Media Release Forms
A completed and signed media release form should be secured in advance of any recording featuring a student, faculty member, staff member, or guest, especially if the recording will be used to create any media—including event recordings shared with attendees. Before requesting or sending a media release form, it's best to confirm that release forms are needed by determining the scope of the project and the end product. If you're unsure, please consult with the Media Team at [email protected].
Note: Guest lecturers featured in a recorded class session must also complete and sign a media release form, even if the recording is not edited to create additional media.
SPS uses three different media release forms for various circumstances. Please read about them below and determine which one is most appropriate. Next, contact a member of the media team, events team, or Career Design Lab and request that the specific media release form be sent to the appropriate person via DocuSign for completion and signing, then notify the person who will receive the media release form.
These forms are strictly legal. It is your responsibility to clearly communicate in writing where and when the content will be used/distributed, then follow up when it is live so that they may review and share.
- SPS Standard Media Release Form – This is the most comprehensive, permissive media release form that allows use of content for wide distribution “...for any purpose, including without limitation, solicitation, promotion, advertising, and marketing.”
- SPS Guest Lecturer Recordings Release – This is for content that is not meant to be distributed publicly and created specifically for education: "...for the sole purpose of educating University students, University affiliates, and, if applicable, other groups agreed to in advance with the undersigned."
- Columbia University Office of Public Affairs Standard Release Form – This form specifically states, “...Columbia will not use the Photographs or Video for commercial or for-profit purposes.”
If you happen to have media release forms that were completed and signed outside of DocuSign for whatever reason, please email them to the media team so that copies can be kept on the media team's end.
A select group of SPS staff members have access to send media release forms via DocuSign. Instructions for sending them can be found here: Sending Release Forms via DocuSign.
For additional information or questions, email the SPS media team at [email protected].