The News and Media Relations database features news releases and news story summaries dating back to 1997. This collection, comprising more than 40,000 entries, provides both a broad-based, day-to-day account of issues that shape UMass Amherst and the opportunity to analyze trends in particular fields. The data is tagged in 32 categories, allowing for searches on topics such as admissions, rankings and honors, alumni, and research, as well as individual schools and colleges.

In the Loop serves the faculty and staff at UMass Amherst, providing a clearinghouse of news, information and official notices. The site and its companion online newsletter, In the Loop Weekly, focus on providing accurate and regular news of campus activities and accomplishments, promoting internal communications, and instilling understanding and pride in the institution.

The office monitors the media daily and handles a steady stream of press inquiries. Contact us for a consult to develop a strategy for anticipated interviews, or to handle an unexpected flurry of media interest. Many of our staff are former editors and reporters who can prepare you for successful interviews, whether informational or controversial. Call anytime. We're used to working on deadline.

If your story has a strong visual component, it may be an excellent candidate for video coverage. Staff videographers develop feature packages for the UMass Amherst Web site and the University's YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/umass.

This unit also offers fee-based services for special projects such as taping a class and special event or creating a training DVD, promotional video, or documentary TV program. Professional services include concept development, scripting, shooting, editing, and package design and distribution.

Staff writers develop stories that are distributed to the news media and posted on University Web sites; these pieces often prompt additional coverage in publications such as the UMass Amherst magazine.

Share your news with us, whether it be a research discovery, grant, upcoming event, professional achievement, community endeavor or a compelling human interest story.