SUNY College at Oneonta actively seeks public awareness and support of our accomplishments, programs, and personnel. Therefore, it is important for the College to have a consistent policy in releasing information to the media. In dealing with the media, all College personnel should follow the policies outlined below:

1. Disclosure of information will be in keeping with public laws, the people’s right to know, and the College’s mission, with strong consideration of individual rights to privacy.
   
   
2. The College will continue its commitment to the principles of free speech, academic freedom, and intellectual inquiry.
   
   
3. The principal media spokesperson for the institution on official matters will be the Director of Communications, who will exercise final authority over the release of information to the media, except as otherwise specified in this statement. Additional spokespersons may be designated in particular situations to respond to specific media requests.
   
   
4. Authority to issue official College news releases rests solely with the Director of Communications.
   
   
5. College faculty and staff members are encouraged to assist the Director of Communications in the development of information regarding policies, programs, plans, decisions and actions of the College. Information, positive or negative, should be provided promptly and accurately to the responsible College officials.
   
   
6. New College policies and programs will be announced by the President, Director of Communications, or other specifically designated spokespersons.
   
   
7. Faculty and staff are encouraged to assist news media representatives with requests relevant to their academic specialties. The Director of Communications occasionally refers representatives of the media to members of the College community and appreciates the cooperation and response of the College faculty and staff to such requests.
   
   
8. All employees are requested to inform the Director of Communications of media inquiries that are related to College business.
   
   
9. College employees should distinguish carefully between official information and personal opinions when dealing with the media. Care should be taken to point out that they are not representing the College in statements of personal opinion. College letterhead or electronic media should not be used in communications of personal opinions to the media.
   
   
10. Requests for the release of information under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act should be forwarded to the Senior Assistant to the President for appropriate action.

Approved by President’s Cabinet, November 1998
Updated 9/2005 and 7/2010