Study Up

Addressing crises on college campuses requires a nuanced approach that considers the unique challenges faced by each institution. By preparing in advance, college administrators can create a resilient and responsive campus environment. Jonathan Kopp, a partner in FGS Global’s Strategic Communications Division, shares some key considerations when preparing for crisis management on college campuses:

• There is no universal solution. Various factors such as campus size, location and demographics should be considered when considering crisis response. For example, while some colleges may receive praise for engaging constructively with protesters, others might be lauded for keeping protests in check and not appeasing protesters' unacceptable demands.

• Proactive communication with stakeholders is crucial. To avoid appearing reactive, it’s important to communicate early and often. Speak of enduring values and avoid jargon and buzzwords that can seem like a convenient shorthand but can be prey to culture wars, since language is a shifting battleground.

• Develop crisis protocols, prevention and response materials ahead of time. With the expectation that demonstrations will become more disruptive and innovative, preparing ahead of time is essential. Know in advance who needs to be in the chain for decisions, who needs to be communicated with and who is the appropriate source of comms for each constituency.

The recent Supreme Court ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo marks a significant shift in regulatory policy, creating the potential for increased regulatory challenges and a more contentious relationship between businesses, federal agencies and the courts.

The decision overturned the Chevron deference standard, which previously required courts to uphold reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous laws. The Loper decision overturns this principle, granting federal courts greater latitude to overturn agency regulations.

For businesses, this ruling opens the door to more frequent legal challenges against both existing regulations and new ones. Companies might exploit this change to question old regulations that were previously upheld under Chevron, as new businesses could potentially emerge specifically to challenge such regulations.

Congress now faces increased pressure to craft clearer, more detailed legislation to withstand judicial scrutiny. Federal agencies likely will adopt more cautious rule making practices and invest heavily in defending their regulations in court.

Federal courts will navigate a surge in litigation, as they define new boundaries of agency authority and judicial review. This environment may delay regulatory implementation and create uncertainty for businesses. Both current and future administrations will need to carefully consider the statutory authority underlining each new rule, with the potential for ongoing legal battles and shifts in regulatory enforcement strategies.

Post-Covid, live events must be more engaging than ever to deliver value to your audience.

Our Events team has defined four best practices for a successful event:

1. Establish goals and define your audience. These fundamentals should shape your event, including format and content. Tailor every aspect of the event experience to maximize attendee engagement and value. Sometimes, this process may reveal that an event or specific format isn't the most effective means to achieve desired outcomes or engage with the intended audience.
   

2. Make the substance sing. With the resurgence of in-person events, attendees must prioritize which invitations they accept. Compelling content – such as diverse speakers, special guests, discussion topics, the release of a new study or screening of exclusive content – helps draw attendees in a crowded landscape. Consider how to present content in ways that interest your audience and set your event apart.
   

3. Timing and location are key. Evaluate dates, times and locations that align with audience preferences and avoid conflicting events. Consider the timeliness of the event topic—whether it's tied to current events or evergreen themes—and how that may affect attendee interest and media coverage potential.
   

4. Follow up. At their core, events are an opportunity to build and strengthen relationships. Post-event follow-up is crucial to leverage the value of the event and solidify relationships. Plan follow-up strategies in advance to maintain engagement and facilitate ongoing communication. Events should be viewed as strategic touch points as part of broader relationship-building and communications strategies.