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Feeds Each year, thousands of publications are produced at Ashland University through the public relations office and/or graphic design services. These publications range from simple black ink on white or colored paper to elaborate color productions costing thousands of dollars. Most publications are on a month schedule (from start to delivery), but some publications can take up to several months to complete.
The focus of the AU publications program is external (off-campus) college constituencies, for example, prospective students, alumni, donors, friends, Ashland community, etc. As you may have seen on the introduction page, a Publications Policy has been approved by the Office of the President and is in place. It reads:
Any Ashland University official publication distributed off campus to alumni and/or other Ashland constituencies must be approved by the public relations office prior to printing. This policy, which ensures consistency, accuracy and conformation to style and design, applies to publications which are printed on campus or off campus. This policy excludes AU's student newspaper, literary magazine and yearbook; mass mailings of student correspondences; posters/flyers advertising events on campus; and publications distributed only on campus.
There are a number of services that are provided by the public relations office and/or graphic design services on any publication project, including cost estimating, bidding, writing, copy editing, designing, art direction of photo shoots, proof reading, supervision of printing process, press checks and oversight of publication delivery.
Most publications are on a schedule, and there can be more than 50 jobs in graphic design services at any one time. Please be aware that the busiest time of the year is March, April, August, September and October. Projects that need to be completed during this time should be planned well in advance to ensure their timely delivery. It is also difficult to accommodate rush jobs during these times.
The design of your publication will follow excellent, professional graphic standards that are consistent with the look of the University. Input and suggestions on the design from departments are welcomed at the start of the design process, however, be aware that graphic design services must ensure that the look integrates with other campus publications and that the publication maintains the high standards that Ashland University expects to project to the public.
Writing, copy editing and proof reading
If copy needs to be written for the publication, please contact the public relations office and arrange for an interview to be done to begin the copy writing process. All submitted copy is reviewed by the public relations office and minor rewriting or editing may be necessary to comply with the Associated Press stylebook, which is used as a general guide. All final copy is proofread in the public relations office as well as by the person requesting the publication.
Photography
The best publications have great art and photography. We encourage departments to use photography in their publications. If a photo is needed for the publication and is not available from the files in the public relations office or graphic design services, then a photo shoot will be scheduled through the AU photographer or an off-campus photographer.
Approval Process
Every off-campus publication is proofed internally in the public relations office and at least one proof is also viewed by at least one person in the department where the publication originated. A proof approval form is attached to the proof by graphic design services and the appropriate person in the department must sign off on the form before work will continue on the publication.
If an error is missed during the proofing process that should have been caught within the originating department, and a publication must be reprinted with correct information, the originating department is responsible for the cost of reprinting and any related design costs that may be entailed.