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The Division of University Relations is here to share the story of James Madison University with its many constituents. Your university relations team can help you with your special public relations, communications and marketing projects. When you need to produce a publication, plan an event or disseminate news about your organization or academic area, the Division of University Relations is the place to turn.

Our team leaders, project managers, graphic designers, writers and editors are available to meet your public relations, marketing and communications needs by providing you, our customers, with one-stop shopping to ensure comprehensive and timely service.

Marketing and promotion

We will coordinate and produce materials that will best represent you and the university in a variety of ways, including advertising, photography and publications. We will help you target your audience to get the best response. And, we will edit, design and arrange for printing of your publication or assist you at any stage of the process.

Publishing information

Our news professionals can advise you about appropriate news placement or dealing with the media. As needed, we will share your news with the media through the JMU News Bureau and list your events and activities on the JMU web site's "news and events" category; in the alumni magazine, Montpelier; in the newsbrief, Extra! or in the calendar that appears in the faculty-staff newsletter, the JMUniverse.

Event planning

When you are planning a meeting, conference or activity, we can provide you with service or assistance with your various events needs.

Web-page assistance

Although we may not be able to create or update your web page for you, we can put you in touch with resources and provide guidelines for web-page management.

As you prepare for a public relations project or publication, be certain your department head, director or dean is aware of and approves your plans. Then, submit an online form at http://www.jmu.edu/ur/forms.htm
to initiate your project. If you need help to fill out the appropriate form, call 568-6557.

After you have initiated your project, it will be assigned to the appropriate university relations team. At this point, your team leader or project manager will contact you to schedule a meeting with your team to discuss your project, evaluate your needs and determine which services you require.

Before beginning work on a publication, be sure to look at our online form at http://www.jmu.edu/ur/forms.htm where you will find tips and guidelines to help you in the process. Resources are limited, so you should submit your online worksheet as soon as possible to allow enough time for your project. Depending on the complexity and available time for the completion of your project, we may need to outsource it.

Here is a checklist of things to consider before you begin ---- questions your university relations team will discuss with you as appropriate to your project.

• What is the date of your public relations project?
• * Who is your audience, and what is its size? (Is it an internal audience, or an external audience?)
• * What is the desired outcome of your public relations project?

After you've answered these questions, and before you prepare copy, refer to the JMU Style Guide on the web, so you're aware of the university's guidelines regarding word and image usage. The style guide is located at http://www.jmu.edu/ur/styleguide.html