A-to-Z Index

Policy #1502
James Madison University Communications and Marketing

Date of Current Revision: August, 2009
Responsible Office: Senior Vice President for University Advancement

1. PURPOSE

This policy provides for the establishment of the James Madison University Identity System. The JMU Identity System was established to ensure that all official university communications preserve and promote a consistent image of the university while accurately conveying its message. The online version is the authoritative source for the JMU Identity System.

2. AUTHORITY

The president has given the vice president for university advancement the responsibility and the authority to establish policy for the content and appearance of all official university communications.

3. DEFINITIONS

Official University Communications and Marketing:
Official university communications include but are not limited to advertising, printed and electronic publications, promotional items, signage and Web sites.

  • All communications bearing the university name or subunit name as the publishing or sponsoring entity.
  • All communications produced by people acting in their capacities as university employees or using university equipment.
  • All communications for which production costs are paid for with budgeted university funds.
  • All communications targeting media.
  • Paid advertising.

James Madison University Identity System:
Communications that are visually and editorially consistent create and maintain a strong cohesive institutional identity. The James Madison University Identity System provides all those producing official university communications with the information required to achieve that consistency and cohesiveness. The JMU Identity System also provides detailed contact information for those who have questions about the JMU Identity System or need assistance in producing a university communication.

4. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all James Madison University employees and other non-university personnel and/or vendors who prepare official university communications.

5. POLICY

All official university communications must comply with all James Madison University Identity System standards.

6. PROCEDURES

6.1 The Division of University Advancement Office of Communications and Marketing offers guidance and services to departments and offices to help ensure that all new official university communications comply with the James Madison University Identity System.

6.2 Communications and Marketing is responsible for approving the editorial content and appearance of all new official university communications for their compliance with the James Madison University Identity System. Communications and Marketing administers identity standards and guidelines for new communications and review of existing communications.

6.3 The Office of Photography provides photographic images for official university communications, media relations and sports media relations activities, and other public relations uses. This office maintains the university's photography library and ensures that a broad base of high-quality images is on file.

7. RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of the head of a unit to ensure that the information contained in an official communication is accurate and current, and that all new official communications of that unit comply with James Madison University Identity System editorial and graphic standards.

The JMU Editorial Board consists of members appointed by the vice president for university advancement and is responsible for providing general publishing policy and guidelines. This board serves as the approval body for the James Madison University Identity System.

Web publishers are responsible for assuring that the content and appearance of their pages comply with the James Madison University Identity System. Publishers are further expected to test and maintain references to other documents as well as to update and revise information as needed to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

8. SANCTIONS

Sanctions will be commensurate with the severity and/or frequency of the offense and may include termination of employment.

Communications that do not conform to this policy can be restricted or terminated. The university also reserves the right to reject delivery of materials that violate or deviate from these standards.

9. EXCLUSIONS

This policy does not apply to the following:

  • Any communication that is paid for and produced by students or student organizations not using budgeted front-end JMU Student Government Association funds.
  • Any communication that serves a student journalistic function (e.g., The Breeze) and is paid for using student activities funds.
  • Any communication that is paid for by a grant that does not carry the university logo/name other than as an indication of the publisher's location.
  • Any communication that is produced by or for outside contractors such as Aramark and Follett.
  • Any communication or item that is produced for sale in the university bookstore.

10. INTERPRETATION

The authority to interpret this policy rests with the president and is generally delegated to the vice president for university advancement.

Previous version: January, 2008
Approved by the President: July 2002


Index of Terms

Advertising
AP Style
Associated Press Stylebook
Branding
Communications
Copyright
Editing
Editorial Style
Graphics
Identity
JMU Logo
Logo
Marketing
Photography
Printing
Publishing
Trademark
Web Pages
Web Sites
Web Development