By JIM BUTLER
Managing the message is among things changing at LSU Alexandria as the booming campus prepares for the Fall semester:
Faculty convocation today, student move-in Thursday, last orientation Friday, classes next Monday and reminders that an external communication policy is now on the books.
Such is not new to campuses, or businesses and government for that matter, across the land.
According to policy adopted earlier this month, the university Division of Strategic Communication will administer it in its role of coordinating news coverage and being responsible for overseeing official communications with the media.
Gagging is not the objective of formalizing the process for handling media requests and inquiries.
According to the document, the goal is protecting the school’s image while providing faculty full opportunity to engage in area of expertise.
Another way to say that is that responses to media inquiries must make it clear that such do not represent the university.
The policy “does not restrict faculty and staff from expressing opinions or providing information in area of expertise. It does apply to questions of policy, academic programs, personnel, students, public or private events that should be referred to the proper administrator or designated spokesman.”
When media types are on campus, the policy notes, they should be accompanied, when appropriate, by university representatives.
If personnel are contacted directly, it is suggested Strategic Communications be contacted before responding.
Issues from silly to serious can become campus news in these days of social media interactions.
A silly, to some, for instance – do athletes retain right to uniform number usage?
A serious, to most, for instance – how is change in duration of status for student visa holders affecting school?
The policy would apply to inquiries and responses in either instance should a reporter ask.