Our team of experts plans The Office of Communications plans and produces the college’s internal and external communications efforts to various constituencies, including prospective students/parents, alumni, patrons, and donors. We work closely with the college’s administrative offices and academic units as well as Syracuse University News and the University’s Office Division of Marketing and Communications.
Our projects are prioritized based on the college’s goals and strategies. Priority is given to college-wide projects (recruitment materials, for example) and dean’s initiatives. While we would like to accommodate every request, demand or the timing of your request may require us to refer you to a University-approved resource.
The Office of Communications is led by Director Erica Blust.
What does VPA's Office of Communications do?
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What does our office do?
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Our team will work with you to develop an individualized plan based on time, budget, and other relevant factors. These are some examples of what we can do for you (pending other projects in our queue):
- Assist you with design of materials and copy editing/copy creation for these materials
- Post your college-sponsored event on our online calendar
- Post or link to your info on VPA social media when appropriate
- Create a press release for Syracuse University News and local media
- Update your directory (bio) page on the college’s website
- Assist with cost estimates for printed pieces
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*Advertising refers to paid promotional messages or listings in print and digital publications, online, or on billboards, radio, or television that utilize the college and University name, logos, trademarks, images, or URLs referring to any program, initiative, service, or operation of VPA. All college advertising materials, as well as advertising purchases and contracts, must be coordinated through and approved by the college’s Office of Budget and Planning Operations and the Office of Communications.
**A branded premium is a custom-imprinted item that utilizes the college and/or University name, logos, trademarks, images, or URLs referring to any program, initiative, service, or operation of VPA. All branded content purchases and contracts must be coordinated through and approved by the college’s Office of Communications. Many college and University marks are considered trademarks or registered trademarks, and improper use of them can result in personal or institutional legal liability.
Why Contact Us?
- Our services are free
- We are experts in our field
- We understand college brand identity and college/University brand requirements
- We are knowledgeable about University policies regarding advertising and vendor contract approvals as well as logo/trademark use
- We work with media, vendors, design software, and website content management and development tools so you don’t have to
Leave your communications needs in the hands of our professional team, and you can focus on your role in the student experience.
We can work with you to customize your communications strategy and craft materials that
- adhere to college and University brand requirements
- offer appropriate and consistent messaging
- are timed and targeted to get maximum visibility
Consistency in visual identity helps drive a unified college vision and strengthens the power of our individual units.
When to Contact Us
Before contacting the Office of Communications, it helps to have a general idea of the scope of your project. If there is a cost associated (for example, for the production of print materials or advertising), you should secure permission from your chair/director. The Office of Communications can only pay for college-wide projects approved by the dean at this time; however, if requested, the communications team can assist you in securing vendor cost estimates and working with the vendor on your behalf.
Before you request our services, please consider:
- What is your objective?
- Who is your target audience?
- When do you need delivery?
Other important questions:
- What format will best meet your needs? Print? Digital? Both?
- What is your budget? (Be sure to account for bulk or first-class mailing or shipping costs if applicable.)
- What quantity of the item will you need (if applicable)?
- Where will this be distributed?
Timeline
The time required to effectively complete your project will vary depending on 1) its complexity; 2) the timeliness and completeness of the content provided; and (3) the number of priority projects in our queue. Three weeks’ notice is ideal for most press releases and design projects (not including time needed for any printing/production); however, complex design projects will require more time.
Tip: Work backward from when you want the piece displayed/distributed, not the date of the event.
Please note:
- The period between Spring Break (mid-March) and Commencement (mid-May) is an especially busy time for our office. Please plan your requests accordingly.
- If for any reason we are unable to assist you with your request due to the number of projects in our queue or your deadline, we will let you know right away and recommend other Syracuse University-approved resources.
How to Contact Us
Contact Erica Blust and the team with your request by emailing esblust@syr.edu. (Please be specific about the services you need.) Erica will review the request and work with you to assess your project and/or assign the appropriate team member to assist you.
If for any reason we are unable to assist you with your request due to the number of projects in our queue or your deadline, we will let you know right away and recommend other Syracuse University-approved resources.
Tip: the more information you can provide about your project, the faster we can assist you. For example:
- For a content correction or update to the VPA website, be sure to include the URL of the page to which you are referring.
- For a designed piece, be sure to specify if you require print design, digital design, or both, along with any size requirements, image preferences, or copy needs (editing or writing).
- For press releases announcing an event, be sure to include event title, date, time, location, event description, and admission fee (if any). Please also indicate to which audience* you would like to publicize the event (VPA only, the University community, local media etc.). If your event features a guest artist, please provide the artist’s bio and a high-res head shot or image of the artist’s work. If this information is available on the artist’s professional website, you may provide us with the link instead.
*Please note that communication to alumni is handled by VPA’s Office of Advancement. For more information, contact Mike Grannis at 315.443.8931 or mjgranni@syr.edu.