Public relations
Faculty members as campus advocates
The most prominent face of the university is the faculty members, since they have the most contact with students. A primary service of the faculty is to connect with students in a variety of ways both inside and outside of the classroom in order to keep them engaged and follow through until graduation. But the role of faculty with respect to students begins long before they reach the campus, as recruiters for programs and courses.
Variety of venues
Campus advocacy may take many forms, including speaking at recruitment events, visiting high schools to talk about programs and possibilities, and meeting with groups of students who come to campus for tours. In addition to these activities, faculty members may reach out to the media through interviews, opinion pieces, or columns in local newspapers or for local organizations. These sorts of service are integral to attracting and maintaining students at a campus.
Student Recruitment
Faculty Members as Student Recruiters
Fant, G. C. (March 11, 2010). On Hiring, The Chronicle of Higher Education
This blog entry describes the way some college campuses arrange for prospective students to meet faculty members, and the ways it can help and hinder recruitment.
Report of the Senate Academic Standards, Regulations, and Admissions Committee on Faculty Role in Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment
Rutgers University (April, 2005)
This report outlines the vital role that faculty members play in recruitment of Rutgers students.
Opinion Pieces
Media Guide to Publishing Your Opinion
Sonoma State University
This site at the CSU Sonoma State campus offers guidelines for op-ed articles that engage readers.
Op-Ed Articles: How to Write and Place Them
Office of News & Communications, Duke University
This article outlines how to go about writing an effective op-ed piece.
Op-Ed Service
University of Florida News
This site offers support to faculty members who write op-ed articles including editing, distribution, and follow-up.
What is an Opinion Piece?
UVa Top News Daily, University of Virginia
This site describes what an opinion piece is, explains why to write one, and offers writer’s guidelines.
Issues in Public Relations
Court Denies Conservative Pundit-Professor’s Bias Claim Against University
Schmidt, P. (March, 2010). Faculty, The Chronicle of Higher Education
This article describes a case of bias brought by a professor against his university due to Op-Ed pieces he wrote.
