Capitalization and more

“The university”

When writing about the university, do not capitalize the word university unless it’s written as part of a formal name, such as Davenport University, or when it begins a sentence. Exception: Capitalize university only in formal communications or policies when it’s written in front of the word President, without Davenport and people’s names are not used.

Job titles

Job titles are capitalized only when they are used immediately before one or more names; they are not capitalized when used after a name. To avoid excessive capitalization, which can appear awkward, try to place long job titles after the name.

After a colon

In running text, don’t capitalize the first word after a colon unless it is the start of a complete sentence. In titles and subtitles, always capitalize the first word after a colon.

Headings & subheadings

In headings, only capitalize the first and any word immediately following a colon. These rules also apply to subheadings. Avoid using ampersands; use and instead.

Department/college names

Always capitalize the full formal name of a department or college when it is spelled out. Shorthand names of departments are always lowercase; do not capitalize an informal name unless it falls at the beginning of a sentence. Then, capitalize only the first word.

Branded product names & trademarks

Capitalize all branded product names, services, teams and operations. Trademark and registered trademark designations (^TM and ®) are not used in AP Style for body text or in headlines unless Davenport University owns the trademark.

Em dash: When the tone is appropriate, feel free to use em dashes, with spaces on either side, to set off text or emphasize a point in a sentence.

En dash: At the end of a quotation, use an en dash with a space on either side to set off an attribution.

Callouts: Do not add periods after callouts that occur throughout a piece when they are set apart using design, even if they are complete sentences.

Calls-to-action: Do add periods after calls-to-action but only when they form complete sentences.

health care
not healthcare

cybersecurity
not cyber security

online
not on-line

email
not e-mail

website
not web site

advisor
not adviser

esports
not e-sports

OK
not okay or ok

Davenport University and DU

When writing about Davenport University on any external-facing pieces, do not refer to Davenport as DU. Instead, refer to the school as one of the following: the university, Davenport University or Davenport.

Peter C. Cook Center

Similarly, when referencing the Peter C. Cook Center, always spell out the full formal name; DON’T say the Cook Center. Also, be sure to refer to the building as a “center” – it’s not the Peter C. Cook Building, it’s the Peter C. Cook Center.

Student Activity Center

When writing about the Student Activity Center, capitalize all three words – Student Activity Center is the formal name of the building. The acronym SAC can be used after the full name is spelled out once.

Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex

When referencing the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex, always spell out the full formal name; don’t say Farmers Complex or Farmers Athletic Complex. If you want to shorten, you can use an informal, general name like the athletic complex or the Panther football field. DON’T use an apostrophe in Farmers.

Donald W. Maine College of Business

When referencing the Donald W. Maine College of Business and/or its building, always spell out the full formal name; DON’T say the CoB, College of Business, or Maine College of Business in any formal or external-facing work.