- academic degrees
Degrees are capitalized only when using the full formal name.
Bachelor of Arts degree, bachelor's degree
- academic departments
Names of departments are capitalized only when using the full formal name, or when the department name is the proper name of a nationality, people, or race.
Do not abbreviate to "dept."
Department of Biology
biology department
Department of English
English department
- academy
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
- acronyms and initialisms
Use full caps and no periods for acronyms and initialisms, with the exceptions noted in this style guide. In general, do not use acronyms on first reference for University organizations, committees, etc. There are some exceptions for nationally known organizations.
FBI, CIA, NASA
- administration
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
the University administration, Division of Administration and Finance
- Administration and Finance, Division of
Capitalize when referring to offices in that division; lowercase in generic use. Do not use an ampersand (&). Do not abbreviate.
He works in the Division of Administration and Finance.
He has worked in university administration and finance for over three decades.
- administrative titles
Use lowercase unless the title precedes the name. See the organizational charts for official administrative titles.
Jackson, president of the University
President Jackson
Ron Dow, dean of River Campus libraries
Dean Ron Dow
- admissions
Admissions is always plural when referring to the Admissions Office or the Office of Admissions. Capitalize as part of the full, official name; lowercase otherwise.
Note that each academic unit of the University (the College, the Eastman School of Music, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Simon School and the Warner School) has its own admissions office. Be clear as to which office you are are referring. There is no "University" admissions office.
- ages and eras
Capitalize historical designations.
Stone Age
Middle Ages
Renaissance
Lowercase when merely descriptive.
space age
computer age
Reagan era
- arts and sciences
In text, arts and sciences should be all lowercase.
Sciences is plural in arts and sciences.
- association
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
University Athletic Association
We are forming a new association for alumni.
- Board of Trustees
Capitalize the complete, formal name; lowercase otherwise.
The Board of Trustees will meet.
The trustees will meet.
The board will meet.
Capitalize "trustee" when it appears before a name.
Mary Brown, trustee since 1994
Trustee Mary Brown
- bookstore
One word, lowercase. There are University bookstores located on the River Campus, at the Medical Center, and at the Eastman School of Music.
- buildings
Capitalize building names; can omit "Hall," "Building," etc. in informal writing and on second reference.
Wallis Hall
Rush Rhees Library
Drama House
He walks from Schlegel to Hoyt each morning.
Administrative Annex |
Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center Alexandra Palestra
Edmund A. Hajim Alumni Gymnasium Field House
Pool and courts Squash and Racquetball Center |
Mt. Hope Professional Building |
Ambulatory Care Facility |
Goler House |
New York State Center for Advanced Technology |
Susan B. Anthony Halls Danforth Dining Center
Gannett Hall Gates Hall Hollister
Hall Morgan Hall |
Graduate Maisonettes |
River Road Buildings River Road Laboratory River
Road Residence |
Bausch & Lomb Hall |
Harkness Hall |
Rush Rhees Library |
Burton Hall |
Hill Court Chambers House Fairchild
House Gale House Kendrick House
Munro House Slater House |
Sage Art Center |
James P. Wilmot Cancer Center |
Hoeing Hall |
Schlegel Hall |
Center for Optoelectronics and Imaging |
Hopeman Engineering Building |
Carol G. Simon Hall |
Central Utilities Plant |
Hoyt Hall |
Spurrier Hall |
Computer Studies Building |
Hutchison Hall Hubbell Auditorium Lander
Auditorium |
Strong Auditorium |
Computing Center |
Hylan Building |
Strong Memorial Hospital |
Crosby Hall |
Interfaith Chapel |
Supplies & Accounts Building |
de Kiewiet Tower |
Arthur Kornberg Medical Research Building |
Taylor Hall |
Dewey Hall |
Laboratory for Laser Energetics |
Tiernan Hall |
Frederick Douglass Building Bookstore Dining
Center The Meliora |
Lattimore Hall |
Todd Union |
Drama House |
Lovejoy Hall |
Towne House |
Eastman Dental Center |
Mail Services Building |
University Park |
Facilities and Services Building |
Medical Center Annex |
Valentine Tower |
Fairbank Alumni House |
School of Medicine and Dentistry |
Wallis Hall |
Fauver Stadium |
Medieval House |
Whipple Park Apartments |
Founders Court Anderson Tower Wilder
Tower |
Meliora Hall |
Wilmot Building |
Gavett Hall |
Morey Hall Eastman Kodak Colonnade |
Wilson Commons |
Gilbert Hall |
Mt. Hope Campus 575 Mt. Hope Ave. 590
Mt. Hope Ave. 630 Mt. Hope Ave. (Peter Barry House)
668 Mt. Hope Ave. (Ellwanger & Barry Bldg.) 685
Mt. Hope Ave. (Fairbank Alumni House) 692 Mt. Hope Ave.
(Patrick Barry House) |
Helen Wood Hall |
- campuses
Capitalize campus when used in conjunction with a specific campus name; lowercase otherwise.
River Campus
Eastman Campus
South Campus
Mt. Hope Campus
Medical Center
He rides his bike to campus.
- capitalization
The University uses the down style of capitalization; that is, the style discourages excessive use of capital letters in text.
In headlines and publication titles, all words are capitalized except articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), and prepositions (of, in, on, etc.). The to of infinitives is also lowercase.
President to Announce Changes in the Curriculum
University, when referring to the University of Rochester, is always capitalized.
He graduated from the University in 1971.
Faculty and administrative titles are capitalized when the full title precedes the name; lowercase otherwise.
Professor of History William Jones
Charles Phelps is our ninth provost.
Provost Charles Phelps announced the initiative.
Names of departments are capitalized only when using the full, formal name.
Department of Biology; biology department
Degrees are capitalized only when using the full formal name.
Bachelor of Arts degree, bachelor's degree
Course names are capitalized. Course numbers are all caps with no periods.
Women in Early Modern Europe
HIS 447
- centuries
Lowercase; spell out under 10.
ninth century
15th century
the 1700s
13th-century architecture
- College, the
Capitalize "College" when referring to the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, the principal undergraduate unit of the University.
When it is necessary to identify the disciplines of the College, the following format is preferred:
the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering
Never use "the College of Arts and Sciences." The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is a part of the College.
Lowercase arts and sciences in text generally.
The school has a strong tradition in the arts and sciences
When used in text, lowercase "the" and capitalize "College." Use of "the College" is acceptable on first reference.
- colloquium
Colloquium is singular; colloquia are plural. Capitalize when part of a full, formal name; lowercase otherwise.
- Commencement
Capitalize when referring to a University graduation exercise. Each unit of the University has its own commencement exercises. There is no "University Commencement."
Parents and friends are invited to attend Commencement this weekend.
- committee
Capitalize when part of a full, formal name; lowercase otherwise.
The committee meeting is cancelled until next week.
The Outside Speakers Committee will meet on Monday.
- company names
Abbreviate and capitalize Co. and Corp. and Inc. and Ltd. and L.L.P, and do not precede with a commas. These abbreviations are not necessary when the company name is familiar and the context is clear.
The panel will be led by Xerox chairman Anne Mulchahy.
Maintain odd capitalizations and punctuations. But when a name with a lowercase first letter begins a sentence, capitalize the first letter.
eBay, Yahoo!
EBay's initial public offering was one of the most successful of the dot-com era.
- compass directions
Lowercase east, west, north, and south when they indicate direction. Capitalize in names and when used to indicate specific regions.
Winters in western New York can be harsh.
Winters in the Northeast can be harsh.
- computer programs, names of
Capitalize the principal words in the names of computer programs. Do not use italics or quotation marks. Use the company's conventions for spelling.
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint
But when a name with a lowercase first letter begins a sentence, capitalize the first letter.
IMovie software is now available in all versions of Mac OS.
- conference
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
- consortium
Consortium is singular; consortia are plural. Capitalize when part of a full, formal name; lowercase otherwise.
- council, counsel
Council is an assembly or other governing body. Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
the Psychology Undergraduate Council; the council meeting
Counsel means advice or a lawyer.
We valued his wise counsel.
He served as the court-appointed counsel on the case.
- courses
Course names are capitalized. Course numbers are all caps with no periods.
Women in Early Modern Europe
HIS 447
- cox-2
Lowercase. Use on first reference and provide context later in publication. The full name of the enzyme is cyclooxygenase-2.
cox-2 inhibitors; cox-2 enzyme
- dean
Use lowercase unless the title precedes the name.
Ron Dow, dean of River Campus libraries
Dean Ron Dow
- diseases
Lowercase, unless the disease name contains a proper name that would otherwise be capitalized.
lung cancer
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Alzheimer's disease
- division
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
The Division of Genetics provides counseling services.
- earth
Lowercase when referring to dirt or the ground; capitalize when personified or when referring to the planet.
He needs to come down to earth.
The rich, dark earth is ideal for farming
He majors in earth science.
The asteroid narrowly missed hitting the Earth.
- east
See compass directions
- endowed chairs
Names of endowed chairs are always capitalized, whether accompanied by a personal name or not.
Mary Wellman, Alfred R. Warren Distinguished Service Professor
The Burt Wolbach Professor of Pathology will teach this ongoing seminar.
- eras
See ages and eras.
- fact book
Two words. Capitalize as part of a title; lowercase otherwise.
The department will produce its own fact book.
The online edition of Fact Book 2001–02 is now available.
- faculty
Faculty titles are lowercase unless the title precedes a name.
Jones, professor of history
Professor of History Jones
Names of endowed chairs are always capitalized, whether accompanied by a personal name or not.
Mary Wellman, Alfred R. Warren Distinguished Service Professor
The Burt Wolbach Professor of Pathology will teach this ongoing seminar.
- fall
See seasons.
- federal
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the federal government
- fellow
Lowercase.
a university fellow
a research fellow
a Nieman fellow
BUT a Nieman Fellowship
- fellowship
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
He received a Boren Fellowship.
He received a research fellowship.
- foundation
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
the Head Start Foundation
foundation grants
-
- genus and species
See scientific names.
- geographic terms
Capitalize places, real or imaginary, with special names.
Scottish Highlands; Finger Lakes; Gotham City
- government
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
We receive government funding.
We receive funding from the U.S. government.
We receive funding from the Digital Government Institute.
- grades
Capitalize, no quotes. For plurals, add 's. Plus and minus signs (use an en dash) are acceptable when the meaning is clear.
She got an A minus.
She got two F's last year.
He was disappointed with the C– he received on his final exam.
- graduate (noun and adjective)
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
He is a University graduate.
He is taking graduate courses.
He is a member of the Graduate Organizing Group.
- handbook
One word. Capitalize as part of a title; lowercase otherwise.
The department will produce its own handbook.
The online edition of the Employee Handbook is now available.
- headlines
In headline style, all words are capitalized except articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), and prepositions (of, in, on, etc.). The to in infinitives is also lowercase.
President to Announce Changes in the Curriculum.
Use figures in headlines for numbers of any size.
Laser Lab Wins 3 Patents in 12 Years
Use single quotes in headlines.
Meliora Weekend 'Biggest Ever,' Says Director
- heavenly bodies
Planets, stars, constellations, etc., are capitalized. The generic portions of their names are lowercase.
the constellation Orion
Phobos, one of Jupiter's moons
comet Hyakutake
- historic events
Names of individual, easily recognized historic events should be capitalized. If in doubt, lowercase.
World War II; Boston Tea Party
- holidays
Capitalize holidays, special days, special weeks, etc.
Christmas; Veterans Day; Breast Cancer Awareness Week
- homepage
Always lowercase and write solid.
Visit the Office of Technology Transfer homepage.
- Inc.
Abbreviate and capitalize; do not set off with commas. This abbreviation is not necessary when the company name is familiar and the context is clear.
- institute
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
- Internet
Always capitalize.
- intranet
A private network within an organization; lowercase unless part of a larger proper name.
We plan to establish an intranet for sharing internal documents.
We've signed a contract with Dashboard Intranets for the design.
- library, libraries
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
Libraries at the University include:
River Campus
- Rush Rhees Library
- Art and Music Library
- Chester F. Carlson Science Library (science and engineering)
- Government Documents & Microtext Center
- Koller-Collins Graduate English Center
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics Library
- Management Library
- Multimedia Center
- Physics-Optics-Astronomy (POA) Library
- Rossell Hope Robbins Library
- Department of Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation
Eastman School of Music
Medical Center
Memorial Art Gallery
- Charlotte Whitney Allen Library
- magazines
Use italics for the names of magazines. Capitalize and italicize "magazine" only when it is part of the official name of the publication.
PC Magazine, Time magazine
- medical school
Lowercase when referring to the University's School of Medicine and Dentistry on second refernce.
She graduated from the School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1999. During her time at the medical school, she became interested in patients' rights.
- Meliora Weekend
Always capitalize the name of the event.
- Memorial Art Gallery
Always capitalized. May be referred to as "the art gallery" when the context is clear. Avoid the abbreviation MAG in running text.
- named chairs
See endowed chairs.
- nation, national
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
National Society of Black Engineers
the national government
- north
See compass directions.
- nursing school
Lowercase when referring to the University's School of Nursing on second reference.
She graduated from the School of Nursing.
She graduated from the nursing school.
- office
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
Office of Technology Transfer
A new office for incoming students will be established in the fall.
- place names
See geographic terms.
- planets
See heavenly bodies.
- plurals
CAPITALIZED TERMS: Lowercase the generic word when it is last.
Yale and Harvard universities
the Universities of Michigan and California
- president
Capitalize as part of a full official name, or when used as a title before a name; lowercase otherwise.
Office of the President; President Thomas H. Jackson
Thomas H. Jackson is the University's ninth president.
- provost
Capitalize as part of a full official name, or when used as a title before a name; lowercase otherwise.
Office of the Provost
Thomas LeBlanc, vice provost
Charles Phelps is the University's ninth provost.
- publications
In publication titles, all words are capitalized except articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), and prepositions (of, in, on, etc.). The to in infinitives is also lowercase.
Death of a Salesman
"Midnight Train to Georgia"
- River Campus
Always capitalized. In running text, precede with "the."
The building is located on the River Campus.
The River Campus is a geographic designation. Do not confuse with the College; the River Campus is home to the College, the Simon School, and the Warner School.
- scholarship
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
Fulbright Scholarship
He received a full scholarship.
- school
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
School of Nursing
medical school
- School of Medicine and Dentistry
Capitalize when complete official name is used. Do not capitalize references
to "the medical school." Do not abbreviate as SMD in formal writing.
- School of Nursing
Capitalize when complete official name is used. Do not capitalize references to "the nursing school."
- school subjects
Capitalize names of specific courses and proper nouns; lowercase otherwise.
He signed up for Fundamentals of Biology.
She plans to major in biology.
The documentary series examined the last 200 years of English history.
See courses.
- scientific names
Capitalize the genus name, lowercase the species name, and italicize both.
Home sapiens; Canis lupus
English derivations and nontechnical uses recognized by the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary may be set in roman type, lowercase.
amoebas
- seasons
The seasons of the year are lowercase.
We will begin in the spring.
The program ended in winter 1996.
He is enrolled for the fall semester.
- semester
Semesters are lowercase.
I want to graduate this semester.
The fall semester begins in late August.
- society
Capitalize as part of a full official name; lowercase otherwise.
- software, names of
See computer programs
- south
See compass directions
- spring
See seasons.
- summer
See seasons.
- symposium
Symposium is singular; symposia is plural. Capitalize when part of a full, formal name; lowercase otherwise.
- titles
See administrative titles, publications.
- trustees
Capitalize "trustee" when it appears before a name.
Mary Brown, trustee since 1994
Trustee Mary Brown
- University Athletic Association
Athletic association of which the University is a member. May be abbreviated UAA on second reference.
- University of Rochester
When "the" precedes "University of Rochester" or "University" in running text, it is not capitalized.
"University," when referring to the University of Rochester, is always capitalized.
- upstate (noun and adj.)
The campus is located in upstate New York.
He had always lived upstate before moving to Brooklyn, N.Y.
- vice president
Capitalize as part of a full official name, or when used as a title before a name; lowercase otherwise.
Office of the Vice President
Vice President and General Secretary Paul Burgett
He was an interim vice president at Brown University.
- vice provost
Capitalize as part of a full official name, or when used as a title before a name; lowercase otherwise.
Office of the Vice Provost
Vice Provost and and Chief Information Officer Mely Tynan
The vice provost will address the convention.
- Web
Always capitalized when referring to the World Wide Web.
We need to put this information up on the Web.
- Web cam
Two words. Also, Web camera.
The University's new Web cam has been popular with students and alumni.
- Web site
Two words. Also, Web page.
The new Web site is now live at www.rochester.edu/giving.
- webcast
One word, lowercase. Can be used as both a noun and a verb.
The Commencement webcast will begin at 9 a.m.
We will be webcasting the College Commencement ceremony.
- webmaster
One word, lowercase. Refers to someone who is responsible for creating and maintaining a Web site.
office webmaster Jane Smith
Send an e-mail to the webmaster about that broken link.
- west
See compass directions.
- winter
See seasons.