NU Advocate, you amplify the conversation about investing in the University of Nebraska. Here’s what you can expect when you join the effort, and how you can make the most of your actions.

Find the handles of your state senators and tag them on posts that talk about how the University of Nebraska has impacted you. Share positive NU news in your feed to help spread the word. Be sure to use our hashtag: #NUforNE.

Get Loud on Social Media

Look for emails about events like our “I Love NU” Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. Or, attend bill hearings at the Rotunda to get more informed. When NU Advocates show up at the State Capitol, it sends a powerful message to legislators.

Attend Advocacy Events

Emails and phone calls are effective ways to reach state senators. If you're not able to speak directly with a senator, talk to a staff member or leave a message. Include your name and number and share why the University is important to you.

Call or Send an Email

Make a Call or Send an Email

All new NU Advocates will receive a welcome packet with a window cling to help share your University pride. Use the cling on your car to show your support of the University of Nebraska.

Show Your University Pride

Share Your University Pride

All new NU Advocates will receive a welcome packet with a window cling to help share your University pride. Use the cling on your car to show your support of the University of Nebraska.

Advocacy Resources

Before you can successfully advocate, you’ll want to know a little about the University of Nebraska and our goals. Below are three documents that will give you information about our strategic plan, our economic impact, and some key statistics. (These are also great to share with others or on social media!)

The Five-Year Strategy articulates key priorities and offers specific targets against which to measure progress. These priorities are highly relevant and will help define the future of higher education in our state.

NU's Five-Year Strategy

Download a copy of our Key Facts handout, which contains a wide range of facts statistics on the university's impact on our state.

Key Facts About the University

Download a copy of our Key Facts handout, which contains a wide range of facts statistics on the university's impact on our state.

In 2021, Tripp Umbach, a leading national consultant with expertise in economic impact studies, conducted an independent analysis of our impact on the state’s economic and social vitality. Click here to read the report.

Economic Impact Report

Learn more about the university's impact in your legislative district, including economic impact and numbers of students, alumni and NU employees.

Impact by District

Learn more about the university's impact in your legislative district, including economic impact and numbers of students, alumni and NU employees.

Share your story or point of view.

Find your senator and contact them

Our Stories

There’s no better way to understand how your university is making a difference than through stories. From podcasts to online stories to our new magazine, learn more about how the University of Nebraska System is changing the way today's problems are solved.

Our faculty, staff, students and alums are addressing real-world problems with innovative, thoughtful solutions. Read over 50 stories, sortable by campus and topic.

"NUforNE" Impact Stories

Our faculty, staff, students and alums are addressing real-world problems with innovative, thoughtful solutions. Read over 50 stories, sortable by campus and topic.

Our podcasts share the stories of people across the NU System who are touching lives and making an impact. Listen on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

"Leading Nebraska" Podcast

Our podcasts share the stories of people across the NU System who are touching lives and making an impact. Listen on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

From fighting infectious disease to developing our workforce, feeding a growing world to keeping our country safe, we come together to move our state forward.

"Shaping the Future" Magazine

From fighting infectious disease to developing our workforce, feeding a growing world to keeping our country safe, we come together to move our state forward.

Your Story

Your story is just as personal and powerful as the ones shared above. Take a moment to tell it to your senator—and share why it’s important to invest in the University of Nebraska.

It only takes a few minutes to send a personal email or make a phone call. And we’ll even walk you through how to do it.

REACH OUT TO YOUR STATE SENATOR

Social Media Toolkit

Social Media and Advocacy

Social media is a powerful tool for advocates to use. When used to support advocacy efforts, social media can spread information, reinforce relationships among supporters, promoting participatory dialogue, and strengthen collective action.

Follow the University of Nebraska System

Be sure to follow the NU System's official social media channels at the links below. We share stories every day highlighting the university's impact—and we invite you to share those stories, too.

#NUforNE

We encourage all members of the university community to share stories about the university’s impact on social media. Find the handles of your state senators and tag them on posts that talk about how the University of Nebraska has impacted you. Share positive NU news in your feed to help spread the word. Be sure to use our hashtag: #NUforNE.

"I Love NU" Profile and Cover Photos

Facebook Profile Photo Frame

Did you know? You can add an “I Love NU” frame to your Facebook profile picture! Just click the camera icon to the right of your profile picture, select “Add Frame,” search for “‘I Love NU’ by University of Nebraska,” and choose your campus color.

You can make an impact by voting.