Asking Your Help in Improving Rutgers' Communications

November 7, 2005

Members of the Rutgers Community:

As I announced during my annual address, Rutgers is undertaking a multi-year, comprehensive communications and constituent relations initiative, led by Vice President for University Relations Kim Manning-Lewis. This program will address key challenges identified in our 2004 Constituency Research Project, which made it clear that we can do a much better job of communicating the university's accomplishments and strengths to our many audiences.

To work with us on this initiative, Rutgers has engaged the communications firm of Lipman Hearne through an extensive selection process chaired by Professor Paul Leath. Well known for its work in higher education, Lipman Hearne has worked with clients such as the University of Chicago, Duke, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The College of New Jersey, Seton Hall, and the University of Illinois.

Lipman Hearne will be learning about Rutgers in the coming months by visiting our campuses, reviewing our communications and marketing, delving into the findings of last year's research, and speaking with representatives of our core constituencies. This first phase of work will lead to a strategic communications plan for how we will more effectively reach our audiences and enhance their appreciation for Rutgers' essential value in New Jersey and beyond.

In the course of Lipman Hearne's work, many of us will participate in this initiative. Your department, office, or organization may be asked to share examples of communications materials. You may be asked to take part in individual or group discussions with Lipman Hearne consultants. I hope you will see this as an opportunity to provide valuable and candid input and help shape the constituent relations initiative for the benefit of the entire Rutgers community.

As I said in my annual address, telling the Rutgers story better will not solve all the challenges our university faces, but it will help us attract outstanding faculty and students, improve the public's understanding of who we are and what we do, and contribute to our obtaining the resources we need. Thank you in advance for your contributions to this program.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey