1. OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Style Guide
This style guide has been constructed to give Oakland University students, faculty and staff the
proper support when formulating content, which will help aid or answer any questions related to
the development of the identity of the university as a whole. For further questions when writing
or speaking about Oakland University, reference this style guide for appropriate word-smithing.
Any topics not covered within this manual, please refer to the current AP Style Guide.
Table of Contents
1. Common UniversityTerminology
Academic Degrees
Academic Years
Alumni
Auxiliaries
Credit/Credit Hours
Distinguished Professor
EEO/Disability Statements
Graduation Year and School/College
Help Desk
Honorary Degrees
Legal Documents
Majors and Programs
Offices, Departments, Divisions
Semesters
Titles (Academic, University President)
2. Oakland UniversityTerminology
All-University Fund Drive (AUFD)
Banquet Room A, Banquet Room B, Banquet Rooms
Board of Trustees
Building Names
Café O’Bears
College and Schools
Dorm/Dormitory/Residence Hall(s)
Fax
Grizz
Grizzly ID
Macomb Community College
Macomb University Center
Meadow Brook Hall
Midnight Madness
MSU-O, Michigan State University—Oakland
Oakland University
O’rena
OU in Macomb County, Oakland University in Macomb County
OU Bookstore, University Bookstore
OU INCubator, OU INC
Rooms

2. SpiritCard
SpiritCash
The Honors College
The President’s Club
The Tutoring Center
Trustees
3. Grammar/Punctuation
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Active Voice
Affect/Effect
Ampersand (&)
And/Or
Bullet Points
Capitalization (All Caps, University)
Comma Usage
Contractions
Dashes
Double Negatives
Exclamation Point
FAQ
Full time, Full-time
Health Care
His/Her, S/He
Mid
Money
More Than
Over
Parenthesis
Passive Voice
Part time, Part-time
Percent
Percent Sign
Titles, Books, Publications, TV Shows, Movies, Magazines, etc.
Underline
4. Names, Numbers, and Time
Annual
Dates/Months
Days of the Week
Decades
Monthlong
Names (Middle Initials, Second Reference)
Noon, Midnight
Numbers (Phone, Room)
Seasons
State Names (Abbreviations)
Time
Time Reference/Days

3. United States
Weeklong
Years
Yearlong
ZIP Codes
5. Digital Terminology
Click Here (and other web directional instructions)
E-Commerce
Email
Home Page
Hyperlinks
Internet
Intranet
Login, Logon, Logoff
Online
Web
Web Page
Website
Webcast
Webmaster
World Wide Web

4. I. Common University Terminology
ACADEMIC DEGREES
When mentioning degrees, the preferred form is to avoid abbreviations and completely
phrase the name of the degree.
Example: John Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
ABBREVIATED DEGREES
Use periods between letter(s) when abbreviating degree(s). The only exception is MBA.
Example: B.A., M.S., Ph.D., M.S.I.A., B.F.A.
ACADEMIC YEARS
Do not abbreviate and do not capitalize unless beginning a sentence.
Example: freshman, sophomore, junior and senior
ALUMNI (ALUMNA, ALUMNAE, ALUMNUS)
Use the correct word for the gender: alumna is feminine singular; alumnae is feminine plural;
alumnus is masculine and non-gender singular; alumni is masculine and non-gender plural.
ALUM
Do not use in copy. Okay to use in headlines.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
On first reference, use Oakland University Alumni Association (OUAA). On following
references, use OUAA.
ALUMNI DESIGNATION
When including the year someone graduated and from which school or college, this
should be set off by commas when it is used with the person’s name.
Example: John Smith, SBA ’13, is vice president of the company.
AUXILIARIES
On first reference, refer to auxiliaries after the use of the full university name.
Example: Oakland University’s Meadow Brook Hall
CREDIT/CREDIT HOURS

5. Use the term credit. Using credit hours is unnecessary.
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR
The first letter of each word should be capitalized in all cases, including when this is plural,
when referring to the prestigious honor bestowed upon OU faculty members by the Board of
Trustees.
EEO/DISABILITY STATEMENTS
The EEO and disability statements should appear on most materials used for publicity,
recruitment (of students, staff or faculty) or information to the public.
GRADUATION YEAR AND SCHOOL/COLLEGE
When including the year someone graduated and from which school or college, this should
be set off by commas when it is used with the person’s name.
Example: John Smith, SBA ’15, is vice president of the company.
HELP DESK
Two words with the first letter of each word capitalized.
Example: If you need help, you should call the Help Desk.
HONORARY DEGREES
LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Legal documents posted to the web should be posted as approved and distributed by the
legal department.
MAJORS AND PROGRAMS
Lowercase names of programs and majors.
Example: chemistry program, psychology major
OFFICES, DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS
Capitalize office, department, division, program, institute, center, etc., when they are part of
official titles. Otherwise, use lowercase.
Example: The Office of the Dean. The dean’s office.
SEMESTERS
References to semesters should be lowercase.
Example: The spring 2015 semester.

6. TITLES (ACADEMIC, UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT)
Like other professional titles, formal academic titles should be capitalized when they
immediately precede an individual’s name. Lower case titles when they are used after a
name; offset with commas. Shortened versions of titles are acceptable in web copy.
Example: Vice President for Development, Alumni and Community Engagement, director of
Athletics.
II. Oakland University Terminology
ALL-UNIVERSITY FUND DRIVE (AUFD)
Spell this out on first reference and use the acronym AUFD on second reference. When
spelling this out, there should be a dash between the words “All” and “University.” The first
letter of each word should also be capitalized.
Example: John Smith participated in the All-University Fund Drive. It is awesome to see
what the AUFD can do for the community!
BANQUET ROOMS
Do not refer to banquet rooms as “Banquet Room A” or “Banquet Room B” (CHECK WITH
OAKLAND CENTER)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The “B” in “Board” and first “T” in “Trustees” should be capitalized when using the word(s)
“Board of Trustees.” When just using the “board,” it should be lowercase. Use the Board of
Trustees on first reference and “the board” on second reference.
Example: John Smith talked to the Board of Trustees about the situation. He must get
approval from the board before he can move on.
BUILDING NAMES
Refer to the campus map for appropriate building abbreviations.
CAFÉ O’BEARS
Use an accent over the “e” in “Café” and only one apostrophe between the “O” and “B” in
“O’Bears.”
COLLEGE AND SCHOOLS
Capitalize the names of the colleges and schools within the university. Those names can be
abbreviated after first reference.

7. Example: College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Honors College (HC), School of Business
Administration (SBA), School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS), School of
Education and Human Services (SEHS).
DORM/DORMITORY/RESIDENCE HALL(s)
Use the term residence hall instead of dorm or dormitory.
FAX
Lowercase and do not hyphenate. Always include with contact information.
GRIZZ
When referring to OU’s mascot, it is “the Grizz,” not “The Grizz,” unless this appears at the
beginning of a sentence.
GRIZZ ID
Capitalize the “G” and “ID.”
MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Use the full name on first reference and just “Macomb” on second reference. Never
use MCC.
MACOMB UNIVERSITY CENTER
It should be the Macomb University Center. Never use Macomb’s University Center.
MEADOW BROOK HALL
Use the full name on first reference and just the hall (lowercase) on second reference.
MIDNIGHT MADNESS
Both Midnight Madnezz and Mid-Night Madness are acceptable.
MSU-O, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY—OAKLAND
Use Michigan State University—Oakland on first reference and MSU-O on second
reference. There should be a dash between the “U” and “O” and between the words
“University” and “Oakland.”
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
Use the full name of the university on first reference. Second references may be Oakland,
OU or the university. Headlines may also use OU or Oakland.
O’RENA

8. The “r” should be lowercase and only one apostrophe should be used between the “O” and
the “r.”
OU AT MACOMB, OAKLAND UNIVERSITY AT MACOMB
Do not use “the Oakland University/OU at Macomb program.”
OU BOOKSTORE, UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
Both OU Bookstore and university bookstore are acceptable. When using OU Bookstore,
the “B” in “Bookstore” should be capitalized. When using university bookstore, it should be
lowercase.
OU INCUBATOR, OU INC
When spelling this out (OU INCubator) and using the abbreviated form (OU INC), “INC”
should all be capitalized. Use OU INCubator on first reference and OU INC on second
reference.
ROOMS
Capitalize the names of specifically designated rooms
Example: We will meet in the Gold Room.
SPIRITCARD
One word with the “S” and “C” capitalized.
Example: SpiritCard
SPIRITCASH
One word with the “S” and “C” capitalized. However, in some cases, SpiritCa$h is
acceptable.
Example: SpiritCash or SpiritCa$h
THE HONORS COLLEGE
Capitalize “The,” except when this is used as an adjective.
Example: John Smith is a student of The Honors College.
THE PRESIDENT’S CLUB
Capitalize “The,” except when this is used as an adjective.
Example: The President’s Club sponsored the program.
THE TUTORING CENTER

9. Capitalize “The,” except when this is used as an adjective.
Example: Supplemental instruction is offered through The Tutoring Center.
TRUSTEES
Capitalize the first “T” in “Trustees” only if this is before a name, otherwise it should be
lowercase (trustees).
III. Grammar/Punctuation
ACCRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Spell out what the acronym stands for on first reference on a page. Follow it with the
acronym in parenthesis. On following references on the same page, the acronym can be
used by itself. ABBREVIATIONS?
ACTIVE VOICE
Use active voice whenever possible. Active voice means, in general, avoiding forms of “to
be.”
AFFECT/EFFECT
Do not use “effect” as a verb. “Effect” is more commonly used as a noun. “Affect” is the verb
meaning to modify or take on.
AMPERSAND (&)
Spell out “and” unless an ampersand is officially part of a name or title. On the web, it is
acceptable to use the ampersand on buttons.
Example: AT&T
AND/OR
Avoid this construction.
BULLET POINTS
You need not use the word “including” or the phrase “as follows” before a bulleted list. The
text that follows the bullet should be lowercase if it is part of the sentence at the beginning of
the list. The text that follows should start with a capital letter only if the bullet point is a
complete sentence.
CAPITALIZATION (ALL CAPS, UNIVERSITY)

10. The standard rules for capitalization should be followed. Each sentence should begin with
an initial cap. All proper names should be capitalized.
COMMA USAGE
Do not place a comma before the concluding conjunction in a simple series (a listing of three
or more items). However, do place a comma before the concluding conjunction if the series
contains a conjunction.
Example: Don’t: Coffee, tea, and juice.
Do: Coffee, tea and juice.
Don’t: Coffee, tea, milk and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Do: Coffee, tea, milk, and a peanut butter jelly sandwich.
CONTRACTIONS
Use of contractions is encouraged to make text friendlier to the reader/visitor. Be careful not
to overuse.
DASHES
Used sparingly, the dash can provide emphasis or suspense. Use a dash for irony,
emphasis, breaks in thought, explanatory comments.
DOUBLE NEGATIVES
Do not use.
EXCLAMATION POINT
Use with discretion and avoid using in formal communication.
FAQ
Acronym for frequently asked questions. Okay to use as acronym on the Internet. Spell out
in copy.
FULL TIME, FULL-TIME
Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier.
Example: She works full time. He has a full-time job.
HEALTH CARE
Two words except when the name of the company dictates otherwise.
HIS/HER, S/HE
Do not use. Use the plural instead.

11. Example: Use: They
MID
Do not hyphen unless a capitalized word follows.
Example: Midterm, midsemester, Mid-Continent Conference.
MONEY
Use figures with dollar sign in copy. For even dollar amounts do not add decimal followed by
double zero. Spell out the word cents and lowercase, using numerals for amounts less than
a dollar: 5 cents. Use the $ sign and decimal system for larger amounts ($1.05).
Example: The fee for activities is $25. The exact amount of the bill is $19.48.
MORE THAN
Follow AP style: “More than” should be used when relating to numerals. When you refer to
spatial relationships, use “over.”
Example: Numerals: Salaries increased more than 10%.
Spatial: The plane flew over the city.
OVER
Follow AP style: “More than” should be used when relating to numerals. When you refer to
spatial relationships, use “over.”
Example: Numerals: Salaries increased more than 10%.
Spatial: The plane flew over the city.
PARENTHESIS
In general, parentheses create clutter. If your copy has parenthesis, review the material and
consider omitting the information in parenthesis or reorganizing the material.
PASSIVE VOICE
Avoid it. Limited usage may be okay when it is used to achieve a special effect—that should
be rare.
PART TIME, PART-TIME
Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier.
Example: She works part time. She has a part-time job.
PERCENT
When spelled out, it is one word.

12. PERCENT SIGN
Use the % symbol in Web copy with the numeral when in copy. Use the sign with numerals
in table. Spell out in all other cases.
Example: The survey received a 73% response.
TITLES, BOOKS, PUBLICATIONS, TV SHOWS, MOVIES, MAGAZINES, ETC.
Enclose the title in quotation marks in the Web copy.
UNDERLINE
Do not underline text in Web Copy. Underlining indicates hyperlink on most sites. It is not a
hyperlink on Oakland.edu and should not be used in regular text or to indicate hyperlink.
IV. NAMES, NUMBERS, AND TIME
ANNUAL
Do not use the term “first annual.” An event cannot be described as annual until it has been
held at least two successive years. Instead, note that sponsors plan to hold the event
annually or use “inaugural” or “first.”
DATES/MONTHS
Follow AP style: Spell out the month when just the month of the year are included and do
not separate by a comma. Abbreviate the month (except for March, April, May, June, July)
when used with a specific date. When referring to month, date, and year, offset year with
commas. For Web copy and calendars, include the day of the week when previewing an
event.
Example: January 1972 was very cold. Jan. 29th
was the coldest day. Jan. 29th
, 1972, hit
historic lows.
DAYS OF THE WEEK
Include the days of the week with dates in Web copy and calendar items when previewing
an event. Offset dates with commas.
Example: Monday, August 10th
, 2015.
DECADES
Use Arabic figures to indicate spans of decades or centuries (1920s, 1900s). Use an
apostrophe to indicate numerals that are left out (‘20s). Show plural by adding an “s,” with
no apostrophe, to the end (1920s).
Example: The 1990s, the ‘90s, the mid-1990s.

13. MONTHLONG
One word.
NAMES (FIRST REFERENCE, MIDDLE INITIALS, SECOND REFERENCE)
FIRST REFERENCE
Individuals should be referenced by their full name on first reference of each (Web)
page. Following references should be last name only. Do not include courtesy titles in
the first or following references.
MIDDLE INITIALS
Regularly.
SECOND REFERENCE
On second and subsequent references on the same page, refer to individuals by last
name only.
NOON, MIDNIGHT
Use noon or midnight. Do not use 12 a.m. or 12 p.m.
NUMBERS (PHONE, ROOM)
PHONE NUMBERS
All phone numbers should include ten digits with a space after the ().
Example: (248) 370-2100
ROOM NUMBERS
Use figures. Capitalize “Room” when used with a figure.
Example: The seminar will be in Room 4B.
SEASONS
Do not capitalize seasons unless they designate an issue of a periodical.
Example: The winter of 1978 was the coldest on record. Have you seen the Fall issue of
inside Oakland?
STATE NAMES (ABBREVIATIONS)
When standing alone in copy, spell out the name of the state.

14. ABBREVIATIONS
Use AP accepted state abbreviations in copy. Use two-letter postal abbreviations
with full address and ZIP code.
Example: Ala., Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Kan., Ky., Md.,
Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., Neb., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.M., N.Y., N.D., Okla.,
Ore., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.D., Tenn., Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., La., N.C., Wyo., Alaska,
Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah are not abbreviated.
TIME
Use a.m. and p.m. to designate day or evening times. Use midnight or noon
instead of 12 a.m. or 12 p.m. For full hour times, use only the first number.
Example: 8 a.m. not 8:00 a.m.
TIME REFERENCE/DAYS
Do not use in copy: today, tonight, tomorrow or yesterday.
UNITED STATES
Spell out when used as a noun. Use U.S. (no space and periods) only as an adjective.
WEEKLONG
One word.
YEARS
Use commas only with a month and day: Feb. 18th
, 2015, is a Wednesday. Years are the
lone exception to the general rule in numerals that a figure is not used to start a sentence:
2010 was a very good year.
YEARLONG
One word.
ZIP CODES
When using OU addresses, always include the ZIP Code with the four-digit extension. For
more information, check the list of four-digit extensions.
V. Digital Terminology
CLICK HERE (AND OTHER WEB DIRECTIONAL INSTRUCTIONS)
Do not use. Integrate the hyperlink into appropriate text. Including “click here” and other
phrases are redundant.

15. E-COMMERCE
Hyphenate and lowercase unless it begins a sentence. When it begins a sentence,
capitalize the “E.”
EMAIL
Lowercase and do not hyphenate. Always include with contact information.
HOME PAGE
Two words, lowercase unless starting a sentence.
HYPERLINKS
Hyperlinks should be bold and red. When you mouse over them, they should be underlined.
INTERNET
Capitalize the “I.”
INTRANET
Lowercase unless it begins a sentence.
LOGIN, LOGON, LOGOFF
One word, lowercase, but use as two words in verb form.
Example: verb form: I log in to my computer.
ONLINE
One word in all cases for the computer connection term (per AP style).
WEB
Use upper case “W” when referring to the World Wide Web. Use upper case W for all
references.
WEB PAGE
Two words. Upper case “W”, all other letters lower case.
WEBSITE
One word, all lowercase (per AP style).
WEBCAST

16. Online broadcast. One word, lowercase (per AP style).
WEBMASTER
One word, all lowercase (per AP style).
WORLD WIDE WEB
All initial caps, no hyphens. Can be shortened and referred to as “the Web.”