These criteria are here to determine whether University Communications will distribute a university-level press release. If your news meets one or more of the criteria doesn’t necessarily mean it warrants an institutional press release.

Publication in an academic journal does not constitute a press release. The research or findings must have values that news outlets would find of highly significant interest (impact, proximity, timeliness, prominence, conflict, human interest, novelty/oddity).

These criteria provide guidelines to faculty and staff and help start a conversation. University Communications will ultimately make the final decision on if/when a press release is sent.

For note: The decision to decline a university-level press release does not mean our editorial team can’t write a story about it.

For questions about sending out a press release, please reach out to Collyn Taylor (collyntaylor@sc.edu). For questions about having a university-level story written about your news published to sc.edu, reach out to Dan Cook (dancook@mailbox.sc.edu).

Major institutional news

• Major hires (non-interim) such as president, provost, member of CAD, member of cabinet.
• Major records set by university employee, department and/or student body (ex. Development record fundraising, research funding, five Goldwater Scholars).
• Major or prominent partnerships, could be corporate partnerships or cross-university projects (SC Nexus).
• Large non-anonymous philanthropic gifts that exceed $10M (unless considered a presidential priority).
• Any program, building or college/school naming.

University strategic priorities

• Presidential-level initiatives (AI, USC Next, etc.).
• Major university events like commencement or nationally recognized speakers with mass appeal or newsworthiness values.
• Major facilities initiatives (building openings, building renderings, etc).
• Board of Trustees priorities (major board actions and updates).

Research excellence

• Major grant (at or exceeding $2 million) that has wide-reaching impact and newsworthiness. Can be new research or funding that helps advance a current research project.
• Major grant issued in high-profile area decided on a case-by-case basis (does not necessarily have to reach the $2 million threshold).
• Major research advancement in focus area (brain health, health sciences, battery/energy innovation, etc.).
• Findings or studies that have far-reaching impact on local, state, national community.
• Findings or studies that has clear societal, medical, technological or environmental implications.

Student, faculty and staff achievement

• Prestigious national or international award for student, faculty or staff (Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright, AAAS, etc.).
• Nationally recognized achievements by university/faculty/staff/student (ex. Forbes “Best of” employer information).

Emergency and crisis communications

• Handled exclusively by the University Communications team to update media and the public after major issue surrounding the university.
• Sent only when absolutely necessary to provide context and information to the media and the public.