Our team of experts plans The Office of Communications plans and produces the college’s internal and external communications efforts to various constituencies, including prospective students/parents, alumni, patrons, and donors. We work closely with the college’s administrative offices and academic units as well as Syracuse University News and the University’s Office Divisions of Marketing and Communications.Our Our projects are prioritized based on the college’s goals and strategies. Priority is given to college-wide projects (recruitment materials, for example) and dean’s initiatives. While we would like to accommodate every request, demand or the timing of your request may require us to refer you to a University-approved resource.
The Office of Communications is led by Director Erica Blust.
What does VPA's Office of Communications do?
Functions include:
Marketing/Communications
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Communication Services Policy for VPA Schools, Departments, and Offices
The VPA Office of Communications provides a number of services to VPA schools, departments, and offices, including:
Stewardship of University and VPA brand tools, including VPA logo and school/department visual representation and messaging
Website design, content management, development, and oversight of website accessibility for the college’s site (vpa.syracuse.edu). Note: Information related to VPA degree programs and initiatives should be hosted on vpa.syracuse.edu and not an independent website for a better user experience and to ensure appropriate branding, accessibility, and search engine optimization (SEO).
Design and copyediting of print and digital pieces, including brochures, postcards, flyers, invitations, posters,
etc.) plus writing and/or editing of copy per the University’s editorial style guidelines- Advertising*
- Social media
- Branded
and advertising*
Sourcing and design of branded premiums (promotional products) via approved University vendors**
- Website content management and development of vpa.syr.edu
- Microsites
- Digital signage administration and content management
Photo/Video
- College image collection
- Professional head shots for new faculty and staff
- Photography and videography vendor referrals
News/Media Relations
- Press releases
- Faculty, staff, and student news announcements
- Story placement on VPA and Syracuse University News websites
- Media relations (in collaboration with SU News)
- Media training (in collaboration with SU News)
Our team will work with you to develop an individualized plan based on time, budget, and other relevant factors. These are some examples of what we can do for you (pending other projects in our queue):
- Assist you with design of materials and copy editing/copy creation for these materials
- Post your college-sponsored event on our online calendar
- Post or link to your info on VPA social media when appropriate
- Create a press release for Syracuse University News and local media
- Update your directory (bio) page on the college’s website
- Assist with cost estimates for printed pieces
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Oversight of college photo and video assets
Administration and content management of digital signage in VPA buildings
Marketing and communications strategies, including media relations
*Advertising refers to paid promotional messages or listings in print and digital publications, online, or on billboards, radio, or television that utilize the college and University name, logos, trademarks, images, or URLs referring to any program, initiative, service, or operation of VPA. All college advertising materials, as well as advertising purchases and contracts, must be coordinated through and approved by the college’s Office of Budget and Planning and the Office of Communications.
**A branded branded premium is is a custom-imprinted item that utilizes the college and/or University name, logos, trademarks, images, or URLs referring to any program, initiative, service, or operation of VPA. All branded content purchases and contracts must be coordinated through and approved by the college’s Office of Communications. Many college and University marks are considered trademarks or registered trademarks, and improper use of them can result in personal or institutional legal liability.
Why Contact Us?
- Our services are free
- We are experts in our field
- We understand college brand identity and college/University brand requirements
- We are knowledgeable about University policies regarding advertising and vendor contract approvals as well as logo/trademark use
- We work with media, vendors, design software, and website content management and development tools so you don’t have to
Leave your communications needs in the hands of our professional team, and you can focus on your role in the student experience.
We can work with you to customize your communications strategy and craft materials that
- adhere to college and University brand requirements
- offer appropriate and consistent messaging
- are timed and targeted to get maximum visibility
Consistency in visual identity helps drive a unified college vision and strengthens the power of our individual units.
When to Contact Us
Before contacting the Office of Communications, it helps to have a general idea of the scope of your project. If there is a cost associated (for example, for the production of print materials or advertising), you should secure permission from your chair/director. The Office of Communications can only pay for college-wide projects approved by the dean at this time; however, if requested, the communications team can assist you in securing vendor cost estimates and working with the vendor on your behalf.
Before you request our services, please consider:
- What is your objective?
- Who is your target audience?
- When do you need delivery?
Other important questions:
- What format will best meet your needs? Print? Digital? Both?
- What is your budget? (Be sure to account for bulk or first-class mailing or shipping costs if applicable.)
- What quantity of the item will you need (if applicable)?
- Where will this be distributed?
Timeline
The time required to effectively complete your project will vary depending on 1) its complexity; 2) the timeliness and completeness of the content provided; and (3) the number of priority projects in our queue. Three weeks’ notice is ideal for most press releases and design projects (not including time needed for any printing/production); however, complex design projects will require more time.
Tip: Work backward from when you want the piece displayed/distributed, not the date of the event.
Please note:
- The period between Spring Break (mid-March) and Commencement (mid-May) is an especially busy time for our office. Please plan your requests accordingly.
- If for any reason we are unable to assist you with your request due to the number of projects in our queue or your deadline, we will let you know right away and recommend other Syracuse University-approved resources.
How to Contact Us
Contact Erica Blust and the team with your request by emailing esblust@syr.edu. (Please be specific about the services you need.) Erica will review the request and work with you to assess your project and/or assign the appropriate team member to assist you.
If for any reason we are unable to assist you with your request due to the number of projects in our queue or your deadline, we will let you know right away and recommend other Syracuse University-approved resources.
Tip: the more information you can provide about your project, the faster we can assist you. For example:
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Policy
If you are planning a project supported by VPA funding that requires one of these services (including faculty research projects supported by VPA or University funding), please contact the Office of Communications before beginning the project, placing an order, or hiring an outside vendor. We require you do this for several reasons:
We may be able to provide the services you need at no cost to your school, department, or office. Our staff includes a graphic designer, web content manager, and web developer. We also have access to University marketing and communications resources.
We will ensure that University guidelines for branding, editorial style, trademarks, and accessibility are followed.
If we are unable to provide the services you need, we can connect you with a vendor that has been vetted and approved by the University. You should not hire an outside vendor for communications-related services until you receive approval from the Office of Communications.
NOTE: In coordination with the college’s Office of Budget and Operations, the director of the Office of Communications reviews and approves proposals for purchases or contracts related to the services listed above. The purchases/contracts must then be reviewed and signed by the University Comptroller. Please note that faculty, staff, and deans are not authorized to sign contracts as these documents must be reviewed and signed by the University Comptroller.
Should you choose to hire a vendor without prior approval from the Office of Communications, your school/department/office request for payment may be denied.
Contact Us:
Questions Related to Our Services and Policies
Erica Blust
Director, Office of Communications
College of Visual and Performing Arts
esblust@syr.edu
Design Requests
Please fill out and submit our brief design project initiation form.
Website Requests (vpa.syracuse.edu)
Email vpa-webmaster@syr.edu. Be sure to include the URL of the page to which you are referring
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*Please note that communication to alumni is handled by VPA’s Office of Advancement. For more information, contact Mike Grannis at 315.443.8931 or mjgranni@syr.edu.