THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

STYLE GUIDE — UNIVERSITY STYLE

This section of The University of Akron Style Guide covers names, terms and information specific to the University.

The University of Akron — On first reference, the full name of The University of Akron should always be used, with “The” capitalized.

University or UA (no periods) — On second or subsequent references to The University of Akron, University is preferred; UA may be used sparingly.

The University of Akron Alumni Association — alumni association or association on subsequent references.

The University of Akron Foundation — foundation on subsequent references.

Board of Trustees — Always capitalize all references to The University of Akron Board of Trustees, Board or Trustees.

academic adviser — “er” is the preferred spelling

academic degrees — Degree names are capitalized when the full title is used. Examples: Bachelor of Science in Biology or Master of Arts in Music. With informal usage, such as bachelor's degree in psychology, there is no capitalization because it is not the proper name of the degree.

The general usage for most degrees when abbreviating is to capitalize and use periods. For example: B.A. in Music. (MBA and RN are exceptions.)

alumna — one female graduate

alumnae — more than one female graduate

alumnus — one male graduate

alumni — more than one graduate

Akron — biannual alumni magazine

Akron Global Polymer Academy — AGPA on second reference.

Ambassadors — student organization that represents the University on behalf of the Office of the President at events and functions.

Buchtel Common — main walkway through campus.

campus addresses — U.S. mail that is addressed to the University's primary ZIP code, 44325, could be returned to the sender if it contains a street address other than 302 Buchtel Common. Only the recipient's name or department name, the city, state, ZIP code and the ZIP+4 number, if known, should be included. (A list of all ZIP+4 numbers is at www.uakron.edu/aux/mail/zip4.php.)

campus buildings — Refer to the Faculty/Staff Directory, which includes a complete list of campus building names and correct abbreviations.

colleges — UA’s colleges do not include the word “the” as part of their formal name.

Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business Administration
College of Education
College of Engineering
College of Fine and Applied Arts
College of Nursing
College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
Community and Technical College
University College
Wayne College
School of Law

cocurricular — no hyphen

cooperative education — co-op is acceptable on second reference.

corequisite — no hyphen

course load — two words

courseware — educational software; one word

coursework — one word

curriculum — singular (curricula or curriculums in the plural)

Dean’s List — capitalize

degrees — associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, Juris Doctor

degrees with distinction — lowercase cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude

E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall — Thomas Hall, or hall, on second and subsequent references.

emeritus — Use with care. At UA, this is an honorary title conferred by the Board of Trustees. Not every faculty or contract professional retiree has emeritus status — consult the Emeritus Faculty Directory in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Other forms: Emeriti (plural), emerita (singular female), emeritae (plural female).

Faculty Senate — the legislative body of the University, as delegated by the Trustees.

Fiat Lux — UA motto meaning “Let there be light.”

Founders Day — On the first Friday in May (also the last day of spring semester) the University celebrates its founding and honors new and past retirees at a luncheon.

grade point average — no hyphens; GPA on second reference.

InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field — On first and subsequent references to UA's on-campus stadium, now under construction, the full name should be used. When appropriate, at The University of Akron should be included.

Intercollegiate Athletics — On all references (not Sports or Intercollegiate Sports).

interdisciplinary — no hyphen

Juris Doctor — this law degree is capitalized and can be abbreviated as J.D.

meal plan — not board, as in “room and board.”

Mid-American Conference — formal name of the athletic conference of which UA is a member. MAC is acceptable on second reference.

NCAA — National Collegiate Athletic Association

New Landscape for Learning — The University of Akron’s five-year, $300 million cam-pus enhancement program. The first phase was completed in fall 2004 and included construction of nine buildings, 14 major renovation projects and the addition of 30 acres of green space. (For specific details, go to: www.uakron.edu/nll.) This transformation continues today with additional structures and features, including the construction of a 15th residence hall and an addition to the fine and applied arts building.

New Landscape for Living — an initiative launched by The University of Akron and its partners in the University Park Alliance to enhance the 40-block, mixed-use neighborhood adjacent to campus.

postbaccalaureate — no hyphen

postdoctoral — no hyphen

postgraduate — no hyphen

postsecondary — no hyphen

residence hall — not dorm or dormitory

state-assisted — UA is a state-assisted institution, one of 14 four-year public universities in Ohio’s higher education system.

student-athlete — hyphenated

theatre — the preferred spelling for entertainment venues on campus — Paul A. Daum Theatre in Kolbe Hall, Student Union Theatre and Sandefur Theatre in Guzzetta Hall.

The Buchtelite — student newspaper; “The” is part of its name.

Tel-Buch — student yearbook

Townhouses — capitalize and use as one word in reference to UA residence halls.

UAnet ID — UA Network ID — Every University employee and student is assigned an electronic identifier for use on various online systems and services, including UA e-mail accounts.

University of Akron Bookstore — University Bookstore, or UA Bookstore, on second reference.

WZIP-FM — student-operated radio station on campus.

Zippy — UA mascot, a kangaroo

Zips — The official name used for all of UA’s men’s and women’s sports teams.
Note: Do not use the term “Lady Zips.”