Policy 10.5 - Public Relations and News Media
BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY
Policy and Procedure Manual
SUBJECT: Public Relations and News Media
NUMBER: 10:5
Office: University Marketing & Communications
Purpose
The purpose of this policy and procedure is to help ensure the image of Black Hills
State University, including its administrators, faculty, staff and students, is portrayed
as accurately as possible in the public and news media, and to develop public understanding
of ºÚÁÏÍø programs, activities and events using mass communications.
Definitions
- Critical PR Event: Any event or information that could result in major news coverage,
either positive or negative, for the University. Examples include but are not limited
to a new program being announced, gifts of a significant amount, misconduct of staff
or students that may become publicly known, large campus events, and controversial
gatherings/forums.
Policy
The Office of Marketing and Communications serves as the central resource and primary
point of contact for all news media outlets. As the primary liaison between ºÚÁÏÍø and
the media, the Office of Marketing and Communications shall:
- Provide the ºÚÁÏÍø community with the standards and direction associated with:
- External news
- Major news stories
- Protocol in responding to news media inquiries
- Monitoring news media on campus and public information requests
- Provide information of public and media interest in a professionally prepared format
to the news media and via social media, including: ºÚÁÏÍø news releases, the ºÚÁÏÍø Alumni
Magazine, ºÚÁÏÍø faculty/staff announcements, and media advisories regarding significant
events and activities that enhance the image of ºÚÁÏÍø, and are of interest to the ºÚÁÏÍø
community and general public, as determined by the Office of Marketing and Communications.
- Advise and assist in media issues management, including news releases, media advisories,
talking points, news conferences, and media strategies.
- Ensure all written communications with media conform to Associate Press (AP) style
and accepted journalistic standards.
- Arrange interviews, as appropriate, with administrators, faculty, staff, and students
with representatives of news media.
- Serve as Public Information Officer for ºÚÁÏÍø.
Procedures
- The Office of Marketing and Communications’ editorial team is responsible for disseminating
institutional news releases, media advisories, and other university information to
media outlets and will otherwise make all media contacts for ºÚÁÏÍø. Any questions regarding
media contacts or coverage must be directed to the Office of Marketing and Communications.
- The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications must be notified of any Critical
PR Events as soon as possible so that senior administrators can be included, informed,
and quoted as needed, and any announcements planned for major impact.
- All externally targeted news releases, excluding those distributed by ºÚÁÏÍø Athletics,
must be routed through the Office of Marketing and Communications.
- ºÚÁÏÍø faculty and staff may request a press release be written by submitting a Publicity
Request form at ºÚÁÏÍø.edu/PublicityRequest.
- The Office of Marketing and Communications may issue a media advisory at the request
of a ºÚÁÏÍø administrator, faculty, staff, or student to announce an upcoming event
or happening (including but not limited to news conferences, conferences, seminars)
consistent with ºÚÁÏÍø positioning, branding, and strategic priorities as determined
by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Media advisories are sent via email
to the news media and are not generally highlighted on the ºÚÁÏÍø website until the
appropriate time.
- The Office of Marketing and Communications must be notified of all news media representatives
visiting ºÚÁÏÍø by the ºÚÁÏÍø employee(s) involved as early as possible.
- The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications serves as the official spokesperson
for ºÚÁÏÍø. In addition, the Senior Director of Marketing and
Communications may designate an official media spokesperson for ºÚÁÏÍø on a case-by-case
basis, as approved by the President.
Responsible Administrator
The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for the annual
review of this policy and its procedures. The University President is responsible
for approval of this policy.
Source and Revision History
Adopted by President 2024.02.12; Revised 2026.03.03