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The news services office works to gain media coverage of the University, responds to media inquiries and arranges interviews for reporters seeking the expertise of University professors. News services staff also write news releases and articles for various campus publications, such as the Sacramento State Bulletin (campus newsletter) and the Sacramento State Magazine. Many of these articles also appear on Sacramento State News.
News services sends about 200 news releases to the media each year, on topics ranging from campus events to academic research. A release sent locally goes to about 70 media outlets, as well as hundreds of individuals who receive information through the e-mail news service. Releases can also be sent to reporters with specific beats, as well as media statewide or nationwide. Staff often make individual calls to reporters they think will be interested in a story.
| The University is mentioned in literally thousands of news stories each year, the overwhelming majority of which portray the University in a positive light. These stories appear in print and electronic media throughout the state and nation. Locally, the University was mentioned almost 700 times on local radio and television in 2000-01, and 85 percent of the stories were positive. In the same year, the University was mentioned more than 1,600 times in news and sports stories in local newspapers, and about 90 percent of the stories were positive. |
News services fields an average of four calls from reporters each day. They are usually following up on news releases sent by the office, or seeking interviews with University professors who can provide expert opinions for a news story. In other cases, they are seeking general campus information or an official campus position on a breaking news story.
News services also maintains the campus' comprehensive events calendar. The full calendar appears online, and the upcoming week's events appear in the CSUS Bulletin. Upcoming highlights from the calendar are sent to local media each month.
For more, call (916) 278-6156 or e-mail infodesk@csus.edu or use the news submission form to tell news services about your project, research, event or other newsworthy item.