Dear Media Colleague:
Thank you for accepting the invitation to Monday's media availability with FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D. The allotted time of 9 a.m. to 9: 45 a.m. will serve as an intimate on-the-record conversation with President Mangum. The availability will take place in Lee Hall in the President's Conference Room on the fourth floor.
The dialogue will be formatted similarly to an editorial board meeting. Each invited reporter will have an opportunity to ask a question of their choice during the first round of the discussion, and as time permits we will go around the table for follow-up questions and additional exchange. President Mangum will also be allotted timeto make remarks.
Please note that due to seating limitations and to ensure a fluid, organized, fruitful, and intimate discussion we are asking that you respect our wishes and refrain from advertising the event or inviting additional reporters or crew members. Invitations to this discussion are solely for the individuals who received a phone call or email from my office with a request to attend.
Individuals asked to attend were selected based on previous interview requests that the President and the Office of Communications wish tohonor. This is by no means an effort to prohibit access to other reporters from the conversation with the President, but it is solely designed to ensure the most productive, orderly, and respectfuldialogue possible. The University understands the importance of media access, but simply endeavors to ensure that this interview time is conducted in a structured manner. We hope to offer additional availability in the future.
If you wish to record the discussion with an audio recording device, that is acceptable and welcomed. However, we request that you refrain from videography or photography of any kind during the discussion. We are asking for your cooperation, as we would like toensure that the conversation is free from distraction and that everyone is comfortable and can have open dialogue. Again this is an on-the-record conversation. Our office will also audio record the discussion and if you need copies please feel free to request them.
If you should decide to decline this invitation due to our request torefrain from photography or videography, please let me know immediately so that I can allow another reporter to take your slot. As you know, the President's schedule is very full, so we want to make the most of this time. The Office of Communications and the President look forward to a mutually beneficial and successfuldialogue, and to constructive news coverage and future events.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Saturday at noon.
