Describes the activities of Indiana University's crisis communications team during the Bob Knight controversy. Discusses how the school's response was based on four crisis communications principles: create a plan, appoint a single spokesperson, respond with open and continuous communications, and expect the unexpected. (EV)

Offers advice for college communications officers in dealing with the media. Tips include: "bring in the big guns", "play show and tell", expand the media circle, understand reporters' jobs and respect deadlines, "keep it real", "stay in touch", and "hedge your bets". (EV)

Preproduction filmmaking for a college or university begins when the institution first discusses the idea. The process continues with developing ideas, forming a committee, focusing on the film's major points, doing research, interviewing, writing a script, and scheduling interview subjects and scenes that need to be shot. (MLW)

Successful campus public relations requires: (1) segmenting the mass audience into categories according to demographics, interest, lifestyles, and other factors; (2) analyzing how members of each segment respond to various messages and media; and (3) designing a campaign tailored to specific segments of the general audience. (MSE)

Using a hypothetical case study told in the first person, a fiftieth reunion chair illustrates sure-fire ways to lure reluctant alumni back to the campus. The techniques emphasize the personal and sentimental touch in mailings, other communications, and at the reunion itself. (MSE)

Specialized publications such as "Opera News,""Gourmet," and "Forbes" can bring an institution's story to targeted audiences. The experiences of Chautauqua Institution are described. Some of the benefits of marketing articles to these publications are discussed. (MLW)

The six-stage diffusion process, with choice of the right media, makes a vital strategy for public relations because it goes beyond informing to stimulating action. (MSE)

College and university public relations officials need to be aware of the potential problems associated with institutional research programs using animals and conflicts with animal welfare activists. Steps to take include anticipating and planning for a crisis, knowing campus research projects, and educating the various constituencies affected,…

The public's increasing frustration with many social and economic issues is finding a target in higher education. So far, higher education has not adequately anticipated or responded to these high-profile problems. College and university public relations specialists would do well to expend some effort on anticipating problems and planning to…

Admissions Marketing Group Research--gleaned from studies of parents, students, and counselors--suggested several reasons why public relations professionals should play a major role in the recruitment picture. (MLW)

Understanding reporters' needs and devising solid programs to meet them have done much to enhance the public relations office of the Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. A lot of time is spent hunting for new sources, developing good media lists, and keeping these lists up-to-date. (MLW)

A survey to learn how publications offices market themselves on campus is discussed. The responses indicate that many use brochures and handouts, rather than formal meetings. Some of the ways publications managers tell the campus of their offices' skills and service are presented. (MLW)

A 10-step approach to detailed planning, organization, and promotion of class reunions is presented. Steps include plan adequate lead time, centralize leadership, develop an overall plan, outline promotional efforts, develop a budget, develop a checklist for the event, structure the reunion weekend, and coordinate the weekend. (MLW)

Some tips and checklists to help college and university personnel with the three major phases of slide show development (planning, production, and presentation) are provided. (MLW)

A computerized tracking system--management tool for annual, capital, and deferred giving programs--is described. Southern Methodist University's efforts to document interaction with major donors by listing the events they attended, letters they wrote and received, personal visits, etc., are discussed. (MLW)