Status Report of Rutgers Comprehensive Communications ...

Developing a New Policy on Sponsorships, Endorsements,
and Accepting Advertising in University Materials
The university originally issued a policy on “Endorsements, Solicitations, and Advertising”
in 1962 and revised it in 1982. The policy was extremely restrictive, prohibiting most forms
of endorsements, solicitations, and image advertising. The original policy was separated
into four policies addressing discrete issues:
charitable contributions;
solicitations;
the purchase of paid advertising in external media; and
sponsorships, endorsements, and acceptance of paid advertising in university media
and materials.
The first three policies have already been reviewed and revised. The policy on sponsorships,
endorsements, and acceptance of paid advertising in university media and materials
deals with important issues that have become increasingly complex with the growth of online
communications. Given the increasing funding pressures the university is confronting,
Rutgers is faced with the challenging task of balancing the demand for university units to
maximize all available resources with the need to preserve Rutgers’ reputation and integrity.
The Vice President for University Relations will convene a universitywide committee to:
consider recent requests related to the policy;
interview faculty and staff with direct experience with these requests and practices;
hear from university administrators with expertise in relevant legal, tax, and
information technology issues;
benchmark policies and procedures at peer institutions to determine best practices; and
develop a new policy to take forward to university leadership.
Improving Connections with New Brunswick
University Relations is developing a plan to strengthen Rutgers’ relations and collaborations
in the city of New Brunswick. The plan includes a new website and publication highlighting
Rutgers outreach projects, public service, and economic impact in its host communities. A
task force will be formed to develop best practices for research collaborations. The plan also
includes a series of discussion forums with Rutgers representatives and New Brunswick municipal,
civic, and community leaders. The goals are to harness our collective skills, resources,
and service commitments around issues of mutual interest.
4 4