Guidelines, standards and forms were developed to support consistent, unified messaging and branding for the university. The information on this page lead to resources for anyone involved in publicizing or promoting the university and its programs.
Communication Guidelines
Writing Style
Associated Press Stylebook and Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary are the reference guides used for media announcements, publications and other university communications targeted to public audiences.
A-E
academic degrees
When writing the full, formal name of the degree, capitalize the subject. Do not capitalize
if not using formal name. (ex: Master of Arts in Literature but master's degree in
literature)
Alfred R. Neumann Library
Neumann Library acceptable on second reference
Alumni degree credentials (listing)
06 BS, '10 MS (ex: Jane Smith, '06 BS, '10 MS, was recently promoted to general manager
at Chili's)
Alumni Plaza
Area located between the Bayou Building and Student Services and Classroom Building.
Distinguished Alumni Wall is located in this area.
Arbor Building
Arbor Building houses painting, ceramics, weaving and photography studios, as well
as educational centers and teaching methods labs. It includes two wings, which house
additional art classroom facilities (Arbor North Building) and psychology and education
facilities (Arbor South Building).
Atrium I and II in Bayou Building
Atrium I and II (roman numerals), floor levels in numeric. ex: Atrium II, Level 2
Bayou Building
Houses the majority of classrooms, administrative and faculty offices, the library,
alumni relations, bookstore, cafeteria, computing services and laboratories, copy
services, mail room, university police and the theater. The Bayou Building includes
two atria (Atrium I and Atrium II), Bayou Theater and Patio Café. Use full name in
all references.
Building numbers
Building name first, then room number/name (ex: Bayou Building, Garden Room)
Campus Recreation and Wellness
Use when referring to the administrative department. Use "Recreation and Wellness
Center" when referring to the building facility. Use "Rec Center" on second reference,
or as necessary for social media, etc.
Capt. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Military and Veteran Services
Use full name on first reference. Use "Office of Military and Veteran Services" or
"the office" on second reference.
Central Services Building
Headquarters for building maintenance, grounds and custodial services, scheduling
and space planning, vehicle maintenance and the animal care facility.
College of Science and Engineering
Previously School of Natural and Applied Sciences. Double previously School of Sciences
and Technology
degree program or degree programs
Use "degree programs" instead of "majors"
Dean of Students Office
No apostrophe in "students"
Delta Building
Houses student computer laboratories and computing faculty offices. Use full name
in all references.
Em dash
Em dashes are preferred to signal an abrupt change; as one option to set off a series
within a phrase; before attribution to an author or composer in some formats; after
datelines; and to start lists. AP style calls for a space on both sides of a dash
in all uses.
exclamation points
Use sparingly in call text for university promotion materials
F-J
Hawk Energy Bar
Food/coffee spot in the Recreation and Wellness Building
Hawks
Capitalize when referring to alumni or students of UHCL
Health Sciences and Classroom
Building Building at UHCL at Pearland that houses classrooms, student lounge areas, nursing
simulation lab
Horsepen Bayou
Capitalize in all references
Hunter Residence Hall
UHCL's first on-campus residence hall. Do not use "dormitory" or "dorm" when referring
to Hunter Residence Hall.
I Heart UHCL Day
Spirit event usually held in the fall. Use "I Heart UHCL Day" when referring to the
day. "I Heart UHCL" when referring to the phrase or campaign. Hashtag, follow general
AP Style.
K-O
Liberty Park
Located to the north of the Student Services and Classroom Building and is defined
by a tree- and bench-lined pond, white gazebo and flag poles. Use full name in all
references.
lifetime membership
For the UHCL Alumni Association, lifetime membership, lifetime member and lifetime
membership card should be lowercase in text.
Master of Healthcare Administration/Master of Business Administration
First reference it should be all written out - Master of Healthcare Administration/Master
of Business Administration. Second reference: MHA/MBA
Nature Trail
Is located east of Bayou Drive across from Parking Lot C and includes two different
trails: approximately 1/3 mile long and 1/2 mile long. Use full name in all references.
North Office Annex I and II
Located at the far corner of Parking Lot D, and across Bayou Drive from the Central
Services Building. Spell out on first reference. Abbreviate NOA on second reference.
Use roman numerals in all references. NOA I and surrounding areas include a rainfall
garden and house the Environmental Institute of Houston. NOA II houses travel, general
accounting, procurement and payables, and finance.
Office of Admissions
Not "Admission". Make sure "s" is included.
Office of Student Financial Aid
Not "Financial Aid Office" or "Office of Financial Aid"
Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
The Student Life Office was rebranded as the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
in 2019. Use new name in all references.
online degrees
When necessary to specify an online program in the formal name of a degree, place
online at the end (Example: Anthropology B.S. online). Primarily relevant for web
content.
P-T
Pat and Wendell Wilson Park
Located near the Horsepen Bayou bridge. Use full name on first reference. Use "Wilson
Park" on second reference
Patio Cafe
Dining area located in Bayou Building
Pearland Building
First building at UHCL at Pearland and primary administrative building
Potter Pond
Pat and Wendell Wilson Park includes a pond officially named Potter Pond to honor
Pat Wilson. Use "Potter Pond" name in all references.
preserve
UHCL campus is located on a nature preserve, not "reserve"
Interim President Richard Walker
Use full term on first reference in print and online copy. Use "President Walker"
on second references.
Recreation and Wellness Center
Use when referring to the building facility. Use "Rec Center" on second reference,
or as necessary for social media, etc.
RN-to-BSN program
On all references. In text, include an explanation that the program is for registered
nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
semester
lowercase spring, summer, fall and winter when referencing semester unless referring
to Winter Olympics, etc.
STEM and Classroom Building
houses labs for chemistry, mechanical engineering, large lecture hall, faculty offices.
Use STEM Building on second reference
Lot D
Parking area for students in Lot D, usually the lot where free parking is available
during events, if free parking is available.
Student Services and Classroom Building
Use full name on first reference. Use SSCB on second reference
sub-plan
When referring to a specialization within a degree or degree program.
systemwide
When referring to something that will take place through out the UH System.
time spans
9-10 a.m., 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Do not use zeros or "o'clock". Note the extra spacing when
the times switch between a.m. and p.m.
Titles
When possible, place title in front of name (i.e. Dean of Students David Rachita).
When listed in front of the name, capitalize all portions of the title. When many
people are listed with titles, use commas to set off titles and lower case (i.e. David
Rachita, dean of students.)
U-Z
United States
Use full name in first reference, and the abbreviated U.S. in second or third references. Always use periods in the abbreviation.
Use full name in first reference, and the abbreviated U.S. in second or third references. Always use periods in the abbreviation.
universitywide
This is one word.
University Drive
One of the two primary university roads from Bay Area Blvd. leading students to UHCL.
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Use full name on first reference, UH-Clear Lake on second reference (in news stories
and some other documents), and UHCL on third reference.
University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland
On first reference, it should say University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland; on
second reference UH-Clear Lake at Pearland; and on third reference, it should be listed
as UHCL at Pearland.
University of Houston System
Use on first reference, UH System on second reference and UHS on third reference.
University of Houston System Chancellor
Use full title in blogs/releases (ex. University of Houston System Chancellor Renu
Khator); on second reference on UH System Chancellor and on third reference, UHS Chancellor.
Vice President
Capitalize as part of formal title in front of name. Do not hyphenate (vice-president).
Voicemail
This is one word.
web
Short for World Wide Web, the “w” is lower-case.
website
Other combined forms, include webpage, webcast, webmaster, webfeed and webcam. However,
web browser is two words.
Brand Guide
UHCL Brand Guide assists university departments in presenting a strong, focused brand identity through graphics, tone and message when communicating about UHCL. Information covered in the UHCL Brand Guide includes:
- Fonts and Colors
- Logo Usage
- University and University System Names Listings
- Photo/Art Authorization Forms
- Brand and Publication Review Process
- Publicity Request Process
- Web Style Guide