VII. 4. Communications & Publications

The College of Letters & Science is a large and complex institution comprising a little more than half of the University of Wisconsin — Madison . In recent decades, the college has recognized the importance of clearly articulating its mission and role inside the college and university and with external audiences. It also has realized the value of making its resources and achievements visible and easily accessible to people on and off campus, and strengthening ties to its alumni through regular contact.

In support of those objectives, the Assistant Dean for Communications and College Relations developed the college’s first strategic communications plan in 2001. That plan included strategies to make the college visible and educate others about its importance to the University of Wisconsin—Madison; Letters & Science also adopted the tag line, “The Heart of a Great University Core” to reinforce those strategies. Core elements of Letters & Science communications and publications program include:

Logo . In 2003, the college adopted the official University of Wisconsin “W crest” logo, which can be used with or without the tag-line “The heart of a great university.” to strengthen its identity and communications efforts. The new logo was chosen because it incorporates a clear and visible link to the larger university and because it clearly spells out the name of the college, elements that were absent in the previous graphic identity. The new logo also creates a stronger visual relation to Letters & Science departments and programs that independently have chosen to adopt the W crest logo.

W crest logos for specific colleges, departments, and programs must be developed by University Communications staff and used within appropriate use guidelines for Web, stationery, advertisement, publication, and other uses. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE LETTERS & SCIENCE UNITS TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE COLLEGE IN THEIR LOGOS TO STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONAL IDENTIFICATION.

Additional information on the university’s graphic identity guidelines, including use of fonts, size, and positioning, is posted on the campus Web site. Departments and programs that wish to adopt the W crest logo should contact Eileen Fitzgerald, University Communications, at 262-8275 or emfitzge@wisc.edu.

Letters & Science TODAY . The Assistant Dean for Communications and College Relations serves as editor and manager of the college’s alumni newsletter, Letters & Science TODAY. This publication is printed twice a year and is mailed with the UW-Madison alumni magazine, On Wisconsin, without charge to all college alumni currently living in the United States for whom current addresses are available. In 2003-2004, the circulation was around 145,000. Beginning in 2002, Letters & Science TODAY also is available in electronic format through the college website, at http://www.ls.wisc.edu/newsletters.htm.

Letters & Science Web site . The Letters & Science Web site serves as the electronic gateway to the college for audiences on campus and around the world. It provides organized links to web sites for Letters & Science departments and programs, outreach and special facilities, and student, faculty, and staff resources. The Letters & Science Web site (www.ls.wisc.edu) is maintained by the Assistant Dean for Communications and College Relations. The Letters & Science on-line handbook of policies, procedures, guidelines, and administrative directory (used primarily by units within the college) is maintained by Elaine M. Klein, Assistant Dean for Academic Planning, Program Review and Assessment.

Letters & Science Annual Report . Each August, the Assistant Dean for Communications and College Relations produces an annual report on behalf of the dean. The report is made to the chancellor and provost and is distributed electronically to the UW—Madison Dean’s Council, Letters & Science department chairs and associate chairs, and other administrators. Since 2000, the annual report also is posted on the Letters & Science Web site.

Created 8/16/06 per LJM