Office of Communications
OC Highlights — July 2007
A Monthly Tip Sheet on
Effective Communication
Drought Website
This comprehensive collection of valuable drought information is one of the informational sites located on the college's Natural Disasters website.
Because we are in such severe drought in Georgia, this site is updated quite frequently with helpful information from UGA CAES research and extension faculty. The site can be found at www.georgiadrought.org.
Georgia FACES
CAES Newsmakers
Stem cell research has been a hot topic in the news this spring. UGA research has been front and center. Steve Stice, GRA eminent scholar in animal and dairy science, has been widely quoted in stories about the national debate on embryonic stem cell research with the introduction of the HOPE Act in Congress by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) and others. This bill will allow federal funding for research on stem cells derived from nonviable embryos from fertility clinics. Stice has presented testimony on the process to Congress and the Georgia General Assembly. The bill has passed the U.S. Senate and awaits debate in the U.S. House. Stice’s sure-footed response to media interviews on this topic have been valuable teaching tools in media trainings for university faculty across the country. Also, look for a profile of Stice in the upcoming edition of Outreach Magazine by UGA Public Service & Outreach.
Identity Policy
A Consistent Look
CAES provides an enormous amount of useful information for students, clients and the general public on a broad array of topics. It is critical that our materials carry a uniform identification with UGA and CAES. University approved CAES type treatments, also commonly referred to as logos, are available for faculty and staff use on publications, printed material, promotional items and websites. Please visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/unit/oc/identity/index.html to download these files.
Official Cooperative Extension, Learning for Life and 4-H logos are also available on the web at http://www.caes.uga.edu/unit/oc/resources/logos/. Contact the Office of Communications with any questions on the use and application of CAES type treatments. Complete descriptions of CAES Identity policy is available on the web at: http://www.caes.uga.edu/intranet/policy/section3/03-01.html
Media Training
Media Training Opportunities
The Office of Communications will offer a round of media training at CAES locations in Athens, Griffin, Tifton and Statesboro in the coming training catalog. This training will include valuable information on other OC resources available to faculty and staff to help make your communications activities easier and more efficient.
Advanced media training on handling controversial issues and crisis communication will be included in the fall offering from UGA Faculty and Staff Development.
1-800-ASK-UGA1
We’ve Got Your Number
For years, county agents and UGA Extension specialists struggled with how to give a phone number Georgians can call to get Extension information. As part of the Office of Communications' Extension Marketing Plan, you now have one: 1-800-ASK-UGA1. This number will allow all callers in Georgia to call one number (no buttons to push, no selections to make) and be automatically connected to their county UGA Extension office. Please use the number in any media, Web or other communication tools that direct the audience to the county office for more information. This service is one of UGA’s selected initiatives in our Customer Service improvement plan mandated by the state. To make sure it is used to the fullest, OC will be offering training for county secretaries on answering caller questions and providing them tools necessary to give good customer service to callers. Look for this training in upcoming district meetings.