In communications, clarity and consistency are an important part of conveying strong and trustworthy messaging. Following this style guide allows all university communications to have a consistent, cohesive voice.

This guide provides guidance based on the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, with some exceptions unique to our campus. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, consult the AP Stylebook for free with your Auburn email through Auburn UniversityLibraries.

Each entry here shows how a word or phrase is preferred to be used in university communications. Entries that stand on their own show whether the word is capitalized, hyphenated, one word or two, etc. Most entries include examples in bullets or italics.

a

academic degrees

  • bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
  • Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts or an associate degree
  • Master of Business Administration. MBA is acceptable on first reference.
  • Bachelor of Science in animal science or bachelor’s degree in animal science. Bachelor of Arts in English or bachelor’s degree in French.
  • doctorate or doctoral degree. Not doctorate degree or Ph.D. Doctorate is a noun. Juris doctor also is a noun — no need to add degree.

academic programs

Except for languages such as English and Spanish, the names of academic programs, majors and minors are not proper nouns and should not be capitalized: interior design program psychology program.

(Also, academic degrees; majors, minors; courses; department names)

acronyms

  • Acceptable on second and subsequent references if given in parentheses after a first spelled-out use. The Student Government Association (SGA) elections …
  • The acronym in parentheses may be omitted if the second reference occurs in the same paragraph or soon after the spelled-out name.
  • AP Stylebook lists acceptable acronyms on first use, such as NASA, FDA, CEO, SAT, NCAA and FBI.
  • Do not use an acronym if the organization is never mentioned again.
  • To avoid excessive use of acronyms, consider using the college, the department, the office or the organization on subsequent references.
  • Do not put Ph.D. or any professional affiliation acronyms after a name, such as CPA or FAIA. Note: You may use this on your own website, but submissions to the AUWire should remain consistent with AP Style.

advisor vs. adviser

AP recommends adviser, but our campus has advisors. Please use the latter.

alumna, alumnae, alumnus, alumni

  • Alumna refers to one female graduate.
  • Alumnae refers to groups of female graduates only.
  • Alumnus refers to one male graduate.
  • Alumni refers to male graduates and to mixed groups of male and female graduates.
  • Alum or alums should not be used.

For listing graduation years, we recommend John Smith, a 2022 graduate. AP Style and our Alumni magazine prefer John Smith ’22.

and, &

And is preferable to an ampersand, which should be used only when the name of a company, group or composition specifically calls for it, as in AT&T. For better accessibility, use the word, not the symbol.

AP Style errors to avoid

Here are words that are often written incorrectly, per AP Style:

  • health care
  • cybersecurity
  • online
  • underway
  • Veterans Day
  • daylight saving time
  • email

Auburn words

  • Alabama Cooperative Extension System is Alabama Extension on second reference. Do not use ACES. Extension should be capitalized when discussing the people and work of Alabama Extension. It should not be capitalized when referring to extension work as an outreach activity.
  • Auburn or the university is acceptable for second reference of Auburn University.
  • Auburn Creed: Lowercase creed when used alone.
  • Auburn Family
  • Auburn Oaks at Toomer’s Corner, not Toomer’s Oaks.
  • Auburn spirit
  • Auburn sports teams: Lowercase the sport and use the word team. The men’s basketball team will play Georgia.
  • Christopher B. Roberts. Use full name, with middle initial, of our president on first reference. Roberts on subsequent references.
b

Board of Trustees

Capitalize Board of Trustees when in reference to our administrative body. On subsequent references, use the board or trustees.

building names

The names of some of our campus buildings and areas can be confusing. Here are some suggestions:

  • Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex (ACLC)
  • Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum has two hyphens.
  • Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning: Biggio Center on second reference
  • Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center: Brown-Kopel Center is preferred; use the center on second reference.
  • Concourses: For Haley Concourse, Roosevelt Concourse and Thach Concourse, concourse is capitalized.
  • The Don and Alexandra Clayton Lucky Man Studio: Lucky Man Studio or the studio on second reference
  • Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University is preferred on first reference; Gogue Performing Arts Center or Gogue Center on second reference. Do not use GPAC.
  • The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University: This formal name, with The capitalized, should be used on first reference. On second reference, use The Jule or the museum. Do not use JCSM. The Jule Museum is recommended on social media.
  • Harold D. Melton Student Center: Melton Student Center is preferred on first reference; student center or center on second reference.
  • Horton-Hardgrave Hall
  • The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center: This formal name, with The capitalized, should be used on first reference; the hotel on second reference. Do not use the Auburn University Hotel, AUHDCC or AUHCC.
  • Ralph Brown Draughon Library: Draughon Library or RBD Library is preferred for first and subsequent references. Use the library on second reference. RBD is not recommended.
  • Shelby Center for Engineering Technology: Shelby Center is preferred; the center can be used on second reference.
  • Telfair Peet Theatre: Note the British spelling of theatre. Use Telfair Peet or theatre on second reference.
  • The Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center: There is no ‘s’ on Science; Rane Culinary Science Center on second reference. Do not say Rane Center.

Note: When you need to use a room number in a building, place it before the name: 23 Samford Hall, 2222 Student Center.

Also, lowercase auditorium and ballroom, unless it is part of the formal name. Foy Hall auditorium, Student Center ballroom, the John Smith Auditorium.