A small room in the Art and Journalism Building houses more than 60 students, seven of whom are creating the crisis communication plan for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
IDHS asked Cardinal Communications, a student-run, interdisciplinary public relations agency, to create the plan that details the process for communication in a time of crisis, associate professor of journalism Bob Pritchard said.
The plan could be used to respond to terrorist attacks, natural disasters, training, general accident response, hazardous material response and public information officer's relations with media, Pritchard said.
"I'm really proud of these [students,] of the confidence that IDHS has in us to deliver this," he said. "This plan is an experience that you typically, even in the corporate world, wouldn't get until you were a mid-level professional."
Executive Director Leah Logan said the seven-member team, however, treated it as they would any other client's account.
Cardinal Communications has 10 clients that range from local clients to state-wide and national clients, she said.
"We have to put our best foot forward no matter who we're working with," Logan said.
The seven people who work with IDHS are a conglomoration of students from eight larger groups, account managers, within the organization, she said. The selection of students was not based on seniority, she said, it was primarily based on interest in the topic area.
Jody Kress, assistant director of business operations, said before any work could be done with the crisis protocol plan a research report must be completed. During the entire process, communication with the client is key to ensure that expectations are being met, he said.
The students spent last semester conducting research and calling public information officers in other states to get input as to what should be included in the crisis protocol, he said, and to evaluate what the professionals liked and disliked.
Cardinal Communications provides students the opportunity to use what they learned in class, Kress said.
"The best thing about the organization is that it offers all students an opportunity to really do immersive learning," he said. "And match what they're learning in the classroom to real world stuff."
Become a member
- Cardinal Communications is open to all students from all majors; however, an application process is required before entry.
- Cardinal Communications is located in AJ 282.
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