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Digital Communications

Our strategic digital communication services are designed to help you effectively reach your audience across multiple platforms.

There are multiple ways to share information with the Kent State community, and the type of message you have will determine the most effective communication vehicle. We offer a variety of channels to ensure your news, events and updates reach the right audience.

Communication Channels

  • Event/News Promotion: Your event or news can be considered as featured items across the following platforms
    • Kent State University website
    • Kent State Today
    • Kent State University Calendar
    • Social media channels
    • KSU Mobile
    • Faculty/Staff News Now
  • FlashLine:
    • FlashLine Notifications: Notifications that appear behind the red bell in the FlashLine masthead.
    • FlashLine Banners: Visual banners on FlashLine’s Welcome page or Dashboard.
  • University Emails: Targeted emails sent to select audiences when specific criteria are met.

Please note: Web Team collaborates with partners across campus to feature your events or news. We do not directly manage channels such as Faculty/Staff News Now, social media, or Kent State Today.

Submitting a Communication Request

For event promotions, submit your event through the University Events Calendar form. For all other communication needs, including FlashLine notifications, banners, or emails, use the Communication Request Form.

 

Submit a Calendar Event     Submit a Communication Request

Communication Requests & Criteria

Whether you’re promoting an event, sharing important news, or requesting a targeted email, this section outlines the types of requests we handle and the specific guidelines for each. Explore the options below to determine the best fit for your communication needs.

Event Promotion

Kent State offers multiple ways to promote your event to the university community. In addition to the University Events Calendar, your event may also be eligible for promotion through the KSU Mobile Spotlight, ensuring visibility on the KSU Mobile app.

  • KSU Mobile Spotlight

    • Your event can gain additional visibility through KSU Mobile Spotlights, a feature on the Kent State University mobile app. This spotlight section showcases select events directly on the app’s homepage, providing enhanced exposure to students, faculty, and staff who actively use the KSU Mobile app for campus updates and information.
  • Faculty/Staff News Now

    • News related to faculty and staff is featured on the Faculty/Staff News Now website, maintained by Human Resources.
  • University Events Calendar

    • The university-wide Events Calendar allows students, faculty and staff to stay up-to-date on events and activities, by placing all of their events, globally, in one place.
    • To improve the web visitor’s experience, the calendar is customizable in FlashLine, where each university community member is able to select preferred calendar categories.  
    • On the public website at www.kent.edu/calendars, prospective students have the ability to filter on event category types to see what life is like at Kent State.
    • This additional functionality allows individuals to take a closer look at the various extracurricular activities in which they are especially interested.  

Submit a Calendar Event

FlashLine Communications

The definition of a FlashLine communication shall be a method of electronic information exchange using either a:

  • FlashLine notification
  • FlashLine banner (welcome page hero image or dashboard banner)
FlashLine Banner Specifications

Welcome Page Hero image:

  • Desktop Image:
    • Dimensions: 2560 x 1200 px
    • Typography in type safe area (overlay template with image to check)
    • Image Size: < 650kb
  • Mobile (FlashLine) Image:
    • Dimensions: 900 x 1040 px
    • Typography in type safe area (overlay template with image to check)
    • Image Size < 350kb

Dashboard Banners:

  • Student Dashboard
  • Employee Dashboard
  • Faculty Dashboard
  • Only THIN Banners are are permitted.
    • Dimensions: 1341 x 100 px
FlashLine Banner Examples

Desktop and Tablet Safe Frame Example

Graphic of an example of a Desktop Safe Frame.

Mobile Safe Frame Example

Graphic of an example of a Mobile Safe Frame.

University Email

University emails are a powerful tool for sharing official business and key updates with targeted audiences across Kent State. However, to maintain the effectiveness and relevance of these emails, certain criteria must be met. This section explains the types of emails available and the requirements for submitting an email request.

Requests should be submitted at least 48 hours in advance.

View Our Email Best Practices Guide

Email Criteria

A request for an email must be one of these criteria:

  • Campus-wide critical notification, such as campus closings or presidential announcements
  • Important campus deadline or other time-sensitive information for students related to payments and registration dates
  • Important changes in student services
  • Announcement of official policies or changes in policy
  • Announcement from governance groups (USS/Faculty Senate/GSS)

If your request does not meet one of the criteria, it will be posted as a FlashLine Notification in FlashLine. 

Examples of Appropriate Use
CriteriaAppropriate RequestInappropriate RequestAlternative Outlet(s) for Inappropriate Requests
Campuswide critical notificationCampus closingCall for papers for a symposiumFaculty / Staff News Now, FlashLine Notification
Important campus deadline or other time-sensitive information for students.

Student organization requests will not be sent as a targeted announcement. Instead, they will be posted as a FlashLine Notification.
Class registration deadlineConcert or evente-calendar, departmental websites, FlashLine Notification
Important changes in student servicesNew parking lot regulationsNew academic class offeringFlashLine Notification, departmental websites
Announcement of official policies or changes in policyNew sick leave policy  
Announcement from governance groups (USS/Faculty Senate/GSS)Election dates, timesMeeting remindersFaculty / Staff News Now, FlashLine Notification