CM-48 LSU Health Sciences Center
New Orleans Public Information & Media Policy
October 16, 2001
To: Vice Chancellors, Deans, Administrative Staff, Department
Heads, and Students.
From: Mary Ella Sanders, M.D. - Interim Chancellor of New
Orleans
General Policy
As a state-supported institution of higher learning, the LSU
Health Sciences Center has a responsibility and a commitment to
disseminate information about its programs and activities, and
to be responsive to media and public queries. The University has
an obligation to taxpayers of this community and beyond to keep
them constantly and uniformly informed about significant events
in which it is involved. It is therefore paramount that
information about the Health Sciences Center be properly and
accurately interpreted to the many constituents it serves.
It is of inestimable value to the Health Sciences Center to
inform the public through the media of contributions of the
Health Sciences Center to the education, health, and well-being
of the people it serves. A successful relationship between the
LSU Health Sciences Center and the media will only be
established and maintained through a knowledgeably coordinated
effort. The Office of Information Services is charged with the
responsibility for releasing information about programs,
emergencies, the official position on issues involving the
Health Sciences Center, and other events to which the press has
a reasonable claim. The Office of Information Services furthers
this purpose by cogently explaining all the facts while assuring
the Health Sciences Center’s position is articulated to the
community. In accomplishing this mandate, the Office of
Information Services reaches as wide an audience as is feasible.
This policy specifically details the role of faculty and
staff in public information dissemination. It sets forth how
information about the Health Sciences Center is announced to the
public, what the responsibility of each administrative officer
is in media relations, the role of Information Services as the
official media outlet for the Health Sciences Center, and the
procedure for campus personnel speaking to the media. All units
of the Health Sciences Center are expected to follow the
guidelines as outlined.
The Public Information Policy ensures that the Health
Sciences Center receives the most favorable publicity possible.
This policy is designed to avoid multiple or conflicting
positions as well as to facilitate a uniform and consistent
Health Sciences Center voice.
Nothing in this policy is intended to affect the
responsibility of faculty members for their scholarly
publications and personal involvement in community activities;
nor is it intended to affect an individual’s right to express
his or her personal views as long as those views are not
attributed to the Health Sciences Center either directly or
indirectly, presented on LSU Health Sciences Center letterhead,
or from the LSU Health Sciences Center campus.
Procedures
To execute this general policy, the following procedures are
established:
- LSU Health Sciences Center personnel shall not release
information about programs, events and other activities to the
media independent of the Office of Information Services.
- No one is authorized to speak to the media concerning Health
Sciences Center policy or significant matters affecting the
Center unless working in conjunction with the Office of
Information Services and the Chancellor’s Office.
- All media contacts to the campus must be directed to the
Office of Information Services. Your cooperation will ensure
that LSU speaks to the public it serves with clear and
consistent language.
- The Office of Information Services is responsible for
coordinating efforts of the Health Sciences Center to obtain
coverage in the news media. Therefore, written details of
programs, events, and requests for media coverage shall be sent
to the Office of Information Services, Room 816 B, Resource
Center, rather than directly to the media. Requests for routine
coverage should reach the Office of Information Services at
least two weeks before the date on which initial media contact
or release is to be made, or at least four weeks before an event
or activity is to occur for calendar and public service
deadlines.
- Faculty and staff should make every effort to apprise the
Office of Information Services of events which may be
newsworthy. This could include research projects, grants,
faculty and staff additions, special events, honors and awards,
etc.
- Faculty and staff shall work with the Office of Information
Services to “be available” to representatives of the news media
when requested. The Office of Information Services will direct
reporters to the proper representative for direct comment upon
stories relevant to the Health Sciences Center. The best way to
foster increased public awareness is through frequent and
regular media exposure. Public awareness builds public support.
- Health Sciences Center personnel contacted for an interview
by media representatives shall immediately inform the Office of
Information Services.
- The Office of Information Services will conduct Media
Training as necessary or requested, to prepare faculty, students
and staff to deal effectively with media. Those who want to be
spokespersons or who work in areas that will likely receive
media exposure should avail themselves of this service.
Signed: Mary Ellas Sanders, M.D., Interim Chancellor of New
Orleans
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