University Style Guide
The University Style Guide, produced by KU Marketing, is a local supplement to The Associated Press Stylebook and Merriam-Webster dictionary. In cases of conflict, the University Style Guide supersedes the AP Stylebook and AP supersedes Merriam-Webster.
The University Style Guide has been placed online as a service to the KU community. It is not meant to be the final word on style but rather makes suggestions for campus writers and editors.
Entries address style questions that arise frequently in writing about the university, as well as local style concerns such as building and place names and proper references to various university entities. Many entries contain links to Web pages for those seeking further information.
In the interest of creating a concise, quick reference, we have avoided topics already well covered by the AP and the dictionary; campus writers and editors are urged to consult these sources. We also have avoided trying to be writing coaches; for this, we recommend The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White.
Email questions or comments to Deb Graber at KU Marketing.
Deb Graber and Lois Sierra, editors
A
Use bachelor's degree or bachelor's rather than B.A. or B.S.; master's degree or master's rather than M.A. or M.S.; doctoral degree or doctorate rather than Ph.D. or Ed.D.
She has a bachelor's degree in English, a master’s in translation, and a doctorate in comparative literature.
Follow AP style in the use of apostrophe and capitalization:
Bachelor of Arts, bachelor’s in psychology
Master of Science, master’s in journalism
When use of the abbreviation is required, use periods within: B.A., M.S. AP makes an exception for MBA and capitalizes Master of Business Administration. As with Master of Business Administration, University Style allows the capitalization of advanced degree programs that use the field in the name and allows the use of abbreviations of those fields that do not contain periods:
Master of Social Work program
MSW program
In general, do not use Ph.D. Doctoral is the adjective, doctorate the noun. Doctoral degree and doctorate are interchangeable. Do not use doctorate degree.
Acceptable in all references for the K.S. "Boots" Adams Alumni Center. On second reference, alumni center.
Adams Campus
The Adams Campus, 12 miles southwest of KU's main campus, is a training ground to teach team building and cooperation. Despite its name, it isn't considered a primary KU campus. See the listing for campus.
addresses
Follow U.S. Postal Service specifications when giving a mailing address: The University of Kansas, department or office name, building name, street address and room number, Lawrence, KS 66045.
The University of Kansas
Office of the Provost
Strong Hall
1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 250
Lawrence, KS 66045
Note: The four-digit ZIP-code extension is not necessary.
Capitalize Admissions when referring to the office, lowercase when using as an adjective.
Send your transcript directly to Admissions. An admissions rep will contact you.
Advisor, adviser
Advisor, not adviser, in all university publications. News releases use AP style: adviser.
When referring to the KU sports venue named for longtime basketball coach Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, fieldhouse is one word.
alma mater
Used for both KU's song and for the university in alumni contexts. Capitalize when referring to KU's song. KU's Alma Mater is Crimson and the Blue.
They sang the Alma Mater. My alma mater is the University of Kansas.
alumna, alumnae (female); alumnus, alumni (male)
Use alumni when referring to a group of men and women. Use of the term alum is discouraged.
On second reference, alumni association or association.
Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center, David A.
Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center is acceptable on first reference. On second reference, use recreation center, fitness center, or center.
American Universities, Association of
KU is a member of the Association of American Universities, a by-invitation-only association of North American research universities known for their strength in research, education, and innovation. KU has been a member of the AAU since 1909.
When describing KU's membership, refer to the AAU as "a group of leading research universities."
KU is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of leading research universities.
K.K. Amini is a scholarship hall for men and women; Margaret Amini is a women’s hall.
ampersand/and
Use ampersands rather than "and" in the proper names of schools and departments. Do not use a comma before an ampersand.
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
School of Journalism & Mass Communications
Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Not Anschutz Science Library.
apartments
KU operates three student apartment complexes: new Stouffer Place Apartments (opened in 2018), Jayhawker Towers, and McCarthy Hall. All are located in the Central District.
KU Student Housing also operates Sunflower Apartments and the University Guest House, which welcome overnight guests of university departments and house new KU faculty and staff who are searching for permanent residences.
Architecture and Design, School of
Formerly the School of Architecture, Design and Planning.
The softball field at Rock Chalk Park carries this name.
Art History, Kress Foundation Department of
The official name of the department. Use history of art when referring to the discipline or its faculty members.
Art, Department of
The School of the Arts is housed within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and encompasses the departments of Film and Media Studies, Theatre and Dance, and Visual Art.
athletics
See Kansas Athletics Inc.
B
bachelor's degree
See academic degrees
Men's scholarship hall.
BEST Building
Business, Engineering, Science, and Technology Building on the Edwards Campus in Overland Park. BEST Building is acceptable on all references.
Big 12
Not Big XII.
Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum
Housed in Dyche Hall.
On second reference, biological survey.
Bioscience and Technology Business Center
The BTBC on second reference. The BTBC Main Facility and the BTBC Expansion Facility are in the West District. The BTBC at the KU Medical Center (BTBC at KUMC on second reference) is in Kansas City, Kansas.
boys
Use men for all male students.
break
Do not capitalize when referring to spring break, fall break, or winter break.
Built on the site of Hoch Auditorium.
buildings
The Campus Buildings Directory, also known as Places, is the authority for building names. Capitalize proper names of buildings and subunits of buildings and shortened forms based on proper names. Do not capitalize generic names of facilities or abbreviations based on generic names.
- Strong Hall, Strong
- Spencer Museum of Art, art museum
- Alderson Auditorium, auditorium
On second reference, union, unless the text also mentions the Kansas Union. In that case, use Burge on second reference.
C
Campanile
campus
KU has five campuses:
- main campus in Lawrence
- Medical Center campus in Kansas City
- Edwards Campus in Overland Park
- satellite campus of the schools of Medicine and Pharmacy in Wichita
- satellite campus of the schools of Medicine and Nursing in Salina
The official name of the Overland Park campus is the Edwards Campus, hence the capitalization of campus in that instance.
capitalization
committees, commissions, and boards
Capitalize full formal names of committees, commissions, task forces, and advisory boards. Lowercase shortened, informal, or descriptive names of committees. Strive for consistency within stories.
Campus Safety Advisory Board
The department's finance committee
distinguished titles
Capitalize all words except "of" and other prepositions in titles of named and distinguished professors.
John Doe, the Summerfield Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Jane Doe, a University Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
On second reference or if the entire proper name of the professorship is not used, do not capitalize.
She was named a distinguished professor in 1994.
He also holds a distinguished professorship in medicinal chemistry.
divisions and affiliates of the university
Capitalize the formal names of schools, academic departments, and divisions of the university. Lowercase names that are flopped or shortened. But see College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
School of Business, business school
Department of Chemistry, chemistry department
Office of the Chancellor, chancellor's office
University Registrar, registrar's office
In plural constructions, lowercase the common noun, such as department, school, program, or office:
The schools of Engineering and Music are collaborating on the research project.
Always capitalize units that don't normally use "Office of" or "Department of" in their formal titles.
Lifelong and Professional Education
Parking and Transit
Capitalize "College" on second reference to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to avoid confusion with the general term meaning college-level or college-related.
position titles
Capitalize titles appearing before a name and lowercase those appearing after a name.
Jane Doe, dean
Dean Jane Doe
Jane Doe, professor of psychology
Professor Jane Doe of the Department of Psychology
Contains the School of Business
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
On second reference, the center. KUCR is acceptable on second reference for campus publications.
On second reference, the center.
Center for Technology Commercialization, KU
On second reference, the center
chair
Not chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson.
The Art and Design Building was renamed in August 2015 for E. Laurence Chalmers, the 11th chancellor who served from 1969 to 1972.
chancellor
Capitalize only when it precedes the name. Do not repeat with the name on second reference.
KU’s chancellor should be referred to as Douglas A. Girod on first reference in all communications. When his title is used in front of his name, capitalize it: Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. The chancellor is a physician, and in limited instances with medical audiences, M.D. may be added after his name: Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, M.D.
Do not use Dr. and don’t combine Chancellor and Dr. in front of the chancellor’s name.
The chancellor's residence is also called the Outlook.
Chancellors Club
No apostrophe.
chapter
Lowercase chapter in names of local branches of national organizations. Also, chapter is the preferred term over house for sororities and fraternities.
The KU chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, the KU chapter of Gamma Phi Beta
Churchill scholars, Churchill scholarships
The Winston Churchill Foundation awards Churchill scholarships.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
On second reference, the College. If the context is not clear, use the full name on second reference.
Besides its academic departments, the College includes the School of the Arts and the School of Public Affairs and Administration.
Uppercase when referring to KU's annual ceremony. Describe graduates using the semester (not the month) in which they graduated.
Bob Smith is a fall 2020 graduate (not a December 2020 graduate).
Members of the Class of 2020 comprise those who graduated in summer 2019, fall 2019, and spring 2020. KU has its formal Commencement each May, though several schools host graduate recognition ceremonies in December.
In Spooner Hall. A partnership of the Biodiversity Institute, the Hall Center for the Humanities, and the Spencer Museum of Art, its events focus on interdisciplinary inquiry into research, education, and the human condition.
composition titles
For print publications and where possible online, follow AP style. Use quotation marks for book titles, movie titles, opera titles, play titles, poem titles, album and song titles, radio and television program titles, and the titles of lectures, speeches, and artwork.
Do not use quotation marks for holy books, reference materials, or computer software or games.
Computing Center, Price
On second reference, computing center. Informally known as the computer center.
Don't use. See Lifelong and Professional Education. Do not confuse with the School of Professional Studies, which is also on the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
Convocation
Capitalize when referring to this recurring university event.
Women's residence hall. Often referred to as GSP-Corbin in conjunction with Gertrude Sellards Pearson Hall.
course titles
Capitalize but don't put in quotes. The course abbreviation (all caps) and the course number may appear before the name of the course.
PSYC 333 Child Psychology
Italicize names of works appearing in titles.
LAT 124 Vergil's Aeneid
coursework
One word.
courtesy titles
Use Dr. only if the subject is a medical doctor and the story relates to the medical field. Use the Rev. on first reference when referring to members of the clergy. For faculty members who are also clergy, the academic title supersedes.
Use Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Miss only in direct quotes.
Crafton-Preyer Theatre
The largest of the four performing spaces in Murphy Hall. The others are Swarthout Recital Hall, the Inge Memorial Theater, and the Baustian Theatre.
The Alma Mater.
D
Area southeast of 15th and Iowa streets where several residence halls are located. Named for the daisies that used to grow there.
The area between Self and Oswald residence halls.
dashes
Put a space on each side of em dashes
dates
commas
Omit the comma between month or season and year if no day is included. The word “of” need not be used in these constructions.
The symposium was in summer 2015.
Set off the date with commas when it follows a day of the week and is in apposition to it. Omit the comma when only the day or date is used with the time.
The event is at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Lied Center.
The event is at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Lied Center.
hyphens
Use hyphen or from/to, not through, in giving inclusive dates.
The class runs from May 13 to 26; the class is May 13-26.
In body copy, hyphenate when giving fiscal or academic years. The 2020-21 academic year.
An en dash may be used rather than a hyphen when referring to spans of dates or times.
news releases
References to upcoming events should include day and date as a doublecheck for editors. References to events in the past or in the distant future are expressed by date only. Include the year if different from the present one.
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
Originally known as Memorial Stadium, which is acceptable on second reference.
This 32,000-square-foot center houses James Naismith's original 1891 document laying out the "Rules of Basket Ball."
definite article
Lowercase the definite article when it precedes the name of an organization except when the name is part of an address.
He plans to attend the University of Kansas.
For more information, write to The University of Kansas, Jayhawk Welcome Center, 1266 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045.
Lowercase the definite article in the names of newspapers unless it is the newspaper’s preference to capitalize it. Lowercase in lists of publications where some capitalize “the” and some do not.
degrees, academic
See academic degrees
department
Department of History, history department, departments of Mathematics and History.
disabilities
Please see Life Span Institute Guidelines for Reporting and Writing about People With Disabilities. See also People with disabilities in the diversity style guide.
distinguished professorships
See Distinguished Professors as the authority for named and distinguished professors.
Capitalize all nouns and adjectives in titles of named and distinguished professors. Use "the" between the name of the professor and the title of the professorship if he or she is the only person with that title. Use "a" if there is more than one person with that particular professorship.
John Doe, the Summerfield Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Jane Doe, a University Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
On second reference or if the entire proper name of the professorship is not used, do not capitalize.
She was named a distinguished professor in 1994.
He also holds a distinguished professorship in medicinal chemistry.
Retired distinguished professors retain the title of distinguished professor but not the proper name in the title. For example, the retired Judith H. Murphy Distinguished Professor of Art History would be referred to as distinguished professor emeritus of art history.
Also see Foundation Distinguished Professorships.
districts
The Lawrence campus comprises the North District, roughly the area east of Naismith Drive and north of Sunnyside Avenue, including Jayhawk Boulevard; the Central District; and the West District, the area west of Iowa Street formerly referred to as the west campus.
doctor, Dr.
Reserve the title for people with medical degrees. Use the abbreviation Dr. with the name in first reference; drop it in subsequent references. If a faculty member has a medical degree as well as an academic or administrative appointment, use the title Dr. only when it is relevant to the story. If appropriate, you may note in the text that the faculty member is also a physician, psychiatrist, surgeon, radiologist, or other specialist.
doctoral degree, doctorate
See academic degrees
The formal name is Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. Dole Institute of Politics is acceptable on first reference, the institute on second reference.
dormitory
Do not use. KU has residence halls, not dormitories.
Women's scholarship hall.
Residence hall for women and men in the Central District. Downs is connected to another residence hall, Oliver Hall, through the South Dining Commons.
Houses the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum
E
Earth, Energy and Environment Center
A multidisciplinary center for geology and engineering research on energy and the environment. The center's two buildings — Ritchie Hall and Slawson Hall — are connected to Lindley Hall and Learned Hall. On second reference, EEEC.
Editors Day
No apostrophe in this annual School of Journalism and Mass Communications event.
Capitalize “Campus.” Also acceptable as the University of Kansas in Overland Park.
Ekdahl Dining Center
This facility in Lewis Hall is better known as Mrs. E’s.
Residence hall for women and men.
emerita, emeritae (female); emeritus, emeriti (male)
See titles
Emporia State University
On second reference, Emporia State.
Endowment Association, Kansas University
This is the formal name, to be used only in legal or technical documents. KU Endowment is acceptable on all references. Never use KUEA.
ExCEL Award
Note capitalization; do not use periods. Somewhere in the text, mention what ExCEL stands for.
The ExCEL Award — Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership — honors two KU students each year.
F
Not Facilities Operations.
fellowships, fellows
Capitalize only proper names when referring to fellowships and their recipients.
Mellon fellowships, Mellon fellows.
Field Station, KU
The field station consists of 11 reserves in Douglas, Jefferson, and Anderson counties, totaling more than 3,500 acres of nature preserves, an education center, a student farm, research areas, and public trails. Established in 1947, the field station is managed by the Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, a KU research center.
When referring to the KU sports venue named for longtime basketball coach Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, fieldhouse is one word.
fight song
The fight song is "I'm a Jayhawk."
Film and Media Studies, Department of
The department is housed within the School of the Arts.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Do not use “Office” or “Department" with this unit name.
Fine Arts, School of
Do not use. See School of the Arts and School of Music.
Fink Award
The H. Bernerd Fink Award for Outstanding Classroom Teaching. Note the spelling of Bernerd.
First-Year Experience, Office of
Do not use. Now the Center for Orientation and Transition Programs, which implements programs that assist new undergraduates with academic, social, and personal transitions to KU.
fiscal year
The university fiscal year is July 1 to June 30. It's identified by the calendar year in which it ends: Fiscal 2022 ended June 30, 2022. FY 2022 is acceptable for campus publications.
foreign students
Do not use. Use international students.
Fort Hays State University
On second reference, Fort Hays State.
Foundation Distinguished Professorships
Twelve distinguished professorships created by a partnership between KU and the state of Kansas. Capitalize Foundation Distinguished Professor in all instances.
Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center
Now called the University Advising Center.
Fulbright grants, Fulbright scholars
Fulbright grants are awarded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State under guidelines established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
G
Geological Survey, Kansas
On second reference, geological survey.
Gertrude Sellards Pearson Residence Hall
A residence hall for women and men. On second reference, GSP. Often referred to as GSP-Corbin in conjunction with the adjacent Corbin Hall, with which it shares a dining facility.
GI Bill®
No periods in GI. The registered trademark symbol ® follows the mark in the upper right corner. Use the trademark symbol on first reference in all individual documents and webpages.
As an institution eligible to receive VA education benefits, the University of Kansas is required to use the registered trademark GI Bill® in print, electronic, radio, digital, and other media. In print and online, the following attribution notice also must appear prominently on the page: ‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill."
girls
Use women for all female students.
Goldwater scholarships, Goldwater scholars
The scholarships are awarded by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program.
Grace Pearson Hall
A scholarship hall for women and men. On second reference, Grace Pearson to avoid confusion with Pearson Hall, a men's scholarship hall.
grade point average, GPA
No hyphen. Use GPA on first reference when used with figures.
A 2.5 GPA is required.
grades
Capitalize but don't quote. A grade of B or better is required. Use an apostrophe for plurals.
I earned A's and B's in school.
We cannot publish grade point averages without written permission of students.
Graduation
See Commencement.
Gray-Little Hall
Named for KU’s 17th chancellor, Bernadette Gray-Little. It contains lecture rooms and labs for interdisciplinary research in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, physics, molecular biosciences, and related fields. Also referred to as the integrated science building.
Greek Life, Office of
Now known as Sorority & Fraternity Life.
greek organizations
Use greek organizations, not greek system, when referring to fraternities and sororities. KU's multicultural greek organizations use the abbreviation "Inc." Follow AP Style on punctuation; do not set off with commas. For example, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
H
Hall Center for the Humanities
On second reference, Hall Center or center.
Arts-centered residence hall for men and women.
Hawk Link
Hawk Link is a retention program for first-year students sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Events preceding the start of a new academic year.
One of three schools based at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The two other schools are Medicine and Nursing.
Health System, The University of Kansas
Formerly the University of Kansas Hospital, which was renamed in 2017 after a consolidation of physicians and clinics. On second reference, health system. The health system is a clinical facility governed by an independent authority board. Do not use when referring to KU Medical Center, the academic unit that includes the schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions.
Hill Engineering Research & Development Center
Houses KU EcoHawks, a student research program at the School of Engineering. The center was built in the West District by KU architecture students in Studio 804.
Hill, the
The Hill, formally known as Mount Oread, is the site on which the Lawrence campus stands.
history of art
Preferred term for faculty members and the discipline. But see Art History, Kress Foundation Department of.
Hoglund Ballpark
Pronounced HOE-glund.
Uppercase Homecoming as the formal title that includes all events: Homecoming, Homecoming Week. Uppercase Homecoming Steering Committee. But Homecoming parade, Homecoming game.
Use the formal title, University Honors Program, on first reference. Use honors program (lowercase) on second reference.
HOPE Award
No periods between the letters in HOPE. Somewhere in the text, mention what HOPE stands for.
Phillip Hofstra, professor of design, won the HOPE Award — the Honor for the Outstanding Progressive Educator.
Horejsi Family Athletics Center
Pronounced “hore-ish.”
Hospital, The University of Kansas
Do not use. The correct name is this: The University of Kansas Health System. On second reference, health system. The health system is a clinical facility governed by an independent authority board. Also, do not use when referring to KU Medical Center, the academic unit that includes the schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions.
Housing & Residence Life operates on-campus living arrangements for students. See also residence halls, scholarship halls, and apartments. Formerly known as KU Student Housing.
hyphen
Hyphenate inclusive times and dates.
Workshop hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 13-16.
An en dash may be used instead of a hyphen for spans of times and dates.
Hyphenate terms such as editor-in-residence and artist-in-residence in all cases, whether the term is before or after the person’s name.
Hyphenate such terms as first-year and second-year when referring to law and medical students; use the suspensive hyphen for more than one reference: First- and second-year students have access to the library.
I
Integrated Science Building
Renamed for Bernadette Gray-Little, KU’s 17th chancellor, in 2020. Integrated science building is acceptable on second reference. It contains lecture rooms and labs for interdisciplinary research in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, physics, molecular biosciences, and related fields.
International Programs, Office of
Oversees the Applied English Center, International Recruitment & Undergraduate Admissions, International Student Services, and the Office of Study Abroad.
International Recruitment & Undergraduate Admissions, Office of
Recruitment office for undergraduate international students.
International Student Services
Always capitalize when referring to the unit. Provides cultural and cross-cultural programming and counseling on immigration issues for international students.
international students
Not foreign students.
J
Javits fellowships, Javits fellows
Javits fellowships are awarded by the Jacob Javits Fellowship Program.
University-owned student apartments. Use a plural verb: Jayhawker Towers open in August.
Jayhawk Global
Jayhawk Global coordinates the university's online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates, fire and rescue training, and law enforcement training. It also provides noncredit education and employee training and development.
Jayhawk Welcome Center
Home to the Office of Admissions, this 30,000 square-foot-building is attached to the Adams Alumni Center and is the starting point for many KU tours for prospective students. On second reference, welcome center is acceptable.
Journalism & Mass Communications, William Allen White School of
On second reference, school of journalism or journalism school. For faculty, omit all but journalism.
Carol Holstead, associate professor of journalism
Acceptable on second reference for Joseph R. Pearson Hall, home of the School of Education & Human Sciences.
K
On second reference, use Kansan or UDK to refer to the student newspaper.
Kansas
In general, the state name does not appear after Kansas towns in text unless there is a possibility of confusion with another city of the same name:
Wichita
Hays
Kansas City, Kansas
Independence, Kansas
Note: AP spells out names of states that follow a city name, except in postal addresses. Refer to AP’s datelines section for names of cities that do not need to be followed by state names.
Use Kansas Athletics Inc. on first reference. Kansas Athletics is acceptable in subsequent references.
On second reference, biological survey.
Its nine members, appointed by the governor, oversee seven public institutions (KU, K-State, Wichita State, Emporia, Pittsburg, Fort Hays, and Washburn), 19 community colleges, and six technical colleges. On second reference, Board of Regents, Kansas regents, regents, or board.
On second reference, geological survey.
Kansas State University
On second reference, K-State or Kansas State. Do not use KSU.
On second reference, union. Use Kansas Union if Burge Union is also mentioned in the story.
Kansas University Endowment Association
See Endowment Association
Not Kansas University. On second reference, KU or the university. KU is acceptable on first reference for campus publications.
Lowercase “the” except when the name is part of an address.
He plans to attend the University of Kansas.
For more information, write to The University of Kansas, Office of Admissions, Jayhawk Welcome Center, 1266 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045.
Men’s scholarship hall.
KU
No periods. Acceptable on second reference. (Acceptable on first reference in campus publications.)
Formerly Kansas Alumni Association. On second reference, use alumni association or association.
On first reference, University of Kansas Cancer Center or KU Cancer Center if the university has been mentioned previously. On second reference, cancer center or center. The KU Cancer Center includes a research unit, the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute; and a clinical unit, the University of Kansas Hospital Cancer Center. The KU Cancer Center is the umbrella name over both.
KU ID card or KUID is also acceptable.
KU Center for Technology Commercialization
On second reference, the center.
The umbrella term for all campus libraries. Use University of Kansas Libraries on first reference for off-campus publications unless the University of Kansas has already been mentioned. Use the plural noun when referring to the administrative organization: KU Libraries are having a book sale.
On first reference, University of Kansas Medical Center or KU Medical Center if the university has been mentioned previously. On second reference, medical center. Reserve use of KUMC for headlines and social media.
The university’s academic schools of Health Professions, Medicine, and Nursing are at KU Medical Center. The University of Kansas Physicians is the name of the multi-specialty group whose members practice at the medical center and KU MedWest. The medical center’s address is 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160.
The organization that is responsible for the Kansas Union, Burge Union, and DeBruce Center.
KU's weekday e-newsletter, featuring campus news and news releases to general media. KU Today publishes twice a week over the summer and is not published over fall, winter, or spring breaks.
L
Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Center for
On second reference, the center.
Learned Engineering Expansion Phase 2 (LEEP2)
An addition to the engineering school complex in the Central District. May be referred to as LEEP2 on first reference as long as the full name appears later.
lectures
Capitalize when using the whole name of the lecture or lecture series: Humanities Lecture Series. Capitalize only proper names when shortening: AndersonChandler lecture or lecture series.
Put the title of the lecture in quotes.
Residence hall for women and men.
Libraries, KU
See KU Libraries
On second reference, Lied Center.
Lifelong & Professional Education
The office is on the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
Life Span Studies, Schiefelbusch Institute for
On second reference, Life Span Institute or institute.
Lt. Gen. William K. Jones Military-Affiliated Student Center
In Summerfield Hall. On first reference, use the full name. On subsequent references, it may be called the military-affiliated student center.
M
Main campus
The area formerly known as the main campus now comprises the North District and the Central District. The campus west of Iowa Street is referred to as the West District.
Not Office of Marketing Communications or MarComm. Marketing Communications is a division of KU's Office of Public Affairs.
Marshall scholarships, Marshall scholars
Marshall scholarships are administered in the United Kingdom by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Committee and in the United States by the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., and five regional consulates-general.
master's degree
See academic degrees
McCarthy Hall
University-owned apartments for men, many of them student athletes, south of Allen Fieldhouse on Naismith Drive. It opened in fall 2015.
Measurement, Materials & Sustainable Environment Center (M2SEC)
An engineering research center in the Central District. May be referred to on first reference as M2SEC as long as the full name of the building appears later.
See KU Medical Center
One of three schools based at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The others are Health Professions and Nursing. Do not refer to the medical center or the total program offered there as the medical school. Branches of the School of Medicine operate in Salina and Wichita.
See also KU Medical Center.
A community-based branch of the School of Medicine at 400 South Santa Fe, Salina, KS 67401.
A community-based branch of the School of Medicine at 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214.
Mellon fellowships, Mellon fellows
Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies are funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
On second reference, campanile. It contains a musical instrument called a carillon. The person who plays the carillon is a carillonneur. The bell tower, built as a memorial to KU's World War II dead, was dedicated in 1951. (pronounced camp-uh-NEE-lee)
Do not use, except on second reference to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Military-affiliated student center
In Summerfield Hall. On first reference, Lt. Gen. William K. Jones Military-Affiliated Student Center. On subsequent references, it may be called the military-affiliated student center.
Women's scholarship hall.
Mitchell scholarships, Mitchell scholars
George J. Mitchell scholarships are administered by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance.
Mount Oread
Do not abbreviate Mount. Also known as the Hill.
Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss
Use Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Miss only in direct quotes. On second reference, refer to people by their last names.
Mrs. E's
The official name of the Daisy Hill facility is Ekdahl Dining Center.
Multicultural Affairs, Office of
Formerly the Office of Minority Affairs. See also Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center.
museums
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute
In Dyche Hall.
Spencer Museum of Art
On second reference, art museum.
Wilcox Classical Museum
In Lippincott Hall.
The School of Music was formed in summer 2009 after a reorganization of KU's fine arts programs.
N
Naismith Hall
Privately owned residence hall on Naismith Drive.
National Merit scholarship, National Merit scholars
The National Merit Scholarship Program is conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Part of the Biodiversity Institute housed in Dyche Hall.
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The association's Higher Learning Commission is the accrediting agency for KU. The university received a 10-year accreditation in May 2015 and has been accredited since 1913.
North College Cafe´
The residential dining center in Gertrude Sellards Pearson (GSP) Residence Hall.
One of three schools based at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The two others are Health Professions and Medicine.
O
One Day One KU
A 24-hour day of giving sponsored by KU Endowment each spring. Use spaces but no italics or periods: One Day One KU.
Oread Hotel
A privately owned hotel that is not affiliated with KU.
Uppercase when referring to the recurring events for prospective students and their parents.
Orientation & Transition Programs, Center for
Formerly the Office of First-Year Experience. The Center for Orientation & Transition Programs implements programs that assist new undergraduates with academic, social, and personal transitions to KU.
One of two residence halls for men and women that opened on Daisy Hill in fall 2015; the other is Self Hall. They are connected by the Daisy Hill Commons.
The chancellor's residence.
P
Panorama
Capitalize when referring to the exhibit in the Natural History Museum.
Do not use. Now called KU Transportation Services.
Parking garages
The structure southeast of Memorial Stadium is the Mississippi Street Parking Garage. The structure at Naismith Drive and Irving Hill Road is the Allen Fieldhouse Parking Garage.
Men's scholarship hall. Grace Pearson Hall also is a men's scholarship hall.
They are two of five student living facilities funded by gifts from alumna Gertrude Sellards Pearson and her husband, Joseph R. Pearson. The others are Gertrude Sellards Pearson Hall (GSP), a residence hall for women and men; Sellards Hall, a women's scholarship hall; and Joseph R. Pearson Hall, now home of the School of Education.
percent
Follow AP Style, which calls for using the % sign when paired with a number: She said 45% of Americans agreed.
In casual uses, spell out percent: She said he has a zero percent chance of finishing the project on time.
When a percentage begins a sentence, spell out both: Seventy-five percent of the animals at the refuge were relocated.
Ph.D.
Do not use. Use doctoral degree or doctorate.
The school operates on the Lawrence and Wichita campuses. School of Pharmacy–Wichita is acceptable when needed to distinguish it from the pharmacy school on the main campus.
Pittsburg State University
On second reference, Pittsburg State.
postdoctoral
Do not hyphenate.
Potter Lake
Not Potter's Lake.
pre-
No hyphen in constructions such as premedicine or prelaw, but pre-education.
Price Computing Center
On second reference, computing center. Informally known as the computer center.
Professional & Continuing Education
Do not use. Now Lifelong & Professional Education. The office is on the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
Professional Studies, School of
Based at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
professorship
Uppercase when used with the full name of a professorship only: The Smith estate gave $600,000 to establish the Delos V. Smith Jr. Professorship in Community Medicine.
But: The Smith professorship will be awarded in the spring.
Pronouns
In most cases, the plural pronoun should agree in number with the noun that precedes it: The professors said they agreed with the decision of their department chair.
In some instances, they/them/their may be used as singular gender-neutral pronouns. Because the singular they is still unfamiliar to many people and can cause confusion, make sure your writing doesn’t imply more than one person.
AP Style stipulates that when the pronoun they is used in the singular, it takes a plural verb: Kelly said they want to major in English.
Public Affairs & Administration, School of
A school within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences that offers degrees and leadership training for administrators in city management, public service, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and other public and private sector agencies.
Q
quotation marks
See composition titles for guidelines on formatting book, movie, and play titles, poems, lectures etc.
Do not use quotes for titles such as Best Teacher of the Year or for theme or program names such as Proud to be a Jayhawk.
R
recruitment
Preferred over the term rush when referring to the fraternity and sorority community.
Regents Center
An administrative and academic building on the Edwards Campus. The address is 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park.
Regents, Kansas Board of
See Kansas Board of Regents.
Regnier Hall
Victor & Helen Regnier Hall, a building on the Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Regnier Hall acceptable on all references. Pronounced reh-NEER.
religious titles
For faculty members who are also clergy, the academic title supersedes. If relevant, note in the story that the faculty member is clergy. See the AP entry on religious titles for non-faculty titles.
Formerly part of Research & Graduate Studies. The Office of Graduate Studies is now separate.
residence halls
KU has residence halls, not dormitories. On first reference Ellsworth Hall; on second reference, Ellsworth.
Corbin and Gertrude Sellards Pearson halls are often referred to in conjunction as GSP-Corbin. All residence halls house women and men except Corbin, which is women-only. The Campus Buildings Directory is the authority for building names.
- Corbin Hall
- Downs Hall
- Ellsworth Hall
- Gertrude Sellards Pearson Hall
- Hashinger Hall
- Lewis Hall
- Oswald Hall
- Self Hall
- Templin Hall
Naismith Hall is a privately owned, off-campus residence hall.
Rhodes scholarships, Rhodes scholars
Rhodes scholarships are funded by the Rhodes Trust and selected in the United States by state and district committees.
Women's scholarship hall. (Pronounced REE-ger)
rooms, room numbers
Don't use the word room before a number and building name when context makes it clear that the reference is to a room number: The speech is at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, in 4019 Wescoe Hall.
S
Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center
The center, which adjoins the Kansas Union on the north, houses the Multicultural Resource Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Salina campus, School of Medicine
Acceptable as School of Medicine–Salina.
Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies
Life Span Institute acceptable on all references.
Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
On second reference, speech-language-hearing clinic or clinic.
Scholars, scholarships
Capitalize only proper names when referring to scholarships and their recipients.
Goldwater scholarships, Goldwater scholars.
scholarship halls
KU has 12 scholarship halls. On first reference, Battenfeld Hall; on second reference, Battenfeld. But use K.K. Amini, Margaret Amini, and Grace Pearson to avoid confusion with similar names.
- K.K. Amini Hall: co-ed
- Margaret Amini Hall: women
- Battenfeld Hall: men
- Douthart Hall: women
- Grace Pearson Hall: co-ed
- Krehbiel Hall: men
- Miller Hall: women
- Pearson Hall: men
- Rieger Hall: women
- Sellards Hall: women
- Stephenson Hall: men
- Watkins Hall: women
scholarships
Uppercase when used with the full name of a scholarship only: The Solon E. Summerfield Scholarship has a lengthy history. On second reference or if the entire proper name of the scholarship is not used, capitalize only the proper noun: The Summerfield scholarship.
One of two residence halls for men and women that opened on Daisy Hill in fall 2015; the other is Oswald Hall. They are connected by the Daisy Hill Commons.
A women's scholarship hall, one of five residence and scholarship halls funded by gifts from alumna Gertrude Sellards Pearson and her husband, Joseph R. Pearson. The others are Gertrude Sellards Pearson Hall, known as GSP, a men's and women's residence hall; Grace Pearson Hall, a men's scholarship hall; Pearson Hall, also a men's scholarship hall; and Joseph R. Pearson Hall, now home of the School of Education.
semesters and seasons
Lowercase academic periods and seasons of the year: She graduated in the fall. He enrolled in the School of Engineering in fall 2015. The spring semester ends May 14.
senior
Use for fourth- and fifth-year undergraduates.
serial comma
AP Style does not use a comma before the conjunction in a simple series, called a serial or Oxford comma, but does use one in complex phrases and when needed for clarity. News releases use AP Style. KU Marketing uses the serial comma. Use your judgment, but be consistent.
Shankel Structural Biology Center, Delbert M.
Named for the microbiology professor who twice served as interim chancellor. On second reference, SBC.
Shawnee Mission
Not a city, but a postal designation for several Johnson County, Kansas, communities (including Overland Park, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Mission, and Lenexa). Use the city name in text: Sam Smith is a junior from Shawnee or Breanne Bailey is a sophomore from Prairie Village.
Use greek organizations, not greek system, when referring to fraternities and sororities.
KU's multicultural greek organizations use the abbreviation "Inc." Follow AP Style on punctuation; do not set off with commas. For example, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
South Dining Commons
The residential dining center at Cora Downs Residence Hall in the Central District.
Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders, Department of
On second reference, speech-language-hearing department. For faculty, omit all but speech-language-hearing: Mabel L. Rice, professor of speech-language-hearing.
On second reference, museum of art or art museum.
states
AP spells out names of states in text, even when following a city name:
central Kansas
Pretty Prairie, Kansas
Norman, Oklahoma
Use the two-letter postal abbreviation for a state when used as part of an address: The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045.
Refer to AP’s datelines entry for names of cities that do not need to be followed by state names.
Men's scholarship hall.
stop day
The day after classes end and before exams begin. Lowercase.
This university-operated apartment complex opened in 2018 in the Central District. The apartments replace the former Stouffer Place apartment buildings, which were razed in 2016.
Structural Testing & Student Projects Facility
An engineering building in the West District that contains space for student projects and a high bay lab for large-scale structures research.
Student Affairs, Office of the Vice Provost for
Formerly Student Success. Always capitalize. Acceptable in shortened form as Student Affairs. Units overseen by Student Affairs are Counseling & Psychological Services, KU Recreation Services, Legal Services for Students, Student Health Services, Student Involvement & Leadership Center, Student Affairs Research, Hilltop Child Development Center, KU Memorial Unions, KU Student Housing, Student Conduct & Community Standards, and Student Money Management Services.
Housed in Watkins Memorial Health Center.
Student housing
Housing & Residence Life operates on-campus living arrangements for students. See also residence halls, scholarship halls, and apartments. Formerly known as KU Student Housing.
Sunflower Apartments
Temporary guest housing used primarily by new KU faculty and staff who are searching for permanent residences.
Formerly the Environmental Sustainability Center.
Symbols
In bodies of text, do not use symbols such as &, #, @ or %. Spell out the words instead, except when using the ampersand in a unit name, such as College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; the “at” symbol in an email or Instagram address, chancellor@ku.edu; or a hashtag in a Twitter address: #beajayhawk.
T
Residence hall for men and women.
Theatre & Dance, Department of
In fall 2018, the theatre and dance departments merged to form this department. See also Arts, School of the
Theatre, Department of
Don't use. Instead use Department of Theatre & Dance. The theatre and dance departments merged in fall 2018 to form this department. See also Arts, School of the
theatre, theater
Use the spelling theatre to be consistent with campus organizations, departments, and facilities. KU has an academic Department of Theatre and the University Theatre, which includes the production units. The Department of Theatre, formed in 2009 after a reorganization of KU's fine arts programs, is in the School of the Arts in the College.
they, them, their
In most cases, the plural pronoun should agree in number with the noun that precedes it: The professors said they agreed with the decision of their department chair.
In some instances, they/them/their may be used as singular gender-neutral pronouns. Because the singular they is still unfamiliar to many people and can cause confusion, make sure your writing doesn’t imply more than one person.
AP Style stipulates that when the pronoun they is used in the singular, it takes a plural verb: Kelly said they want to major in English.
time element
References to upcoming events should include day and date as a double check for editors: Monday, Dec. 26. References to events in the past or in the distant future are expressed by date only and should include the year if different from the present: Nov. 3, 2018.
times
Use noon and midnight, not 12 p.m. or 12 a.m. Omit the colon and two zeros when writing hours: 8 p.m. But 2:30 p.m.
Set off the date with commas when it follows a day of the week and is in apposition to it: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Lied Center. Omit the comma when only day or date is used with the time: 8 p.m. Thursday at the Lied Center or 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Lied Center.
The preferred order is time/date/place: 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Lied Center.
titles
See also composition titles, courtesy titles, doctor, religious titles
chancellor
Capitalize only when it precedes the name. Do not repeat with the name on second reference. KU’s chancellor should be referred to as Douglas A. Girod on first reference in all communications. When his title is used in front of his name, capitalize it: Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. The chancellor is a physician, and in limited instances with medical audiences, M.D. may be added after his name: Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, M.D.
Do not use Dr. and don’t combine Chancellor and Dr. in front of the chancellor’s name.
emerita and emeritus titles
Use professor emerita (plural professors emeritae) for a retired female faculty member who retains her academic rank. Use professor emeritus (plural professors emeriti) for a retired male faculty member who retains his academic rank. Use professors emeriti for a group comprising both sexes.
Faculty members may retire with emeritus ranks of assistant, associate, or full professor. In obituaries and other stories about deceased faculty members, drop the assistant or associate rank and use professor emerita or emeritus.
faculty and staff
Use only short titles before names; in most cases, titles are placed after names.
Lowercase staff titles: Mary Smith, maintenance assistant; Brad Brown, editor.
Identify a faculty member by academic rank and discipline: Barbara Anthony-Twarog, professor of physics and astronomy; Ernst S. Dick, professor of Germanic languages and literatures (not professor of German).
Exceptions:
For faculty in the Kress Foundation Department of the History of Art, omit the foundation title: Stephen H. Goddard, professor of history of art.
For faculty in the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications, omit all but journalism: Tien-Tsung Lee, associate professor of journalism.
Faculty in the School of Music derive titles from their specialty: Julia Broxholm, associate professor of voice.
For faculty in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders, omit all but speech-language-hearing: Mabel L. Rice, professor of speech-language-hearing.
For distinguished faculty, capitalize the full title: William Picking, Foundation Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
faculty with several titles
If a faculty member has several titles, use only the title or titles most relevant to the story. When in doubt, use the title the person is best known by.
nonprofessorial titles of teaching faculty
Lecturers are lecturers in their subject: Jane Doe, lecturer in psychology. Instructors are instructors of something: John Smith, instructor of dance.
promotions
Promotions of faculty and nonteaching tenured staff members become effective at the start of the fiscal year, July 1. Although promotion lists are published in the spring, the announcement is not authority to use a new title immediately.
Transportation Services, KU
Formerly Parking & Transit.
On second reference, McNair Scholars Program is acceptable. Not McNair Scholarships. Students in the McNair Scholars Program receive paid research opportunities, faculty mentors, a GRE preparation course, and tutoring. Do not refer to this as a scholarship program.
Truman scholarships, Truman scholars
Truman scholarships are awarded by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.
U
Udall scholarships, Udall scholars
Udall scholarships are awarded by the Morris K. Udall Foundation.
Undergraduate Research Awards
UGRA or UGRAs on second reference. The UGRA competition is coordinated by the Center for Undergraduate Research and funded by a partnership among the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Office of Research, Undergraduate Studies, and the Office of the Provost. Recipients receive $1,000 awards to pursue academic and creative projects.
Oversees the Academic Achievement & Access Center, Center for Civic & Social Responsibility, Center for Orientation & Transition Programs, Center for Undergraduate Research, KU Info, Learning Studio, KU Writing Center, Undergraduate Advising Center, and University Career Center.
union
KU has two unions on the Lawrence campus, the Kansas Union and the Burge Union, and one on the Edwards Campus, Jayhawk Central. Use union on second reference unless the story mentions both unions. In that case, use the full name on second reference. KU Memorial Unions is the organization that manages the unions.
University of Kansas Hospital, The
Do not use. The correct name is this: The University of Kansas Health System. On second reference, health system. The health system is a clinical facility governed by an independent authority board. Also, do not use when referring to KU Medical Center, the academic unit that includes the schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions.
Not Kansas University. On second reference, KU or university. KU is acceptable on first reference in campus publications and social media posts.
Lowercase "the" except when the name is part of an address.
He plans to attend the University of Kansas.
For more information, write to The University of Kansas, Office of Admissions, KU Visitor Center, 1502 Iowa St., Lawrence, KS 66045.
Established as a consortium by the Board of Regents, the press represents the state universities and is in KU's West District.
universitywide
URLs
Omit http:// and www. when citing URLs in print publications unless a website will not work without them. Additionally, all words in URLs should be lowercase. For example: admissions.ku.edu and facebook.com/ku.
V
Vespers
Capitalize the name of this annual December program presented by the School of Music. Vespers is plural in form but takes a singular verb.
The Department of Visual Art was formed in summer 2009 after a reorganization of KU's fine arts programs. It is housed within the School of the Arts.
W
Women's scholarship hall.
On second reference, health services.
West District
The university area west of Iowa Street, formerly known as the west campus.
Wichita campus, School of Medicine
Acceptable as School of Medicine-Wichita. A hyphen or an en dash may be used in this formation.
Wichita campus, School of Pharmacy
Acceptable as School of Pharmacy-Wichita. A hyphen or an en dash may be used in this formation.
Wichita State University
On second reference, Wichita State.
In Lippincott Hall.
Y
year
Hyphenate first-year, second-year, third-year, fourth-year when used to modify student in classifications for law and medical students. Undergraduates are freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors; use senior for both fourth- and fifth-year undergraduates.
Avoid the use of upperclassmen.