Dates

• Existence: 1997

Administrative History

University Communications (1997- ) is a department of Brigham Young University, and is responsible for producing media resources.

University Communications was established in 1997. The department is responsible for the production of high-quality media resources, speaking directly to and supporting others who speak with the media as the University Spokesperson, providing advisement to the President, administration and campus executives, developing and managing the development of positive and effective relationships with members of the local, state and national media; handling conflict and crisis situations that could or do result in media attention; ensuring that the administration hears and understands what essential publics and the news media have to say about the university, as well as provide strategic planning for the administration and other university entities; coordinating media needs during major campus events; consultation on editorial matters for University Publications; handling of critical communication needs in the event of an emergency. Offices under University Communications include Campus News Manager, Web Communications, University Photography, Info and Media Relations, and Broadcast Media Production. University Communications also publishes Y News, the faculty newsletter.

University Communications was run by a director until 1997 when the position of Assistant to the President for University Communications was created. From 1997, University Communications reported to the President as well as the Advancement Vice-President. From 2000-2006, the Assistant to the President for University Communications was not on the president's council; in 2006, the position was readmitted to the President's Council. Currently University Communications reports dually to the President of Brigham Young University as well as to the Office of the Vice-President of Advancement.

Prior units include the Brigham Young University News Bureau (1952-1978) and the Brigham Young University Public Communications Department (1978-1997).

Citation:

University Communications DVDs, 2010: title frame (Brigham Young University, University Communications)

BYU organizational history, via WWW, Oct. 2, 2012 (University Communications; previously known as Public Communications, renamed in 1997; reports to the university administration; responsible for producing media resources, representing the university to the media, and emergency communications)

UPB files, November 11, 2013 (established in 1997; responsible for the production of high-quality media resources; speaking directly to and supporting others who speak with the media as the University Spokesperson; providing advisement to the President, administration and campus executives; developing and managing the development of positive and effective relationships with members of the local, state and national media; handling conflict and crisis situations that could or do result in media attention; ensuring that the administration hears and understands what essential publics and the news media have to say about the university, as well as provide strategic planning for the administration and other university entities; coordinating media needs during major campus events; consultation on editorial matters for University Publications; handling of critical communication needs in the event of an emergency; offices include Campus News Manager, Web Communications, University Photography, Info and Media Relations, and Broadcast Media Production; publishes Y News, the faculty newsletter; run by a director until 1997 when the position of Assistant to the President for University Communications was created; from 1997, University Communications reported to the President as well as the Advancement Vice-President; from 2000-2006, the Assistant to the President for University Communications was not on the president's council; in 2006, the position was readmitted to the President's Council; currently reports dually to the President of Brigham Young University as well as to the Office of the Vice-President of Advancement; prior units include the Brigham Young University News Bureau (1952-1978) and the Brigham Young University Public Communications Department (1978-1997))

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