Liaisons to Academic and Other Departments

The OCM Liaison is primarily someone interested in hearing “What’s new in your department,” and how and when you’d like to disseminate this news. The Liaison should offer clear guidance on what OCM can do for departments and what it cannot do.

Program Goals

OCM staff members will maintain scheduled contacts with department representatives to

1. Learn about and help promote news concerning faculty, staff, students, classes, and activities of interest to the public.
2. Suggest means to publicize events open to the public.
3. Support outreach to prospective students and alumni, especially through regular newsletters and Web site development generated through OCM.
4. Cultivate campus-wide awareness and support of key marketing messages regarding IU Kokomo’s distinct identity as a convenient regional campus, offering high quality education at reasonable cost.

The Liaison Would

• Work with Dean, Chair, or Department Supervisor to determine your department’s primary public information needs/major goals for academic year. Request appointment of a primary contact for the Liaison.
• Work with OCM Director to outline services OCM can offer your department.
• Attend at least one department-wide meeting per semester. In the initial meeting, the Liaison will learn about your department’s emphases and introduce the OCM Liaison program and key marketing messages. In subsequent meetings, the Liaison will review progress made toward the department’s annual public relations goals.
• Meet personally with your department’s contact to discuss the department’s public information goals. Liaison and contact will schedule at least one meeting per month.
• Maintain regular communication with department contact through various means (e.g., monthly face-to-face meetings, plus e-mails, phone calls, online or printed forms, etc.).
• Introduce OCM Media Relations Specialist to department contact and explain MRS’ role in conducting interviews, writing stories, and arranging photos.
• At mid-semester and end of semester, submit written report on the progress made toward your department’s public information goals. This report would go to department contact and head, appropriate vice chancellor, the Office of Admissions, and OCM Director. Report would include suggestions on improving flow of information.