WSU Writing Style Guide
Introduction
In order to establish a cohesive image of Weber State University and to provide readers with consistent, clear publications, Marketing & Communications has produced the WSU Writing Style Guide, a guidebook of editorial style. This includes rules regarding the mechanics of written communication, such as capitalization, spelling and punctuation.
The WSU Writing Style Guide adheres predominantly to the Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law and should be uniformly applied to all university media (print and digital), recruitment materials and web pages. For guidance that is not already addressed in this style guide, please consult the following references:
- Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law
- Webster's New World College Dictionary
We invite you to use the WSU Writing Style Guide for all materials except those that are governed by specialized guidelines such as research reports and legal documents. If you have questions or would like to offer suggestions, please contact Marketing & Communications at 801-626-7359.
A
abbreviation
generally avoid alphabet soup. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms the reader would not quickly recognize. Always spell out official names and titles on first reference. Avoid courtesy titles such as Dr., Mr. and Mrs. Delete all periods unless necessary for clarity.
Special cases: Some abbreviations are acceptable in technical writing or catalogs.
(For degree abbreviations, see degrees.)
academic degrees (see degrees)
academic departments (see departments)
academic departments/programs, named: check WSU catalog for formal names of departments and programs not named on behalf of donors. Do not capitalize programs when referenced generally without the full name of the department.
Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing
Parson Construction Management
academic rank (see titles, academic titles)
acronym: avoid using an acronym on first reference, unless its meaning is universally recognized. The preferred form is to write a name or term in full on first reference. An acronym then can be used in all subsequent references.
Right: The Master of Business Administration program is offered at Weber State University Davis. In 2009-10, the MBA program will graduate 42 students.
addresses: When listing an address in a publication, omit the comma between city and state. Use US Postal Service format for state: capitalized, two-letter state abbreviation (i.e., UT, not Utah). Use only one space between state and zip code. Mail codes should follow Mail Center guidelines.
Right: Ogden UT 84408-4020
Wrong: Ogden, Ut., 84408-4020
Letterhead and business cards use unique street addresses, followed by "Dept" (no period) then the mail code number.
Office of the President
3850 Dixon Parkway Dept 1001
Ogden UT 84408-1001
See the campus address list for the addresses of specific offices and departments.
institutional addresses: When giving someone directions to get to WSU in Ogden, use 3848 Harrison Blvd. as the location:
Weber State University
3848 Harrison Blvd.
Ogden UT 84408
Weber State University Davis
2750 University Park Blvd.
Layton UT 84041-9099
Weber State Farmington Station
240 N. East Promontory, Suite 300
Farmington Utah 84025
Weber State University Morgan Center
241 E. Young St.
Morgan UT 84050
Weber State University West Center
5627 S. 3500 West
Roy UT 84067
Center for Continuing Education
775 S. University Park Boulevard
Clearfield Utah
Weber State Downtown
2314 Washington Blvd.
Ogden UT 84401
Community Education Center
2605 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden UT 84401
advisor/adviser: -or is the preferred usage
ages: always use numerals
alma mater
alum: a graduate of any gender, singular; use alum to be gender neutral and inclusive. Alumnus or alumna are acceptable in rare situations, (e.g., a direct quote, an organization's name), but the preferred term is alum.
alumni: a group of graduates of any gender
Athletics Department: not athletic department
associate or associate's degree: informal use (see degrees)
B
bachelor or bachelor’s degree: informal use (see degrees)
bell tower: preferred name is Stewart Bell Tower or Stewart Bell Tower Plaza
Black: capitalize Black in a racial, ethnic or cultural sense, conveying an essential and shared sense of history, identity and community among people who identify as Black, including those in the African diaspora and within Africa. The lowercase black is a color, not a person.
Board of Regents: takes a singular verb and should be used on first reference; regents is acceptable on second reference and takes a plural verb.
Board of Trustees: WSU Board of Trustees takes a singular verb; trustees is acceptable on second reference and takes a plural verb; the board is also acceptable on second reference and takes a singular verb.
bookstore: Wildcat Store is preferred (see Wildcat Store), but "bookstore" is acceptable as a generic noun on second reference.
bus rapid transit (BRT): spell out on first reference as "Ogden bus rapid transit", abbreviate as "BRT" on subsequent references. An official name is forthocoming from UTA. Construction starts on the Ogden campus spring 2021 and it will begin opening in sections in 2022.
building and room names: capitalize; preferred use is to omit the word Building; note exceptions
- Brady Fosmark & Family Office
- C. William & Bernice C. Stromberg Strength & Conditioning Complex
- Cam & Mandee Quayle Office
- Dave and Nicole Hall
- Donna & Ralph Friz Office
- Harper Rich Office
- Jack and Nancy Behnken Hall of Fame Plaza
- John Fassel Office
- Larry & Annette Marquardt-Kimball Plaza
- Oguo Atuanya Office
- Orin V. & Melinda Trussell Office
- Pat Hanley & Jim McMahon Office
- Phil Smith & Family Foundation, Nikki & Jamie Harris Office
- Sam Slater & Greg Weigel Office
- Sark's Boys Gateway
- The Lewis L. Thorpe Family Office
- Lorenzo E. Peterson, Sr. CAD Lab
- Melba S. Leba Children's School
- Melba S. Leba Children's School Observation Room
Dee Events Center
- Dr. Junior Edward Rich Memorial Lounge
- Press Room Courtesy of Ogden Standard-Examiner
Elizabeth Hall
- E. Rich & Jane H. Brewer Conference Room
- AutoLiv Education Studio
- Blanche B. Rich Painting Studio
- Claramay Patterson Felt Ceramics Studio
- David O. McKay Library
- Harold C. & Grace M. Steed Resource Room
- Jerry H. & Kathy Peterson Sculpture Center
- John D. Eccles Studio
- Kamille Corry Drawing Studio
- Keybank Faculty Office
- Lawrence T. Dee & Janet T. Dee Resource Room
- Owen Cyril & Lucy Morgan Hammond Printmaking Studio
Hurst Center may be used on first reference, but officially is the Hurst Center for Lifelong Learning
- Bruce & Valerie Davis Continuing Education Suite
- Don E. Spainhower Development Suite
- Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Legacy Hall
- Richard F. & Karen W. Fairbanks Conference Room
- Stacey G. Campbell - R&O Construction Board Room
- Weber State University Alumni Association Conference Room
Information Booth
- Drs. Dale W. & Adele C. Young Nursing Education Classroom
- Giovanni and Hazel Faver Electronic Classroom
- The Louis S. Peery Lecture Hall
- Layton P. Ott Planetarium
- Louis S. and Janet B. Perry Alumni Office
- Thomas K. & Alma H. Welch Board Room
- Gayle & Sharon White Computer Lab
- Haven J. Barlow Lecture Hall
- Lola Allred Sessions History Conference Room
- T. Ramakrishna Reddy Political Science & Philosophy Conference Room
McKay Education Building may be used on first reference, but officially is the David O. McKay Education Building
- Adele & Dale Young Center for Technology Integration in Education
- Louis F. Moench Room
- Powerade Grape Zero Officials Room
- Powerade Lemon Lime Locker Room
- Powerade Melon Locker Room
- Powerade White Cherry Locker Room
Marriott Allied Health may be used on first reference, but officially is the J. Willard Marriott Allied Health Sciences Building
- McKay Memorial Library
Physical Plant
Receiving and Distribution Services
Shepherd Union
Social Science
- Dr. Rulon F. & Margaret C. Howe Faculty Research Carel
- Hetzel Hoellein Room
- Thomas D. Dee Reading Room
- Utah Construction-Utah International Room
- William & Amanda J. H. Waterstradt Memorial Conference Room
Stewart Stadium Sky Suites should be used on first reference, but officially is the Stewart Stadium Sky Suites & Press Boxes complex. Sky Suites may be used on subsequent references.
Stewart Wasatch Hall
Stromberg Complex is used in reference to entire complex that houses the Swenson Building and the Wildcat Center for Health Education and Wellness (formerly known as the Stromberg Center). The Swenson Building is to the east and the Wildcat Center for Health Education and Wellness to the west. The Swenson Gymnasium is housed within the Swenson Building. Stromberg Complex may be used on first reference, but officially is the C. William Stromberg Complex
- Dana Thornock Rasmussen Nutrition Biochemistry Laboratory
- Swenson Gym
- LaMar "C" Kap Room
Reed K. Swenson Building (see Stromberg Complex for proper usage guidelines)
Technical Education Building
Tracy Hall Science Center should be used on first reference. Tracy Hall may be used on second reference. The building also may be referred to as the science center (note the lowercase usage) on second reference.
- Mary Hall Carver Lab
Right: University Village, Building 1
Wrong: Building 1
- Anya L. Kenley Teaching Studio
- Austad Stage
- Barry D. and Kathy S. Mower Practice Studio
- Byron H. and Ruth C. Petersen Performing Arts Education Room
- Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ogden Practice Studio
- Darlene H. Hobson Practice Studio
- Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Teaching Studio
- Farrell R. Collet Administration Complex
- Frederic Dixon Lounge
- Gene Browning Ellis Family Teaching Studio
- Grace Ann Hall Walling Theatre Costume Studio
- Harold C. and Grace M. Steed Practice Studio
- James E. Morrin Practice Studio
- John A. and Telitha E. Lindquist Practice Studio
- John B. and Geraldine W. Goddard Practice Studio
- Junior E. and Blanche Browning Rich Teaching Studio
- Kevin S. and Tanya Y. Garn Scene Shop
- Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery
- Melanee Corry Ardizzone Piano Practice Studio
- Norman C. and Barbara L. Tanner Practice Studio
- Ray L. Kimber Music and Sound Recording Studio
- Robert P. and Mary H. Evans Practice Studio
- Roland Parry Recital Hall
- Seldon John Olsen Performing Arts Technology Room
- Standard-Examiner Practice Studio
- U. Edwin and Mary K. Garrison Choral Room
- Bill Child Startup Center
- Smith Lecture Hall
Weber State University Davis should be used on first reference (also see Weber State University Davis). WSU Davis may be used on subsequent references.
- Ashgrove Computer Lab
- Holcium US, Inc. Concrete Lab
- Kier Construction Corporation Classroom
- Lawrence and Janet Dee Nursing Suite
- Parson Classroom
- R&O Construction Classroom
- Wadman Corporation Classroom
Wildcat Village (see Wildcat Village for proper usage guidelines)
- Betty Hess Lampros Board Room
Former buildings:
LaSal Hall (demolished in 2010)
Promontory Tower (demolished in 2012)
Stansbury Hall (demolished in 2011)
Wasatch Hall (demolished in 2011) replaced by Stewart Wasatch Hall (opened 2012)
bulleted lists: appropriate mainly for instructional or promotional material. The lead-in to a bulleted list need not be a complete sentence; however, the lead-in should end with a colon as follows:
• Begin run-over lines under the text of the list item, not under the bullet
• Omit articles (a, an, the) from the beginning of list items
• Punctuate bulleted list items only if they are complete sentences or verb phrases that complete the lead-in sentence (and use periods in these two cases)
• Limit bulleted lists to no more than six or eight list items; for long bulleted lists, look for ways to subdivide or consolidate
• Avoid single-item bulleted lists.
buttons/hyperlinks: when referring to a labeled button or hyperlink online, follow capitalization as it appears on the button itself, and use quotation marks around it. Examples: Hit the “Submit” button when you’re done. Select “Next” when you are ready to move on.
C
campus spaces, named: capitalize generally, but note exceptions
Ada Lindquist Plaza
Alan & Jeanne Hall Development Suite
Allred Theater (see Browning Center Allred Theater)
Annie Taylor Dee Simulation Center (use Dee Simulation Center on second reference)
Austad Auditorium (see Browning Center Austad Auditorium)
Browning Center Archives
Browning Center Allred Theater may be used on first reference, but officially is the Browning Center M. Thatcher Allred Theater
Browning Center Austad Auditorium may be used on first reference, but officially is the Browning Center Mark Evans Austad Auditorium
Browning Center Eccles Theater may be used on first reference, but officially is the Browning Center George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater
Browning Center Garrison Choral Room
Crime Lab
C. William & Bernice C. Stromberg Strength & Conditioning Complex
Davis Hospital & Medical Center Nursing Laboratory, Weber State University Davis
Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Legacy Hall
E. Rich and Jane H. Brewer Conference Room, Elizabeth Hall
Eccles Field may be used on first reference, but is officially the George S. Eccles Field
Eccles Theater (see Browning Center Eccles Theater)
Dr. Elmer H. Erickson Memorial Classroom, Elizabeth Hall
Garrison Choral Room (see Browning Center Garrison Choral Room)
George S. Eccles Lecture Hall in Elizabeth Hall
Haven Barlow Career and Technical Education Suite
Haven J. Barlow Lecture Hall in Lindquist Hall
Haven J. Barlow Student Commons, Weber State University Davis
Hetzel-Hoellein Room, Stewart Library
Marjorie Ann Miner Faculty Office for Weber: The Contemporary West
Marquardt Field House may be used on first reference, but officially is the Robert L. and Annette Marquardt Field House
Melba S. Lehner Children’s School, McKay Education (Children’s School acceptable after first reference)
Ott Planetarium may be used on first reference, but officially is the Layton P. Ott Planetarium
Petersen Plaza
Richard F. & Karen W. Fairbanks Conference Room
Robert L. and Annette Marquardt Gallery
Rocky Mountain Power Faculty Office
Shaw Gallery may be used on first reference, but officially is the Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery
Shepherd Union may be used on first reference, but officially is the J. Farrell Shepherd Union Building
Shepherd Union Art Gallery
Shepherd Union Atrium
Shepherd Union Ballroom
Shepherd Union Skyroom, now Shepherd Union Room 404
Shepherd Union Fireplace Lounge
Shepherd Union Food Court
Shepherd Union Lair
Shepherd Union Moench Executive Suite
Shepherd Union Pillar Plaza
Shepherd Union Wildcat Room
Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater
Smith Lecture Hall may be used on first reference, but officially is the Dee Glen Smith Lecture Hall
Stacey G. Campbell - R & O Construction Board Room
Stanfield Conference Room
Stevenson Athletics Offices, Stewart Stadium
Stewart Bell Tower Plaza
Swenson Gymnasium, located in the Swenson Building in the Stromberg Complex; stands alone in text. (Use Swenson Gym on second reference)
Swenson Natatorium
Tracy Legacy Plaza
Weber State Credit Union Atrium
Weber State University Alumni Association Conference Room
Weber State University Police Department
William & Julia Reagan Media Presentation Room
Willard Z. & Rona Lee Maughan Meeting Room, Elizabeth Hall
capitalization
departments: uppercase formal department names; lowercase the department name in informal references (check the WSU catalog for formal department names).
Right: the Department of History, the history department; the English department, the Office of Media Relations, the media relations office.
titles in general: capitalize the first letter of all words in a title except prepositions, articles and coordinating conjunctions with four or fewer letters. (For titles of compositions, such as magazines, newspapers, movies and plays, see titles.)
centers, campus: capitalize
Applied Technology Education Center
Bioremediation Center
Boyd K. and Donna S. Packer Center for Family and Community Education
Center for Aerospace Technology
Center for Chemical Technology
Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) (formerly Community Involvement Center)
Center for Diversity & Unity
Center for Environmental Services
Center for Science & Mathematics Education
Center for the Study of Poverty & Inequality
Center for Tax Education & Research
Community & Economic Partnership
Counseling and Psychological Services Center
David Eccles Conference Center
Dee Events Center
Educational Technology Center
Eccles Literacy Center
General Motors Training Center
Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center
Health and Physical Education Center
Jerry & Vickie Moyes Center for Supply Chain Excellence
Learning Support Center
LGBT Resource Center
Museum of Natural Science
Multicultural Student Services Center
Science Education Center
Social Science Computer Center
Small Business Development Center
Student Health Center
Student Support Center
Student Success Center
Sustainability Practices and Research Center (SPARC)
Technology Assistance Center
Testing Center
Tracy Hall Science Center
Utah Center of Excellence for Chemical Technology
Utah Center for Aeronautical Innovation and Design (UCAID)
Veterans Services (Not to be confused with Veterans Upward Bound)
William H. Child Center for Entrepreneurship
(Center for Entrepreneurship acceptable in all references)
Writing Center
WSU Outdoor Program (Outdoor Program is acceptable after first reference)
campuswide: one word, no hyphen
chairman, chairwoman or chairperson: “department chair” for academic departments; “chair” is preferred for other uses
child care: two words, no hyphen, in all cases except when referring to official titles that state otherwise, such as Care About Childcare, which uses the single word iteration as a proper noun
cities: Ogden and Salt Lake City are the only two Utah cities that stand alone without the name of the state.
Right: Ogden, Salt Lake City; Layton, Utah; St. George, Utah; Provo, Utah. Consult the Associated Press Stylebook “datelines” entry for all other cities.
class of 2010
class work, coursework
coauthor (noun) or coauthored (verb)
cocurricular: one word, no hyphen
Code of Conduct, Student: See Policies and Procedures Manual
colleges
College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology (note use of the ampersand)
College of Science
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions
Jerry & Vickie Moyes College of Education
John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics
Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities
commas (see Punctuation Guide)
commencement: universitywide formal ceremony held to recognize/celebrate graduates from all university programs, and the term used to encompass all facets of graduation activities at the end of each semester
continuing education: Division of Online & Continuing Education (as of Jan. 1, 2018); formerly the Division of Continuing Education (CE).
convocation: formal event held by a college or academic program to recognize graduates and bestow individual degrees
courtesy titles (see titles)
co-worker
cyberspace
D
database
dates: capitalize the names of months in all uses. When a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate only Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. Spell out when using alone, or with a year alone. When a phrase lists only a month and a year, do not separate the year with commas. When a phrase refers to a month, day and year, set off the year with a comma.
Davis Campus (see Weber State University Davis)
Dee Events Center: note “Events” plural
departments: uppercase formal department names; lowercase the department name in informal references (see academic departments, named for academic departments named on behalf of donors, check the WSU catalog for additional formal department names).
Right: the Department of History, the history department; the English department, the Office of Media Relations, the media relations office.
degrees: academic degrees are not capitalized, and the preferred form is to avoid abbreviation unless producing catalog-type materials.
Use an apostrophe in associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. Use abbreviations such as B.A., M.A. and Ph.D., only when the need to identify many individuals by degree would make the preferred form cumbersome.
Right: She earned a bachelor’s degree.
Right: Stephen Covey, Ph.D., spoke.
Right: B.S., M.A., Ph.D.
Wrong: B.S., M.A., PhD
Web exception: Omit periods for all informational content on weber.edu.
Examples: BS, AAS, PhD, etc.
associate's degree: informal form of Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree
bachelor’s degree: informal form of Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree
When including a major with the informal form of a degree, do not capitalize the major.
Right: bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy
When including a major with the formal Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, capitalize the major, too.
Right: Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
Right: Bachelor of Arts in Communication
doctorate (noun) or doctoral (adj.) degree
Wrong: doctor’s degree or doctorate degree
master’s degree (see also graduate degree programs)
Right: master’s degree in education
Wrong: master’s degree of education
disk or diskette: not disc
dorm: preferred term is residence hall
Downtown, Weber State (see Weber State Downtown)
E
email: lowercase the letter “e” when writing the word email and write as one word; when listing an email address, use lowercase and do not use quotation marks.
Right: email recruit1@weber.edu
Wrong: E-mail “Recruit1@.weber.edu”
em dash (see Punctuation Guide)
emeritus: do not capitalize, and always place emeritus after the formal title
Right: professor emeritus of history
Wrong: emeritus professor of history
e-newsletter: “newsletter” should be used instead of “e-newsletter” to describe an electronic newsletter. However, if the text is differentiating between an electronic newsletter and a print newsletter, use “e-newsletter” to describe the former.
en dash: (see Punctuation Guide)
entitled/titled: entitled is possessing a right to do or have something; books are titled, not entitled
ePortfolio one word; no hyphen; capitalize the first two letters in a headline or at the beginning of a sentence.
ethnic groups: African American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander
events: for guidance on an event that is not listed here, contact the event organizer or visit its website.
Annual event names may be preceded by a number with its ordinal suffix and the word “Annual,” (e.g., 12th Annual Allen Holmes Diversity Symposium). An event has to have occurred at least two years in a row to become annual; there is no such thing as a “1st Annual” event. A suitable alternative is “inaugural” or “first.”
Allen Holmes Diversity Symposium
Browning Presents!
Commencement
Convocation
WSU Diversity Conference
Homecoming Week
Intermountain Sustainability Summit
Light the W
Lindquist Family Summer Pops Concert and Fireworks
Alumni Golf Classic
Block Party
Mount Ogden Hike
National Undergraduate Literature Conference
Service Day of Remembrance
Utah Juneteenth Festival and Holiday Commemoration
Weber Historical Society Lecture Series
WSU Day at Lagoon
eWeber portal
ext.: do not capitalize. Abbreviated form preferred to extension when listing phone extensions.
F
Faculty Senate
FAFSA: Spell out Free Application for Federal Student Aid on first reference; FAFSA is acceptable on second reference.
fall: do not capitalize in reference to semesters
Right: The class will begin fall semester.
fall break: do not capitalize unless used in a program title (e.g., Alternative Fall Break)
Farmington Station: Use Weber State Farmington Station in most cases.
Farmington Station may be used if the inclusion of Weber State becomes repetitive or cumbersome, such as a list of locations or centers written for a publication, website or social media platform where it is inherently understood that Weber State University is referenced.
When listing multiple WSU locations and removing Weber State University or Weber State from titles, include street addresses for each center/campus listed.
Federal Student Aid
financial aid: capitalize in formal reference to the department
Right: The student received his financial aid today from the Financial Aid Office.
Founders Day: no apostrophe
Founders Society: no apostrophe
full-time, full time (noun)
Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier
Right: I just landed a full-time job.
Wrong: I work full-time.
fundraiser (event) or fundraising (adjective or gerund)
G
General Education: Capitalize General Education as a proper noun when referring to the group of courses students must take to fulfill the requirements of their degree. Gen Ed is acceptable on second reference, especially when used in internal communications.
When writing for external audiences, general education should not be treated as a proper noun, unless specifically talking about a formal title, such as the General Education program at WSU, or the General Education director.
grade point average(s): write out words on first reference, GPA or GPAs (no apostrophe) acceptable on second reference.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Accounting
Master of Arts in English
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Criminal Justice
Master of Education
Master of Health Administration
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Professional Communication
Master of Science in Athletic Training
Master of Science in Computer Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Data Science
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences
Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy
Master of Science in Systems Engineering
Master of Social Work
Master of Taxation
graduation years: When writing an individual’s name with his or her graduation year, replace the first two digits with an apostrophe if the graduation occurred less than 100 years ago, or will in the near future. If the graduation occurred more than 99 years ago, include the full year.
Include the abbreviation for the degree earned with the year whenever possible. Do not include a comma between the name and the abbreviation.
Example: Weber Normal College graduate Doris Cook, 1919; NBA star Damian Lillard ’15; current student Elise Winston AS ’20
great, Great, GREAT: When using the school fight song lyrics in official communications, it is recommended to use the listed capitalization and punctuation to indicate a crescendo to the final word.
The use of great-Great-GREAT is also acceptable, especially if the phrase is being used to modify a noun (e.g., great-Great-GREAT Homecoming). This recommendation is intended to foster consistent usage in official communications.
H
half, one-half (adj. or noun): a half-hour, a year and a half, 1 1/2-year-old
halftime
healthcare: one word when used to describe a system, industry or field of study where health practitioners work or train.
This usage aligns with common practice in the healthcare industry. However, two words, “health care,” may be used when they are used in a program title.
Hill Air Force Base (HAFB): the acronym HAFB should not be used on first reference.
Hispanic (see Hispanic and Latino)
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (eHSI): acronyms should be used on second reference only. Include the hyphens. The word Hispanic in an HSI context includes both Hispanics and Latinos. (see also Hispanic and Latino)
This usage is consistent with the writing style used by the U.S. Department of Education and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
homecoming: capitalize when used in the formal title of an event; lowercase in all other instances.
Right: Weber State University Homecoming
Right: WSU Homecoming
Right: Homecoming Recycle Run
Right: I’m excited for homecoming
Wrong: Homecoming Week
Wrong: Homecoming Football Game
Wrong: Homecoming Dance
home page: two words
Honors Issues Forum
Honors Program: honors students for students in the WSU Honors Program, honor students generically
Housing and Residence Life: is the formal name of the office responsible for WSU campus housing. Use WSU housing, campus housing or housing for general purposes, but use the formal title as needed.
Right: Housing and Residence Life
Wrong: Housing and Residential Life
hyperlinks: when possible use descriptive links over existing text. Do not spell out entire URL. Example: Visit Human Resources to learn more. (see buttons/hyperlinks)
hyphens: (see Punctuation Guide)
I
Inc.: do not set off with commas; do not write as INC.
Indigenous: Capitalize in reference to original inhabitants of a place.
in-state, out-of-state: prefered over "resident" and "non-resident" as of fall 2020
institutional names:
Weber Stake Academy (Jan. 7, 1889-1908)
Weber Academy (1908-1918)
Weber Normal College (1918-1922)
Weber College (1922-1963)
Weber State College (1963-1990)
Weber State University (Jan. 1, 1991-present)
interdepartmental: all one word, no hyphen; refers to interaction between or among WSU departments.
Intermountain West: intermountain area
interoffice: all one word, no hyphen; functioning or communicating between the offices of an organization or company; an interoffice memo
J
junior: abbreviate as Jr. only with full names of persons and do not precede by a comma.
Right: John F. Kennedy Jr.
K
KWCR 88.1 FM: KWCR on second reference
L
landmark names: capitalize when using the formal name
Ada Lindquist Plaza
Flaming W Rock
Legacy Wall at Tracy Legacy Plaza on first reference. Legacy Wall may be used on subsequent references.
Petersen Plaza
Stewart Bell Tower Plaza
Tracy Legacy Plaza
Veterans Memorial Grove (no apostrophe)
Latino (see Hispanic and Latino)
Latinx: May be used when referring to a specific organization or event (example: LatinX Grad Ceremony) or when an individual prefers the term. It should be accompanied by a brief explanation that some people use Latinx or Latiné as gender-neutral terms. In general, Latinx is not widely accepted among the people it aims to describe. (see Hispanic and Latino)
Legacy Society
LGBTQ+ : Per WSU's chief diversity officer, it is acceptable to use the acronym LGBTQ+ in reference to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning communities. (2016)
library (see building names)
Light the W
logo: distinctive identifying mark that can be used alone or with the university signature. See the WSU Brand Identity Guidelines, or call Marketing & Communications at ext. 7359 for additional information about WSU logos.
M
mail code
Mail Center: not mail services
main campus: 3848 Harrison Blvd., when communicating to university employees.
master’s degree (see degrees)
microcertificate: one word; no hyphen; all lowercase, except when at beginning of a sentence, in a title or when used as a proper noun (This rule was put into use on Jan. 1, 2022 and is subject to revision to align with industry and academic standards at a later date.)
microcredentials: one word; no hyphen; all lowercase, except when at beginning of a sentence, in a title or when used as a proper noun (This rule was put into use on Jan. 1, 2022 and is subject to revision to align with industry and academic standards at a later date.)
Morgan Center: Use Weber State University Morgan Center in most cases.
Morgan Center may be used if the inclusion of Weber State University becomes repetitive or cumbersome, such as a list of locations or centers written for a publication, website or social media platform where it is inherently understood that Weber State University is referenced.
When listing multiple WSU locations and removing Weber State University or Weber State from titles, include street addresses for each center/campus listed.
multicultural
multimedia
N
names of buildings (see building names)
names of campus facilities (see campus spaces, named)
names of centers (see centers, campus)
names, institutional (see institutional names)
names of landmarks (see landmark names)
names–first reference: preferred use is first and last name, followed by title or position; use of middle name(s) and maiden names optional. Avoid using courtesy titles (Dr., Mr., Mrs.).
Right: Charles A. Wight, WSU president, spoke Thursday.
Wrong: Dr. Charles A. Wight spoke Thursday.
Mr. Charles A. Wight spoke Thursday.
names–initials: Omit spaces between initials, but do not omit periods (see abbreviation)
Right: E.B. White
Wrong: E. B. White
names–second reference: preferred use is last name only in second and subsequent references.
Right: Wight said enrollment is up.
Wrong: President Wight said enrollment is up.
Network Technology and Business Multimedia (NTM): formerly the department of Telecommunications and Business Education. Name changed March 1, 2012.
north/northern: Lowercase when using as a directional description and when referring to a section of the state or city.
Right: At the stop sign, turn north.
Right: She moved to northern Utah.
Wrong: She moved to Northern Utah.
numbers: generally, spell out numbers below 10, use figures for 10 and above
Right: They had three children.
Right: Nearly 100 students attended.
Spell out a numeral at the beginning of a sentence, except calendar years.
Right: 1945 was a good year. Twenty-one students attended.
Web exception: Use figures for all numbers in informational content on weber.edu.
Example: You must be enrolled for 8 credit hours to be eligible.
ordinal numbers: Spell out first through ninth when indicating a sequence in time or location. Starting with 10th use figures.
Right: First Amendment; he was first in line.
Right: Today is her 11th birthday.
calendar years: Do not use an apostrophe before the “s” in calendar years, but do use an apostrophe when omitting the first two numbers.
Right: 1980s; ’80s
Wrong: 1980’s, 80’s
school years: School years should be written as 2009–10, usually omitting the century and the apostrophe in the second year and should use an en dash, not a hyphen (see Punctuation Guide: en dash)
O
on/off campus: exclude hyphen if after the noun; hyphenate if before the noun
Right: Meetings on campus; off-campus activities
Ogden: stands alone (also see cities)
Ogden bus rapid transit (BRT): spell out on first reference as "Ogden bus rapid transit", abbreviate as "BRT" on subsequent references. An official name is forthocoming from UTA. Construction starts on the Ogden campus spring 2021 and it will begin opening in sections in 2022.
Ogden campus: the preferred term for the Weber State University campus located at 3848 Harrison Blvd.
OGX: shorthand for Ogden Express, which is the bus line running through Ogden. The Wildcat Express bus route on the Ogden campus is part of OGX.
online: one word
Outdoor Adventure and Welcome Center
P
Pell Grant, Federal
percent: Use the % sign when paired with a numeral, with no space, in most cases.
Right: 21% increase
Wrong: 21 percent increase
phone number: Put a hyphen between each number sequence; do not use parentheses around the area code.
Right: 801-626-0000
Wrong: (801) 626-0000
president: capitalize president only as a formal title used directly before an individual’s name. Lowercase in all other uses.
Right: President George Washington, also the president said today...
President’s Council
program: use uppercase for the formal name of academic programs.
Right: the Outdoor Program, the Honors Program
programs, named:
Richard Richards Institute for Ethics on first reference. Richards Institute may be used on second reference.
Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service on first reference. Walker Institute may be used on second reference.
punctuation (see Punctuation Guide)
Q
quotations (see punctuation)
R
resume or resumé: accent mark optional
room numbers: do not use “#” symbol
Capitalize and spell out the word “Room”
Right: Elizabeth Hall Room 410
Capitalize the names of specifically designated rooms
Right: Betty Hess Lampros Board Room
S
Salt Lake City: stands alone (also see cities)
School of Accounting & Taxation
scholarship: generally, but the Larson and Powell Nursing Scholarship fund
shootout (noun) or shoot-out (adj., adv.)
The Signpost
sports scores: game scores should be written in numerals, even if fewer than 10.
Right: The final score was 33–3. (Macintosh users note use of the en dash rather than a hyphen, see Punctuation Guide: en dash.)
spring: do not capitalize in reference to semesters
Right: The class will begin spring 2017.
spring break: do not capitalize unless used in a program title (e.g., Alternative Spring Break)
strategic plan: The strategic plan guiding the university through 2026 is called Weber State Amplified, a 5-year plan for growth on first reference. Weber State Amplified may be used on subsequent references.
Stromberg Complex (see building names)
Student-athlete: hyphenated
Student Code of Conduct: documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm
student body: no hyphen unless used as an adj.
street names: write out street names such as Sixth South.T
TBE (see Network Technology and Business Multimedia)
theater: in all references to on-campus venues, but theatre arts in reference to academic major and proper names of performing groups
time: use today, this morning, this afternoon, tonight, etc., as appropriate. ]Use figures except for noon and midnight. Use a colon to separate hours from minutes: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Avoid redundancies such as 10 a.m. this morning, 10 p.m. tonight.
academic titles: do not capitalize assistant professor, associate professor or professor.
Right: The student spoke with associate professor Rick Smith; The student spoke with Rick Smith, associate professor.
composition titles: for titles of magazines, newspapers, plays, movies and books, italicize. Do not underline or put in quotes. Do not capitalize (or italicize) the word “the," even if part of an official title. For titles of articles in books, journals, newspapers and seminars: do not italicize, use quotation marks.
Right: the Standard-Examiner
Wrong: The Standard-Examiner
courtesy titles: avoid courtesy titles such as Dr., Mr. and Mrs. Spell out university titles such as President Charles A. Wight, Provost Michael Vaughan and Vice President Norm Tarbox (also see degrees).
formal titles: generally confine capitalization to formal titles used directly before an individual’s name.
Right: President George Washington; The president issued a statement; The director finished filming yesterday.
occupational titles: titles that serve primarily as occupation descriptions should be written in lowercase
Right: astronaut John Glenn, director Rich Bills
U
university: not capitalized unless written as Weber State University or as part of any other university’s name.
University Village (see building names)
URL: abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator, an Internet address. It is no longer necessary to include the HTTP: (the protocol, or method of transfer) and the back slashes (//) to indicate a computer name follows. Avoid using a URL at the end of a sentence, as a period following the URL is confusing.
Right: Go to weber.edu to access the homepage.
Wrong: Our URL is http://www.weber.edu.
Utah: Utah should not be abbreviated in regular text. Abbreviate Utah as UT in mailing addresses.
Utah State Legislature: capitalize when preceded by the state name.
Right: the Utah State Legislature.
Retain capitalization when the state name is dropped but the reference is specifically to a state’s legislature.
Right: The Legislature needs to appropriate more money.
Wrong: He ran for the Legislature in every western state.
V
vice president: (no hyphen) capitalize when used as a formal title (see titles)visiting professor
W
Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch Front, Wasatch Range
Weber State Amplified: See "strategic plan."
Weber State Downtown: Use in all references to the WSU location at 2314 Washington Blvd. Ogden UT 84401.
Avoid including the word “university” in the location name.
Weber State University: on first reference; WSU acceptable in subsequent references, never W.S.U.
Avoid using WSU on second reference if there is a perceived risk that the initials may be mistaken as standing for another institution (e.g., Washington State University, Wichita State University, etc.).
Weber State may be used in longer pieces and on weber.edu, especially when referring to the “Weber State College” era (1964–1989).
Avoid using Weber, unless written for a longer piece, or a publication, website or social media platform where a conversational tone is used and it is abundantly clear that “Weber” references Weber State University and not a different “Weber” named institution (e.g., county, high school, library, school district, etc.).
Weber State University Davis: on first reference; WSU Davis on second reference.
The word “campus” may be used in conjunction with Weber State University Davis or WSU Davis. However, do not use it as part of the proper noun (e.g., WSU Davis campus).
Davis is acceptable in a WSU publication or social media post where it is abundantly obvious that the reference is to the WSU Davis campus in Layton.
web page: two words
website: When writing a website in publication, omit the beginning "www." Do not italicize URL (also see URL).
West Center: Use Weber State University West Center in most cases.
West Center may be used if the inclusion of Weber State University becomes repetitive or cumbersome, such as a list of locations or centers written for a publication, website or social media platform where it is inherently understood that Weber State University is referenced.
When listing multiple WSU locations and removing Weber State University or Weber State from titles, include street addresses for each center/campus listed.
Wildcat: Capitalize in reference to mascot or WSU students and alumni
Wildcat Center for Health Education and Wellness: Formerly known as the Stromberg Center, part of the Stromberg Complex along with the Swenson Building, located west of the Swenson Building.
Wildcat Shuttle: the section of bus line which runs through Ogden's Weber State campus, which is a part of Ogden's OGX bus line.
Wildcat Store: The preferred name of the WSU bookstore (see bookstore). Using the proper, preferred name is encouraged on all references but “bookstore” is acceptable as a generic noun on second reference.
If the specific location is necessary, use Wildcat Store [name]: Wildcat Store Shepherd Union Building, Wildcat Store WSU Downtown, Wildcat Store WSU Davis, Wildcat Store Kimball Visual Arts Center.
Wildcat Village: comprising Residence Hall 1, Stewart Wasatch Hall and Residence Hall 3
World Wide Web: web is acceptable
WSU Davis (see Weber State University Davis)
WSUSA: Weber State University Student Association
X
Xerox: a trademark and never a verb; preferred use is a generic term such as photocopyY
year: 2000s (no apostrophe); note the omission of an apostrophe before the “s” in the example. School years should be written as 2009–10 with an en dash, omitting the century in the second year and without an apostrophe (see Punctuation Guide: en dash)
For listing a graduation year with an individual’s name, see graduation years.
Z
zip code
Punctuation Guide
commas
in series: preferred use is to separate elements in a series, but omit the comma before the conjunction.
Right: The flag is red, white and blue
Wrong: The flag was red, white, and blue.
Use before the and in a series of three or more items when needed for clarification.
Right: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and eggs for breakfast.
before a quote: do not use a comma at the beginning of an indirect or partial quotation.
Right: She said the award “was long overdue.”
introduce a complete one-sentence quotation.
Right: Smith said, “I will return Wednesday.”
em dash: replaces the traditional double hyphen and is used to indicate an abrupt change in thought; (for Macintosh users only) strike the option, shift and hyphen keys simultaneously.
en dash: Use the en dash between words indicating a duration, such as hours, months or years; (for Macintosh users only) strike the option and hyphen keys simultaneously.
Right: 7:30–4:30, 5–8 years of age, January–March.
Energy and Sustainability Office
headlines: Follow AP Style and only capitalize the first word of the headline or subhead, with the exception of proper nouns and titles such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
hyphens: hyphens are used strictly for hyphenating words or line breaks. If a word may be used with or without a hyphen, preferred use is to omit the hyphen. Hyphenated words should not appear in headlines.
quotations: use open-quote marks (“) and close-quote marks (”) to surround the exact words of a speaker or writer and to show which words are quoted directly or verbatim.
Right: “I have no intention of staying,” he replied; “I do not object,” he said, “to the tenor of the report.”
A secondary use is to mark words that are used in an unusual sense or in an unfamiliar way: That’s the “Weber Way” to cheer on the team. This secondary use should be infrequent.
Personal Pronouns, Race, Ethnic and Nationality Terminology
When such identifications are appropriate and relevant to the story, the interviewee/subject will determine personal pronouns, race, ethnicity and nationality. In all cases, avoid assumptions about subjects’ personal identifications and ask what terms they prefer. Do not argue with the person’s preferred terms of identification. Contact the Chief Diversity Officer for answers to questions not addressed in this section.
Pronouns
When writing about a member of the LGBT community, be sure to ask the person’s preferred gender pronouns. For circumstances in which the person does not identify as either male or female, use a singular “they” and “their” (regardless of grammatical convention) or whichever gender-neutral pronouns the person prefers. In the event that the person prefers that pronouns not be used at all, rework the story to avoid pronouns and use the person’s name whenever necessary. Contact the coordinator of the LGBT Resource Center for answers to questions not addressed in this section.
Male: Use he/him/his/himself
Female: Use she/her/hers/herself
Gender neutral (singular “they”): Use they/them/their/theirs/themself (or preferred gender-neutral language)
Race and Ethnic Terms
When using race or ethnic terms, be sensitive to the interviewee/subject’s personal preference. While some terms seem interchangeable, these terms may carry different connotations and cultural significance. Avoid assumptions about subjects’ personal identifications and ask what terms they prefer. In the case of people of different nationalities, many people prefer identification by country of origin rather than blanket terms.
Black and African-American
Not interchangeable. Ask personal preference. For groups, ask what terms may be used to refer to the whole group. Capitalize both.
Black – a person who identifies their race as black, but may or may not claim ties to African or African-American heritage.
African-American – this term is applied to Americans of African origin (regardless of race) or people who identify with African-American cultural heritage.
Hispanic and Latino, when used together, is the preferred and most inclusive term to describe the people Weber State University aims to serve as part of its strategic plan and Hispanic-serving initiatives.
As first priority, when writing about people who have indicated they are of Hispanic or Latino descent, ask personal preference. Some will prefer, for example, Mexican or Colombian to Hispanic or Latino.
Prefer Hispanic and Latino to Hispanic/Latino (avoid using slash); prefer and to or. The terms by themselves are not interchangeable:
Hispanic – a person of European Spanish, or Spanish-speaking Latin, Central or South American origin, but excludes people of Brazilian origin.
Latino – a person of Central or South American origin. Includes Brazil, but excludes people of European Spanish origin. Feminine form is Latina. For groups of females, use Latinas. For groups of males or mixed genders, use Latinos.
Latinx may be used when referring to a specific organization or event (example: LatinX Grad Ceremony) or when an individual prefers the term. It should be accompanied by a brief explanation that some people use Latinx or Latine as gender-neutral terms. In general, Latinx is not widely accepted among the people it aims to describe.
Use Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (eHSI): acronyms should be used on second reference only. Include the hyphens. The word Hispanic in an HSI context includes both Hispanics and Latinos.
Note: This guidance was approved by Weber State University’s President's Council in January 2023
Native American
In reference to the interviewee/subject’s heritage, ask the person’s self-identified nation or nations. When writing about a group of people of varied heritage, ask the group what terms they would prefer collectively. Native American is a currently disputed term used to refer to the pre-Columbian occupants of the United States. Other commonly self-applied terms for this group are Indian, American Indian, First People and First Nation.
Capitalize "Indigenous" in reference to original inhabitants of a place.
Terms to Avoid
According to the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, words or terms such as wampum, warpath, powwow, teepee, brave, squaw, chief, etc., can be disparaging and offensive.
Cultural Events
If a cultural event uses a name or word that typically has an AP usage caution (i.e., WSU First Nations Society Annual Pow Wow), contact the sponsors of the event to verify the use of the term. If the sponsoring parties and the Chief Diversity Officer approve, then use the term in context.
Note
When no specific individuals exist to state race or ethnicity terminology preference, review other AP documents and materials (such as articles, publications, biographies, etc.) related to that individual or group to determine acceptable descriptors. If no information is relevant to the situation, then use up-to-date appropriate AP terminology. Direct any further questions to the Chief Diversity Officer.