I. Justification and Statement of Policy

Franklin & Marshall College aims to work collaboratively with the media and encourages publication of information about the College’s academics and campus life.  However, out of respect for the privacy and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors, this document outlines the College’s policy in regard to media relations.

II. Scope

This policy applies to all faculty, staff and students as well as all news media. 

III. Definitions

1. Media means representatives of newspapers, magazines, newsletters, online publications, television and radio.
2. College property means all land, ground structures, facilities, and/or other physical property owned, controlled or operated by the College, including approved off-campus student housing facilities. Space that is rented or reserved for the purposes of College-sponsored events is considered to be controlled by the College.

IV. Policy

The Office of Communications, typically through the Director of Media Relations, handles all media relations for the College, including all communications during a campus emergency.  Media should not enter College property and seek to interview faculty, staff or students without first notifying the Office of Communications. This includes inquiries about research and teaching, as well as inquiries about individual faculty, students or staff.

F&M produces and publishes story content about the student experience, faculty research and the College. News and media organizations, education institutions, foundations, grant agencies, and local, state and federal government agencies are encouraged to reproduce and disseminate this content. The story content is under F&M Stories on the homepage. (www.fandm.edu).

When linking to or copying Franklin & Marshall College stories include the following credits:

• • Stories with writer byline: [Name], courtesy of Franklin & Marshall College.
  • Stories with no byline: News courtesy of Franklin & Marshall College.

A. Media Access to College Property

To ensure ease of engagement with the F&M community, the following guidelines apply to media access to College property:

1. Media must contact and receive permission from the Office of Communications before entry onto College property. This includes presence in classrooms or in residential living areas.
2. Media should contact the Office of Communications regarding information about guest speakers and events held on campus. Check F&M's website (www.fandm.edu) to determine whether an event is "open to the public."
3. When granted permission to be on College property, media must remain in a designated location or be accompanied by a College employee designated by the Office of Communications.
4. Media must have written permission to photograph or record (video or audio) Franklin & Marshall College students, staff, and faculty, unless at an event that has been designated as “open to the public.”
5. Media will respect the rights of F&M students, faculty, and staff who decline to be interviewed or photographed unless an event has been publicized as “open to the public.”
6. When events are designated as “open to the public,” media may only enter the building where the event is scheduled to take place.
7. Print journalists may attend events designated as “open to the public” without prior approval.  Broadcast journalists must always request advance permission.
8. Events with designated press seating require media and photographers to remain seated unless otherwise permitted with advance approval by the Office of Communications.

The College reserves the right to restrict attendance at events or to require prior registration at events. For all events, the speech of employees who have not been designated as the official spokesperson for the College or the speech of sponsored guests should not be attributed to the College. Therefore, the occurrence of an event or activity at the College should not be interpreted as an endorsement, support, refutation, or disagreement by the College regarding its subject matter or content.

The College reserves the right to remove media who have not complied with this policy and bar future access to College property.  In times of emergency, all of the above may be suspended or altered.  

B. College Community Interaction with the News Media

1. Faculty, staff and students desiring to invite the media to an event or to publicize their event through a news release should work in advance with the Office of Communications. A two-week lead time is requested.
2. It is the responsibility of the Office of Communications to initiate and/or respond to news media requests and to manage those interactions.
   1. When an employee, faculty member or department is contacted directly by the news media and asked to provide a statement on behalf of or as a representative of the College, they must notify the Office of Communications immediately.  
   2. When staff or faculty are contacted directly by the media and asked to provide their professional or scholarly opinion on a matter, they are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Communications so that assistance can be provided in vetting the legitimacy of the request, the credibility of the media outlet, and ensuring that a right of review prior to publication and other appropriate guardrails are in place.

C. Use of the Franklin & Marshall College Name and Marks in Media Releases

In most cases the College’s name, seal and other marks and logos may not be used without the written permission of the Office of Communications, subject to the following:

1. No review or approval is required when the College name is used in news, research or documentaries.
2. The Office of Communications must approve the use of the College’s name in the following instances:
   1. When the name is used in any media releases or promotional materials.
   2. When used by for-profit or nonprofit organizations or entities for promotional or advertising purposes.

Please refer to the College's Policy and Guidelines for Promotional Requests for additional information. 

V. Related Documents and Forms

Campus Access Policy 
Policy and Guidelines for Promotional Requests

----
Policy Maintained by: Office of Communications, Vice President for Communications
Last Reviewed: November 14, 2024