Introduction


University Communications and Marketing (UCM) has prepared the Communication Standards Manual for anyone developing UW-Stevens Point external and internal communications. A clear, consistent style in all communications strengthens UW-Stevens Point's reputation and image. 

Adherence to the Communication Standards Manual is required to help ensure a unified and professional editorial image for the university before all of our external audiences. 

UCM provides strategic leadership and collaborative partnership in telling the UW-Stevens Point story. If you are connecting with an external audience, you need to work with UCM. 

Recruitment, promotional, fundraising and other external communication projects need to be reviewed and approved by UCM for editorial and design content before the project is submitted for printing at UW-Stevens Point Printing and Design. 

The university's media relations, institutional marketing, external publications, university events planning, photography, social media and online communications are handled by UCM. Printing and Design is also a unit of UCM. 

UCM works closely with the admissions office to develop student recruitment communications, and with Web and Media Services on the design and implementation of the UW-Stevens Point website. 

UCM works directly with the chancellor's office to plan and execute university events throughout the year, ranging from an array of receptions to UW-Stevens Point's convocation and commencement ceremonies. 

UCM also manages the university's brand licensing program and monitors all compliance of external communications with the UW-Stevens Point visual identity standards. 

The Associated Press Stylebook is the basis for this guide's writing requirements. Most American university communications professionals use it as the primary authority for style, grammar and usage. 

Discover Your Purpose Brand 

UW-Stevens Point launched a new brand and marketing campaign to increase awareness of our university, enhance recruitment and retention, provide a visual identity that students, faculty and staff are proud of and work to promote, and to succeed in an increasingly competitive market. BVK, Wisconsin’s largest independent branding agency, was retained by UW System to work with us to develop the campaign. 

In 2019, BVK conducted interviews and comparative research to learn what distinguishes UW-Stevens Point from other universities. BVK’s research led them to recommend a brand positioning statement to convey our brand value. Informed by that, they developed a creative campaign and tag line, collaborating with University Communications and Marketing (UCM) to gather feedback on options that best resonated with UW-Stevens Point’s stakeholders. Scores of students, faculty, staff and prospective students participated in the process and ultimately chose “Discover Your Purpose” as our tagline. A photography and videography team from BVK spent three days on campus capturing our students and facilities. Our university photographer shot the powerful student portraits being used in the campaign.


Contact University Communications and Marketing (UCM) at 715-346-3046 or ucm@uwsp.edu for services listed below

Media relations 

  • UCM tracks all university media activity. We can arrange interviews and provide advice, guidance and training for being interviewed by reporters. We can also offer insights based on other potentially related media inquiries made elsewhere within the university. UCM produces all official UW-Stevens Point media releases. Our office can also assist with sharing news of your university-related accomplishment, the good work of a student, or an upcoming event intended for external audiences. 

Social media/web content 

  • UCM produces and manages all official content for the university pages of uwsp.edu, UWSP Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and YouTube accounts. We can also help answer questions regarding social media and webpage policies. 

Publications 

  • UCM offers graphic design services for print or electronic publications for internal and external audiences. 

  • UCM reviews all recruitment publications and publications for external audiences for communications standards. 

Licensing/trademark 

  • UCM reviews all designs for licensed apparel and products and coordinates the use of UW-Stevens Point trademarks. 

Photography 

  • UCM offers professional photography services including employee and student headshots at no charge, coverage of select university events and recruitment/promotional photo shoots. 

Printing services 

  • Point Print and Design Studio offers many services, including large or small-volume black or full-color copying and printing, bindery services, letterhead, letterhead templates, envelopes and business cards, a wide variety of booklets, brochures, forms, greeting cards, 2.25" promotional buttons, stickers, posters, flyers, newsletters, consecutively numbered raffle tickets, course packs/manuals and class materials. See uwsp.edu/printdesign or call 715-346-4927.