118.1 Policy
The College is a unique and important source of news-worthy stories. College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) encourages positive interaction with media outlets. However, only the President (or the President’s designee) is authorized to issue any official College communications to the media. If an employee or member of The Board of Trustees is contacted by a member of the media about the College, they may make a limited, factual response, but are to refer the media inquiry to the President for an official College statement. The President may utilize the Vice President of Human Resources and Marketing or others he/she deems helpful in making the official media response.
118.2 Procedure
The media inquiry procedure is to provide guidelines for the creation, dissemination, and protection of CEI’s official communications to external audiences. All interviews and press releases must be approved by the President.
1. Initial Media Contact
- All media inquiries are directed to the President’s Office.
- If the President is unavailable, the Vice President of Human Resources and Marketing or designated individual will respond on behalf of the college.
2. Interview Requests
- Any media request to interview CEI employees about the College should be approved by the President or their designate representative.
- CEI requests that interview questions be submitted in advance to support accurate and thoughtful. The President or their delegate may recommend reviewing those responses before replying to the media.
Regardless of whether advance questions are provided, the appointed employee must:
- Respond only with factual, verifiable information.
- All data must be verified by Institutional Research prior to citation to ensure accuracy.
- Avoid speculation, personal opinions, or unofficial commentary.
- Refer any questions outside their area of responsibility or expertise to the President’s Office.
- Notify their supervisor that a statement was made.
3. Press Releases
Press releases will be:
- Drafted by or submitted to the Associate Director of Communications before public dissemination.
- The press release draft must be approved by the President before public dissemination.
- All data must be verified by Institutional Research prior to citation to ensure accuracy.