The Division of Academic and Student Affairs has a broad reach across NC State’s campus. As such, experts in our division are often called on by campus, local and national media. This guide will help you determine the steps you need to take when approached by the media and how the division will collect those stories to share broadly, when appropriate. You can find all articles with mentions of the division or our staff on the DASA News site.

What if I’m contacted by the media?

1. Loop in the DASA Marketing and Communications team (Keith Medlin and Steph Wisnet) with as much information as you can provide (find out the reporter’s name, who they are with, the story they are covering, what their deadline is and when they plan on airing/publishing the story.) For urgent inquires, please also copy newstips@ncsu.edu.
2. DASA MarComm works directly with University Communications and Marketing’s University News Services team to determine what response is necessary. They will reach out to you and let you know how to proceed.
3. If it’s appropriate for you to speak with the reporter, you can consult with DASA MarComm or University Communications beforehand with any questions and for best practices when speaking to the media.
4. Share a link with DASA MarComm once the story has been aired or published.

Keep these things in mind

• You can share your own personal experience.
• You cannot speak on behalf of the university or division without consulting DASA MarComm or University Communications.
• Reporters will often reach out to several sources but should go through University Communications.
• Many requests from news outlets are to cover something positive. 
• Just because you were contacted doesn’t mean you have to speak to the reporter. You may not be the best spokesperson for a given topic. DASA MarComm and University Communications will help determine if a response is necessary and who is the best fit to speak on the topic.
• Often stories are time-sensitive. The sooner you loop in the communications teams, the more likely our experts will be used in a story.
• NC State is a public campus, and members of the media can be in public spaces (outside on campus, in buildings like Talley, inside classroom building public areas, etc.)
• Members of the media cannot enter classrooms, private offices or residence halls without expressed permission from a university employee. If someone asks to enter a space like this, please contact DASA MarComm or University Communications for assistance. Members of the media can, and often will talk to students about current events on campus, etc. 
• University Communications offers media training to those who often interface with the media.
• We are lucky to have strong student media outlets on campus. Be flexible and understanding with our student reporters.