Wayne State University plans to hire an external lobbyist following the resignation of staff members at its Washington office. The university's two lobbyists and an assistant in its federal affairs office resigned in recent weeks, citing frustration with how they were being asked to do their jobs. The office has been vacant since Sept. 30. WSU is speaking to several Washington lobbying firms and hopes to sign a six-month contract with one of them by Nov. 1, said Harvey Hollins III, vice president of government and community affairs. "Our federal affairs operations are important to the university. We have no intent of ceasing those," he said. After finding a temporary, external lobbying firm to represent WSU in Washington , Hollins plans to hire a new director and associate for its federal affairs office, he said. The third staff position will move back to WSU's Detroit campus to foster better communication between the Washington lobbyists and the academic departments about grant opportunities and funding needs, Hollins said. "Using a permanent external lobbyist is a new experience for Wayne State ," he said. "Is it the way to continue? I'll ask the deans, academic senate, the folks who've come in contact with this firm."