Media Relations Procedures
The Office of Marketing and Digital Communications is responsible for maintaining the University brand and image, both internally and externally, and overseeing all communications with the media. No employee of the institution should communicate with the media without first informing the Vice President, Marketing and Digital Communications, about the media source, its request for an interview or information, and the topic or context of the request. If the Vice President is not available, employees should take down the media contact’s name, organization, phone, and email address, and provide this information to the Vice President.
Printing/Publication Procedures
Stevenson strives for clear, accurate, high-quality, and unified design and publications in order to sustain and support a consistent brand image internally and externally. With the oversight of the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications, Stevenson will produce uniformly cohesive, attractive, and professional-quality advertising, publications, and campus signage that convey a consistent brand image for the University.
In order to achieve this objective, the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications makes the decisions about the best means to develop and complete projects that require graphic design or external message generation. Such projects include print, broadcast, and online advertising; brochures and flyers; and newsletters, magazines, and related projects. In some cases, based on timing and scope, an external designer or group may be utilized under the direction of the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications.
For purposes of controlling quality and cost, all campus external print projects will be produced utilizing the print management services of the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications in order to ensure that appropriate printers are selected for the specific projects, that proof checks are monitored, and that projects are tracked and of acceptable quality.
The University’s official Guide to Publication Style and Visual Standards is to be used as standard for all publication, marketing, and web projects, defining consistent logo and language usage. This guide is maintained by the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications and is available as a downloadable document on the SU Now Portal. The style guide is revised and distributed periodically and includes specific instructions for campus departments on requesting publications. The Office of Marketing and Digital Communications will serve as editorial support staff for publications, but it is ultimately each department’s responsibility to check facts and dates before a project goes to press.
Use of University Name, Seal, and Logos
Stevenson University’s name and official logos, typography, and associated color schemes are carefully developed visual identifiers for the University. They are to be used on all Stevenson facilities and signage, publications, printed materials, advertising, websites, social media sites, employee and athletic team apparel, and approved merchandise such as apparel and gifts, in accordance with the rules established in official Guide to Publication Style and Visual Standards available on the SU Now Portal. Stevenson’s name, seal, and logos—institutional, academic, and athletic—are the exclusive property of the University and, consequently, may not be used in connection with goods or services offered by any outside organization without the prior permission of the Vice President, Marketing and Digital Communications.
While many of Stevenson’s individual programs, Schools, offices, departments, and campus organizations are distinctive and deserving of publicity, a proliferation of logos that differ in look from official Stevenson University logos dilute the University’s overall brand and identity. To ensure the consistency of Stevenson’s institutional brand internally and externally, the University logos are not to be altered in terms of color, typography, or other graphic changes without first consulting the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications. Before any campus office, School, department, club, or organization creates or uses a customized logo internally or externally, they should check with the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications, which will review the proposed design and determine if it is consistent with University style and branding guidelines. Information about the use of Stevenson’s logos can be found in the University’s official Guide to Publication Style and Visual Standards available on the SU Now Portal, but campus departments are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Marketing and Digital Communications first before any work is undertaken to alter the logos or apply them outside their designated use, e.g. an SU athletic logo on an academic publication.
Commercial Advertising for Student Publications
The student newspaper of the University, The Villager, utilizes general advertising guidelines adapted from the Student Media Guide to Advertising Law, 2001 Student Press Law Center.
Courts have recognized the right of student media to reject ads submitted by third parties provided that the students—not school officials—decide whether to accept or reject the ad. Students should therefore decide whether ads should run, based on the values and ethical issues that are conveyed by the institution.
The Villager and other student publications:
- Reserve the right to refuse any commercial advertising that they believe to be inappropriate.
- Will not print or display any commercial advertising that promotes violence, harassment, or uncontrolled aggression.
- Will not print or display any commercial advertising that promotes unhealthy student behavior in regard to smoking, drugs, or alcoholic beverages, particularly binge drinking.
- Will not print or display any adoption notices, although they understand that such notices are legal in the state of Maryland.
Will not print or display any commercial advertising that disrespects or denigrates any population, or that promotes irresponsibility or exclusion.
(Approved July 2019)