DePauw’s leadership will communicate regularly with the community through a variety of formal and informal mechanisms, including convocations and commencements, faculty meetings, The DePauw magazine, and emails to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. It is vital for DePauw’s leadership to know what is on the minds of faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, and the local community. Comments and suggestions are always welcome at president@depauw.edu or communicate@depauw.edu and will inform the work of the president and the president’s cabinet.
The president receives many requests to speak about specific issues. The voice of the institution’s leader is a powerful tool for communicating during good times and bad and the president will use this voice when appropriate. However, the “overuse” of the president’s voice can lead to an expectation that the president should personally respond to a broad range of issues or national and world events, even those that do not directly affect the DePauw community. Such frequent presidential messaging undermines the regard and importance of a president’s message in times when it is especially needed and warranted, and creates an expectation that the president “should” respond to every situation, thereby de-emphasizing the importance of other voices in the community.
Student Affairs will lead communication efforts when students are directly affected by an issue and require support /information about campus resources. Human Resources will lead communication efforts when faculty and staff are directly affected by an issue and require support/information about campus resources.
Vice presidents, deans, department chairs, program directors, coaches, etc. may also share communications with their respective direct communities. Such communication is encouraged, distinct from these university policies and protocols.
Presidential Communication Policy
Last updated September 2025
The President of DePauw University communicates regularly with the community through various formal and informal channels. While the president's voice is a powerful tool, its use is carefully conserved to maintain its impact and importance. The president may communicate on matters that:
- Directly affect the university's campuses or community members;
- Relate to the university's core mission of teaching and scholarship;
- Align with institutional and presidential strategic priorities; and/or
- Involve tragedies with a direct impact on the university community.
In certain situations, communication may be delegated to appropriate university leaders or experts (see University Communications Policy and the University Communications Protocol for additional details).
Presidential Communication Protocol
Last updated September 2025
DePauw University is committed to open and transparent communication with the university community and beyond. This protocol outlines how and when the president communicates, ensuring that presidential messages remain impactful and meaningful.
Consultation
The President has broad authority to use her judgment, typically in consultation with the Vice President for Communication and Strategy, to speak on behalf of the university to the media, authoring articles and opinion pieces, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders. The President will consult the Board chair before any communication that:
- legally binds the university;
- commits the institution to a legal stance or formal agreement;
- makes a high-visibility or potentially divisive public statement;
- issues or endorses an opinion on a high-profile and sensitive social, political, or other topic for which no prior institutional position has been established; or,
- establish an enduring institutional commitment.
Communication Channels
The president communicates regularly through various channels, including emails, videos, official statements, news releases, and social media. These communications focus on matters directly affecting the university community, issues related to our core mission of teaching and scholarship, institutional priorities, and significant events impacting our campus and community members.
Crisis Communications
In crisis situations, the university employs a comprehensive crisis communication strategy. While initial alerts may come through the RAVE system, the president often provides follow-up messages with broader updates and support.
Community-Wide Messages
For community-wide messages, such as notifications about the passing of community members, the president's office works closely with families to ensure respectful and timely communication. Depending on the circumstances, a vice president may be the best person to communicate with the campus in this instance.
Media Relations
The president maintains strong relationships with both student and external media. While always available to discuss important matters, the president may refer specific questions to campus experts to ensure the provision of the most accurate and timely information. Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of Communications and Marketing for assistance.
Internal Communications
DePauw values the voices of all its community members. Therefore, vice presidents and department heads are encouraged to communicate directly with their respective communities when appropriate. The university also supports organizing events or gatherings to demonstrate unity and support during significant moments.
Privacy and Due Process
Throughout all communications, DePauw is committed to respecting due process and individual privacy, particularly in incidents involving members of the community.
This communication protocol reflects DePauw’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and responsible leadership.
University Communication Policy
Last updated September 2025
The University is committed to transparent and effective communication with its community. In many cases, the President will speak on behalf of the university. In other situations, communication may be delegated by the President or Vice President for Communication to appropriate university leaders or experts. This policy outlines when and how university leaders, including the Vice Presidents, School Deans, and other university experts, will deliver statements and messages (see the Presidential Communications Policy for details about presidential communication).
University leaders may communicate on matters that:
- Directly affect the university's campuses or community members
- Relate to the university's core mission of teaching and scholarship
- Align with institutional strategic priorities
- Involve tragedies with a direct impact on the university community
University Communication Protocol
Last updated September 2025
DePauw University is committed to open and transparent communication with the university community and beyond. This protocol outlines how and when University leaders communicate, ensuring that university messages remain impactful and meaningful.
Consultation
University leaders, in consultation with the Vice President for Communication and Strategy, have the authority to speak on behalf of the university to the media, author articles and opinion pieces, and engage with internal and external stakeholders. University leaders will consult with the President and the President will consult the Board chair before any communication that:
- legally binds the university;
- commits the institution to a legal stance or formal agreement;
- makes a high-visibility or potentially divisive public statement;
- issues or endorses an opinion on a high-profile and sensitive social, political, or other topic for which no prior institutional position has been established; or,
- establishes an enduring institutional commitment.
Communication Channels
University leaders communicate regularly through various channels, including emails, official statements, interviews, and social media. These communications focus on matters directly affecting the university community, issues related to our core mission of teaching and scholarship, institutional priorities, and significant events impacting our campus.
Crisis Communications
In crisis situations, the university employs a comprehensive crisis communication strategy. While initial alerts may come through the RAVE system, University leaders often provide follow-up messages with broader updates, additional details, and support.
Community-Wide Messages
For community-wide messages, such as notifications about community members' passing, the president's office works closely with families to ensure respectful and timely communication. Depending on the circumstances, a vice president may be the best person to communicate with the campus in this instance.
Media Relations
The president and other University leaders maintain strong relationships with both student and external media. While always available to discuss important matters, the president may refer specific questions to campus experts to provide the most accurate and timely information. Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of Communications and Marketing for assistance.
Internal Communications
DePauw values the voices of all its community members. Therefore, vice presidents and University leaders are encouraged to communicate frequently and directly with their respective communities as appropriate. The university also supports organizing events or gatherings to demonstrate unity and support during significant moments.
Privacy and Due Process
Throughout all communications, DePauw is committed to respecting due process and individual privacy, particularly in incidents involving community members.
This communication protocol reflects DePauw’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and responsible leadership.