6820 - University Communications

A. The University Advancement objective is to strengthen the external and internal understanding of the university such that public opinion, financial support, volunteer involvement, and student enrollment increase in a manner consistent with the strategic plan. In support of that objective, the University Communications and Marketing staff provides consultation, production and/or project management services for strategic, university-wide, internal and external communications and marketing activities. These activities typically are related to: image management; media relations; publications; advertising; corporate identity; market research; web communications; President's communications; communication planning; crisis communications; and, event planning & promotion.

B. Working in conjunction with the President, the Vice President for Advancement and other members of senior leadership, University Communications and Marketing works in an integrated manner to communicate with the UI's multiple constituency groups. These groups include: individual taxpayers; business and industry; opinion leaders; state/national news media; Idaho legislature; governor; SBOE/Regents; congressional delegation; sister institutions; municipalities; county commissioners; current alumni; future alumni; current donors; prospective donors; corporate sponsors; current students; prospective students; parents; feeder schools; faculty; staff; UI retirees; city officials; student leaders; and, local media.

C. MEDIA RELATIONS. University Communications and Marketing disseminates news of UI to appropriate media in the state, region and nation. (Preparation of releases related to intercollegiate athletics is the responsibility of the sports information director, located in the Athletic Department; those related to agriculture are the responsibility of Agricultural Communications at the UI College of Agriculture. However, final approval for release to the media of items about UI or any major news story is the responsibility of the Associate Director for Media Relations. University Communications and Marketing has issued the following guidelines:

C-1. Effective news service requires the full cooperation of UI faculty, staff, and students. UI units are encouraged to assign specific persons to be responsible for providing items of news to the University Communications and Marketing.

C-2. UI personnel should call on University Communications and Marketing for assistance in obtaining the widest possible distribution of news material that is appropriate.

C-3. As a public institution, the University of Idaho strives to be as open and responsive to public inquiry as possible. University Communications and Marketing staff is available to help faculty and staff members approached by representatives of the news media about matters within their areas of responsibility to be effective spokespeople for the institution. The associate director for media relations may also serve as a spokesperson. All questions about university, college or departmental policies should be referred to the administrator of the unit concerned. The University of Idaho is bound by the guidelines of the Family Educational Right to Privacy Act regarding release of student information.

C-4. Announcements regarding appointments, resignations, and other actions affecting UI personnel are coordinated through the Office of the President.

C-5. When an action or occurrence at UI becomes a matter under the jurisdiction of federal, state, or local officials, the news media representatives are referred to those officials.

D. CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS. The UI Crisis Communication Plan shall be maintained by the Office of University Communications and Marketing. It works in conjunction with the UI Emergency management Plan and also serves as a stand alone plan in the event of a public relations crisis that would not trigger the institution's emergency plan.

D-1. In the event of a crises, all media inquiries or contacts are to be centrally managed by University Communications and Marketing, unless otherwise designated.

Version History

Amended 2007. Editorial changes.

Amended 2002. Substantial revision.

Adopted 1996.