Our Services

Writing, Photography, and Advertising
News and Information Services

The Office of News and Information Services leads the University effort of providing copy and photographs for publications, news releases, media pitches, advertising, and the USI Web site to assist in communication and student recruitment efforts. These promote the USI core values.

USI Core Values
• Accessible and affordable
• Flexible and willing to change
• Teaching is priority of faculty
• Student learning and leadership
• Diversity
• Response to regional needs related to economic development

An Overview of News and Information Services

• Content for Publications/Web site www.usi.edu
• Internal Publication
• Marketing/Advertising
• News and Media Relations
• Photography


Content for Publications Development/Web site www.usi.edu
Copy for a departmental brochure and Web content are written following standards to maintain the style and consistency identifiable as being from the University of Southern Indiana. The USI styleguide is called The Editor’s Manual and is online at www.usi.edu/newsinfo/editorsmanual/index.asp  It offers terminology specific to this University including abbreviations, building names, directions to the University, and more.

Internal Publications
News on the Web
The NIS staff writes stories and publishes on the Web site in five categories: community news, student news, faculty and staff news, athletics, and arts news. Stories are put up daily at www.usi.edu/newsinfo/index.asp. To submit news, e-mail Wendy Bredhold, writer: wkbredhold@usi.edu. Submit athletic news to Ray Simmons, sports information director, rsimmons@usi.edu. 

USI Magazine is a 32-page magazine with a 42,000+ distribution that is sent to alumni donors, and opinion leaders three times a year. News included must have wide appeal and should focus on the future—upcoming events, new academic programs, etc.—instead of recaps of past news. To submit news, e-mail Betty Vawter, editor: bvawter@usi.edu.

University Notes is a weekly e-mail newsletter that is designed to inform faculty and staff and their families of campus news and events, Board of Trustees action, planning, professional development opportunities, and other timely topics. University Notes is internal so we also include “family” type news like marketplace, notice of death of employees and their immediate family members, and employee events and news. To submit news, e-mail Wendy Bredhold, editor: wkbredhold@usi.edu.

The USI Bulletin is the catalog of course descriptions and academic policies and procedures. It is coordinated in this office with the assistance of the office of vice president for Academic Affairs. It is published every two years as a printed publication and online. If you have questions about the USI Bulletin, e-mail Kathy Funke, director: kfunke@usi.edu.

Newsletters
The staff of News and Information Services is available to work with deans, department heads, and other representatives of an area to develop a newsletter. An NIS writer will work with your representative to plan a story list, decide on photos/art, and edit your content or write content to meet your deadline. If you want to plan a newsletter, e-mail Betty Vawter, senior writer: bvawter@usi.edu.

The current list of newsletters include
College of Business Reports (College of Business)
In Harmony (Historic New Harmony)
LA Story (College of Liberal Arts)
Reflections (Planned Giving Society of USI Foundation)
Synapse (College of Nursing and Health Professions
USI Teacher Educator (Department of Teacher Education)
Periodic Review (Pott College of Science and Engineering)

Marketing and Advertising
When you want your message to reach a specific population or when you want to promote an event or program, News and Information Services (NIS) can help. The staff will work with you to determine your goal, who you want to reach, what tools (Web, print brochure, media, etc.) to use when communicating, what message to send, what you want the audience to do, and your timeline--aligned with the budget you have allowed. It is essential in the days of multiple media and multiple information gathering styles that the appropriate media is used to reach the people who need to hear your message. Limited advertising is purchased by the University. Advertising is coordinated through the NIS office to insure the best ad rates are secured and a consistent brand/message is part of the advertising. E-mail Kathy Funke, director: kfunke@usi.edu with questions about marketing and advertising.

News and Media Relations
University of Southern Indiana’s News and Information Services is your best source for help in promoting your special project, grant, event, award, guest presenters, student leaders, and news of your department.

Photography
High quality images of campus environments (classrooms, laboratories, housing, buildings, etc.) and USI employees and students are available for your use through Photography Services in News and Information Services. We provide images that promote the core values of the University and document photographically the development of USI.

Assignments that will be scheduled:
• Photos to publicize or promote the University
• Photos for publication (print and Web)
• Athletic and cultural events sponsored by USI
• Portraits of employees for official activities

If you want to use a photograph to illustrate a printed brochure, promotional piece, or Web site, you can view the collection of digital photos. If we don’t have what you want, you can request a photographer to cover an event. Costs cover materials and scanning, if needed. No cost for photographer’s time.

For photography, e-mail Elizabeth Randolph, photojournalist: ERandolp@usi.edu.