Request Priority Structure

Video & Photo Services uses one priority system for photography and video requests. This helps us allocate staff time and resources to work that best supports Jacksonville State University’s goals.
Requests are evaluated based on their purpose, audience, intended use, and institutional value. Our team assigns the appropriate priority after reviewing your request.

Requests are scheduled according to the following priority tiers.

Projects supporting major university milestones, fundraising efforts, and critical institutional communications receive the highest priority. These projects receive first consideration when allocating production and editing capacity. Other work may need to be adjusted to accommodate them.

Projects supporting a defined campaign, recruitment initiative, publication, advertising placement, fundraising initiative, or other planned university marketing effort.
Examples include:
  • Academic program photography or video for a specific recruitment campaign.
  • Student and alumni stories for a planned publication or marketing series.
  • Research features supporting a defined university communications initiative.
  • Admissions materials with an identified use.
  • Paid advertising and campaign content.
  • Photography or video with an established strategic distribution plan.
Requests should identify the intended audience, where the content will appear, and the initiative it supports. A general intention to use content on a website or social media does not automatically qualify a request for Tier 2.

Projects supporting routine university communications or building useful photography and video resources for future use.
Examples include:
  • General campus photography.
  • Routine website imagery.
  • Selected event coverage with broader university communications value.
  • Routine recruitment-event coverage.
  • Campus b-roll and evergreen footage.
  • Content that can be reused across future university communications.
These projects are scheduled around higher-priority work and available capacity. Event coverage is evaluated based on its communications value and the usefulness of the resulting content.

Projects primarily serving departmental, internal, commemorative, or archival needs.
Examples include:
  • Departmental gatherings.
  • Meeting and lecture recordings for archival use.
  • Internal documentation.
  • Event coverage primarily intended for the hosting department or attendees.
These requests are accommodated as capacity allows. We may recommend a simpler production approach, adjust the scope or schedule, or decline coverage when higher-priority commitments limit availability.

How Priority Affects Your Request

Priority helps determine how we schedule and allocate resources. It does not guarantee coverage, a specific turnaround time, or every requested deliverable.

Scheduling also depends on staff availability, existing commitments, production and editing requirements, project readiness, and review needs. When requests compete within the same tier, we consider institutional impact, audience reach, deadline flexibility, and the planned use of the finished content.

A short deadline does not automatically increase priority. Submit requests as early as possible and explain any fixed event, publication, or campaign dates.

To help us evaluate your request, describe:

  • What you want the photography or video to accomplish.
  • Who the intended audience is.
  • Where and how the finished content will be used.
  • Any campaign, recruitment, publication, or fundraising initiative it supports.
  • Your requested deadline and why that date matters.

Photography Equipment Checkout

During times of low availability, University offices can checkout photography equipment to use for their events.

Photography Equipment Checkout Request