Marketing and Communications
Media Engagement, Social Media, Photo and Video, and Brand Standards
The Office of Marketing & Communications
The Office of Marketing and Communications (MarCom) helps the University of St. Thomas share accurate information, support our Basilian mission, and present a consistent University identity. These guidelines explain when to contact MarCom and where to find support for media requests, social media, photography, video, and branded materials.
If you are ever unsure whether something needs MarCom’s involvement, ask first. It is always easier to loop us in early rather than to correct a story, post or graphic after it is public.
Need help or unsure where to start? Contact marcom@stthom.edu or call 713-525-3519.
Working with the News Media
If a reporter contacts you about UST, forward the request to MarCom before giving an interview, statement, or comment on the University’s behalf. Send the reporter’s name, outlet, contact information, topic, and deadline to marcom@stthom.edu as soon as possible. If the deadline is urgent, call 713-525-3519.
Contact MarCom when you receive:
A request from a reporter, producer, podcaster, or other news outlet
A request for an interview, expert commentary, or background information
A request to film, photograph, or record on campus
A request for a written statement about the University
MarCom can help assess the request, prepare you for an interview, coordinate scheduling, and provide background information or talking points when appropriate.
Speaking for the University
The President and individuals designated by the University are authorized to speak on behalf of UST as an institution. Faculty and staff may contribute expertise in their fields, with media requests involving UST coordinated through MarCom. Unless authorized, do not present your comments as an official University position.
Filming and Photography on Campus
News outlets, production companies, and outside photographers must obtain advance written permission from MarCom before filming or photographing on University property, indoors or outdoors. Send the proposed date, location, purpose, participants, and intended use to marcom@stthom.edu.
Personal Social Media Accounts
Faculty and staff may maintain personal accounts and share personal views. If you identify your UST affiliation, make clear when you are speaking for yourself. A statement such as “The views expressed here are my own and do not represent the University of St. Thomas” may help provide that context.
Do not use UST logos or other University marks on a personal account in a way that suggests it is an official account. If a reporter contacts you about a University matter through your personal account, forward the request to MarCom before responding on behalf of UST.
Photo and Video Permissions
Before publishing a photo or video featuring an identifiable student, follow UST’s approved photo and video permission process. Check with MarCom if you did not collect the permission yourself or cannot confirm that the image is approved for the intended use.
[MarCom, the Registrar, and University counsel should confirm the exact release requirements, how student privacy preferences are checked, and whether event notice may be used for any type of photography.]
When permission is unclear, hold the image and ask MarCom before publishing it.
Planning Photography or Video for an Event
Contact MarCom before the event to determine what permissions, notices, and arrangements are needed. Share the event date, location, expected participants, planned uses of the images, and whether minors may attend.
If UST uses an approved photography notice at an event, display the approved wording where attendees can see it and retain a record of where it was posted. Use event signage only in circumstances permitted by UST’s approved process; do not assume it replaces an individual release.
Take extra care with minors, including summer camp participants, dual-credit students, and visiting school groups. Contact MarCom before photographing, filming, or posting images of minors so the appropriate permissions can be confirmed.
University Brand Standards
UST Brand
UST’s logos, seal, colors, typography, and other visual elements help audiences recognize University communications. Use approved assets and contact MarCom when developing materials that represent UST.
Use approved files
Do not stretch, recolor, recreate, or otherwise alter the University logo, crest, or seal.
Discuss new marks with MarCom
Contact MarCom before creating or using a logo or sub-brand mark for a department, program, office, or event. This includes marks created under earlier guidelines that may need review.
Request current assets and templates
MarCom can provide approved logos, colors, fonts, and templates for presentations, flyers, signage, and other materials.
Submit vendor designs for review
If an outside printer, promotional products company, designer, or web developer is producing something bearing the UST name or marks, send the design to MarCom for review before production.
Check accessibility
Make sure digital graphics and documents use readable text, appropriate color contrast, meaningful image descriptions where needed, and captions for video.
Quick Reference: When to Contact MarCom
A reporter contacts you about UST
Forward the request, topic, and deadline to MarCom before responding on behalf of UST.
An outside crew wants to film or photograph on campus
Request advance written permission from MarCom.
You want to announce University news on social media
Coordinate the information and timing with MarCom before posting.
You are creating, renaming, or transferring a University-affiliated social account
Register the account or update its administrators with MarCom.
You want to publish a photo or video featuring students
Confirm that UST’s permission requirements have been met.
You are planning photography or video at an event
Contact MarCom in advance about permissions and any approved notice.
You need a logo, template, or other brand asset
Request the current approved file from MarCom.
You are producing a design bearing the UST name or logo
Send the design to MarCom for review before production.
Any questions?
Contact Us
All external marketing communications (e.g. ads, publications, newsletters, flyers) should be approved by the Office of Marketing and Communications before production. For any additional questions, please email the Marketing & Communications Office.
Need help or unsure where to start? Contact marcom@stthom.edu or call 713-525-3519.
Social Media
University-Affiliated Accounts
Schools, departments, programs, and offices may use social media to connect with their audiences. MarCom supports those accounts and helps coordinate information shared across the University.
For help with social media accounts, accessible posts, or branded graphics, contact marcom@stthom.edu
Tell MarCom about existing accounts and contact MarCom before creating or renaming an account. Provide the platform, handle, department, primary administrator, and backup administrator. Contact marcom@stthom.edu to begin.
Send proposed posts about personnel changes, new programs, awards, partnerships, or other information that has not yet been publicly announced to MarCom for review. This allows the University to confirm the details and coordinate the timing of an announcement.
Contact MarCom before posting about safety incidents, controversies, legal or personnel matters, or issues involving UST’s Catholic identity. MarCom can coordinate with other University offices as needed.
Use current UST logos, colors, and templates. Do not recreate or modify University marks or use an AI-generated version of a UST logo.
Add descriptive alt text where the platform allows it, review video captions for accuracy, use readable text and sufficient color contrast, and include essential information in the post text rather than only in an image.
Each account should have a primary and backup administrator. Follow UST’s approved account access and credential-management process when granting access or transferring an account to a new administrator. Contact MarCom when account managers change. Contact marcom@stthom.edu for more information.