»Guidelines for Issuing Official University Statements
Background and Overview:
In today’s fast-paced, socially conscious society, many institutions—including colleges
and universities—have been thrust into the position of issuing official statements
that comment on various societal situations, such as wars and mass shootings. These
types of statements, known in the communications world as “thoughts and prayers” messages,
often ring hollow because they are so commonplace and don’t offer anything actionable
or additive.
Additionally, the geopolitical landscape has added to the pressure placed on universities
to offer comments on issues like U.S. presidential executive orders and social movements.
While it’s important to keep our various constituent groups informed of major changes
to laws or protocols that directly impact our work, there is no need to communicate
about every perceived change. Chapman University has a strong and healthy tradition
of delivering its mission and supporting its people without weighing in on or reacting
to the day-to-day politics of the state, nation, or world.
Our Philosophy and Approach:
At Chapman University, we practice our mission quietly but impactfully. We do not
communicate to be performative or engage in virtue signaling or just because another
institution has communicated to its audiences. However, we do communicate to mass
audiences when there is something actionable that directly impacts key segments of
our community. And we do communicate to local or small audiences when there is something
actionable that involves a few people or a specific audience.
The Role of the University Spokesperson:
The only official spokesperson of Chapman University is its President, and only the
President is authorized to sign official statements on behalf of the university. For
news media and social media purposes, the President can deputize other university
officials and/or members of SMC to provide official information. Other university
leaders and departments are not permitted to put out official statements on behalf
of the university. In keeping with the spirit and practice of academic freedom, faculty
can and should offer their expert knowledge and opinions in the classroom and in their
scholarly work, as well as to the news media, but they must be clear when interacting
with news media that they are not speaking on behalf of the university.
