Policies & Guides
Drew has an accessibility phone line to provide services for individuals with disabilities who plan to visit campus for an event. Please be sure to include the following language on any communications regarding events on campus:
Drew University provides a range of accommodations for guests with disabilities to ensure their safety, comfort and enjoyment of our events. To request appropriate arrangements, please call the events accessibility line at 973-408-3103.
Students at Drew University may be included in marketing and communications materials, including the website, social media, news stories, printed marketing materials, etc., via photographs and/or video.
As a general rule, it is not necessary to obtain an image/photo release of any individual or group that is photographed or videoed in public venues or attending public events in order to use those photos or videos to promote Drew University.
Public venues include, but are not limited to: public spaces across campus, classrooms, sports/athletics fields, the Simon Forum, theaters, art galleries, the Drew Bookstore, parking lots, common congregation areas such as the dining halls, on-campus cafes (Peet’s Coffee, Starbucks), student lounges, the Ehinger Center, and similar public spaces.
This policy also includes images and videos taken of student athletes, musicians, actors, artists, tour guides, and individuals/groups who are performing or presenting in a public venue open and available for public viewing (games, matches, plays, concerts, performance art, tours, exhibits, public speeches, debates, etc).
In addition, students may be photographed or videoed while participating in college-wide public events including (but not limited to) Move-In, Open Houses, Orientation, Family Weekend, and Commencement.
If an individual prefers that their image not be used, it is their responsibility to inform the photographer or videographer of their preference at the time the photograph or video is taken. If a student intentionally and knowingly poses for a photo, their involvement in the photograph indicates a reasonable consent to use their image.
Students who have a concern about the use of their image or who would like the University to remove their image from being used can contact the Communications Department at communications@drew.edu. The image will be removed across all mediums as quickly as possible.
You will probably be taking photographs of your trip as personal souvenirs, but Drew is also looking for images that illustrate the various learning experiences available at Drew. Since the university is not able to send photographers with most off-campus programs, we need your help in documenting your trip. Here are some pointers on how to get the best images for your own photo album, as well as Drew’s!
Tell a Story – What is the experiential or service learning focus of this trip? Can you take a picture that illustrates that? Instead of large, posed groups, try to capture a small group engaged in activities that exemplify this off-campus program.
Convey a Sense of Place – What elements of the setting would help identify the climate or culture where the picture was taken? Natural elements, signs, architecture, people, and clothing can all be clues for the viewer.
Fill the frame – move in closer, or use zoom, in order to fill the picture frame with your subject; this makes your subject the focal point and eliminates extraneous information.
Watch your back(ground) – buildings, landscape or interiors can help establish a sense of place so it’s good to include some elements in your picture; but try to frame your picture, or shoot from a different angle, to eliminate distracting background details.
Avoid Amputations – When shooting people don’t center the picture frame on their heads because this cuts off their legs; better to adjust your lens downward so people’s heads are toward the top of the picture frame.
Mad Dogs – You’ve heard that only mad dogs and Englishman go out in the noonday sun? It’s also best to avoid taking pictures when the sun is overhead; best times are early morning or late afternoon when the sun is at a low angle. If you are taking pictures mid-day, a cloudy day or open shade is more flattering for people shots.
What’s the Point? – The most memorable pictures have a point of interest. Frame your shot to achieve this (and make sure the subject is in focus). If you are taking pictures of people, get faces rather than the back of heads.
Bigger is Better – Shoot pictures at the highest resolution your camera will allow.
Fashion Tips – We’d prefer not to have brand logos in the picture (however, we love it when some Drew swag is worn). Clothing should reflect local cultural practices – for instance, head scarves on women when visiting a Muslim country – and not be overly-revealing.
Send your photos to communications@drew.edu.
Share this template with your mail house vendor so they understand Drew’s expectations for formatting letters and envelopes. If you are working with a new vendor, you may need to make repeated corrections to achieve these standards. It is worth the effort since the look and feel of a direct mail piece affects the likelihood recipients will respond to your call to action and reflects on the university as a whole.
Make sure your RFP specifies:
You will need to:
There are a few steps you may take on your own to spread the word about events for both the on- and off-campus communities. And the Communications Department is ready to partner with you to get the word out as well.
How will you measure the impact of communications about the event and of the event itself?
Drew University has standard designs for letterhead, envelopes and business cards. Please use approved designs for your Drew-related communications.