EFFECTIVE DATE: November 30, 2021
ISSUE #: 9
PRESIDENT: Dr. Loren J. Blanchard
PURPOSE
This PS states the university policies and procedures on release of information about the
university to news media and how to respond to media requests. The release of information in
student records is not contained in this PS.
DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this policy, news media shall refer to representatives of newspapers,
magazines, newsletters, online publications, blogs, television, radio or any other media outlet.
POLICY
The Office of University Relations is officially designated as the university liaison with all news
media and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing a program of media relations
for the institution. Official contact with the media is made in coordination with this office. The
following procedures have been developed to help the office of university relations provide
assistance to faculty and staff members and student organizations.
PROCEDURES
4.1 Faculty, staff, and students are to contact the Office of University Relations at least
three weeks in advance of significant announcements which may have media interest.
University relations will prepare press releases for distribution in consultation with the
requestor, and forward them to appropriate media contacts, and additional media
contacts recommended by the requester. An employee or department that seeks to
publicize a program, event or achievement should contact University Relations. This
office has access to numerous media contacts and will work with employees to
coordinate publicity or visibility for programs, events or newsworthy issues.
4.2 If approached by a representative of the media, faculty and staff members are to direct
inquiries to the Director of Communications, University Relations. Individuals should
not respond directly to media, but should provide the media representative with
contact information for the Director of Communications. They should follow up by
providing a summary of the encounter to the Director of Communications, University
Relations.
4.3 Any faculty or staff member who observes media representatives working on the
campus is to notify the Office of University Relations so its staff may offer assistance.
REVIEW PROCESS
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Executive Director of University Relations
Review: Every three years on or before May 1.
Signed original on file in Employment Services and Operations.
POLICY HISTORY
Dates for prior issues are unavailable.
Issue #5: 05/12/1989
Issue #6: 10/16/1995
Issue #7: 07/09/2015 – Reaffirmed as Issue #8
REFERENCES
There are no references associated with this policy
