Mission

The Office of University Relations prepares and distributes press releases that communicate high-priority messages to media outlets with the goal of enhancing the visibility and image of Nicholls State University in support of the mission and vision of the university, as outlined in the 2006-2010 strategic plan.

Policy

Conferring with faculty, students, and staff, the Office of University Relations plans, researches, writes, and distributes reputation-defining messages that highlight interesting and newsworthy university information, people, and events. The Office of University Relations will provide accurate and timely information to the media that is consistent in style, quality, and content. All news stories, statements, public service announcements, feature articles, press releases, and other information or materials (including photographs) released to the media must be coordinated and released through the Office of University Relations. The Office of University Relations will determine the most appropriate distribution method for the information – internal, local, statewide, or national. After releases are disseminated to the media, they are posted on the university web site at: www.nicholls.edu/news.

Messages include (in order of priority):

• Student recruitment and retention
• Academic news
• Fund raising
• Event promotion
• Student news

Types of releases:

• News Briefs: Used to publicize general university academic and student news [e.g. publications, awards, grants, new hires (with the exception of deans and above or endowed positions)]. Most student or employee news is combined into a single press release and issued every two weeks to the media. News that ties into national trends, has the potential for statewide or national media coverage, concerns student recruitment or might enhance the university’s reputation, may merit individual press releases. This decision will be made by the director of University Relations.

• Event Release: Used to publicize university-sponsored events that are open to the public. Most event news is combined into a single press release and issued every week to the media. The weekly release will be sent 10 days prior to the beginning of the week advertised therein. (For example, the release advertising July 3 to 9 events will be sent on June 23.) To be included, events must be submitted a minimum of two weeks in advance (one month in advance is recommended to ensure proper coverage). For events with early ticket deadlines, the two-week notice is in advance of that deadline, not the actual event date. Events submitted by the first of the month prior to the event (submitted March 1 for an April event, e.g.) can be sent to monthly entertainment and specialty magazines such as Gumbo and Grapevine. Signature events (events that draw large crowds and have the potential for statewide or national media coverage) may merit their own event release. This decision will be made by the director of University Relations.

* Events open only to the university community or students, should be submitted to The Nicholls Worth or Inside Nicholls State University faculty/staff newsletter for publication.

Procedure

Please submit news and/or event details to the Office of University Relations as far in advance as possible to ensure that the release can be prepared and disseminated to the media in a timely manner. All requests are subject to the approval of the director of University Relations. To submit information for a release, e-mail lydia.boudreaux@nicholls.edu, fax the request to 985.448.4891, or send it to The Office of University Relations, 125 Elkins.

For additional information contact the Office of University Relations at 985.448.4008.

Media coverage is never guaranteed. Each media outlet decides which stories and events it will cover, based on the newsworthiness of the event, the timeliness of the story, and space and time constraints. While the Office of University Relations can release the story, the amount and type of coverage it receives is ultimately up to each media outlet. It is not the policy of the Office of University Relations to re-send previously issued releases or to issue multiple releases on a single event. For guaranteed coverage, paid advertising may be purchased through the Office of University Relations.

Approved by the President’s Cabinet
August 21, 2007