Submissions & Guidelines

The SHSU Content Communications team accepts publicity requests and story ideas from students, faculty and staff about accomplishments, research and special programs. 

While we understand many activities at Sam Houston are important and warrant attention, not all information submitted will be used for a story or sent to media. A media release is based on news value determined by the communications staff.

EVENTS:  Please note: Today@Sam is not an events calendar.  The SHSU Online Calendar is where you can post details about your public event.

News Guidelines

News can be defined as “a person, thing, or place regarded as worthy of discussion or of reporting by the media.”

News is subjective, but there are generally five factors that make news newsworthy. Editors use the idea of newsworthiness to determine whether to run a particular story; therefore, newsworthiness should be considered when submitting an idea or event to the Communications Office. These factors include:

  • Timeliness: Topics that are new and current. Stories with only average interest need to be told quickly if they are to be told at all.
  • Impact: The number of people whose lives will be influenced by the subject of the story. Research stories will often fit into this category.
  • Proximity: Stories that happen near to us have more significance. The closer the story to home, the more newsworthy it is. It is important to note that proximity doesn’t necessarily mean geographical distance—stories that occur far away but involve local people have more news value because of proximity.
  • Prominence: People in the public eye have higher news value than obscure people
  • Human Interest: Human interest stories often disregard the main rules of newsworthiness, but they appeal to emotion. They also can include stories that intrigue readers by the uniqueness or out-of-the-ordinary. 
  • University Priorities: News should directly connect with SHSU's Strategic Priorities 

Submit a Request 

  • Please complete the Content Request Form to make a request.  The team will determine the best platform for the news you want to share. 

This page maintained by SHSU's Marketing and Communications Office

Director of Content Communications: Emily Binetti

Communications Manager: Mikah Boyd

Located in the 102 Thomason Building

Telephone: 936.294.1836