Guidelines for Congressional Visit

The Stennis Center and the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress have adopted these written guidelines for colleges and universities that would like to participate in the Congress to Campus Program.

1. The host institution is responsible for providing meals, lodging and ground transportation for the visiting former Members of Congress. If the former Members arrive by air, the host institution is responsible for meeting the former Members at the airport and returning them to the airport.
   
   
2. Each participating institution must designate a faculty member or high-ranking administrator to serve as the coordinator throughout the visit by the former Members. This person will have full responsibility for scheduling, ground transportation, lodging, meals, and other obligations of the host institution.
   
   
3. The coordinator must submit a proposed agenda for approval at least four weeks in advance that takes into account every hour of the former Members' time on campus. The schedule should make extensive use of the former Members' time through classroom lectures, public talks, community forums, etc. Keep members together as a team, instead of splitting them up. NOTE: The former Members' biggest complaint is that they are not kept busy. They arrive on campus in campaign mode and expect a full schedule.
   
   
4. The coordinator must contact both of the former Members before the visit with the schedule and logistics of the visit, such as the address and phone number of the accommodations for the former Members.
   
   
5. The coordinator should include participation from the President and/or other top administrative leaders in the program to demonstrate the commitment of the campus to the aims of the program, i.e. promoting the importance of public service and expanding understanding of the role Congress plays in our national government.
   
   
6. The coordinator should make the former Members available to the local news media, including print, radio and television. In addition, the Stennis Center and U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress require a brief written report and evaluation of the visit including photographs, copies of press reports and any other summary materials related to the visit.