University Communications manages the university’s interaction with online, print and broadcast media and documentary film crews. Our primary role is to promote the university, its mission and its scholarly and intellectual life and to assist journalists who seek information about the university and members of the campus community, while protecting its reputation and intellectual property. Over time, we are building public knowledge, support and enthusiasm for UC Merced’s special mission as a vital catalyst for educational and economic development throughout the region — and as a world-class research university in the UC system.
University Communications produces and disseminates a wide range of news and information about the university, its people and its achievements both on and off campus. Our goal is to keep the public and the campus community well informed and updated on the university’s progress through all platforms, including new media. It is important to present the university in a manner that is both accurate and consistent with the university’s mission. Therefore, it is the responsibility of University Communications to provide accurate and consistent information to avoid any misunderstanding, misinterpretation or confusion.
We strive to find the best ways to tell the stories of UC Merced to a variety of stakeholders and potential stakeholders, positioning our campus members as thought leaders regionally, nationally and globally. University Communications facilitates media access to our campus, faculty, staff and students and offers a wide variety of news resources to journalists.
University Communications at UC Merced is the general contact for all calls from reporters and editors. Faculty and staff are encouraged to talk to media about their fields of expertise. Non-academic staff should route all media requests through the Division of External Relations’ Office of Public Relations, and faculty are encouraged to do so.
Public Relations can offer assistance such as media training and negotiation on interview ground rules, manage logistics such as facilities access and communications technology, and address any required follow-up with media, such as requests for documents, video or photos. Public Relations can also ensure that media appearances are appropriately promoted on UC Merced’s own media channels. The primary university spokesperson is Samuel Yniguez, who can be reached at pr@ucmerced.edu. Members of the campus community dealing with and/or interviewed by the media will be assisted by University Communications, a team trained to best serve those called upon to speak to UC Merced’s academic distinction, research excellence and the success of our students.
