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UNIV--102 Spokesperson Policy

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Document Number: UNIV--102
Revision #: 3.0
Document Owner: University Provost
Date Last Updated: 10/23/2019
Primary Author: Executive Director Marketing and Communications
Date Originally Created: 09/26/2011
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General Description

Description: Except for the President and the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, no person shall be authorized to speak on behalf of the University, nor represent him or herself as having authority to communicate without approval from the President or Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.


Purpose: This policy is to define who will serve as the spokesperson and speak on behalf of the University. The purpose of this policy is to ensure consistency and veracity of information which represents the institution.

Those individuals who are authorized to speak on behalf of the University shall do so responsibly, recognizing that speaking on behalf of the University generally means to communicate or report authoritatively on:

(1) published information that has been developed by University, such as data, survey results, etc.;

(2) actions and activities of the University; and

(3) official positions or policies of the University as articulated in Board-approved resolutions or position statements. Commentary on matters outside of these areas should be identified by a spokesperson as outside his/her official capacity for the University and as exclusively private opinion (based on one’s own experiences, observations, etc.) and not attributed to the University. Drawing a distinction between opinion and official University views is especially important in speeches, media interviews, articles, letters-to-the editor, etc.


Scope: All Departments

The following are exceptions to this policy:

The President and the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications are the official spokespersons for the University.  In the case of the President's absence, the Provost becomes a delegated official spokesperson. They may choose to perform that function, or delegate it as appropriate. In the event other officers or employees of the University are asked by the media for comments or information, the procedure to approve a spokesperson is to be followed.


Responsibility:
  • Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
  • President