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Recent News Releases
UNH Hosts First Conference on Indigenous People of New England Sept. 17-18
The University of New Hampshire will host its first conference on the indigenous people of New England, “First Nations, Lasting Nations: Community and University Partnerships in Indigenous New England,” Sept. 17-18, 2010. (09-01-10) Story >>>

Stonyfield’s Hirshberg Discusses Social Entrepreneurism at UNH Sept. 15
Gary Hirshberg, chairman, president, and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, will discuss social entrepreneurism at the next University of New Hampshire CEO Forum Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010. (08-31-10) Story >>>

UNH Researchers Develop Improved Tool for Cycling Fitness
For competitive bicyclists with goals – whether competing in the Tour de France or aiming for the podium at a local race – faster cycling comes from training regimens based on various zones of exercise intensity. (08-30-10) Story >>>

UNH Public Administration Student Helps Prepare Hooksett for Disasters
When Barb Stadtmiller took a homeland security class as part of her master’s in public administration from the University of New Hampshire, the discussion about the need for local and individual preparedness resonated with her. (08-30-10) Story >>>

UNH’s MFA Program Ranked One of Top 50 in the Nation
For the second year running, the Master of Fine Arts in Writing program at the University of New Hampshire has been ranked one of the top 50 programs in the nation by Poets and Writers, with the university’s creative nonfiction program highlighted as the seventh best in the nation. (08-26-10) Story >>>

UNH Preparing Excellent Teachers Project Accepting Applications
The University of New Hampshire is accepting applications for the Preparing Excellent Teachers Project, a federally funded grant program to prepare early childhood special educators. (08-25-10) Story >>>

Child Abuse Declines Nationally In Spite of Economic Deterioration
Child abuse declined nationally in 2008 compared to 2007, according to a new report by the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. (08-24-10) Story >>>

Research Partnership Grants Offered
The New Hampshire Innovation Research Center (NHIRC) at the University of New Hampshire is seeking proposals for its Granite State Technology Innovation Grant, which supports research partnerships for New Hampshire companies with college and university laboratories. (08-23-10) Story >>>

UNH Residential Life Teams with City Year to Spruce up Manchester Elementary School
Meghan Young didn’t sign up to be a resident assistant at the University of New Hampshire thinking it would involve picking up trash but the Cornish resident thought doing so was a great idea. (08-20-10) Story >>>

Start of Ramadan Could Signal Substantial Stock Gains
During the holy month of Ramadan, which starts next week, stock returns are almost nine times higher in predominately Muslim countries than during other times of the year, an indication that Ramadan positively affects investor psychology and leads to optimistic beliefs that extend to investment decisions, according to research from the University of New Hampshire. (08-03-10) Story >>>

Today is Thursday, September 2, 2010.

To browse news releases from last month and earlier, visit the UNH News Archive.

Media Relations: Welcome!

The Media Relations office at the University of New Hampshire works with local, regional and national media to tell the university's stories and connect journalists with faculty experts. It disseminates news releases to members of the media and responds to media inquires. The office also produces Campus Journal, an online weekly newsletter that reaches more than 4,400 faculty and staff, and works with colleagues in University Communications and Marketing to produce UNHtoday, the university's daily e-mail news update with more than 30,000 subscribers.

In addition to our online experts list we offer media a gallery of campus photos available for immediate download as well as access to a small studio space with an ISDN phone line for better quality radio interviews and Skype capability to do a television interview remotely. We are currently partnered with WMUR (Channel 9) in Manchester to provide broadcast quality interviews via Skype and look forward to using it with outlets around the country. For more information on these features or any other opportunities please be in touch.

Finally, if you know of a student who has accomplished a particular achievement, please fill out and submit this form.

Featured Story

Start of Ramadan Could Signal Substantial Stock Gains (08/03/10)

By Lori Wright, Media Relations
During the holy month of Ramadan, which starts next week, stock returns are almost nine times higher in predominately Muslim countries than during other times of the year, an indication that Ramadan positively affects investor psychology and leads to optimistic beliefs that extend to investment decisions, according to research from the University of New Hampshire. >> Read story

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FOR MEDIAexperts list · image downloads · resources

Experts List

The new UNH Experts List features a searchable database of faculty experts, based on name, department, college, description, keyword or topic. Expert details include name, phone number, email address, biography, image and links to his/her CV and/or homepage.

Click here to launch the UNH Experts List

Featured Expert

Nancy KinnerNancy Kinner
A professor of civil and environmental engineering at UNH, Kinner has been co-director of the Coastal Response Research Center, a partnership between UNH and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), since 2004. The center brings together the resources of a research-oriented university and the field expertise of NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration to conduct and oversee basic and applied research, conduct outreach, and encourage strategic partnerships in spill response, assessment and restoration. Learn more here: www.crrc.unh.edu/

Resources

In addition to our online experts list we offer media a gallery of campus photos available for immediate download as well as access to a small studio space with an ISDN phone line for better quality radio interviews and Skype capability to do a television interview remotely. We are currently partnered with WMUR (Channel 9) in Manchester to provide broadcast quality interviews via Skype and look forward to using it with outlets around the country. For more information on these features or any other opportunities please be in touch.

Image Galleries

Click image for a larger version; use arrow keys or click buttons for navigation.

Launch full-page gallery here.

UNH Campus

People

FOR FACULTY AND STAFFpress tips · what's a news story? · getting the word out

Media Guide : What's a News Story?

If you have a story, we want to tell it. Let us know about:

  • Research the public will be interested in. If you're not sure, call us anyway. We are interested in results, as well as on-going projects. To maximize the impact of your story, we like to get the news out immediately before it is published. If you're working on something big that is about to appear in an academic journal, let us know.
  • Expert commentary on breaking state, regional, national or international news. We can help you write an opinion/editorial, or let media know you have something important to say.
  • Public service or outreach projects. Let us know before you visit a city or town, so we can work with local media.
  • Books, authored or edited, that are about to be published.
  • Partnerships with state agencies, projects or research.
  • Innovative courses or projects.
  • Advance publicity for meetings and conferences. Give us a month's lead time on these. Also, while we'll do our best to get reporters to cover your event, we do not provide coverage.
  • Outstanding students involved in research or community outreach projects.

Media Guide : Press Tips

THE WARM UP : Prepare to be Eloquent and Informative

Determine your objective before the interview. What do you want to say?

Assume any question is fair game, and decide ahead of time how you will handle the controversial ones. List questions you would not want to be asked, and develop brief answers. Do the same for questions you do want to be asked, and make sure those points come across, even if the question isn't posed. If you believe a question is out of line or has little to do with the subject, say so, and move on. Don't dwell on a question you don't want to answer. Read more.

Getting the Word Out

Got a story to tell? An event to publicize? There are now more ways than ever to let a range of audiences know. Because no one person or office at UNH oversees all the outlets, here's a guide to ensure your news, such as new research published in a journal or book, an engaging event, a large grant, a fantastic student research or community project, gets the best possible attention on campus and beyond. Read more.

ABOUT MEDIA RELATIONScontact us · staff bios

Our Staff

Media Relations is:   (Click for staff bio)

  Erika Mantz, director
 

Erika is director of Media Relations, and a member of the University Emergency Group and Durham: It's Where U Live. Before coming to UNH she worked as a police reporter, assistant editor of a weekly arts and entertainment magazine, and at New Hampshire Public Television. She spends her spare time singing with 199 other women in a women's chorus, reading, doing needlework and doting on Dexter, her miniature dachshund. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Syracuse. Follow Erika on Twitter @UNHNews.

 

  Lori Wright, senior editor and writer
 

Lori covers the research and activities of the College of Liberal Arts, and Whittemore School of Business and Economics. Prior to joining UNH, she served as a newspaper reporter and copy editor in Texas, Florida and New Hampshire, a chief copy editor for an online financial news site, and a corporate communications specialist. In her spare time, Lori enjoys RVing with her husband, reading, sewing/quilting, and loving her two cats, Joey and Sammie. She holds a bachelor's in journalism from Louisiana State University, and a master's in political science from UNH. She is author of "Swing Voters?: Catholic Voting Behavior in U.S. Presidential Elections From 1992 to 2004." Follow Lori on Twitter @lgwright.

 

  Beth Potier, senior editor and writer
 

Beth covers the activities of the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the Carsey Institute, and the Office of Sustainability. She came to UNH from Harvard University's news office, where she was a writer for the Harvard University Gazette. Prior to Harvard, Beth worked in public television in Boston. In her spare time, Beth knits, skis, cycles and runs. She lives in Durham with her husband, son, and really bad dog. Follow Beth on Twitter @pedaldancer.

 

  Jody Record, Campus Journal editor
 

Jody is the editor of Campus Journal, the faculty and staff newspaper at UNH. She has many years of experience as a journalist, most recently working for more than a decade as a correspondent with the Union Leader. She has worked for both print newspapers and online publications, and has extensively covered the university community. In her spare time, Record plays tennis, writes fiction, reads and travels. She graduated from UNH with a bachelor's degree in English/journalism. Her twin daughters also are recent graduates of the university. Follow Jody on Twitter @writenow31.

 

  Neil Larson, information support technician
 

Neil is responsible for the weekly compliation and online maintenance of Campus Journal. He also produced the Media Relations site, the Presidential Events & Programs site, and several other highly trafficked UNH pages. Neil has been constructing websites since the late 1990s, and works closely in conjunction with the UNH Web team. Neil graduated from the University of Rochester with degrees in digital media and music. In his spare time he produces media, composes music and occasionally performs around New England with various musical acts. Neil lives in Somersworth New Hampshire with his wife, toddler son, and a hyperactive Rhodesian Ridgeback.

 

 

UNH Media Relations is part of University Communications and Marketing, which also includes Presidential Events and Programs, Editorial and Creative Services, Photographic Services, and Video Production Services. The staff of UNH Media Relations write and market stories about the university for state, regional and national media outlets (print, radio and television). We also produce the faculty/staff newsletter, Campus Journal.

Contact Us

All general calls should be directed to Erika Mantz, director of Media Relations, at 603-862-1567.

Business Hours


Erika Mantz, director
(603) 862-1567
(603) 969-7916
erika.mantz@unh.edu

Lori Wright, senior editor/writer
(603) 862-0574
lori.wright@unh.edu

Beth Potier, senior editor/writer
(603) 862-1566
beth.potier@unh.edu

Jody Record, Campus Journal editor
(603) 862-1462
jody.record@unh.edu

Neil Larson, information support technician
(603) 862-1701
neil.larson@unh.edu
 

After Hours


Emergencies:

Erika Mantz, director
(603) 862-1567
(603) 969-7916
erika.mantz@unh.edu

ABOUT UNHmaps & directions · fast facts · did you know?

Did You Know?

  • UNH is the first university in the nation to earn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR rating for residence halls -- Congreve, Lord, and McLaughlin halls. It ranks in the top 5 percent for energy efficiency among similar colleges and universities around the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

  • In 2008, UNH students began enrolling in the first dual major in EcoGastronomy in the United States.

  • UNH was the first land-grant university in the country to have an organic dairy research farm. The dairy provides much needed research to organic dairy farmers and educates the next generation of farmers interested in sustainable agriculture.

  • In May 2009, UNH became the first university in the nation to use landfill gas as its primary fuel source with EcoLine™, an innovative project that uses purified methane gas from a nearby landfill to provide up to 85 percent of campus energy needs.

  • The University of New Hampshire’s Space Science Center has been involved with mission design for NASA for more than 50 years. Two alumni are in the ranks of NASA astronauts.

  • The Recycled Materials Resource Center, which studies and tests the reuse of materials in roads and highways, was the first in the country.

  • UNH has the longest-standing endowed sustainability program at an institution of higher education in the United States.

  • The Whittemore School of Business and Economics at UNH was recognized by the Princeton Review in its 2007 edition of its “Best 282 Business Schools.”

  • One of 13 Land, Space & Sea Grant universities in the country to receive substantial federal research funds; the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, UNH’s largest research enterprise, garners more than $32 million each year in research support from NASA, NOAA, NSF and other federal agencies.

  • The technology for hands-free communication in police cruisers—the first in the nation-- was developed at UNH.



  • During the past four years, nearly one million pounds of food scraps from UNH dining halls and Durham eateries have been composted at Kingman Farm.
                         
  • UNH boasts New Hampshire’s largest public transit system, with most buses and shuttles running on alternative fuels.

  • UNH ranks number 15 on the Peace Corps annual list of top volunteers among colleges and universities of similar size.

  • The university’s International Research Opportunities Program (IROP) was the first of its kind. It serves as a model for others nationwide.
  • In 2008, UNH students and student organizations contributed approximately 87,000 hours of noncredit community service hours, which is valued at more than $1.75 million dollars.

Maps & Directions

Click the maps below for downloadable versions.
Directions to the UNH campus, click here.

UNH at a Glance

  • Location: Durham, New Hampshire
  • Founded: 1866
  • Landgrant, Seagrant, and Spacegrant charter
  • Number Of Fulltime Faculty: 976
  • Number Of Students
  • Undergraduate 12,226
  • Graduate 2,226
  • Total: 14,496
  • Number Of Living Alumni:More than 120,000

Media Guide: Press Tips

THE WARM UP: Prepare to be Eloquent and Informative

Determine your objective before the interview. What do you want to say?

Assume any question is fair game, and decide ahead of time how you will handle the controversial ones. List questions you would not want to be asked, and develop brief answers. Do the same for questions you do want to be asked, and make sure those points come across, even if the question isn't posed. If you believe a question is out of line or has little to do with the subject, say so, and move on. Don't dwell on a question you don't want to answer.

Find out who else the reporter intends to interview. If you discover the reporter has already interviewed someone, contact that person to hear what kinds of questions and topics came up. Also, don't hesitate to suggest other individuals the reporter might contact for more complete information.

As an interviewee, you have the right to know who is interviewing you and for what media outlet, the general content of the story and what angle the reporter is working, if you are being tape recorded, and if others will be interviewed, separately, or in the case of radio or television, as a panel.

You have the right to have your statements published without distortion. Remember, this includes ums, ahs, slander and slang. If you don't want to sound like "uhh, well, ya know," speak in clear and concise English. Your words may be edited, however. Long phrases may be shortened for length or time, so being concise is important.

As an interviewee, you have control over the place, length, type and time of the interview and what is tape recorded. If a radio journalist calls you on the phone, always ask if you're being recorded. You may also tape record the interview yourself, but you must tell the reporter he/she is on tape, as well.

Newspaper reporters may also call you "cold" and begin asking questions. Be upfront and ask: "Is this the interview now or did you want to set something up?" (Also see below, "If a reporter's call catches you unprepared...)

Ask ahead if a journalist is planning photos with the piece, so you won't be caught off-guard when he or she pulls out a camera.

If a television station asks for an interview, assume it will be on camera. It may sound silly, but we've had TV crews call ahead, show up and be shooed away because the person didn't realize the interview would be on camera.

THE PERFORMANCE: Speaking for the record

Assume anything you say to a reporter (whether in the middle of an interview or the middle of a grocery store) is "on the record," unless you specifically state that it is "off the record." To avoid any confusion, however, simply never say anything to a reporter you wouldn't want to see in print or on the local news.

Talk from the viewpoint of the public's interest. How is this new research applicable to the "real world?" How is this new legislation going to affect our friends and families? Also work the local angle when something happens nationally. "What can parents in the Seacoast do to protect their children from Internet predators?" This may be a question for a UNH faculty expert.

State the most important points you want to make first, and return to that point toward the end of the interview.

Keep comments short and to the point. Don't ramble on with narratives, anecdotes and extraneous fluff. You will lose the attention of the reporter.

The "less is more" technique especially applies to broadcast sound bites. Expert comments on news broadcasts are seldom longer than one or two phrases, so try to keep your comments short and clear -- limit each answer to about 20 seconds. You can practice this by timing yourself to see how much you can pack into a sound bite.

Viewers and listeners are more likely to remember your point if it is delivered in a succinct message. Newspapers have the luxury of the permanent printed word, TV and radio broadcasts have a shorter shelf life.

Use language everybody understands. Save the academic jargon for professional journals.
Feel free to have someone from Media Relations, or a colleague, sit in with you during the interview. It could reduce the tension or intimidation of being in a room or broadcast studio with a reporter.

If you receive a call from the press, respond promptly. If you need to check information and get back to a reporter, find out the reporter's deadline. If you can't respond that same day (even within the next couple hours) let the reporter know. It's better to at least return the call, than to have copy read "Calls to Professor X or VP so-and-so was not returned."

If a reporter's call catches you unprepared, tell them you'd like to call back either when you're not "tied up" or when you had a chance to get the information they want. Even if you have the facts and the time, it might be beneficial to take a moment to prepare yourself or run your thoughts by a colleague or someone at Media Relations.

Don't ask the reporter to send you a copy of the story before it is printed. Very few will. And most will be offended that you asked. You're not their editor.

A more amicable approach might be to ask them to read back your quotes, to ensure you got your point across.

THE CHALLENGE: Avoiding the iron fist

Most reporters are competent individuals aiming to report an unbiased and interesting story. Packaged neatly with graphics, photos and video, this sounds like a straight forward task -- until you or your institution is tangled in controversy. A skilled reporter will ask the tough questions and often use some of the following techniques to keep you talking:

The pregnant pause: You answer the question but the reporter remains silent, keeping pen to paper or the camera rolling. Never keep talking to fill the vacuum. Instead say, "Does that answer your question?"

The hypothetical situation: The reporter asks, "How would you respond if trustees decided employees would sell candy bars to keep the cost of tuition down?"

Don't respond to iffy hypotheticals; stick to the facts available. You may ignite a new controversy or embarrass yourself. Simply say, "I'd rather not respond to something that hasn't happened."

The ringer: "So now that you've given the party (UNH, AAUP, Faculty Senate) line, what do you think?" As a spokesperson or leader for any group, you should never answer this question if your opinion differs from the official association position. (Unless, of course, you'd like to lose that leadership role.)

The mystery witness: A reporter might begin a question with "Some people say…" or "I hear that…" You say, "Who said that? I wasn't aware of anyone making that statement." You risk getting into a "he said, she said" battle if you comment on rumors.

The mind-reader: An interviewer might ask you to speculate on someone else's reaction. Don't go that route. You wouldn't want someone putting words in your mouth.

Reporter: "How do you think the president will react to your proposal for hall monitors in academic buildings? Response: "I don't know. You'll have to ask him/her."

The trouble-maker: More aggressive reporters may try to anger you by throwing out rumors or lies, hoping to touch a nerve and elicit a juicy quote. Always keep your composure, and never argue with someone who has barrels of ink or reels of video in his or her defense.

FINAL NOTES
When you receive a call from a reporter, please notify UNH Media Relations as soon as possible. Media relations officers are assigned to each college. You can either contact your media relations officer or the director of Media Relations.

Don't nitpick over minor details or the angle of a story. But do alert Media Relations if there are factual errors in the story.

Unless the broadcast or publication is unavailable locally, don't ask for a copy or tape. Find out when the story is running, and set your VCR or pick up a paper. Media Relations may also be able to locate a copy for you through its clipping service.

Getting the Word Out at UNH and Beyond


Got a story to tell? An event to publicize? There are now more ways than ever to let a range of audiences know. Because no one person or office at UNH oversees all the outlets, here's a guide to ensure your news, such as new research published in a journal or book, an engaging event, a large grant, a fantastic student research or community project, gets the best possible attention on campus and beyond.

External news media
If your story or event is likely to be compelling to people beyond UNH – locally, regionally, or nationally – contact UNH Media Relations about getting the word out to the media. Please contact us a few weeks in advance of your event or happening, so we can give reporters time to plan for it. You can learn more about who to contact in Media Relations by going here.

Campus Journal
Campus Journal is the online newsletter for UNH faculty and staff. It publishes weekly during the academic year and every other week in the summer. All news releases sent by UNH Media Relations run in Campus Journal, as do a number of other stories and announcements of particular interest to UNH faculty and staff. Contact Editor Jody Record (jody.record@unh.edu) with story ideas. Deadline for submission is noon on Tuesday.

unh.edu homepage
The UNH homepage features three to five rotating photos and captions each week (updated on Fridays); each image leads to an existing page of information. To have your news considered for a UNH homepage photo, e-mail Webmaster Bridget Finnegan (bridget.finnegan@unh.edu) at least three weeks in advance of the Friday when you'd like it to begin running. Items under UNH News are generated from news releases, internal communications, and other sources. Items under Calendar are generated from the UNH Calendar (see below).

UNHtoday
This is a "snapshot" of each day's home page first thing in the morning. If your news is on the home page, it will go out to the more than 35,000 subscribers to UNHtoday. Contact unh.today@unh.edu.

UNH Calendar
Sponsoring departments or organizations must enter their own information about public events onto the UNH Calendar: http://www.unh.edu/calendar/

The New Hampshire
(www.tnhonline.com) This is the independent student-run newspaper at UNH. It receives all news releases that come from UNH Media Relations. Contact the editors at tnh.editor@unh.edu or tnh.news@unh.edu.

UNH Magazine
The magazine (www.unhmagazine.unh.edu) is published by the UNH Alumni Association and the Office of the UNH President. It is produced by the Alumni Association's communications office. Contact the editor, Meg Torbert, with story ideas at meg.torbert@unh.edu.

UNHtoday blog
UNH news also appears on the UNHtoday blog: http://unhtoday.wordpress.com/. If you have a suggestion for a feature on the blog, e-mail Bridget Finnegan at bridget.finnegan@unh.edu.

UNH on Facebook
UNH has nearly 4,000 fans on Facebook. University Communications and Marketing, including UNH Media Relations, posts items of interest to those fans. Become a fan and post something yourself at http://www.facebook.com/universityofnewhampshire

Twitter
UNH Media Relations posts top-level news and other cool stuff on Twitter. @unhnews has 460 followers.

Other UNH Web sites
Departmental Web sites are managed locally. Talk to your department or college's Web site administrator about posting your news, event or photo on the appropriate sites. News releases from UNH Media Relations are fed to appropriate college and institute Web sites via an RSS feed.

Other UNH Resources
UNH Photographic Services and Video Production Services are available to photograph and video your events. For more information, visit UNH Photographic Services at http://www.unh.edu/photo/ and UNH Video Production Services at http://www.unh.edu/video/.

UNH Image Gallery

UNH Campus



People

Contact Media Relations: Business Hours

Erika Mantz, director
(603) 862-1567
(603) 969-7916 (cell)
erika.mantz@unh.edu

Lori Wright, senior editor/writer
(603) 862-0574
lori.wright@unh.edu

Beth Potier, senior editor/writer
(603) 862-1566
beth.potier@unh.edu

Jody Record, Campus Journal editor
(603) 862-1462
jody.record@unh.edu

Neil Larson, information support technician, webmaster
(603) 862-1701
neil.larson@unh.edu

After Hours

Erika Mantz, director
(603) 969-7916 (cell)
erika.mantz@unh.edu