POLICY SUMMARY FORM
Policy Name: News Releases
Policy Number: 15.3
Is this policy new, being reviewed/revised, or deleted?
Review/Revise
Date of last revision, if applicable: 4/23/2013
Unit(s) Responsible for Policy Implementation: Vice President for University Advancement
Purpose of Policy (what does it do): Provides guidelines regarding media relations and requests
for publicity
Reason for the addition, revision, or deletion (check all that apply):
Scheduled Review
Change in law
Response to audit finding
Internal Review
Other, please explain:
Please complete the appropriate section:
Specific rationale for new policy:
Specific rationale for each substantive revision: Adds guideline for appropriate timeframe for
requesting media coverage. Updates reflect name change of department and change in reporting
structure.
Specific rationale for deletion of policy:
Additional Comments:
Reviewers:
Shirley Luna, Executive Director of University Marketing Communications
Jill Still, Vice President for University Advancement
Damon Derrick, General Counsel
News Releases
Original Implementation: 1950
Last Revision: April 23, 2013April 12, 2016
Departments and individuals seeking media coverage concerning university activities should
request assistance from the Office of Public AffairsUniversity Marketing Communications,
which will work collaboratively with the requesting party to evaluate the newsworthiness of
the activity. When an activity is determined to be newsworthy, the Office of Public Affairs
University Marketing Communications will prepare and market a release of information to the
news media. As a general guideline, requests for media coverage should be made a minimum of
10 days before the scheduled event.
Departments and individuals should not contact the news media without the assistance of the
Office of Public AffairsUniversity Marketing Communications. News media receive numerous
requests for coverage from a wide range of organizations and individuals. Uncoordinated
coverage requests and/or requests for coverage of activities that may have little or no news
value for the media have the potential to diminish the effectiveness of the Office of Public
Affairs University Marketing Communications when it makes requests for coverage of
newsworthy activities. The Office of Public Affairs University Marketing Communications may
grant exceptions to select university divisions regarding this aspect of this policy.
Upon occasion, news media may directly contact university faculty or staff members to seeking
interviews foror comments that may be published or broadcast. Faculty and staff members are
encouraged, as time permits, to share their insights on topics within their areas of scholarly
study or professional expertise. Such participation has the potential to highlight the quality of
university personnel, bring positive visibility to the university and provide a valuable
community service. The faculty or staff member contacted by the media promptly should notify
the Office of Public Affairs University Marketing Communications of the interview request. The
Office of Public AffairsUniversity Marketing Communications can assist both sides in
facilitating the interview and monitor the media outlet for publication or broadcast of the
interview.
Cross Reference: None
Responsible for Implementation: PresidentVice President for University Advancement
Contact for Revision: Executive Director of Public Affairs and MarketingUniversity Marketing
Communications
Forms: None
15.3 News Release
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Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs
15.3 News Release
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