Sierra Nevada University (SNU) is committed to the free and open exchange of ideas in a safe and respectful educational environment. SNU recognizes that part of the educational process involves engaging with the greater community. While SNU is a private university on private property, it welcomes the public, and the media, to much of its campus grounds and many of its events. SNU’s starting position is one of media access; it manages media access in order to protect the learning environment and to honor the rights of privacy reasonably expected by its campus community.
Media wishing to cover events or report on stories at SNU need to contact the Executive Office at 775-881-7509 to receive authorization and credentials. SNU officials will provide access and credentials to campus activities and events only to qualified media agencies and representatives, and decisions regarding media access are the purview of the administration. SNU officials reserve the right to accompany reporters, videographers and photographers during media interviews with students, faculty and staff.
Media agencies can include, but are not limited to, daily and weekly online and print publications, cable systems, internet providers, radio and television stations or networks. Membership in a writers or broadcasters association does not automatically qualify an individual for media credentials. Student media are afforded the same editorial freedoms and privileges and held to the same expectations as the general media.
Events open to the media include those announced as open to the public. SNU cannot guarantee complete privacy or anonymity at public events. Members of the SNU community who do not wish to be filmed, photographed or recorded at public events should let the Executive Office know in advance. Officials will do their best to honor such requests by working with the authorized media covering the events.
SNU event coordinators, as well as students, faculty and staff hosting an activity or event on campus will, through this Media Policy, be notified of media inquiries, and all reserve the right to decline the presence of media at their campus events.
Some speakers or performers on the SNU campus might restrict or preclude recording, photography or media coverage; in those instances, SNU will attempt to notify media in advance.
Reporters granted an SNU media credential must be properly credentialed at all times while on campus property. An individual holding a media credential is subject to removal from SNU owned or controlled property by SNU officials and/or the SNU Security Team for violating media polices. The credential is not transferable and may be revoked at any time without cause. In some cases, the SNU Security Team may be notified in the event cameras and other photography equipment are used.
SNU administration may, in its discretion, limit or preclude media access to campus grounds with or without prior notice, including, but not limited to, in situations involving emergencies or failure to comply with SNU policies.
There may be occasions where the Executive Office may not be aware of a media representative’s presence on campus. If faculty, staff and students are approached by a reporter or media agency directly, please contact the Executive Office at 775-881-7509, regarding any concerns or questions.
The SNU Media Credentialing and Access Policy is influenced, in part, by North Central College’s Photo, Video, and Media Policy as well as Smith College’s Media Access Policy. The SNU policy was approved and is actively in place as of February 2022.
*SNU is set to be acquired by the UNR, contingent upon all approving and accrediting bodies. The transaction is expected to be completed no earlier than July 1, 2022, at which time, UNR Communications will coordinate and oversee all communications on the Lake Tahoe campus, including all contact with the media.
For more information, contact the Executive Transition Team at ExecutiveTransitionTeam@sierranevada.edu