Communications Office
The NSM Communications Office supports the college’s news, media, website, digital communications, and design needs.
News & Media Submissions
Please contact Ashley Byers, Director of Communications, at 713-743-2183 or acbyers@central.uh.edu to submit news items for consideration. Advance notice regarding upcoming news items is encouraged and appreciated to give us sufficient opportunity to report on it in a timely fashion. Examples of news items include noteworthy achievements by faculty and students, new research grants, upcoming or recent journal publications, UH scientific symposiums/conferences, scientific breakthroughs, and interesting collaborations. You can also submit your accomplishments through the NSM Recognitions Form.
News Placement
In collaboration with the Office of University Media Relations, NSM will work to place news internally and externally. NSM and UH Media Relations will strategize appropriate formats, targets and news vehicles to provide the best plan for each individual news item.
Ashley Byers
Director of Communications
acbyers@central.uh.edu
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
713-743-2183
Website, Email & Design Requests
For website content updates and design/redesign, mass email distribution, and graphic design requests, please contact Chris Watts, Director of Web & Digital Communications, at cwatts@central.uh.edu.
Chris Watts
Director of Web & Digital Communications
cwatts@central.uh.edu
713-743-6177
Photography
Professional Headshots
NOTE: Professional headshots are available to NSM faculty, staff and students only.
Professional headshots, for use on websites and social media (LinkedIn, etc.), are available at no charge to NSM faculty, staff and students. To arrange to have your headshot taken, please make an appointment with Chris Watts at cwatts@central.uh.edu.
NSM Stock Photos
NSM offers a stock photo gallery, featuring photos of NSM faculty and students engaging in classroom and research activities, as well as NSM facilities. These photos are available for use by college personnel in online media (websites, social media, etc.). If you require print-resolution copies of any available photos, please contact Chris Watts at cwatts@central.uh.edu.
Photo & FERPA Release
When using photographs or video of individuals in connection with the University of Houston, including on the UH website and related sites, in any UH-produced programs, advertising, promotion, social media and/or publicity, it is important to consider if an Authorization for Use of Image form (“release”) from the subject(s)/model(s) is required before the photography is published or otherwise made publicly available.
Photo releases are typically required if the individual:
- Is recognizable; the primary focus of the photograph/video shot
- Is identifiable in a small group setting, such as a small group of students studying in the library or congregating by the fountains. In these cases, a release should be obtained from each subject
- Has been recruited to serve as a model
- Is a minor (under 18 years of age); a parental release is required
- NOTE: If unsure and there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, a release is necessary.
If the subject of the photo/video meets the criteria listed above and is a UH student or former student, a FERPA release is also required. Photos are not considered directory information at the University of Houston. As a general rule, under FERPA, only directory information can be released publicly by UH without prior student authorization.
Photo releases are typically not required if:
- Photographed in large group shots in a public space or at public events with little expectation of privacy, such as sporting events and concerts
- It is a large group setting, such as wide shots of classrooms or campus scenic shots with no single subject
- The subject is not recognizable, such as silhouettes, posterior view or out of focus
- The photos/video are not being taken or distributed by UH. When news media is covering a story on campus or a production company is shooting content it plans to distribute, a UH photo release is not required. In many cases they will have their own releases. The Filming at UH guidelines outline protocols for filming on campus.