Hail to the Tweeps
CURRENTS Article This article looks at how college and university presidents and chancellors are using social media channels, particularly Twitter, to communicate and engage with students, faculty, staff, parents, and the campus community.

How to Use “New” Media to Promote Faculty Research
Article It’s not always easy for media relations professionals to promote the important research taking place at their institutions. Presenters at a recent CASE conference, however, say there are plenty of social media platforms that, with a bit of strategic thinking, can be used to overcome this challenge.

On the Blog
CURRENTS Article This article looks at the positive effects having faculty members blog for your institution can have in terms of attracting and recruiting students, providing information to parents, giving people a window into what life at the institution is like, and getting your institution's name out on the web in a different way that is still allied with generating positive attention for your institution.

Crème de la Crème
CURRENTS Article In 2011, 268 bronze, silver, gold, and grand gold Circle of Excellence awards went to 171 colleges, universities, independent schools, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. Eight of those grand gold and gold award winners are profiled here.

Study: Mobile Social Networking, Tumblr on the Rise in 2011
Article Do you use your phone to get your Facebook fix? If so, you’re part of a growing number of social networkers, according to a new global study on the social media landscape.

Education Leaders, Others Discuss Higher Ed Blogging
Article “Leadership in education is about showing students how to stand up for something, say what you believe, mean what you say, say it with style—and be sure to credit your sources correctly!” That’s according to Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University, who discussed controversial blog topics and other matters during a recent Washington Post online chat on blogging in higher education.

Technology Innovations: University of Chicago - Bronze Medal
Best Practice Three times a week since January 2004, the University of Chicago Magazine’s Web log, UChiBLOGo, has reported on campus news, events, and sights that might not otherwise get printed in the magazine’s bimonthly pages. With stories and photos covering breaking news, activities, lectures, protests, and exhibits, UChiBLOGo gives readers a taste of daily life on campus. Despite the faster deadline, blog stories go through about three editing rounds, keeping standards on par with the magazine.

Fear and Loathing in Web 2.0
CURRENTS Article This feature explores the challenges and opportunities at the heart of the struggle taking place as campuses get on board (or not) with Web 2.0 technologies. What's at issue is not necessarily the technology, but the idea of giving up control of the message.

Ground Control
CURRENTS Article This article takes a close look at one campus's process for developing a policy and guidelines for faculty and staff blogs. Included are what led to the development of an official policy, how the conversation began on campus, what administrators hoped to accomplish, who was involved in the discussion, and what issues (legal and otherwise) were considered.

Changing Lanes
CURRENTS Article Aided by advances in Internet and cell phone technology, "citizen" journalists are shaping the news like never before. But this new brand of journalism isn't dependent on tragic events or breaking news--blogs, podcasts, and more affect the gathering, transmission, and shaping of the news. This article examines these and other trends in journalism, including information on demand and audience fragmentation, and how they might affect education. This article does not include case studies or tips for navigating this new media landscape, but rather offers campus communications professionals serious food for thought.

The Real World
CURRENTS Article Blogs began as something quite different than what they are now, and although they’ve lost some of their grassroots quality as more mainstream outlets embrace them, they are becoming a vital communications tool. They enable organizations of all kinds--including education institutions--to reach out to constituents in a simple and direct way. And as institutions continue to fine tune their marketing efforts, blogs can become an important and effective communications tool, particularly for student recruitment. This article explores important issues for campus communications professionals to consider, including the pros and cons of blogging, authenticity, and control.

AdvanceWork: Dear Diary
CURRENTS Article Campuses including Proctor Academy and Furman University are using Web logs, or blogs, to bring personality and encourage repeat visits to their institutions' Web sites.