Style Guide - Capitalization

Utica University Style Guide

Capitalization

 

References To Utica University

When referring to Utica University, always initial-capitalize "University". This rule also applies when using "the University" in place of the full name:

• The University holds Commencement every spring.
• Have you ever visited Utica University?

But not in a generic descriptive sense, such as:

• We are a university known for our excellent academic programs.

Rule of thumb: When you can easily substitute "Utica University" for the word "university", always apply the initial capital. When in doubt, use the full name. 

Also:

• The abbreviated form of Utica University is Utica. (Never use the initials UU to refer to the University.)

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Titles

Capitalize titles when they appear before a name:

• Professor Emeritus of Music Louis Angelini
• Executive Director of Alumni Relations Mark Kovacs
• Adjunct Instructor of Biology Harvey S. Cramer

When titles appear after a name, do not capitalize:

• Dr. Louis Angelini, professor emeritus of music
• Mark Kovacs, executive director of alumni relations
• Harvey S. Cramer, adjunct instructor of biology

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Academic Departments

Except in the case of language departments, do not capitalize names of academic departments or divisions when they begin with the subject:

• chemistry department
• English department
• arts and sciences division

But when they do not begin with the subject, use the following convention:

• Department of Chemistry
• Department of English
• School of Arts and Sciences

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University Offices

When referring to Utica University offices, capitalize "Office" and place it first:

• The Office of Marketing and Communications
• The Office of Graduate and Extended Services

Not:

• The marketing and communications office

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Board of Trustees

Capitalize Utica University Board of Trustees. When referring to individual members of the Board, follow these rules:

• She has been a trustee for three years.
• It was Trustee Susan B. Doolittle '71 who visited the building site.

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Specific Features of Utica Curriculum

Capitalize (as proper names) specific features of our own curriculum:

• Cooperative Education Program
• Three-Year Degree Program
• Honors Program

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Committee / Program

Capitalize when part of a formal name:

• Graduate Studies Committee
• House Appropriations Committee
• Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program

However, when referring to programs in the abstract, do not use the initial capital: 

• That is a baccalaureate program.
• Utica has added a number of graduate programs.
• We should form a committee to study that.

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Seasons

Do not capitalize seasons of the year when they stand alone, but always capitalize divisions of the academic calendar and events of the collegiate year:

• Family Weekend takes place in the fall, as does Homecoming Weekend.
• You know that spring is the season for Commencement.
• Utica offers classes during Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Winter Session, and Summer Session. 
• My first semester at Utica was Fall 2005.

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Classes

Do not capitalize freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior when referring to individuals, but always capitalize names of organized entities:

• Sara is a junior this year.
• Frank is a member of the Class of 1990.
• She's in the Junior Class.

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Degrees

Do not capitalize names of academic and honorary degrees:

• bachelor of arts
• doctor of humane letters
• master of science
• bachelor's degree
• master's degree

Also note:

• He received his doctorate.
• He received his Ph.D.

While we recognize that different institutions follow different protocols when indicating a degree by its initials, Utica University style calls for utilizing periods where appropriate (no spaces). Examples:

• B.S.
• M.B.A.
• Ed.D.

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Regional References

When using the terms New York state or central New York, only capitalize "New York" unless the phrase is part of a formal title:

• The Central New York Community Arts Council (CNYCAC) has many members.
• Utica University is located in central New York.
• New York state has many beautiful lakes and streams.
• Utica participates in the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association. 

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Internet References

When referring to the World Wide Web, capitalize the "W" in Web. Web site is expressed as two words, with a lower case "s" in site:

• I love surfing the Web.
• Be sure to visit our Web site.

Internet should also be capitalized:

• How did the Internet come into being?
• The company maintains a major Internet portal.

The term e-mail, however, is expressed with a lower-case "e" (and includes the hyphen).

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