SA Communication and Marketing

Student Affairs Communication and Marketing supports the Division of Student Affairs with strategic communication and marketing needs. We collaborate with departments to develop and implement communication plans and tactics. In our partnerships, we work to create materials that educate, engage and positively impact the CU Boulder community. To ensure goals are being met, we routinely evaluate effectiveness and adapt tactics. We strive to provide communication that's timely to where students are at in their academic journey. Our team works closely with Strategic Relations and other campus partners to ensure integrated campus-wide marketing and communications.

Our channels and services

Our channels hit a variety of different audiences including incoming first-year and transfer students, continuing students, graduate students, families and staff and faculty.

Content and email

CU Boulder Today
Newsletters (Residence hall newsletters, Buff Family Newsletter, SA Insider and SA Lead newsletters, Boulder Bound and Boulder Bound Family newsletters)
Department emails
Crisis comm and talking points

Web and digital

Department and division websites
Canvas
Digital screens
CUBoulderLife app
Presentation templates

Design

Print
Digital
Swag/promo items

Photo and video

Campus photos and videos
Promotional and educational videos
Event coverage

Social media

@CUBoulderLife
@CUHealthyBuffs
@CUBuffFamilies
Department-level channels

Project Requests

To , you must already have access to JIRA.

If you do not have access, please email SAComm@colorado.edu for more information.

Digital Signage

CU departments and student groups can advertise their programs on one of our many digital signs in the residence halls and dining centers on campus. .

Ordering Office Basics

Need to order some branded business items for your department like nametags, apparel or business cards? Email us at SAComm@colorado.edu for more information and recommendations.

Newsletter Communications

Student Affairs departments and campus partners can submit content requests for the following newsletters:

(for Student Affairs staff)

Event Submission Forms

SA Communication creates comprehensive marketing and communication plans for division campaigns at key times of the year. Departments should submit their event details on the Event Submission Forms to be included in marketing campaigns.

How to work with us

Each SA department has a designated SA Comm liaison from the SA Communication and Marketing team. We recommend that departments select a designee or a few designees from their department to be the primary contact(s). Having a few designated people in the department minimizes duplication of requests and ensures that requests are in alignment with the department’s overall communication plan and broader division and campus initiatives.

1

Goals and priorities

Department directors and/or designees will first complete a template to outline their organizational goals, priorities, challenges, benchmarks, key programs and initiatives and important dates for the upcoming semester/academic year.

2

Strategy meeting

Once completed, the director and/or designees will meet with their SA Comm liaison to talk through their goals and priorities. These goals and priorities should align with the overall goals and priorities of the division and help us determine and set the communication strategy, tactics and timing.

3

Communication plan

Following these conversations, the SA Comm liaison will create a communication plan that outlines communication goals, key audiences, messaging, timelines, tactics and content deadlines to help the department achieve their goals. In addition to aligning communication plans to departmental goals and objectives, SA Comm will work to ensure messaging and timing also align with division goals, audience needs and broader messaging and communication strategy across the university.

4

Implementation

Once the communication plan has been finalized and agreed upon, the SA Comm liaison will work with designated staff from the department to implement tactics and ensure content is reviewed and approved. Additional meetings and check-ins will be scheduled as needed. In some cases, the SA Comm liaison may also work with the department to create additional program- or event-specific communication plans.

Communication and Marketing Requests

80/20 rule

Ideally, at least 80% of a department’s communication and marketing needs should be discussed and planned in advance as part of the department or program/event communication plan.
We understand that last-minute needs may come up but this should be no more than 20% of a department’s marketing requests. Last-minute requests will receive less communication support and promotion time.

At least 4-6 weeks notice

We need to receive complete event/program details at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the start date to ensure enough time for content creation, review, approval and promotion.

To submit marketing and communications project requests, please contact your SA Comm liaison.

Photo and Video Asset Requests

Student Affairs Communications reviews requests to share existing photo and video assets with CU Boulder departments. Requests will be reviewed in a 2-3 week time frame. Student Affairs Communications evaluates requests on a case by case basis and reserves the right to deny requests.

We are not accepting requests for new photo or video footage.