91影视

Communications Protocol

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Category:
Governance
Audience:
91影视 Personnel
Last Revised:
February 26, 2023
Owner:
Vice President, University Relations
Approved By:
Board of Governors
Contact:
Director of Communications, 306-790-5950 ext 2600

Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define how notification of First Nations University of Canada鈥檚 (91影视) major announcements and other institutional news are shared internally and externally. In case of a crisis, see the Crisis Communications Plan.

Promotion of 91影视 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 91影视鈥檚 major stakeholders.

Media and stakeholder engagement plays an important role in shaping the public’s opinion, the image of 91影视 and an understanding of the University鈥檚 unique offerings.

Scope

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.

Definitions

Audiences

91影视 internal audiences include but is not necessarily limited to:

  • 91影视 Board of Governors
  • 91影视 Management
  • 91影视 faculty and staff
  • 91影视 students including all students registered in 91影视 classes.

91影视 external audiences include:

  • University of Regina (and its federated colleges) faculty and staff
  • Media
  • 91影视 Alumni Association
  • Parents and community partners
  • Donors, alumni and friends of 91影视
  • Prospective students and high school guidance counselors
  • General public
  • Municipal, provincial, and federal governments

91影视 Major Stakeholders

91影视 major stakeholders are the organizations that have a direct influential relationship with the University and include:

  • 91影视 founding organization/ First Nation leadership: The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations- Chief and Vice-Chief that holds the Education portfolio, Chiefs of the territory where 91影视 has Campuses or delivers community-based programming.
  • 91影视 federated partners: University of Regina, Campion College, and Luther College
  • Funders: Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, The Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Policy

91影视 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. 91影视鈥檚 internal audience have the right to know how a development or situation might affect them before the external audience and 91影视鈥檚 stakeholders are informed.

Media may sometimes contact various individuals at 91影视 to comment on specific issues, events, or situations. No one, other than the appointed spokespeople for 91影视, 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 91影视 and the University of Regina Faculty Association (URFA).

91影视 Spokespeople

Board Chair is the spokesperson for the Board, and will speak on behalf of 91影视 on the following matters:

  • statements on governance affairs
  • inquiries from provincial or federal government or FSIN
  • matters involving the President
  • In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair will act as spokesperson for the Board of Governors.

President is the spokesperson for 91影视 on the following matters:

  • statements on institutional affairs
  • in the absence of the President (or as appropriate), the President may delegate this responsibility to an alternate role.

Vice-President Academic:

  • statements on academic affairs

Senior Communications Officer:

  • statements on institutional issues, as directed by either the President or his/her designated alternate.

Consequences for Noncompliance

Non-compliance could result in misinformation about 91影视 activities and events being shared. Additionally, non-compliance could also result in public misrepresentation of 91影视 with negative repercussions on reputation management. Employees who speak on behalf of 91影视 without the authority to do so could be disciplined in accordance with their respective collective agreement.

Processes

The 91影视 Communications Department will coordinate all media relations and major institutional marketing activities. If the media contacts a member of the 91影视 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)

Major Announcements – Creating and Implementing a Communications Strategy

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 91影视 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 91影视 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 91影视 announcement documents such as media release, notices, and publications.

91影视 Media Releases and Advisories

The Communications Department will prepare and distribute all information to the media pertaining to 91影视 including press releases and media advisories.

The Communications Department will work with 91影视 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 91影视 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 91影视 activities must follow the 91影视 Brand Use Policy.

91影视 Public Service Announcements and Other Notices

91影视 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 91影视鈥檚 many communications channels – from its website, its twitter account, Facebook page, direct email, poster distribution, etc.鈥

91影视 Publications

For major initiatives, 91影视 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 91影视 executive and be undertaken by the 91影视 Communications Department. 91影视 Executive would provide final sign off approval of the publication as well as provide further direction to distribution of the published document.

Related Information

Crisis Communications Plan

91影视 Branding Policy

91影视/URFA Collective Bargaining Agreement

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