Internal Communications

The Office of Internal Communications partners with units across the University to disseminate timely and relevant information to the campus community. Through communication planning, mass emails and storytelling, the office seeks to enhance employees’ understanding of the University’s priorities in the context of its mission, while demonstrating that the work of faculty and staff is valued, that their needs and concerns are heard and shared, and that the campus is a lively and vibrant place to work.

The department uses the following communications vehicles in its work.

NDWorks

NDWorks is a central, timely source for University news that also celebrates the contributions of faculty and staff in common service to the institution’s mission. Content is intended to enhance the work experience for employees — informing them on University priorities, upcoming events and construction projects.

There are three NDWorks products: 

• NDWorks.nd.edu is updated daily with original articles, news from various divisions and stories imported from other University websites.  

• NDWorks Weekly is an e-newsletter sent to employees on Tuesday mornings. The content lives on the NDWorks website and includes some announcements that may have otherwise been sent to all employees as individual mass emails. The newsletter also includes lighter features that showcase the diversity of our campus community and perks of working at Notre Dame. Offices interested in including a message in NDWorks Weekly are asked to read these FAQs and reach out to NDWorks staff by 5 p.m. Thursday to have messages considered for the newsletter. 

• NDWorks is a newspaper published six times a year. The issues are August-September,  October-November, January-February, March-April, May-June and July. Internal Communications is committed to printing the newspaper because a significant number of employees do not have regular access to computers, tablets or smartphones while at work. Also, in this digital age, some experience screen fatigue and consider print to be a positive alternative for reading material. NDWorks is printed on 100 percent recyclable paper.

Contact information: ndworks@nd.edu, 574-631-0445 or 631-6646.

TheWeek@ND

TheWeek@ND is a weekly digest emailed to faculty, staff, and students that points readers to a web page of  events, activities, deadlines and registrations, and deals and discounts for that week. Faculty and staff receive the e-newsletter on Mondays. Students receive TheWeek@ND on Sunday evenings when classes are in session. 

Campus community members may submit University-sponsored events and information to TheWeek@ND by 3 p.m. Tuesday for inclusion in the following week's version. Student-sponsored events must be approved first by the Student Activities Office (SAO360) or Graduate Student Life.

Submissions should apply to the seven days beginning Monday and ending the following Sunday and may also be submitted to the University Calendar, which is accessible to the public.

Contact information: TheWeek@ND.edu or 574-631-4753.

The University Calendar

Events.nd.edu is where all campus activities and events are listed. Events may be submitted through the website.

Contact information: calendar@nd.edu or 574-631-4753.

InsideND home page announcements

InsideND.edu is the University’s “tool chest” offering information and quick links to applications that help employees complete work and personal business. Internal Communications manages the announcements at the top of the home page, providing timely and relevant information for faculty and staff. 

Contact information: intcomm2@nd.edu or 574-631-4753 or 631-6646. 

Communication and mass email planning 

The Internal Communications team partners with offices and divisions to plan communications and mass emails for the campus community (all faculty/staff and/or students).

The University’s mass email policy parameters, established in 2010, require a mass email to meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Deemed essential by a University officer (See examples)
  • Renovations planned for Morris Inn dining experiences
  • Garth Brooks to perform first concert in Notre Dame Stadium 
• Critical, time-sensitive, and/or germane to the University’s mission
  • Duncan Student Center closed due to burst pipe
  • Father Hesburgh documentary opening locally/nationally
• Address an issue of campus safety or health 
  • Flu shots still available
  • Beware of phone scam
• Address a recommended or required action that applies to most 
  • Renew your annual parking pass
  • Elect your annual benefits through open enrollment

Contact information: Jenna Liberto, director of internal communications, at jliberto@nd.edu or 574-631-6646.