News, public relations, and presentations

Academic and outreach units across the Illinois campus have communications staff members who can provide expertise with media interactions, but we all need occasional help with various public relations opportunities.

Use the following Public Affairs' resources to reach audiences, while ensuring consistent communications across the campus at critical times.

Communicating with the news media

News Bureau at Public Affairs is available to help you reach the public with the news your unit generates using local, state, national, and international media.

Submitting news to the News Bureau: tips on how your unit can best work with the News Bureau
Local media outlets you may choose to contact without News Bureau assistance
Advice on preparing for print and broadcast media interviews

Crisis communications

Public Affairs advice on handling communications issues in crisis situations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Crisis communications tipsheet
- What constitutes a crisis?
- What should our unit do during a crisis, and what will Public Affairs do for us?
- What information is critical, and who needs to have that information?
- Are there crises that can be anticipated?
Crisis interview strategies
Sample critical incident summary
Sample FAQs

Illinois Freedom of Information Act

Every communicator on the Illinois campus should have some familiarity with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), although Public Affairs is the only office on campus authorized to respond to FOIA requests, even those filed in unit offices.

FAQs about FOIA
Types of documents typically requested
Download the University of Illinois FOIA request form (Word document)

Event planning guide

From start to finish, the tools and information you need to host the perfect event.

Public speaking resources

Illinois In a Box

Public Affairs has organized everything you'll need to represent the Illinois campus to external audiences with panache. Up-to-date tools and resources, free or at a minimal cost. Available items include signage and banners, table skirts and table tents, props for photo opportunities, handouts, give-a-ways, facts brochures and audio-visual ‘looped’ presentations, and more.

Trivia

Consider using these fascinating little-known campus facts to get your audience talking, laughing, and saying, "I didn't know that!"

Can I get autographed sports items?

Due to overwhelming requests, the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has a new policy regarding the handling of requests for donations and autographed items. Their new policy and links are here.

"The First Ten Minutes"

An engaging PowerPoint introduction to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in pictures and text that any speaker can use, either as a stand-alone presentation or as the first ten minutes in a longer, unit-specific presentation. Download the zip file containing the PowerPoint and accompanying script.

PowerPoint templates

Public Affairs has created a variety of predesigned campus templates for you to use in any presentation.

Images

Need pictures for your powerpoint? Read the "where can I get images" section of our FAQ page for web images. Also, Creative Service has a collection of very high quality campus images available to campus communicators. Call 333-9200.

Automated Campus Slide Show

A PowerPoint slideshow featuring campus images. It's designed to run in the background during an event or as a "mood setter" before a presentation. The slides run in a loop and have three different Illinois-themed music options.

Contact us

Please contact us if you have questions.