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One of the nation’s top public universities, the University of Michigan has been a leader in research, learning and teaching for more than 200 years. With one of the highest research volumes of any public university in the country, U-M is advancing new solutions and knowledge in areas ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to driverless vehicle technology, social justice and carbon neutrality. Its main campus in Ann Arbor comprises 19 schools and colleges; there are also regional campuses in Dearborn and Flint, and a nationally ranked health system, Michigan Medicine. The university also boasts a world-renowned intercollegiate athletics program and has been the site of many important events in U.S. history, including JFK’s announcement of the Peace Corps, LBJ’s “Great Society” speech, and the clinical trials of the Salk polio vaccine. U-M’s alumni body is one of the largest in the world and includes a U.S. president, scientists, actors, astronauts and inventors.

Federal law requires that whenever an institution makes reference to its affiliation with its accrediting organization, which for the University of Michigan is the Higher Learning Commission, it will include the organization’s address and telephone number. In cases where your unit’s recruiting materials (or other widely disseminated materials that advertise academic programs) mention that U-M is an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, there is specific language you must use.

The preferred statement is:

“The University of Michigan is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411. Phone: 800-621-7440; 312-263-0456; Fax: 312-263-7462.”

Everyone who applies to the University of Michigan, either as a student or as an employee, must receive a copy of this statement, either in an application or in accompanying application materials.

The statement reads as follows:

Each year, the University of Michigan prepares the “Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.” The report, issued each October 1, contains detailed information on campus safety and security policies, procedures and programs, meeting the requirements set by the Department of Education under the Clery Act and Title IX. The report also includes statistics concerning crimes on campus. If you would like to receive a complete copy, visit the U-M Division of Public Safety and Security website or call (734) 763-3063.

When filming, videotaping, audio recording or photographing in a public space where people don’t have a reasonable expectation of privacy, for example in the stadium, there is no need to seek permission to capture images for news or archival purposes. As a courtesy, when filming, videotaping, audio recording or photographing for a commercial movie, marketing materials or photographs for sale in a public space, we recommend you let people know that they may be caught on film so they can choose to avoid the shot. This can be done with a sign or leaflet handed out.

When filming, videotaping, audio recording or photographing individuals for marketing purposes, a documentary-style production, an interview or a performance capture, you always should use a consent form. The consent form protects both the subject of the image/recording and the university by spelling out the terms under which the image/recording is being taken. Signing the release ensures that the subject or “model” understands there is no monetary or other compensation coming from the university, and also that the subject or model can expect the university to use the media only in an appropriate manner.

As a rule, we don’t seek permission from faculty to film or videotape interviews, unless we are capturing a proprietary performance. It is assumed by virtue of their employment that we can capture comments about their work. We do seek permission from students when they are interviewed.

We generally don’t need a consent form for images shot for news purposes, unless minor children who are visiting the university or participating in one of its programs are involved. In those cases, most programs (or the schools from which the children come) may already have secured permission from the parents, but we should check this in advance.

While you are free to use your own consent form, the U-M Consent Form (PDF) has been approved by the General Counsel’s office and is highly recommended. There is also a Spanish-language version of the form. PLEASE NOTE: minors need to have a parent or guardian sign the release. A photo/video release form in business card size for department use is available in pdf format here.

The Office of the General Counsel recommends completed Consent to Photograph or Film Electronically forms be maintained for whatever time period an office wishes to retain the ability to use the relevant photos in any manner. This may be done by storing the original paper copies of the forms or by scanning the original forms to store the information electronically.

Michigan Medicine employees can also access a form specifically for the health system here.

A copyright line should be included on all marketing materials, including websites, other digital properties, and print collateral. The addition of the date is helpful but not necessary.

Examples of proper copyright notices:
© 2024 by the Regents of the University of Michigan
or
© 2024 Regents of the University of Michigan”

You may spell out “Copyright” or use the © symbol.

You may also use a more comprehensive copyright notice if desired:
© 2024 by the Regents of the University of Michigan.

View the current list of University of Michigan executive officers.

View the current list of Michigan Medicine executive officers.

The Freedom of Expression Statement should be included in event programs for speakers or performers invited to the University.

The statement is as follows:

Thank you for attending this program. The University of Michigan strives to create a truly open forum, one in which diverse opinions can be expressed and heard.

It is the right of members of the university community, speakers, artists and other invited guests to express their views and opinions at the university. We will protect the right of individuals to speak or perform, and the rights of those members of the University community who wish to hear and communicate with an invited speaker or artist.

Protesters also have a right to express their opposition to a speaker in appropriate ways, both within the confines of this building and outside the facility. However, protesters must not interfere unduly with communication between a speaker or artist and members of the audience.

If the hosts of this event or university representatives believe that protesters are interfering unduly with a speaker or performer’s freedom of expression, those protesters will be warned. If the warnings are not heeded and the interference continues, then the individuals responsible may be removed from the building.

We reaffirm these policies in order to most fully protect the rights of free expression for speakers, performers and protesters alike, as set forth by our Civil Liberties Board in our Student Handbook, and in accordance with the U-M Standard Practice Guide; Regents’ Ordinance Article XII, Section 1; and state statutes.

The Nondiscrimination Policy Statement is provided by the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office. The full statement must appear in publications as required by the U.S. Department of Education. The Office of the General Counsel says that the statement should be included in any materials or publications that contain general information and are used to “recruit applicants, participants, beneficiaries or employees.” Posters could be exempt if they include no “general information” beyond the announcement of an event.

As of June 2022, the Statement reads:

The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities and admissions.

 Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office (ECRT), 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388

This notation must appear in employment ads as required by the U.S. Department of Labor. In instances where space is limited, please use the following instead:

“A Non-discriminatory, Affirmative Action Employer”

Read SPG 201.35 >>

All marketing materials should include the University of Michigan Regents when possible; the names can be presented as a bulleted list or in paragraph form (depending upon space constraints). See the Regents’ List for Publications for the most current list.

Anishinaabeg gaa bi dinokiiwaad temigad manda Michigan Kichi Kinoomaagegamig. Mdaaswi nshwaaswaak shi mdaaswi shi niizhawaaswi gii-sababoonagak, Ojibweg, Odawaag, minwaa Bodwe’aadamiig wiiba gii-miigwenaa’aa maamoonjiniibina Kichi Kinoomaagegamigoong wi pii-gaa aanjibiigaadeg Kichi-Naakonigewinning, debendang manda aki, mampii Niisaajiwan, gewiinwaa niijaansiwaan ji kinoomaagaazinid. Daapanaming ninda kidwinan, megwaa minwaa gaa bi aankoosejig zhinda akiing minwaa gii-miigwewaad Kichi-Kinoomaagegamigoong aanji-daapinanigaade minwaa mshkowenjigaade.

The University of Michigan is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people. In 1817, the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadami Nations made the largest single land transfer to the University of Michigan. This was offered ceremonially as a gift through the Treaty at the Foot of the Rapids so that their children could be educated. Through these words of acknowledgment, their contemporary and ancestral ties to the land and their contributions to the University are renewed and reaffirmed.