UAF University Relations About Us Contact Staff

Introduction

  1. Board of Regents Policy

  2. Responsibilities of UAF Administration

  3. Responsibilities of Staff and Faculty

  4. Critical Prompt Actions Needed

  5. Release of Information

  6. Other Public Relations Considerations

  7. Post-Emergency Communication

UAF Campus Closure Due to Emergency Conditions - memo effective 12.17.03 (PDF 52K)

UAF on Alert

[GOV ICON]Crisis Communication Plan


If you have a medical emergency or other emergency call 911.

V. Release of Information


The release of any institutional information is coordinated with University Relations. University Relations should consult General Counsel prior to releasing information, where potential claims may be raised. There are many considerations including the time, place and manner in which information is released. A statement should be issued to media as soon as possible considering all circumstances. The statement should be brief and issued by the appropriate official, which is typically the University Relations director unless otherwise designated. All information should be released by the designated spokesperson(s) as defined by the first-level response team. All questions should be referred to this person. A single person releasing information will ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting the facts.

The University Relations director or designee will be responsible for the coordination of the release of institutional information and communications, including official statements from appropriate university individuals. At a remote or off-campus site, every effort will be made to use the local managers with the full assistance of the University Relations office on the Fairbanks campus.

  1. The objectives are:
  2. Ensure timely release of accurate information.
  3. Communicate verified facts rather than speculative information.
  4. Facilitate the flow of information.
  5. Promote and protect the welfare of involved personnel and their families.
  6. Retain employee, student, public and news media confidence in the institution.
  7. Use a crisis, when appropriate, to educate the public on broader issues raised by the crisis: how we'll prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future; what programs we have in place and what we're doing now.

Information that is speculative and should not be released:

  1. Estimates concerning the extent of damage in dollars cannot be accurate during the first hours of an emergency and are best released later when verified.
  2. Estimates concerning the length of time it will take to put a damaged facility back on line.
  3. Speculation on cause and blame placed on any individual, agency or piece of equipment.
  4. Estimates of original costs.
  5. Comments on judicial or administrative processes in which findings have not been issued.

UAF University Relations
201 Eielson Building • P.O. Box 757520
University of Alaska Fairbanks • Fairbanks, AK 99775
Phone: 907-474-7581 • Fax: 907-474-6492 • E-mail: fyurel@uaf.edu
This site was last updated March 4, 2008 by University Marketing and Publications web developer.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
UAF is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution.