The life estate gift annuity program, which can benefit both the donor and the institution of higher education, is explained; the legal aspects are discussed; and the potential advantages and disadvantages to both parties are outlined. (MSE)

Certain types of crises cry out for legal counsel. Becoming familiar with the basics of media law is suggested for public relations offices. Three types of crises that call for legal advice include: litigation or potential litigation; a violation of a law or regulation; or incidents with any hint of liability. (MLW)

The best way to protect individuals and institutions from libel suits is to verify the truth of what is printed. An institutional editor's guide to do's, don'ts, and definitions is presented. An editor is as responsible for a libelous letter as the author is. (MLW)

Corporate sponsorship is a marketing strategy by which companies communicate about their products or services by affiliating with events or institutions valued by targeted customer groups. Increasingly, campus communicators are seeking to establish corporate sponsorships but first must resolve legal and ethical concerns. Various types of…

After a college or university has received the large gift it has solicited, there are still a variety of follow-through tasks to attend to, including considering an appropriate sign of appreciation, notifying campus officials and encouraging them to send thank-you notes, creating a payment schedule, keeping the donor apprised of progress toward…

Advice is offered for making the children of alumni welcome at campus events and reunions, illustrated with the experiences of several colleges. Suggestions include cooperating with the campus legal office concerning risk and liability of child care, using community facilities that cater to children, starting small and expanding with success, and…

A discussion of donor records in college and university fund-raising programs looks at a variety of issues, including who sees them (administrators, donors, volunteers, and members of the legal profession), how access to them is controlled, and what is kept in them. Suggestions are offered for managing such records, and the experiences of a number…

College fund-raising situations in which prospective male donors make inappropriate sexual advances to female development officers are considered. Coping strategies, prevention, the supervisor's role, and development of institutional policy and policy statements are discussed. (MSE)

Campus event planners need to know all they can about the risky business of special-events insurance, including coverage types and options (institutional vs. outside-user, workers' compensation, cancellation/abandonment, nonappearance, weather, death/disgrace, boutique/niche insurance), basic insurance issues, alcohol issues, estimating needs, and…

As the battle over college and university tax-exempt status escalates, institutional public relations officers are offered advice for making their case for tax-exemption without alienating the community, including: getting facts straight; communicating internally first; going to the source of criticism; illustrating economic and nonmonetary…