The Office of University Relations is committed to ensuring accurate and effective communication of official information to the public, campus community and alumni through various media channels.

To facilitate efficient and accurate communication, University Relations serves as the first and primary contact for all media interactions. Any communication with the news media on behalf of The W, or in a capacity that represents the university, is to be conducted by administrators and staff designated by University Relations. Any official university response, statement or opinion on any matter should be referred to UR.

Employees or departments seeking to publicize a program, event, expertise or achievement through the news media are encouraged to reach out to the Office of University Relations. Through fostered media relations, University Relations collaborates with employees to coordinate publicity and enhance visibility for programs, events and the university community.

News Releases

In order to maximize exposure among local, state and national outlets, UR will review and edited for relevance, newsworthiness and adherence to AP Style before submitting to media outlets. University Relations will also determine the most suitable platforms for publication.

Offices and departments seeking a new release should aim to provide ample notice to ensure optimal media coverage and to avoid conflicts with other university news and activities. Failure to provide adequate notice may result in delays, a lack of media coverage and potential rejection of the request.

Faculty, Staff, and Media

Faculty members are encouraged to speak with members of the media regarding their research, scholarship, professional expertise and special events. Upon request, UR can provide assistance or guidance regarding interview preparation to help communicate your expertise clearly to members of the media. During media interviews, faculty and employees must clearly state their role and affiliation with the university for proper attribution.

All faculty members should notify deans, department chairs/heads and University Relations when discussions with a member of the media have occurred so University Relations can track media coverage, share that coverage with the university community and/or enhance the visibility and opportunity for media promotion.

Employees may not offer the university’s official response, statement or opinion, unless express authorization has been provided by University Relations in coordination with the Office of the President. Official responses on university matters must come from UR. If asked for an official university response, faculty or staff can direct members of the media to UR.

When speaking publicly as a private person to the media, faculty should communicate that any statements provided represent their personal views, not the views or opinions of the University and they are not speaking on behalf of the University or as a University spokesperson.

Media on Campus

News media are permitted to access campuses to the same extent as other members of the public. News media must be accompanied by a University Relations staff member or University employee designated by the Office of University Relations in the following situations:

1) To gain access to residence halls.

2) To gain access to private offices.

3) To gain access to classrooms and conference rooms while being utilized.

4) Other locations on campus where a general expectation of privacy exists.

News media seeking to access and cover University athletic events must be credentialed through the Department of Athletics.

News media seeking to access and cover third-party events on campus shall be credentialed/granted access by the third-party event host.

News media should contact the Office of University Relations for assistance in coordinating interviews with experienced faculty experts to provide context and clarity to news stories.

AP Style

The Office of University Relations follows the Associated Press Stylebook. Updated annually, The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook is a widely used guide for writing and editing in journalism and public relations. It provides a set of standards and conventions to ensure consistency and clarity in written communication. AP Style is known for its straightforward and concise rules, designed to facilitate easy reading and understanding of news stories. Journalists and communicators refer to the AP Stylebook to maintain consistency in their writing, ensuring that their work is clear, professional and in line with industry standards. While the Stylebook originated with the Associated Press, it is widely adopted by many news organizations and public relations professionals globally.