1.Purpose

As a public institution, UNC Greensboro (UNCG) is an open campus that provides the media with reasonable access to outdoor and indoor spaces. However, the University has a responsibility to regulate media access to certain parts of campus to ensure students and employees can carry out the teaching, research, and public service mission of the institution. 

UNC Greensboro’s University Communications Department (UC) serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries from the media. UC works to connect journalists with UNC Greensboro faculty who may be subject matter experts; arranges logistics and parking, and secures appropriate access to authorized locations on behalf of the media and other external entities. 

In working with the news media, the University also must balance its need to make sure teaching, research, and essential workplace activity is not disrupted; to protect the health and safety of students, employees, and campus visitors; and to protect the privacy rights of students, their families, and employees who live and work at UNC Greensboro.

2.Scope

The UNC Greensboro University Communications Department (UC) is the primary point of contact for the University with regard to media relations for University employees. Members of the faculty and staff are free to respond to requests from the media regarding their research, scholarship, teaching, or professional expertise; however, if a University employee receives a call from a reporter, sees camera crews on campus, or has a university-related news story to publicize, they should contact UC to ensure effective and coordinated media outreach. See section 6.5 below for contact information.

3.Definitions and Roles and Responsibilities

3.1Definitions

3.1.1News Media:

For the purpose of this policy, “news media” shall refer to any journalist, reporter, producer, editor, publisher, freelance writer, podcast host, blogger, social media content producer, or other external sources, including governmental entities, elected officials, candidates, non-profit organizations, UNC System representatives, and other outside business partners (e.g for Millennial Campus district, architectural firms for the Nursing and Instructional Building, UNCG Library, Tannenbaum Center for Creative Practice, etc.) seeking information to disseminate publicly through printed, social, or digital platforms.

3.1.2EPART:

Emergency Planning and Response Team: Group chaired by the Emergency Management Director, trained to respond to significant campus emergencies. As related to this policy, EPART would provide the Crisis Policy Group and University Communications guidance and assistance with respect to response and recovery related to significant campus emergencies.

3.1.3Crisis Policy Group:

The senior level response team that sets policy for the university’s disaster response and recovery efforts. The CPG works under the direction of the Chancellor (or Chancellor’s designee) and is comprised of members of the Chancellor’s executive staff at the discretion of the Chancellor.

3.2Roles and Responsibilities

Every UNCG employee has a role in responding to media requests. However, in order to leverage UC resources and amplify brand identity, they should first contact UC as specified in section 6.5 below either by email, text, or telephone. For time-sensitive media requests, text or telephone are recommended.

The Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Associate Vice Chancellor of External Communications serve as official university spokespeople. They have discretion and authority to identify subject matter experts to speak with media regarding a particular request or issue within their areas of expertise.

UNC Greensboro’s University Communications Department (UC) serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries from the media. UC works to connect journalists with UNC Greensboro faculty who may be subject matter experts; arranges logistics and parking, and secures appropriate access to authorized locations on behalf of the media and other external entities. UC works to raise the national and international reputation of UNCG through positive media coverage of students, faculty, and staff; major accomplishments and accolades, large grants and donations, athletic announcements, rankings, community engagement, and academic awards. UC is also responsible for maintaining the integrity of the brand and reputation of the University. As such, UC officers serve as counsel for faculty and staff to vet the authenticity of media requests, liaises with students for interviews on their research and other matters, and manages inquiries for special events such as Homecoming, visiting artists and speakers, camps, and other events.

4.Policy

Inquiries from the media should be referred to UC.  Depending on the specific circumstances, the UC officer may designate another university administrator to serve as spokesperson on a particular issue.  Faculty are encouraged to participate in media interviews related to their areas of expertise, and UC provides branded clothing for interviews along with media training, which is also available to staff. Please contact us for support services, including talking points, social media amplification, and media clips reporting, among others. 

In cases of critical significance to the University, including declared emergencies or a public relations crisis, UC leadership will work with the Chancellor’s Council, Office of Emergency Management, its EPART team, and the Crisis Policy Group, to review facts of the situation and respond appropriately.  In such situations, all campus departments should refer calls from the media to UC.

Effective communications with the media are key to UNCG’s ability to carry out its mission and promote continued public support for the University. Effective media relations best serve the University by:

  • informing the public of the value proposition of a UNCG education
  • promoting achievements, activities, and events 
  • sharing stories of faculty, staff, and students
  • expanding share of voice and media coverage 
  • ensuring that accurate information is conveyed to the public regarding incidents and issues of a controversial and/or sensitive nature
  • driving enrollment

5.Compliance and Enforcement

The Chancellor has delegated the responsibility for enforcement of this policy to the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications. 

It should be understood that the information released under this policy will be in full compliance with both the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act, otherwise known as the Buckley Amendment, and applicable General Statutes. With that in mind, this policy may be limited in some individual instances to protect the rights of students, faculty, or other University employees. This policy may also be limited  in other instances by legalities, matters of confidentiality, or other unforeseen circumstances. However, the intent of the policy is to provide information to which the news media have a just and reasonable claim, and to do so in a cooperative, coordinated fashion.

6.Additional Information

6.1Related Policies and Resources

Social Media Standards

UNCG Brand Guide

Photo Release Process

The University Drone Policy (in progress)

6.3Approval Authority

Chancellor

6.4Contacts for Additional Information and Reporting

  • Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, 919.637.8958
  • Associate Vice Chancellor, External Communications, 336.706.1372
  • Public Records Officer, 336.334.3067

Revisions

Revision Date Revision Summary
03/02/1987 Revised; Approved by the Chancellor
03/01/1995 Revised; Approved by the Chancellor
08/08/2022 Revised; Approved by the Chancellor

- Media (Press) Policy. Retrieved 03/19/2024. Official version at https://policy.uncg.edu/university_policies/press-policy/. Copyright © 2024 The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.