Whether it’s in the classroom or the research lab, on stage or on the playing field, amazing things happen at Boston College every day. We’re here to help you share them with the world through print, digital, or web communications. In the Office of University Communications, we turn faculty research into placements in traditional and social media, and student accomplishments into viral videos. Our comprehensive news coverage shines a light on every corner of campus, and our web, design services, and marketing teams bring new programs and initiatives to life.
What We Do
Boston College Magazine
This award-winning magazine features stories of BC faculty, alumni, and students who work to make the world a better place.
Design & Brand Management
Our team of graphic designers creates a wide array of marketing materials from banners and brochures to e-newsletters and digital assets.
Digital Advertising & Content
Thoughtful, targeted digital ads are effective ways to reach prospective students. We work with you to craft messaging and imagery that reflects what makes Boston College—and each of its schools—unique.
Marketing
An attention-grabbing email newsletter is one example of the high-quality content marketing we produce. Our team of marketing professionals manages various campaigns, including print, email, and digital.
News & Media Relations
Our internal editorial team and media relations professionals can write news stories or pitch newsworthy items to print, broadcast, and online journalists.
Photography
Every project can benefit from professional photography. Our team produces superb, high-quality photographs, telling the Boston College story through distinct images.
Social Media
Building and engaging the BC community in meaningful and strategic ways: That's what we do with every post, tweet, or video across the University's official social channels.
Videography
Video is playing an increasingly important role in brand development. Our team of videographers create compelling videos that inspire, educate, and promote strategic initiatives on campus and around the world.
Web Services
A vibrant website is the face of an organization. We help you make a compelling first impression for your department, school, or division.
As the centralized office of marketing and communications, the Office of University Communications serves as the primary steward of the Boston College brand. We maintain a branding site for BC community members that provides guidelines on the BC visual identity and other branding elements.
Broadcasting to the World: BC Faculty Experts
We connect publications around the world with BC faculty who are renowned experts in their fields. BC faculty areas of expertise include:
Retirement & Aging
Alicia Munnell
Hispanics & the Catholic Church
Hosffman Ospino
Global Public Health
Philip Landrigan, M.D.
Philanthropy, Estates, & Taxes
Ray Madoff
Print Publications
Our office produces a wide range of print publications, including magazines, annual reports, newsletters, brochures, invitations, and numerous other collateral in support of our University partners.
Admission Viewbook
BC Chronicle
SSW Financial Aid Brochure
Strategic Plan
OUC maintains the Boston College Events Calendar, a resource for promoting campus lectures, discussions, concerts, seminars, performances, and other events organized through the University community.
To enter an event, BC community members can click “submit an event” on the BC events webpage and specify the event name, description, location, and time. Multiple filters such as event type and audience type can be added to sort the event. By selecting a web filter, events will automatically appear on the school, department, or office website for increased visibility.
By the Numbers
102
email newsletters annually
132
print publications annually
621,000
social media audience
230+
websites launched
Frequently Asked Questions
Media representatives must request access to campus in advance by calling the Office of University Communications at (617) 552-3350. OUC will notify the appropriate campus gate attendant of your arrival and direct you to available parking.
Shooting on campus / Use of images or video
From time to time, media agencies request the use of a Boston College campus setting for an external video or photography project, or the use of campus photos or images, logos or other identifiable materials (clothing, pennants, publications, etc.) for commercial or entertainment productions.
The following guidelines are in effect for such requests:
- A written letter of intent must be submitted to the Office of University Communications before permission for such use is granted. This letter must include information regarding the requested location, dates, times, length and number of people and vehicles to be involved in the proposed project (if applicable), a list of BC-related materials that will be used, and a detailed description of the project itself and its intended use.
- If the Office of University Communications approves an on-campus project, the requester must submit a certificate of insurance and appropriate release forms. The shoot will not be allowed to take place unless this material is received in advance of the proposed date.
- The requester will be required to pay for any Boston College-related materials needed for the project, as well as any overtime or miscellaneous expenses incurred by the University in connection with the shoot. If it is a commercial venture, a daily location fee may be required.
- Requests for projects that interfere with the University's academic enterprise or student life will not be approved.
- Due to the number of requests for student projects, the University does not grant location requests that are not directly affiliated with Boston College class assignments.
- Requesters who wish to use Boston College's name, nicknames, building or unit names when filming, videotaping and/or photographing the University campus for commercial and/or entertainment purposes may do so only with the approval of the Office of the President (to be arranged through the Office of University Communications.) At no other time may Boston College be identified in the finished product.
- The complete University policy on use of Boston College facilities for filming, videotaping and still photography for commercial and entertainment purposes is available at the Policies and Procedures website.
For additional information please contact the Office of University Communications at (617) 552-3350.
The University allows wedding photography for alumni on campus during the weekend. This is to ensure that the photo shoot is as minimally intrusive as possible to students, faculty, and staff.
Boston College's Baldwin is available upon request for parties, business meetings, or special events. Requests can be made through the Boston College Athletcis Department here.
The BC Eagles logo was created in 2000. The primary logo features an eagle with an interlocking "BC." The pantone ink colors are maroon 202, gold 4515 and metallic gold 871.
If you have questions about any promotion or use of the BC Eagles logo, contact the Sports Marketing office at 617-552-3005 or sprtmrkt@jmswierski.com.
Those interested in commemorating a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, retirement, marriage proposal, etc.) with a personal message on the scoreboard at a BC football, hockey, men's basketball, or women's basketball event can contact Boston College Athletics Marketing & Fan Development by filling out this form.
For other questions regrading athletics, contact the BC Athletics Communication Department.
The Office of University Communication has been entrusted with oversight of all public facing websites.
Web design and development is done in-house with occasional support from a vendor.
If you have questions on the process, please contact Scott Olivieri.
Accessibility
Boston College is committed to ensuring that all BC web pages are accessible. The Web Technlogy Group within ITS has created detailed documentation, established training classes, and purchased software to assist with the content remediation process.
Some recommendations on specific media:
- Web sites
- Web content editors are responsible for implementing accessibility best practices.
- Creating Meaningful Page Titles
- Using Structurally Correct HTML Elements
- Providing Alternate Text for Images
- Using Descriptive Links
- Adding Adobe Reader Link
- Adding Word Doc Viewer Link
- Web content editors are responsible for implementing accessibility best practices.
- Audio/Video
- Video files must contain proper subtitles (see below)
- Audio scripts should be included in videos
- Ensure accessible media player technology is available
- Video files must contain proper subtitles (see below)
- Documents
- MS Word, EPUB and PDF documents should be aligned with standards and created using best practices such as use of headings, proper use of tables, bulleted lists, high contrast fonts and colors and proper conversion between formats.
Review ITS documentation on AEM Accessibility
Video Captioning
Federal Law and Boston College require that any public-facing online video content produced by University faculty or staff must be closed captioned. This includes any videos posted on the Boston College website, BC associated websites, or any associated social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Vimeo.
In order to meet federal requirements, both pre-recorded and live video streams need to be professionally captioned. Captioning through an auto-captioning system (such as what you'll find on YouTube) does not meet federal guidelines.
To change your mailing address on file for print publications, contact univcommunications.contact@jmswierski.com.