University Relations becomes University Communications and Media Relations

The office previously known as University Relations has a new name, University Communications and Media Relations.

The new name was chosen following the Program Prioritization process and in concert with Martin Wood, senior vice chancellor, University Advancement, and Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak. The name is designed to clarify the office’s responsibility and position within the University Advancement division.

“University Communications and Media Relations better describes the department’s role of providing much of the official communication for both the campus and broader Colorado Springs communities,” Tom Hutton, executive director, University Communications and Media Relations, said. “Communications has changed dramatically in the past decade. It makes sense that our office and its name should change, too.”

University Communications and Media Relations will continue to have three full time staff – Hutton, Jeff Foster, associate director, and Philip Denman, assistant director, and a student assistant, Marshall Joiner, Tulsa, Okla., senior. The office is located in Main Hall 301.

The office’s functions include

• Official campus communication in the form of Communique (https://communique.uccs.edu) and Media Watch (http://mediawatch.uccs.edu).
• Primary contact with local, state and national media outlets.
• Management of UCCS social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter and the training of university faculty and staff on the appropriate use of social media channels.
• Photography coordination and maintenance of a photography database (http://photography.uccs.edu).
• Brand identity coordination and assistance to departments in implementing the CU brand standards (http://www.uccs.edu/brand).

Since the 1980s, the office was known as University Relations. About four years ago, the department tried to shift its name to University Advancement. However, as University Advancement added fundraising, alumni relations, advocacy, community relations and marketing to its functions, there was confusion about the office’s responsibilities. That confusion was voiced as part of the Program Prioritization process, Hutton said.

“We remain client-focused and campus-driven,” Hutton said. “My hope is that this name change helps clarify our role within the campus and the Division of University Advancement.

For more about the Advancement Division, please visit http://www.uccs.edu/advancement