Home - Office of Government and Community Relations

Welcome from the Vice President

Welcome to the website for the Office of Government and Community Relations at Oakland University!

Our team is passionate about fulfilling its mission to advocate for and promote the important role of OU and all institutions of higher education to the future of our region, state, nation and world. Enhancing awareness among state, county, local and federal government officials as well as various communities and organizations are crucial to this mission.

The Office of Government and Community Relations serves as a liaison to these public entities and constituencies and is in charge of establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships with those individuals who have a direct influence over public policy and appropriations matters that impact Oakland University. Thanks to many of you, we have wonderful stories to tell and we are very glad to share them with others.

As a state university, we depend on taxpayer revenues for our general operating budget and major campus building projects, such as the recently authorized Human Health Building for the Schools of Nursing and Health Sciences and the proposed Engineering Center.

Michigan needs more residents pursuing education beyond high school, and public higher education institutions, like Oakland University, need state support to help mitigate tuition increases.

It is the primary responsibility of the Office of Government and Community Relations to communicate these and related messages to key public officials especially during these challenging economic times and the revolving door and constant changing of the guard created by term limits.

Effective communications is not a one-way street. As the university's government relations’ liaisons, it is also our responsibility to listen and respond appropriately to the needs and concerns expressed by public officials, their staff and constituents.

In closing, consider this website as a door that is always open to the office and your elected officials. If you need more information, please feel free to contact us.

Rochelle A. Black

Vice President for Government and Community Relations