What is considered “newsworthy” for the general media?
Research breakthroughs or developments, scientific progress or discoveries, programs that affect the community outside Rutgers, outstanding scholarship, public service initiatives, and exhibitions and performances are just a few things that are considered newsworthy. Contact the media relations staff member who handles your administrative or academic area (see the Media Contacts Directory) for advice on how to best publicize your news.
How do I publicize a campus event that I am organizing?
Contact the Media Relations staff member who works with your academic or administrative area at least four weeks ahead of your event. The staff member will work with you to determine the best strategy for publicizing your event. If you have created a web page for your event, it can be submitted for consideration as a link from the What’s Happening section of the university’s news center, Rutgers Today. Please refer to the events submission procedures in Rutgers Today content guidelines. For more information, contact the Office of Media Relations.
How do I handle calls from the media?
If the call concerns an emergency, public safety, personnel, or other sensitive matter, please consult with the Media Relations office. You can either take the caller’s contact information or request that they call Media Relations directly at 732-932-7084.
If you are being asked to comment on an issue or news story, the decision to do an interview is yours. If you choose to speak with the media, please alert this office so that we can retrieve the resulting article or broadcast. If you feel the questions are outside your area of expertise or authority, please refer the reporter to the Office of Media Relations or request that a member of our staff contact the reporter.
Can I get pointers on doing interviews?
Media Relations can provide basic media training prior to print or broadcast interviews. A media relations staff member can be present during an interview if you wish, or if it is agreed that it would be in the best interest of the university to do so. Please notify the Media Relations office when media will be on campus so that they can be assured parking and appropriate access to facilities.
What kind of news is appropriate for Rutgers Today?
The mission of Rutgers Today – the university’s news center – is to aggregate and publish the most significant, timely, and interesting information about Rutgers to the broadest possible audience, serving readers and viewers both inside and outside the university. The website publishes breaking news, in-depth features, previews of special events, and information of general interest about faculty, staff, students, alumni, programs, and initiatives, along with multimedia content, including videos, photo galleries, and quick polls. Content is drawn from all three Rutgers’ campuses.
Please refer to the Submit News guidelines when submitting story ideas or content links for inclusion Rutgers Today.
How can my research be featured on the Research Highlights website?
The Research Highlights pages feature notable advances in research and academic scholarship by Rutgers faculty and students with concise narratives, illustrations and useful links to biographies, articles and technical information. The website is designed to enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of research in diverse areas of the liberal arts, sciences and humanities. For more information, contact the Office of Media Relations.
Can news releases from my academic area be posted on the Media Relations website?
The Media Relations site contains current and archived news releases, advisories and other news content created by the Office of Media Relations and professional communicators at schools, centers, institutes and other units of the university. Communicators may seek posting privileges for this site through the Office of Media Relations. Submissions are expected to follow university style guidelines and have news value for external media.
What kind of material is appropriate for Rutgers Magazine?
Rutgers Magazine is published by the Office of Creative Services. It publishes articles on campus culture and contemporary issues; alumni, student, and faculty achievements, and other news and information of interest to its targeted audiences. Rutgers Magazine is distributed to more than 350,000 alumni as well as Rutgers faculty and staff, and legislators and local government officials. For more information, contact the magazine staff or send e-mail to rutgersmagazine@ur.rutgers.edu
Will Rutgers Today or Rutgers Magazine do a story on a book or major journal article I have written?
Rutgers Today and the magazine consider books, significant research, and other faculty accomplishments for articles. You or your publisher may submit books to those publications’ editors.
How should I submit an op-ed to a newspaper?
Media Relations can assist you with editing and placing an op-ed. Contact a staff member who works with your department for guidance.
Can I be a Rutgers “expert?”
The media often reach out to Rutgers faculty and staff experts to comment on current events, topics, and issues. If you would like to share your scholarly or professional expertise with the media, you can participate in the Rutgers University Faculty and Staff Experts Directory administered by the Office of Media Relations. For more information on how to participate, contact Sandra Lanman, director of Media Relations, at (732) 932-7084, ext. 621 or send e-mail to experts@rutgers.edu.
Does Rutgers have a speakers bureau?
The Office of Community Affairs administers the Rutgers Speakers Bureau. This service enables New Jersey organizations to tap into the expertise of our community of scholars and professionals. For information, send e-mail to speakers@rutgers.edu.
How can I learn more about communicating information to the university community and beyond?
University Human Resources, in collaboration with University Relations, the Center for Teaching Advancement and Assessment Research, and the Office of Instructional Research and Technology, offers the Communicator Certificate Program for faculty and staff. The program supports professional development and enrichment, and provides opportunities for networking and sharing resources with colleagues. Presented by subject-matter experts, the program ensures that employees responsible for promoting the university develop the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to do so effectively.