Services

Media Relations
The department manages the university's relationship with local, regional and national news media and produces news and information about events, people and activities at the university. A key focus is promoting the expertise of faculty and key staff, and student achievements through an extensive hometown news program. The department develops and markets news articles and story ideas to local, regional and major media, assists with media interviews, helps prepare guest opinion columns and connects news media with campus experts. News media interested in on-campus interviews must contact the Office of Communications in advance to make arrangements. Francie Camp coordinates the hometown release program. Additional contacts are Gerry Cohen and Victoria Kidd.

Faculty/Staff Experts
The Office of Communications often receives queries from members of the media seeking expert comment on anything from tax legislation to political issues to trends in student recruitment. Part of our job is to find a suitable match for these queries among Susquehanna faculty and staff. To assist in the process we produce an online Source Guide, or Experts Guide, which lists names of campus sources and their areas of expertise. We not only react to media requests but often proactively inform them of an SU expert who is willing to comment on an emerging news topic. Members of the campus community interested in participating in the Source Guide are encouraged to contact Victoria Kidd.

News Releases
We write and distribute news releases on various topics likely to be of interest to the public, and therefore the news media, from upcoming events to new academic programs. Departments that are sponsoring campus lecturers, events or are involved in newsworthy activities are encouraged to contact Gerry Cohen or Francie Camp with information several weeks in advance. Susquehanna student writers in our office write and send hundreds of news releases throughout the year about individual student achievements or activities to hometown newspapers. Francie Camp supervises the general hometown news program.

Sports publicity is handled by Robert Healy. The athletics communication information office is responsible for publicity of the university's 23 varsity sports programs through publications, press releases, interview requests and the athletics Web site. Student assistants gain significant experience in writing and public relations through staffing and reporting on athletic events and by involvement in an active sports hometown release program. In addition, audio updates on current events are available by calling the Susquehanna University Sports Hotline at 570-372-GO SU (570-372-4678) during evening and weekend hours.

Publications
The office produces a variety of publications to communicate with external and internal audiences, including Susquehanna Today, the university catalog, recruitment and development newsletters and brochures, The Insider, Calendar of Events, and campus maps. Sports brochures, media guides and programs are produced by Robert Healy.

Visual Identity
In early 2008, the university adopted a new graphic identity system to be used for all new communication initiatives. A standards manual is being developed and will be available on this Web page later in 2008. In the meantime, questions about university graphic standards and requests for new graphic identity files should be directed to Nick Stephenson.

Photography
The Office of Communications maintains comprehensive files of photo prints, color transparencies and electronic images depicting the life of the university. These are used to fill publicity, publications and online needs, and campus and off-campus photo requests. Contact Nick Stephenson regarding photography needs.

Calendar of Events and Insider
A brochure listing public events is printed four times during the academic year (Sept.-Oct., Nov.-Dec., Jan.-Feb. and March-April-May) and is mailed upon request to individuals within a 50-mile radius of campus. The Calendar of Events is also posted on the university Web site. Individuals who wish to be added to the mailing list should contact Sandy Troxell.

The Insider faculty-staff newsletter is published the first and third Mondays of the month during the academic year and the first Monday during June and July. Items should be submitted to Francie Camp, preferably by e-mail, by the Wednesday preceding the Monday publication date.