Communications

Basic principles

As a university mainly funded by the Swiss Confederation, EPFL must earn the trust and approval of society and the political arena. Credible, clear, factual, and transparent communication and outreach initiatives are therefore essential. Moreover, engaging in dialogue with the public is one of EPFL’s core missions, as it is for the entire ETH Domain.

The Mediacom division is responsible for internal and external EPFL communications and events at its various outposts (VD, FR, GE, NE and VS) as well as EPFL’s participation in events beyond its campuses and the School’s visual identity. Mediacom communicates the School’s scientific activity, services, and societal impact, along with its values and institutional choices, to members of the EPFL community, the general public, the media, and political and economic stakeholders. The division also ensures a consistent and professional visual identity and provides various forms of support (training, guidelines, tools, etc.) to community members wishing to contribute to EPFL’s communication and outreach efforts.

EPFL employees and members of the teaching staff who act on behalf of the university contribute to its image. All of these members are required to maintain professional and official confidentiality in accordance with the law and must carefully consider the impact which their public addresses may have on EPFL or the Confederation. Issues which may endanger the reputation of EPFL are dealt with exclusively by the EPFL Direction in close collaboration with Mediacom and not by units. Such topics must therefore be reported to the EPFL Direction as soon as they arise to enable Mediacom to perform any necessary investigation and communication.

Responsabilities

Any significant institutional communication project, including events, must be coordinated with Mediacom from the start.

Legal basis 

• LEX 8.3.1 “Informations générales pour l’organisation de manifestations à l’EPFL”
• LEX 8.3.4 “Provisions concerning the use of the EPFL Logo within the framework of community activities and events”

Further informations

• Mediacom website
• Information related to the EPFL brand and visual identity

Advice day-to-day business

Members of the EPFL community may contact Mediacom to organise an event, for advice on the internal and external communication process, regardless of the proposed communication channel and for any contact with the media.

Consistent use of the corporate identity will ensure recognisability and continuity in all internal and external communication materials, thereby strengthening the reach and image of the EPFL “brand”.

You must imperatively use the digital templates with the EPFL corporate design as well as the PowerPoint presentation templates provided on the Mediacom website.

All EPFL entities must use the official EPFL logo, in accordance with the current guidelines available on the website. This logo is the only official logo within the institution. EPFL entities are not authorized to create their own logos (unless expressly approved in specific cases foreseen by the visual identity charter) and must contact Mediacom for any specific needs. Any use of a private company’s or non-academic partner’s name or logo in association with the EPFL name or logo is strictly prohibited, unless expressly authorized by Mediacom.

Media contacts

Any public statement on behalf of EPFL should be restricted to the framework of the speaker’s function, institutional role or specialist expertise.

Please contact the Mediacom team in advance should you wish to approach the media, or if you are approached by the media.

If you are contacted directly by journalists:

• Inform the Mediacom team via [email protected], who will promptly advise you and, when possible, offer ad hoc media training.
• ascertain the type of media and context of the enquiry as precisely as possible;
• no-one is required to provide information immediately: if in doubt, do not make any spontaneous statements on the telephone;
• all individuals are entitled to personality rights and right of personal portrayal. When interviewed, you are entitled to ask to review reporters’ quotes and see any picture of yourself for approval before publication.