Media Relations Policy
Media Relations Policy
Updated on May 3, 2019
Purpose鈥�
Loyola University Chicago understands the news media鈥檚 need to have direct access to faculty, staff, and administrators. Faculty, staff, and administrators are welcome to respond directly to interview requests from the news media. Should faculty, staff, or administrators like the assistance of UMC, they can contact the department at 312.915.6324 before agreeing to an interview. Members of the news media can also start by contacting UMC and requesting assistance in finding the right sources for a story.鈥�
Policy
This policy applies to all Loyola faculty, staff,鈥痑nd administrators interacting with news media representatives. For the purpose of this policy, 鈥渘ews media鈥� refers to newspapers, magazines, newsletters, online publications,鈥痵tudent media,鈥痑nd broadcast outlets such as radio, television, and podcasts.
Proactive Media Relations
If faculty, staff, or administrators are interested in getting help with generating media coverage about a program, event, or achievement, they are encouraged to contact the appropriate UMC team member. UMC has access to nationwide (and some targeted global) news media contacts and will work with faculty, staff, and administrators to coordinate publicity or visibility for programs, events, or newsworthy issues.鈥赌�
Reactive Media Relations鈥�
Faculty, staff, and administrators are encouraged to respond to requests from the media regarding their research, scholarship, and/or professional expertise. Members of the news media may also find it helpful to contact the communications team for assistance, background, or additional experts. Loyola鈥檚鈥�鈥痠s another resource for media. UMC can also assist in coordinating interviews as needed.
In the event of an emergency on one of Loyola鈥檚 campuses, press releases and statements to the news media will be routed through, approved by, and disseminated by the appropriate UMC team member.鈥赌��
Loyola complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding the retention and release of personal and/or educational records of all current鈥痜aculty,鈥�staff, administrators,鈥痑nd students.鈥赌�
Under no circumstances should information pertaining to a case that is in litigation be discussed publicly without the prior approval of the Office of General Counsel.鈥赌�
Media on Campus鈥赌�
Lake Shore and Water Tower Campuses
Members of the news media are welcome to visit our鈥痩akeside鈥痗ampuses. However, in order to ensure the privacy of our students, faculty, staff,鈥痑nd guests, we request that all external news media contact a member of the communication team prior to visiting.鈥疌ampus Safety鈥痮fficers are required to look for vehicles and people who are not authorized to be on campus. If we know news media are coming, we can notify the鈥疌ampus Safety鈥疍epartment and provide them with the most convenient parking to maximize our guests鈥� time. In almost all cases, student and faculty interviews and other taping/photography are possible.鈥疭ometimes, no escort is needed. For any event where a news release has been issued, there is no reason to call before coming on campus to cover the event.鈥赌�
Maywood Campus, Health Sciences Campus
Due to the Health Sciences Campus鈥檚 close proximity to the Loyola University Medical Center and its need to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), anyone on campus who is photographing or videotaping for media, promotion, or publicity purposes must be accompanied by a member of UMC or the Loyola University Health System media relations staff.
Loyola Filming and Photographing on Campus
Loyola reserves the right to film and photograph members of the University community including, but not limited to, its students, faculty, and staff, in situations appropriate to the image of an academic institution and to publish likenesses in University publications, videos, websites, the news media, social media, or other recruitment or promotional materials.鈥赌�
Media Training
For additional information and support,鈥痗ontact Matt McDermott (mbedugnis@LUC.edu 辞谤鈥�617.778.3346), who can answer questions on Loyola鈥檚 media policy and work with the press for proactive and reactive media.