Reporting on Florida State University
One of the nation’s elite research universities, Florida State University offers a distinctive academic environment built on its cherished values and unique heritage, a welcoming campus on the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida, championship athletics, and a prime location in the heart of the state capital. Because of its wide-reaching impact, FSU experts, programs and students often appear in the local and national news.
Reporters looking for FSU experts or stories can call the News and Research Communications office at (850) 644-4030 or send an email to news-office@unicomm.fsu.edu.
Continue reading for guidelines about filming, parking on campus or finding sources.
Parking and Directions
Everyone who parks on Florida State’s campus must display a valid parking permit. News media are required to display a special “media” parking pass, which may be picked up at Transportation and Parking Services before arriving on campus. Marked television trucks are not required to carry the “media” decal, as their vehicle is considered a valid permit.
Media can park in any lot on campus, excluding fire lanes, handicapped spaces and 24-hour reserved parking spots.
Permits picked up at the Transportation and Parking Services office must be returned upon leaving campus. For pick-up and return, they are located at University Center Building C-5406.
Directions to Florida State’s main campus are available at Visitor Services.
Public Records Requests
The state of Florida has the broadest public records and open meeting laws in the country. Since Florida State University is a public university, most of the activities and materials of our work fall under Florida’s “sunshine” laws.
All news media requests for public records should be directed to https://generalcounsel.fsu.edu/public-records.
There are some exceptions to the public records laws. Proprietary information regarding research, patents and licensing is exempt. Donors who choose to remain anonymous have the right to do so. Student information, other than that considered “directory” information, may not be disclosed. Social Security numbers and some employee evaluative material are also exempt from the public records law.
Contact Assistant Vice President Dennis Schnittker with questions.
Reporting and Filming on Campus
News Crews: Florida State welcomes news media to its public campus. Most exterior areas are accessible to reporters and photographers. All members of the media, however, are encouraged to contact Tim Fordyce in University Communications at (850) 644-2466 prior to filming or photographing on campus. Access may be denied or limited during an emergency or other situations when unrestricted media access may become disruptive. See parking guidelines and directions.
University Communications’ Digital Media Team and Photography Services can provide high-quality B-roll and photographs of the campus to media. Call (850) 644-4030 for assistance.
Prior clearance is required to conduct interviews, film or photograph inside campus buildings, residence halls and classrooms, or any other area that is restricted. Please call (850) 644-2466 for a location agreement from News and Research Communications staff.
Commercial Crews: Commercial crews are not permitted to film on campus.
Photo/Video Requests
Photos: University Communications’ Photography Services will assist in filling photography needs for campus departments and organizations. This may involve providing existing images or helping to arrange photo shoots. Photography Services can supply photo requests for publications or news. You may request head shots, events and scenes. For more information, call Photography Services at (850) 644-5763.
Video: If you want existing video footage of Florida State University, please contact Assistant Director of Digital Communications Mark Vaughn at mvaughn@fsu.edu.
FSU Headlines
The University Communications’ Digital Media Team produces a daily radio show, “FSU Headlines,” which can be heard in the Tallahassee area on WFSU 88.9 FM and WFSQ 91.5 FM, and in Panama City on WFSG 89.1 FM.
Be the First to Know
If you are a member of the news media, you can receive news releases from Florida State’s Office of News and Research Communications. Call (850) 644-4030 or join our media list. Please provide your media affiliation and any specific beats or reporting interests.
Only members of the media and freelance writers receive news releases by email. Non-media can visit news.fsu.edu to read the latest news and subscribe via RSS feed (https://xray.unicomm.fsu.edu/feed).