Frequently Asked Questions

I'd like to see my event/program/project in the newspaper or on the news. What should I do?

Contact OPR via our online form at least four weeks before your event. Please be sure to have your who/what/when/where/why answers ready. We will write a press release and determine which media outlets should receive it. If you have one or two digital or regular photos that will enhance your story, e-mail them to us. Sorry, we don't write press releases or do publicity for student organizations.
My department is hosting an event. Can OPR come take photos?

OPR does not maintain a staff photographer, although you may see us taking pictures around campus from time to time when we have a specific use for them. If you want to hire a photographer for your event, please read more about hiring a photographer.
My son/daughter made the President’s/Dean’s list. Why haven’t I seen an announcement in our local paper?

Our office mails out the hometown releases to the newspapers. We never know when a newspaper will publish the list. You can always contact us to check which paper it was sent to as our database automatically matches zip codes with newspapers.
How long does it take to develop a Web site for my department?

Web sites can be organized, designed, developed and launched in as little as 10 weeks provided the department is able to devote the necessary resources to working with the Web administrator to pull together information needed for the Web site. Web sites are designed on a first-come first-served basis, so the three month timeline may be longer or shorter depending on how many Web sites are ahead of you. The Web administrator will give you a reasonable timeline for finishing a new Web site during your initial meeting.
What does the Web administrator do?

The Web administrator is responsible for ensuring all Web sites on www.plymouth.edu are up to industry standards, best represent the University and are in keeping with the image of the University as set forth by the Office of Public Relations.
Do we have to have a Web expert in our office?

The Web administrator is the resident Web expert on campus. The Web administrator can help you develop your site to best market your program and is available to train or assist your office in maintaining your department's Web site.
Can you help me design my personal or student organization Web site?

The Web administrator ensures any sites on www.plymouth.edu meet industry standards and represent the University's image. The Web administrator does not oversee personal Web pages or student organization Web sites (any Web site which resides on http://oz.plymouth.edu) and cannot assist you with the design of your personal or organization Web site.
My department wants a brochure. What should I do?

Fill in our online Work Request form and OPR will contact you to schedule an intake meeting.Come to your appointment with an idea of your brochure's audience, how many you'll need, and what your budget will be. We will assign a project manager, editor and designer to your project. We usually estimate about eight weeks to complete a publication once we receive your text. To learn more, go to Working with OPR and click on Publications.
Who writes the text for my publication?
You do. But if you’re not sure what to say, your editor will be happy to help out.
Who decides how my publication will look?

The designers in OPR have the expertise to determine the best look for your brochure in order to produce the results you want and to meet PSU's design standards. Your input is welcome, but the designer on your project has the final say.
What is AP style? Do I need to follow AP style guidelines?

AP style is the set of rules developed by the Associated Press as a guide for such matters a capitalization, abbreviation, spelling, numerals and usage. The University has chosen to follow the AP Stylebook in order to ensure consistency in our publications. There are other style books with other approaches that are also good, but AP is the one we use. You don’t need to use AP style when you submit your draft. Your editor will make any necessary changes to bring your publication in line with the University’s standard.
Who pays for my publication?
It is up to you to be sure the printer is paid for your publication. The person in your department who is responsible for purchase orders and P-card use must arrange payment with the printer before the printer can print your job.
Will OPR arrange to mail my publication?
OPR does NOT handle mailings. Please follow the guidelines about bulk mailings found in the Publications section on Distribution.
I have all these great digital photos. Why can’t I use them in my publication?
While they look good on a computer screen, most digital photos are too low-resolution to reproduce well in color in print. (Digital photos are fine to accompany press releases, however). If your digital photo is larger than one megabyte, we may be able to use it. Ask your project manager to check with the designer on your project to see if your high-resolution digital photo will be usable. Otherwise, please give us slides or prints.
What are the busiest months for publication?
The summer is our busiest time (June, July and August). So plan early for those months!

For more information about how OPR can help you with your publication, please review the Publications section at left.
How do I know if I should come to work/class when the weather is bad?

Plymouth State rarely closes due to weather. However, if significant snowfall is in the forecast, the University may delay classes or close altogether. The decision to delay or close will be posted by 6 a.m. as an alert on the home page of the Web site at www.plymouth.edu, on the Storm Line at 535-3535, WMUR TV (channel 9) and various radio stations around the state. If the University decides to cancel afternoon or evening classes, the decision is posted by 1 p.m. in these same locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Media/Publicity

Miscellaneous

Photography

Publications

Web Sites