Provide Your Feedback on Two New Marketing and Communications Policies

Every day, UND’s brand and communication channels do important work. They introduce UND to prospective students. They keep faculty and staff informed. They tell UND’s story to the world. Two new draft policies address how we manage that work, and we want to hear from you before they’re finalized.

The Division of Marketing & Communications has posted two policies for campus comment: Brand, Identity & Licensing Management and Mass Communications Channels.

Why these policies, and why now?

UND has long had brand standards and communication practices in place. These policies put them in writing. They establish clear expectations for how UND’s brand is used and how its institutional communication channels are managed consistently, responsibly, and in a way that protects both the University’s reputation and its resources.

The Brand, Identity & Licensing Management policy addresses how UND’s brand is used across campus and beyond. Key elements include:

• Coordinated oversight. Marketing & Communications and the Licensing & Trademark Office serve as the University’s authorities for brand and trademark use.
• Approval requirements. Branded content must be reviewed and approved before it is produced, published, or distributed.
• Licensing for merchandise. Items displaying UND trademarks must be produced by a licensed vendor and approved by Licensing.
• Training pathways. Individuals who complete brand training and a review period may be authorized to develop certain branded content independently.
• External partner use. Third parties may use approved UND logos to identify a relationship with the University but that use is limited to identification only and does not imply endorsement.

The Mass Communications Channels policy addresses how UND’s institutional communication channels – managed by Marketing & Communications – are requested, approved and used. Key elements include:

• Defined scope. This policy covers Marketing & Communications-managed channels only. Units retain full authority over their own communication channels.
• Content standards. Messages distributed through Marketing & Communications-managed channels must be broadly relevant, accurate, and aligned with University priorities.
• Channel-specific guidance. The policy outlines eligibility and submission requirements for each channel, including the UND Events Calendar, digital signage, flagship social media, the My UND App, Student Life Texting, the Student Life Weekly newsletter, student-wide email, UND Notifications email, UND Today, and the U-Letter.
• Editorial discretion. Marketing & Communications maintains editorial discretion over content submissions to ensure responsible and effective use of these channels.

What are we asking of you?

Read the drafts. Think about how they connect to your work. Then tell us what you think. Do the policies reflect how things actually work on campus? Is anything unclear? Did we miss something? Your perspective matters.

The comment period is open May 18-31. Submit your feedback online. All comments will be reviewed and considered before the policies are finalized.