The purpose of this policy is to define how notification of First Nations University of Canada鈥檚 (抖阴入口) major announcements and other institutional news are shared internally and externally. In case of a crisis, see the Crisis Communications Plan.
Promotion of 抖阴入口 activities and accomplishments is fundamental in building the University鈥檚 reputation as a leading Indigenous Post-Secondary institution among the academic community, the general public, and 抖阴入口鈥檚 major stakeholders.
Media and stakeholder engagement plays an important role in shaping the public’s opinion, the image of 抖阴入口 and an understanding of the University鈥檚 unique offerings.
This policy is designed to address how major announcements and other institutional news are shared in a timely fashion with both internal and external audiences, ensuring that specific information is presented clearly and in a way that is consistent with the corporate identity of the First Nations University of Canada.
抖阴入口 internal audiences include but is not necessarily limited to:
抖阴入口 major stakeholders are the organizations that have a direct influential relationship with the University and include:
抖阴入口 will inform appropriate members of the internal University community first before a story is made public. Sometimes the information will be released internally and externally simultaneously, if timing is of the essence. 抖阴入口鈥檚 internal audience have the right to know how a development or situation might affect them before the external audience and 抖阴入口鈥檚 stakeholders are informed.
Media may sometimes contact various individuals at 抖阴入口 to comment on specific issues, events, or situations. No one, other than the appointed spokespeople for 抖阴入口, may make statements to the media on behalf of the University without prior approval by either the Chair (on governance matters) or the President (on institutional matters). If contacted by the media, all inquiries are to be directed to the Senior, Communications Officer.
This policy in no ways interferes with the academic freedom of faculty to speak on matters related to their teaching or research, as defined in the Collective Agreement between 抖阴入口 and the University of Regina Faculty Association (URFA).
Non-compliance could result in misinformation about 抖阴入口 activities and events being shared. Additionally, non-compliance could also result in public misrepresentation of 抖阴入口 with negative repercussions on reputation management. Employees who speak on behalf of 抖阴入口 without the authority to do so could be disciplined in accordance with their respective collective agreement.
The 抖阴入口 Communications Department will coordinate all media relations and major institutional marketing activities. If the media contacts a member of the 抖阴入口 staff directly, these calls should be forwarded to the Communications Department who will make appropriate arrangements to respond to the request. If a staff member is unable to reach a member of the Communications Department, they are recommended to use the media log form to record the request and submit to the Communications Department. (See Media Call Log Template)
The Senior, Communications Officer will create a communications strategy for each major announcement. This strategy will vary with each situation. It could be as simple as a discussion with 抖阴入口 Executive members to review and approve audience, timing and key messages. It could also be a written formal plan that is reviewed and signed off by 抖阴入口 Executive. In matters involving the Board, the Chair and Vice-Chair will review and approve the plan. In all instances, careful consideration will be given to audiences and timing, ensuring that stakeholders are informed in a timely fashion. In addition, the President (or his/her delegate) give final approval on all formal 抖阴入口 announcement documents such as media release, notices, and publications.
The Communications Department will prepare and distribute all information to the media pertaining to 抖阴入口 including press releases and media advisories.
The Communications Department will work with 抖阴入口 executive, management, and personnel, to prepare communications related to their activities. The President will have final approval for all communications related to their work.
When a government partner, funding body or communications agency wishes to prepare information for release to the media related to a 抖阴入口 activity, permission must be pre- authorized by the Communications Department. The approved by the President (or his/her delegate) must approve the final product prior to release. Any material prepared by a government partner or communications agency pertaining to 抖阴入口 activities must follow the 抖阴入口 Brand Use Policy.
抖阴入口 hosts many academic and cultural events that are free and open to the public. The Communications Department will generate posters and/or public service announcements and share them through 抖阴入口鈥檚 many communications channels – from its website, its twitter account, Facebook page, direct email, poster distribution, etc.鈥
For major initiatives, 抖阴入口 may choose to create special publications to share at length about major initiatives be it an annual report or milestone of university achievement. This directive would come from 抖阴入口 executive and be undertaken by the 抖阴入口 Communications Department. 抖阴入口 Executive would provide final sign off approval of the publication as well as provide further direction to distribution of the published document.
Crisis Communications Plan
抖阴入口 Branding Policy
抖阴入口/URFA Collective Bargaining Agreement