Public Relations in Higher Education

The Public Relations Functions of the NU Public Affairs Division. A Brief 

History: 1985 - 1989

 

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Why a Public Affairs Department rather than a PR Department?

  

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1985 - The First Public Relations Evaluation

  

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1987 - The Second Public Relations Evaluation

  

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Publication History - 1985-1989

  

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Campaign History - 1985-1989

 

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The New Public Relations Efforts: 1989 - 1992

  

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The Publications

  

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The Campaigns

  

 

Why a Public Affairs Department rather than a PR Department?

  

According to Cantor (1989), public affairs is connected with government. Therefore, 

since NU is partly dependent on the government for support, it has a Public Affairs, 

rather than a PR department. Cantor writes that the objective of the director of 

Public Affairs (or government relations) is: "To maintain open communications with 

government agencies, legislators, and individuals whose actions may impact on the 

company and to communicate the company's policies fully and fairly" (1989:305).

 

The basic function of a Public Affairs department, then, is to maintain two-way 

communication between the University and legislative, governmental, and regulatory 

---

bodies and individuals. It also analyzes and interprets economic and political changes 

affecting the operation of the University. It is responsible for developing, 

establishing, and implementing present and future plans, policies, and programmes 

to enhance the University's position with government and regulatory agencies, and 

for directing and coordinating the company's plans to achieve its legislative 

objectives (Cantor 1989:305-6).

 

Two evaluations were undertaken to gauge NU's PR policies.