The University of Maryland issues press credentials under the priorities and according to the guidelines set out below. These priorities and guidelines are designed to achieve efficient use of limited space available for working members of the media and of other types of access not enjoyed by members of the public at University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic events.
The University of Maryland Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Office of Media Relations ("Media Relations") is responsible for administering this policy. Credential requests must be made by sports editors or sports directors online at UMTerps.com no later than five days prior to an event. For more information, contact the Media Relations Office at 301-314-7064.
Priorities:
1. Originating radio and television personnel involved in a live television or radio broadcast of a University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competition.
2. Daily newspapers, wire services, and regional and national publications that regularly and substantially report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competitions.
3. Non-originating radio and television personnel producing reports on a University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competition. Only local radio stations with a full-time sports director conducting a regular and substantial sports show reporting on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competitions receive consideration for credentials.
4. Officially recognized University of Maryland daily student publications and daily student electronic media outlets that regularly and substantially report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competitions; and official websites of Atlantic Coast Conference schools, non-conference opponents, and the Atlantic Coast Conference office.
5. Non-daily newspapers or publications that regularly and substantially report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competitions.
6. Online entities that meet the requirements set out in guideline number 7, below.
Guidelines:
1. Season media credentials are issued to those organizations that report on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletic competitions on a regular and substantial basis, as outlined above. Issuance of season media credentials does not guarantee working space in media work areas.
2. With the exception of Terrapin beat reporters reporting on the team on a daily basis and producing daily reports, all passes are approved and issued on a game-by-game basis.
3. Except as otherwise provided for in this Policy, all passes and credentials are non-transferable and are subject to immediate revocation if transferred to any other person, including non-working members of a media organization.
4. Due to limited space and to ensure compliance with NCAA guidelines, credentials will not be issued to "free-lance" writers or photographers without a specific assignment received in writing by the assigning organization.
5. The University of Maryland and the NCAA prohibit the issuance of credentials to representatives of an organization that regularly publishes gambling information, such as "tout sheets" or "tip sheets."
6. Credentials may be issued to the official websites of Atlantic Coast Conference schools, non-conference opponents, and the Atlantic Coast Conference office.
7. Credentials may be issued to other online entities that: a) are affiliated with a national or regional media organization; b) host a website that regularly and substantially reports on University of Maryland intercollegiate athletics, and; c) employ for that University of Maryland dedicated website at least one full-time, permanent employee who writes a substantial majority of all material posted on the site. An online entity that is a outlet primarily devoted to the recruitment of students athletes will not qualify for credentials.
8. All persons picking up credentials will be required to furnish positive identification. No credentials will be issued to individuals under the age of 18.
9. Media Relations may deny or revoke credentials for noncompliance with the Priorities or Guidelines set out in this Policy; for violations of University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, NCAA, or ACC policies; and for conduct for which there are reasonable grounds to believe violate state or federal law, or constitute a breach of professional ethics. Any organization that wishes to contest a denial or revocation shall: a) request Media Relations provide a written rationale for the denial or revocation; b) submit a written response to that rationale to the Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations. After reviewing the response, the Associate Athletic Director for a Media Relations, in consultation with appropriate University officials, shall issue a decision to uphold or reverse the denial or revocation. The Associate Athletic Director's decision shall be final.
