This policy establishes the University of Southern Indiana’s position with respect to employee interaction with the news media, including representatives of print, online, television and radio outlets and all student media.
Policy—University Strategic Communication is the designated contact point for the news media and the source of official information about the University. It is the responsibility of University Strategic Communication to provide clear and consistent communications and to initiate and/or respond to media requests and to manage those interactions.
An employee or department seeking to publicize a program, event or achievement should contact University Strategic Communication. Similarly, employees or departments contacted by the media, including external and internal student-published outlets such as The Shield and The Spin, are strongly encouraged to notify and use University Strategic Communication as a resource before providing any information, responding to questions or arranging for an in-person or phone interview. Student athletes, coaches and athletic administrators who are contacted by media should coordinate through Athletic Communication.
After contact with a media representative has been established, employees are free to discuss topics related to their areas of academic expertise but should not speak on behalf of the University nor interpret University policy unless designated as a spokesperson by the administration. If the University is asked for official comment on an issue, an appropriate spokesperson will be identified by USI’s senior leadership and/or the Vice President of Marketing and Communication.
News media are permitted to enter public areas of the University campus but are encouraged to first contact USI’s University Strategic Communication staff prior to visiting campus. Access to classrooms, campus housing, and employee offices is strictly prohibited without permission from the University. While on USI property, media representatives may be accompanied by a member of the University Strategic Communication staff. Employees who see unaccompanied media on campus are asked to contact University Strategic Communication.
It is the responsibility of the deans, department chairs and supervisors to communicate and implement procedures to comply with this policy, while also ensuring that academic freedom*, free inquiry and freedom of expression within the academic community are respected and observed. If you have questions about this policy, contact University Strategic Communication by email at USImedia@usi.edu or phone at 812-228-5157 or 812-461-5259.