Experience at Washington University (Missouri) illustrates the importance of careful media relations planning, including pinpointing what the institution wants to accomplish, establishing ground rules, and working with the institution's communications team to draw up a media relations plan. Planning steps are outlined. (MSE)

When crisis strikes, internal audiences at institutions of higher education need accurate information which depends on groundwork laid during good times. Key principles for emergency communication include predicting disasters by reading internal warning signs; preventing a potential crisis from growing; and preparing for smooth communications…

The president of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education talks about why college advancement officers need to rethink, restructure, and communicate better about their fund-raising campaigns, in light of public perceptions that the institutions are greedy and not managing resources efficiently. Emphasis is on carefully defining…

Fund-raising campaign experience at the University of Iowa Foundation suggests that attention to three planning areas (the intended audience, budget, and project requirements) and seven kinds of materials (campaign name and logo, case statement, letterhead, pledge form, return envelope, folder, and carrier envelope) facilitate program…

Large, flashy college fund drives may be falling out of favor with alumni and friends of the institution. Advancement professionals recount their experiences and suggest ways to adapt campaigns to new needs and environments. Inherent problems with large campaigns are enumerated, and the importance of clear communication to audiences on and off…

Colleges and universities can use electronic services such as bulletin boards and electronic mail to both reach out to and keep in touch with alumni. Such services are already being used with some success. Many institutions will find that the technology is already in place on campus. (MSE)

The potential of CD-ROM and floppy disks in college student recruitment is explored. Benefits, research strategies, selection of format, creation of content, production values, and details of delivery are discussed. It is argued that carefully planned and effectively produced CD-ROMS and floppy disks can supplement computer network capabilities as…

Eight planning essentials for a successful college reunion are outlined: starting early; selecting enthusiastic and reliable volunteer leaders; training volunteers; balancing the budget; containing costs without sacrificing quality; publicizing; anticipating the unexpected; and evaluating the experience. Anecdotal evidence is offered that planning…

The Internet and other technological tools are rapidly becoming an expected means of communication for college and university public relations offices. Making this transition requires conquering fears of new technology, building on existing staff public relations skills, reorganizing operations to accommodate new tasks, enjoying the new…

Guidelines for establishing an effective fund-raising board include knowing the group's and the institution's mission, getting expert help, recruiting helpful individuals, making expectations clear, giving trustees honest information, promoting trustee self-examination, getting a key leader to direct recruitment, welcoming new leadership, having…

Ideas for enhancing college and university public relations' use of electronic media include organizing an electronic mail tip sheet; trying an electronic news service; investing in an electronic media tracking service; installing an Integrated Services Digital Network telephone line; placing the institution's story on a cable television network;…

Colleges and universities are achieving modest results in using the World Wide Web for fund raising. Suggestions for developing/updating Web sites include: providing basic information such as pledge forms and development office contacts; tailoring the site to campus and potential donor interests; using the site to support other efforts; providing…