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AU Home > Communications & Marketing > Campus Communicators >June 6, 2007

           

Campus Communicators Meeting
June 6, 2007

The Campus Communicators meeting was held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 in Room 231 of Foy Union.

Thanks to those of you who attended last week's Campus Communicator Meeting. Below are the topics discussed and also brief summaries of updates provided from members.

  • OCM staff brought the Communicators up-to-date on the following:
    • New RSS/Newswire and News Alert system:  At this meeting, OCM updated members on the upcoming RSS (Real Simple Syndication) and News Alert system, which will enable reporters to download news information from Auburn more easily, and which will eventually enable us to allow subscriptions to regular, timed news alerts from Auburn.  In the event of a crisis, this system provides an additional way to reach subscribers, and will also better help us get accurate messages to our audiences. The newswire/RSS page will be called "Wire Eagle";
    • News Search:  Implemented new news archive search tool to make it easier to find stories by category; linked off the news page;
    • Integrated Media:  Samples of media relations "tip sheets" were distributed regarding AU experts in hurricanes and droughts.  These tip sheets will be distributed to the media to provide them not just a story idea, but expert sources from AU on a variety of topics that are timely to the public.  So far, the hurricanes and drought tip sheets have already resulted in features in state media.  These tip sheets are added to the Newswire/Features page, combined with photos, videos and links to more thoroughly integrate news and Web;
    • Game Day:  Game Day will be moving to a paperless information system due to the number of changes that are expected this year that would make a print map soon outdated. OCM will continue communicating the changes via Web;
    • Photo Services Move:  Photo Services has moved into new offices and a studio in Foy; Camp Comm members are encouraged to drop by and see the new facilities;
    • Football Program Pages:  OCM will be contacting you about story ideas for the permanent and rotating Football Program pages;
    • Marketing:  Several video and ad projects for colleges/schools/departments areas were described, including new image ads, credit card ads (remember the AU credit card supports scholarships!), Honors College videos, College of Liberal Arts video, and more);
    • News:  The "snacking story" wherein CHS research shows snacking is healthy for the elderly was discussed as an example of an ideal research story; it has appeared nationally and internationally in more than one hundred publications, and continues to do so.  It is an example of the kind of story we can post on the wire for colleges and schools;
    • Design:  Al Eiland leading a design group formation as a resource for anyone doing design work on campus.  Contact Al with questions or to join;
    • Camp Comm Guests:  We'll try to have an update as to procedures for printing and bid processes from purchasing at an upcoming meeting.  Members are always welcome to suggest future guests;
    • Introduction of Matt Laney as new multi-media specialist and Kevin Van Hyning as new Art Design Specialist in OCM.
  • Updates were given by the following Colleges/Schools/Departments:
    • Development:  Spring regional campaign events have concluded, and regional campaigns will start again in the fall.
    • Engineering:  Aerospace building being renamed this summer; Baja team came in first!  Other ongoing projects and publicity efforts.
    • Multicultural Affairs/Diversity:  Summer programs are under way; PLUS scholars orientation upcoming; diversity training for Camp War Eagle under way; new AVP for Access and Community Initiatives will be in place soon; and appointees for diversity officers for each college have been made.
    • CopyCat:  Notepad gifts for those who participated in the survey were provided.  A reminder that when working with CopyCat, no extra approvals are needed for items through OCM, as CopyCat is a partner in our identity compliance efforts. 
    • OIT:  New version of GroupWise needs to be downloaded.  Reminders were sent to staff and faculty via AU Daily.
    • Healthy Marriages Initiative:  Statewide campaign, billboards, new campaign booklets all are under way for this $8.2 million grant at Auburn that is part of a national effort.
    • Engineering Outreach:  Gearing up for BEST.
    • College of Agriculture/Fisheries:  Programs with Uganda and two universities in China are progressing.
    • COSAM:  Journey Magazine completed along with "Pathways" for fall.  YES Camps and Summer Bridge programs are all being held this summer, along with Women in Science conference.
    • Environmental Institute:  Field days occurring in local communities; offices moving later this summer. Children from Wilcox County are being brought in and will benefit from special teacher training.
    • Auburn Magazine:  Special issue June 22 featuring new president; contact for fall issue will begin soon.
    • Music:  four new faculty members and a new interim chair appointed.
    • Libraries:  Faculty newsletter distributed, and upcoming radio spot planned.  Discover Auburn lecture series is upcoming.  Events such as "Snacks in the Stacks" for parents during Camp War Eagle and tailgating for fall are also involving people more with Libraries. 
    • College of Liberal Arts:  Video nearly complete, CLA viewbook also completed.  College newsletter has been distributed, and four new associate deans will be in place this summer.  An upcoming celebration in Atlanta is planned for Pulitzer Prize winning graduate Cynthia Tucker.
    • College of Education: New department head for curriculum and teaching, new associate dean for administration. NCATE accreditation completed, and everything looked good for reaccredidation.  Ranking issues with U.S. News and the way rankings are reported have been clarified, although (everyone) is hoping for a better reporting system.  Daily summer camps and clinics and events through July 26.
    • College of Agriculture:  Assisting NRMDI with water resources conference in June; Ag Illustrated complete; recruitment video complete; Farmer's Market a great place to sell/promote programs; Outdoor Life Magazine named AU a top 10 for academic degrees in outdoor jobs. 
    • NRMDI:  Water Resources Conference in June.  Hotel parking lot will be closed.
    • Outreach/Outreach Program Offices:  Faculty symposium to help faculty learn about incorporating outreach into their efforts; a number of academic camps occurring throughout summer.  Institutes for 150 teachers and administrators also on campus, and a pharmacy professional development course being implemented, including ElderHostel.
    • Ag:  Working on two promotional videos for the College and recruiting.  We have two students traveling through Europe on a study tour that ties in with our "Taylor Goes Global" ad that will appear in the special edition of Alumni Magazine.  Ag Communications is working with Outdoor Life Magazine on an "Outdoor University" event for the fall.  In addition the college is also looking into using RSS Feeds and blogs to appeal more to students, alumni, and other stakeholders.
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