LAS Marketing & Communications

Our Core Messaging Platform is a comprehensive document of persuasive LAS marketing messages.  It offers a universal way of speaking about all the things that make our College unique.  Updated annually, it includes College-level brand statements and an overview of important UIC brand standards.

The Core Messaging Platform ensures a consistent voice and message across the College and serves as a springboard for creating a variety of printed and digital marketing materials.

• Core Messaging Platform

LAS Marketing and Communications has developed a collection of properly branded items that can be used by faculty and staff to create a unified look and message across all materials.

Microsoft Word letterhead for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Office of the Dean is now available.

Departmental electronic letterhead must be created by UIC Strategic Marketing and Communications (see examples).  Requests may be submitted via form by faculty or staff and printed letterhead can be ordered through UIC Creative & Digital Services.

#10 US envelope and A7 envelope are also available for download as a Microsoft Word template. Both files showcase the updated LAS logo.

Marketing and Communications offers a range of general graphic design support, including:

• Flyers
• Brochures
• Posters
• Invitations
• Vector-ready Files for Promotional Items
• Website Images (Selection & Sizing)

Please submit requests for graphic design support via email.  A 10-14 day window is needed to allow time for the creation, review, revision, and printing of work.

Projects are completed in the order received.  On occasion, requests cannot be accepted due to timing, competing College priorities, or the scope of the work required. The UIC Creative and Digital Services team is another alternative and offers a full range of graphic design services.  Visit their website to inquire about pricing and timelines and to submit requests.

• UIC Brand Standards
• Swag Resource List

In 2021, a new logo identity system was launched by UIC’s Strategic Marketing and Communications.  You will notice campus-wide changes to logos and “lock-ups” (a term referring to the combination of the UIC dot and program/unit name).

Approved LAS and department unit logos are available for download and use.  

LAS media relations is a collaboration between the College and the UIC News Bureau.  Currently, Brian Flood serves as our primary point of contact for external media outreach.  This includes pitching stories and raising awareness about student successes and faculty research and expertise.

Other publicity efforts include regular submissions to UIC Today as well as coverage via social media and our websites.  Topics of great interest include faculty awards, grants, and publications; compelling student stories; pioneering research; collaborations with peer institutions; community engagement efforts; and, advanced notice of upcoming events.

We aim to create a pipeline of news and announcements from across the College.  To do so, we need your help. Our convenient online submission form is available year-round and open to all LAS faculty and staff.  Submissions flow directly to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the UIC News Bureau, and the College’s Social Media Coordinator.

• Share News & Updates
• Share an Upcoming Event
• Highlight a Student

All LAS websites should convey our distinctive strengths and tell a story that provides clear, accurate, and timely information for visitors.  In 2019, WordPress became the standard website platform for UIC (aka “RED” websites).  For more on the  RED platform at UIC, please visit https://www.red.uic.edu 

LAS Marketing and Communications and the LAS IT Department created a RED guide to help each department build, launch, and maintain a successful web presence.  Web support includes initiating new site requests, coordinating RED training(s), and helping with image selection and resizing.  Please submit a ticket for assistance.

• LAS RED Guide
• RED/Technical Support
• UIC Website Guidelines

Social media offers a great way to quickly and easily share news and accomplishments with your audiences. The primary LAS social media accounts are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube and are managed by Marketing and Communications. Both academic and administrative units are welcome and encouraged to share potential content with the College.

• Academic departments should use the LAS News Tips Form to notify Marketing and Communications of information that they wish to have considered for College-level social media sharing. Academic departments are also allowed to create and manage their own independent social media accounts. Per UIC social media guidelines, new social media accounts require permission from the College and must have at least two (2) administrators.  Notify us to begin this process.
• Administrative units can contact the Director of Marketing and Communications to discuss participation in the College’s Hootsuite processes.

Use social media to highlight research, inspire interesting conversations, interact with students, stay connected with alumni, and more.  Helpful tips are linked below for additional ideas.

Please contact us for further assistance and direction.

• LAS Social Media Accounts
• Social Media Best Practices
• UIC Social Media Guidelines

LAS Marketing and Communications has an on staff multimedia specialist for requests related to creating content that uplifts and supports the missions of the college. Services are subject to the availability of the multimedia specialist and we recommend a 14 day advance notice for requests to increase likelihood of availability. To request services, contact us.

Photo and video services are available for:

• LAS faculty, staff and student headshots
• Event coverage
• Oganizing photo and video shoots for specific branding and marketing purposes
• Photo and video editing help (Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere)

UIC requires signed photo releases for students, including classroom photography.  In most cases, photos taken in common, open-air spaces are typically exempt since there is no expectation of privacy. However, please take care to post signage indicating that photography will be taking place in such spaces and give students the opportunity to opt-out.  Those under the age of 18 must have a signed release from a parent or guardian to be photographed.

• Photo Release Forms (Group & Individual)
• UIC Image & Video Guidelines
• UIC Notice of Photography Sign – 11×17

LAS Marketing and Communications offers photography equipment for checkout (i.e., digital cameras, grey backdrop, and a tripod).  Equipment is subject to availability and requires a signed checkout form. Please fill out the request form and we will get back to you on availability of your request.

Creating a webinar or recording yourself for a class assignment? UIC’s Creative & Digital Services team offer a few simple video etiquette rules to make your content more engaging.

• Filming Yourself Remotely

There are times when unforeseen or unfortunate events may take place on campus or within the College that may require internal and external communications assistance from UIC Strategic Marketing and Communications, working in collaboration with campus leadership. Official campus communications, public statements, and media inquiries should be coordinated through UIC Strategic Marketing and Communications. Please contact Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez, Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Marketing and Communications, if you have questions, 312-996-2398; smcginn@uic.edu, Twitter.com/smcginnuic).

When an emergency, crisis or controversial issue arises on campus, it is important that only factual information be distributed and security and privacy issues are considered. Speculation and rumors, particularly on social media, should be avoided. In the event of an emergency or crisis situation, the UIC Emergency Operations Plan serves as a guide to facilitate a timely, effective, efficient and coordinated university response. Emergency situations on campus should be reported immediately to UIC Police.

For more information, please contact LAS Marketing and Communications.

• UIC's Response to COVID-19
• Online Teaching Tips
• UIC Emergency Guide