Media Resources

Data Practice Requests

UMR handles requests by reporters and those affiliated with news organizations for information and/or documents under the Minnesota Data Practices Act. Requests should be submitted in writing in one of the following ways. Requests should be as specific as possible and also specify the news organization with which you are affiliated. Please note that individuals and students not affiliated with a news organization must make their request to the Records and Information Management Office.

Email: soslund@umn.edu
Fax: (507) 258-8066

U.S. Postal service to:
Sarah Oslund
University of Minnesota Rochester
111 South Broadway Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55904

Media Guidelines and Policies

Media Access to the Rochester Campus
General Guidelines
Non-Restricted and Restricted Areas
Release of Student Information
Commercial Filming on Campus

Media Access to the Rochester Campus

The University of Minnesota Rochester welcomes media to our campus. We encourage members of the media planning to be on campus to notify Communications and facilitate the visit by calling (507) 258-8060.

As a public institution, the University is an open and public place that provides the news media reasonable access to campus. However, the University may regulate media access so as not to disrupt teaching or research; to protect the health and safety of students and staff; to protect the privacy of students and others who live on campus; and to comply with state and federal laws on student and personnel data.

The following guidelines pertain to media access to University of Minnesota Rochester owned or controlled property. These guidelines pertain to any individual or group conducting interviews, making audio or video recordings, or photographing images for dissemination to the public via commercial or non-commercial news and information outlets, including the Internet.
See "filming on campus" for policies regarding commercial, non-news productions.

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General Guidelines

• Equipment must not damage University property.
• Equipment, vehicles and personnel must not restrict traffic or access to buildings and fire lanes.
• Additional restrictions on the use of television cameras, still cameras, flashes and other special lighting and audio equipment may be imposed on a case-by-case basis to minimize disruption or protect safety or security. If security is an issue, these items may be subject to inspection.

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Non-Restricted and Restricted Areas

The media is generally permitted to film or otherwise have access to spaces on campus that are open to the public, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. This includes access during regular operating hours to any building or portion of a building that is open to the public.

• All campus outdoor sidewalks, green spaces, parking lots and ramps are open to the media.
• Campus events, such as lectures and forums, to which admission is free and open to the public, are open to the media. Restrictions may be placed on cameras, lights, flashes, and other equipment to minimize disruption. Advance notice or credentials may be required.
• Corridors and common areas within UMR buildings are open to the media; individual offices are not. If a reporter or photojournalist wishes to enter a private office, he or she must get permission from the person who works in that office.
• Faculty, staff, or student offices or laboratories are not public. Permission to enter must be granted by the person or persons who work in that office or laboratory.
• Classrooms are open to the media if not occupied. If a class is in session, permission for media access must be granted by the person teaching the class by first contacting Communications. Media are not to approach instructors directly.
• Media are only allowed in the following locations with express permission from an administrative authority and only with an officially designated University escort:
• Residential areas.
• Any secured area or laboratory.
• The private offices or research laboratories of faculty, staff or student employees.
• Inside libraries or other areas where quiet study is enforced or where collections may be endangered by media activity or equipment.
• Inside any venue charging admission, unless the individual is a paid ticket holder. In these cases, members of the media must abide by the policies applicable to all ticket holders.
• Inside private functions that are not open to the public.
• Inside any University facility that is not open to the public, including utility operations, waste facilities, maintenance and repair facilities and public safety facilities.
• Any marked construction area, crime scene, or hazardous or unsafe location.

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Release of Student Information

Federal law, state law and University of Minnesota Board of Regents policy govern access to student records. Under these laws and policies, some information is considered public and some is considered private. However, it is possible for students to suppress some or all public information by requesting a nondisclosure.

All requests for information from reporters and representatives of news organizations must be directed to the News Service through a Data Practice Request.

If there is not a nondisclosure request on file with the Registrar regarding a particular student's information, refer to the Board of Regent's policy on student records, which can be found here.

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Commercial Filming on Campus

The University of Minnesota Rochester's unique campus makes it an ideal setting for filming daily events and activities. To accommodate your filming needs, please contact Communications.

Entry to campus buildings may be limited; see Access to Campus for policies related to news media on campus.

Questions? Contact UMR Communications at umrnews@umn.edu.

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