Writing Standards

Consistent writing unifies campus messaging and helps our audiences better understand us. The intent of this Editorial Style Guide is to serve as an effective resource for communicators across the Grand Valley campus to establish consistency in editorial style for websites, print publications, social media and more.

Grand Valley generally follows Associated Press (AP) style, but we do make some exceptions. They are covered in this guide.

For guidance on editorial style issues not covered on the website, please consult the Associated Press Stylebook or contact University Marketing at [email protected] or (616) 331-2525. For questions concerning donor-named spaces or programs, please contact University Development at (616) 331-6000.

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Numbers

General

  • 50th anniversary

    Not 50th Anniversary.

  • numbers

    Spell out whole numerals below 10 and use Arabic numerals for 10 and above, except with percentages (every 30 minutes; the last 2,000 years; three credits; nine hours at the 300 level; 4 percent). No superscript on ordinal numerals (30th not 30th). Spell out a numeral at the beginning of a sentence, unless the numeral identifies a calendar year (1976 was a very good year.).

  • percent

    Always spell out in sentences, including in bullet points, unless space absolutely does not allow. Use % in charts and graphs.

  • phone numbers

    Put area code in parentheses (616) 331-2221, including toll free numbers (800) 748-0246.

  • time

    6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. Not 7:00 or 7pm or 7 PM.

  • years

    Use a hyphen in a non-continuing year, such as an academic year (2012-2013, not 2012–2013). Use an endash to indicate ranges (1900–1950, not 1900-1950).

A

General

  • 50th anniversary

    Not 50th Anniversary.

  • abbreviations and acronyms

    Abbreviations and acronyms can be used on first reference only if widely recognized.
        GPA
        DNA
        SAT

    Otherwise, spell out the complete name/phrase on first reference and follow with the abbreviation in parentheses. Do this only if the abbreviation will be referenced subsequently.
        The collaboration includes Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC).

    In general, do not include periods between the capital letters except when referencing degrees.
        GVSU
        M.B.A.

    If the prefix "post" is needed with an acronym, use a hyphen to connect the two.
        post-B.S.N.

  • academic degrees

    bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate, associate degree

    If the word "degree" is used with "bachelor" and "master", add an apostrophe and "s".
        They have bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's in communication.

    Do not use an apostrophe and "s" with associate degrees:
        They received an associate degree in 2009.

    Follow AP style in the use of apostrophe and capitalization.
        Bachelor of Arts, bachelor's in psychology
        Master of Science, master's in journalism

    When abbreviating degrees, use periods within.
        B.A.
        M.A.
        M.B.A.
        M.Ed.
        Ph.D.

  • acknowledgment

    Not acknowledgement.

  • addresses

    The correct order for campus address information below the individual's name, title, and unit is:

    Grand Valley State University
    Office Number and Building Name
    Street Address
    City, MI 5-digit ZIP

    For example:
        John Doe
        University Marketing
        Grand Valley State University
        2090 James H. Zumberge Hall
        1 Campus Drive
        Allendale, MI 49401

    Do not use periods when specifying SE, SW, NE, NW in the street address. The four-digit ZIP-code extension is not necessary.

    See also: contact information
    See also:      Mail Services
    See also: Residential Mail & Packages

  • advisor

    Not adviser.

  • alma mater

    Used for both Grand Valley's song and for the university in alumni contexts. Capitalize when referring to Grand Valley's song.
        He is proud to call Grand Valley his alma mater.
        They will sing the Alma Mater at commencement.

  • alumni graduation years

    In sentences
    The preferred style is to place commas after their name and after the year.
        Jane Doe, ’99, now owns her own company. 

    For multiple graduation years, use an ampersand (&).
        Jane Doe, ’99 & ’02, now owns her own company.
        Jane Doe, ’99, ’00 & ’02, now owns her own company.

    It is also acceptable to omit the commas based on discretion and personal preference.
        Jane Doe ’99 now owns her own company.

    In lists, pull quotes, or internal email signatures
    Omit the commas and use the format "Name ’XX".
        Jane Doe ’99
        John Doe ’00 & ’01

        "I love Grand Valley with all my heart."
        - Jane Doe ’17

        John Doe ’16
        Manager
        ABC Department

    A single closing apostrophe (’) appears in front of the date. The keyboard shortcut to create a single closing apostrophe is as follows:
    On PC/Windows: Alt + 0146 
    On Mac: Option + shift + ]

    See also: class year

  • and/ampersand (&)

    In general, use "and" instead of an ampersand (&). 
        College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

    An "&" is acceptable if it is part of a proper name or if space is an issue within a headline.
        Johnson & Johnson

Proper Names

  • A. Robert Kleiner Commons

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kleiner Commons is acceptable.

  • Alexander Calder Fine Arts Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Calder Fine Arts Center and Calder Arts Center are acceptable.

  • Allendale Campus

    Or "Grand Valley's main campus in Allendale".
        The Allendale Campus is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Alumni House and Visitor Center

    Use on all references. Not Visitor's or Visitors.

  • Arend and Nancy Lubbers Student Services Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Lubbers Student Services Center is acceptable.

  • Arend D. Lubbers Stadium

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Lubbers Stadium is acceptable.

  • Arnold C. Ott Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Ott Living Center is acceptable.

  • Arthur C. Hills Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Hills Living Center is acceptable.

  • Au Sable Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Grand Valley State University Annual Schedule

    Grand Valley State University Annual Schedule on first reference. Following first reference, Annual Schedule is acceptable.

  • Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, AWRI and Annis Water Resources Institute are acceptable.

B

General

  • Board of Trustees

    Not Board of Control.

Proper Names

  • Barbara and Stuart Padnos International Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference Padnos International Center is acceptable.

  • Battle Creek Regional Outreach Center

    Use full name on all references.
        The Battle Creek Regional Outreach Center is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Beckering Family Carillon Tower

    On all references.

    Use "Beckering Family carillon" when referring to the actual instrument within the tower.
        I heard the bells of the Beckering Family carillon playing.

  • Bill and Sally Seidman Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Seidman Living Center is acceptable.

  • Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Brooks College is acceptable.

  • The Lynn M. Blue Connection

    Use full name -- The Lynn M. Blue Connection -- on first reference. Following first reference, The Blue Connection is acceptable.

C

General

  • capitalization

    In general, for the best reader experience and to maintain consistency in university-related content, avoid unnecessary capitals.

    Capitalize proper nouns.
        Grand Rapids
        Philomena V. Mantella
        Poland

    Capitalize proper names.
        Grand Valley State University
        Grand River
        Fulton Street

    However, lowercase general terms.
        the university
        the river
        the foundation
        the street

    Capitalize composition titles (titles of books, movies, songs, televisions programs, lectures, speeches, etc.). 

    Capitalize titles when used immediately before a name.
       President Philomena Mantella

    Lowercase titles when separated from the name or when they come after the name.
        Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan

    Capitalize names of schools and formal department names.
        the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance

    Lowercase when used as a common noun or adjective.
        a psychology major

  • Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

    Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog on first reference. Following first reference, Grand Valley catalog or catalog are acceptable.

  • Center for Adult and Continuing Studies

    Use on all references. Replaces "Continuing Education."

  • chair

    Use chairman, chairwoman, or chair.

  • class year

    When using a class year for a current student, use the format "Class of XXXX."
        Jane Doe, Class of 2028, is a math major from Allendale, Michigan.

    See also: alumni graduation years

  • College of Computing

    Use on all references.

  • College of Education and Community Innovation

    Use on all references.

  • College of Health Professions

    Use on all references.

  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

    Use on all references.

  • colon (:)

    The most frequent use of a colon is at the end of a sentence to introduce a list, tabulation, text, etc.
        There were three considerations: expense, time and feasibility.
    Don't introduce a list with a colon unless what precedes the colon is a complete sentence. If it's not a complete sentence, don't use any punctuation before the list.

    Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence.
        He promised this: Jones would be punished for his crime.
        He promised this: The company will make good all the losses.

    Colons go outside quotation marks unless they are part of the quotations themselves.

  • comma (,)

    Use commas to separate elements in a series (serial comma) if the piece has a marketing or academic purpose.
        Grand Valley's colors are blue, black, and white.

    Do not use the serial comma if the piece is news writing.
        Those in attendance included John, Bill and Sally.

  • composition titles

    Italicize composition titles of journals, essays, books, movies, albums, songs, plays, television and radio programs, lectures, speeches, and artwork.
        Tracy Howard, professor of writing, published an article in The Journal of Good Writing.

    Use quotation marks for the smaller part of a greater work when referencing both.
        Tracy Howard, professor of writing, published the article "Punctuation is Fun" in The Journal of Good Writing.

  • contact information

    When listing contact information, follow the below order.

    Person's name
    Department name
    Grand Valley State University
    Office # and building name
    Street address
    City, state zip code
    Phone
    Fax
    Email address
    Web address

    See also: addresses

  • Convocation

    Capitalize when referring to this recurring university event. Lowercase elsewhere.
        Incoming freshmen will fill the fieldhouse at Convocation on Tuesday.
        Schools around the area will be holding their convocations soon.

  • courseware

    One word. Not course ware.

  • coursework

    One word. Not course work.

  • COVID-19

    Use COVID-19 on first reference. Following first reference, COVID is acceptable.

Proper Names

  • Alexander Calder Fine Arts Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Calder Fine Arts Center and Calder Arts Center are acceptable.

  • Calder Residence

    Use on all references.

  • Central Utilities Building

    Use on all references.

  • Central Utilities Building - South

    Use on all references.

  • Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Loosemore Auditorium is acceptable.

  • Charles W. Loosemore Forum

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Loosemore Forum is acceptable.

  • Children's Enrichment Center

    Use on all references.

  • Cook Carillon Tower

    On all references.

    Use "Cook carillon" when referring to the actual instrument within the tower.
        I heard the bells of the Cook carillon playing.

  • Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, CHS and Center for Health Sciences are acceptable.

  • Cook-DeWitt Center

    Use on all references.

  • Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Center for Women and Gender Equity is acceptable.

  • James M. Copeland Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Copeland Living Center is acceptable.

  • The Commons

    Use on all references.

  • The Lynn M. Blue Connection

    Use full name -- The Lynn M. Blue Connection -- on first reference. Following first reference, The Blue Connection is acceptable.

D

General

  • dates

    Use Arabic numerals (figures) for days of the month, omitting "st", "rd", "nd", or "th". Place a comma between the day and the year and following the year when the date is mentioned.
        The event will take place on May 13, 2025.
        On May 13, 2025, Commencement brought together hundreds of people.

    Do not place a comma between the month and the year when the date is not mentioned.
        May 2025 will be a busy month.

    Abbreviate Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. Write out March, April, May, June, and July.

    Do not abbreviate months when they stand alone or appear with only a year.
        Orientation will take place in August 2025.

    Use a hyphen in a non-continuing year, such as an academic year.
        2024-2025

    Use an endash to indicate date ranges.
        1900 – 1950

  • Deans Council

    Not deans council or Dean's Council.

  • decision making

    Two words, unless used as an adjective or adverb.
        Many were involved in the decision making.
        They slammed the decision-making gavel on the podium.

  • degree-seeking student/nondegree-seeking student

    When "student" follows, use a hyphen.
        Our department serves degree-seeking students.

  • department

    Capitalize official department names.
        University Marketing
        Office of the President

    Lowercase modifiers such as department in a phrase.
        I wonder which department is organizing the event?
        The departments of Mathematics and History.

  • Directors' Cup

    Not Directors Cup or Director's Cup.

  • dollars/currency

    Use Arabic numerals and the $ sign in all currency cases involving USD.
        $5, $25, $500, $5,000, $550,000

  • dorm/dormitory

    Do not use. GVSU has living centers, not dormitories.

Proper Names

  • Dale Stafford Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Stafford Living Center is acceptable.

  • Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health

    Use Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on first reference. Following the first reference, DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health is acceptable.
        The Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health is part of Grand Valley's Health Campus.

  • Detroit Center

    Use on all references.
        The Detroit Center is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Johnson Center is acceptable.

  • D.J. Angus

    Italicized with no quotation marks.
        The group sailed on the D.J. Angus.

  • Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

    Use full name on first reference. Note the use of "and" and then "&". Following first reference, DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is acceptable.

  • Richard M. DeVos Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, DeVos Center is acceptable.

  • Richard M. DeVos Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, DeVos Living Center is acceptable.

  • The Depot

    Use on all references.

E

General

  • e-mail/email

    Use either, but maintain consistency throughout your publication. Only capitalize the "E" when it is the first word in a sentence.

  • e-waste

    Not ewaste. Only capitalize the "E" when it is the first word in a sentence.

  • Eastern Time/ET

    All Grand Valley campuses are on Eastern Time, which may be abbreviated as ET.
        When visiting Grand Valley, remember that the university is on Eastern Time.
        The event will take place in California at 10 a.m. (1 p.m. ET).

    Do not specify Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

  • emdash (—)

    Use an emdash (–) to show an interrupted thought or a sudden break. Insert a space on both sides of the emdash.
       The building — one of GVSU's oldest — will be reroofed this summer.

    An emdash may be used before the credited name at the end of a quotation.
        "I really love Grand Valley."
        — Jane Doe

  • endash (–)

    Using an endash (–) to indicate ranges
    Usually read as "to" or "through." Leave no space on either side of the endash (–).
        pages: p.20–p.30
        times: 10 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
        dates: May 11–12 
        years: 1900–2000 

    Using an endash in lists
    In this case only, put a space after the endash. Bullets are equally acceptable for lists, but the hyphen and the emdash are not.

    An endash may be used before the credited name at the end of a quotation.
        "I really love Grand Valley."
        – Jane Doe.

    See also: lists

Proper Names

  • Edward J. Frey Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Frey Living Center is acceptable.

  • Ella Koeze-Weed Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Koeze-Weed Living Center is acceptable.

  • L.V. Eberhard Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Eberhard Center is acceptable.

F

General

  • faculty

    The word "faculty" is a collective noun naming a group of people and is therefore singular in form. Use a singular verb when indicating that the group acts as a unit.
       The Grand Valley faculty is nationally recognized.

    Use a plural verb and the term "faculty members" when indicating that the individual members of the group act separately.
        Many Grand Valley faculty members are nationally recognized.

  • Faculty Academic Senate

    Not faculty academic senate.

  • Farmers Market

    Not Farmer's Market or Farmers' Market.

  • fellow/fellowships

    Capitalize when referring to a person being named a fellow of a professional organization.
        Jane Doe was named a Fellow by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education.
        Jane Doe received The Don and Elizabeth Doyle Fellowship.

  • fieldwork

    One word. Not field work.

  • fiscal year

    Capitalize when used with the year, no comma. FY with the four-digit year directly after (no space) is also acceptable. Use lowercase when referring in general to the fiscal year.
        The results were an improvement over Fiscal Year 2024.
        We are expecting a continuation of the trend in FY2025.
        The fiscal year ended June 30.

  • fund

    Capitalize when part of a formal title. (Please give to the Grand Valley Fund.) Lowercase otherwise. (Please give to the Annis Water Resources Endowment fund.)

  • fundraising

    Not fund raising or fund-raising.

Inclusive Language

  • first-year student

    Do not use freshman/freshmen.

  • freshman/freshmen

    Use first-year student(s) instead.

Proper Names

  • Edward J. Frey Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Frey Living Center is acceptable.

  • Fieldhouse

    One word. Not Field House.

  • Founders Day

    Not Founders' Day.

  • Fred M. Keller Engineering Laboratories

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Keller Engineering Laboratories is acceptable.

  • Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Writing Center is acceptable.

  • Frederik Meijer Honors College

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Meijer Honors College is acceptable. (Meijer Honors College curriculum, not Honors curriculum.) (Meijer Honors College classes, not Honors classes.)

  • Grand Valley University Foundation

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, the foundation is acceptable. Not Grand Valley State University Foundation.

Titles

  • formal titles

    Capitalize and spell out formal titles such as president, professor, chairman, etc. when they precede a name (President Haas). Lowercase elsewhere (The president of the university will speak).

G

General

  • Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

    Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog on first reference. Following first reference, Grand Valley catalog or catalog are acceptable.

  • G-number

    Not Gnumber, G number, G Number, or G-Number.

  • general education

    Not General Education.

  • GPA

    Not G.P.A.

Inclusive Language

Proper Names

  • Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Center for Women and Gender Equity is acceptable.

  • General Education Program

    Not general education program.

  • Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Niemeyer Learning and Living Center is acceptable.

  • Grace Olsen Kistler Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kistler Living Center is acceptable.

  • Graduate Bulletin

    Grand Valley State University Graduate Bulletin on first reference. Following first reference, Graduate Bulletin is acceptable.

  • Grand Valley Apartments

    Not Grand Valley apartments.

  • Grand Valley Lanthorn

    Use on all references.

  • Grand Valley State University Annual Schedule

    Grand Valley State University Annual Schedule on first reference. Following first reference, Annual Schedule is acceptable.

  • Grand Valley State University Arboretum

    Use on all references.

  • Grand Valley State University

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Grand Valley is acceptable. GVSU is only acceptable if there are so many references to Grand Valley that the writing becomes tedious, and it is obvious in the text that GVSU refers to Grand Valley State University. Use lowercase "university" when not using proper name.

  • Grand Valley University Foundation

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, the foundation is acceptable. Not Grand Valley State University Foundation.

  • GVSU Laker Store

    Use on all references. Previously the University Bookstore.

H

General

  • health care

    Not healthcare.

  • homepage

    Not home page.

Proper Names

  • Arthur C. Hills Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Hills Living Center is acceptable.

  • Haas, Thomas J.

    Grand Valley's fourth president, named in 2006 and retired in 2019. Refer to as President Emeritus Thomas J. Haas or Thomas J. Haas, president emeritus as appropriate. Do not use Ph.D. or Dr.

  • Health Campus

    Use Health Campus on all references. The Health Campus includes the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, and the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health. See Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The Health Campus is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Health Hill

    Do not use Health Hill. Please refer to Medical Mile.

  • Henry Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Holton-Hooker Center is acceptable.

  • Icie Macy Hoobler Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Hoobler Living Center is acceptable.

  • Jamie Hosford Football Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Hosford Football Center is acceptable.

  • Meijer Campus in Holland

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Holland Campus is acceptable. The Meijer Campus in Holland is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Haas Center for the Performing Arts or Haas Center is acceptable.

Punctuation

  • hyphen (-)

    Leave no space on either side of the hyphen (-). Use to join words and break syllables.

    When two or more nouns that express a single concept are used as an adjective or adverb link them together with a hyphen. Do not use a hyphen to link the word "very" or adverbs that end in "ly."

    Some words which are hyphenated when used as adjectives should not be hyphenated when used as nouns. (decision-making process, decision making. on-campus students, students who live on campus.) The only exception is to retain the hyphen when a modifier follows the verb "to be." (The students are involved in service-learning.)

    Use in non-continuing numbers. (phone, 331-2221. academic year, 2010-2011.) Use in numerals such as odds, ratios, scores, and fractions.

I

Inclusive Language

  • inclusive language

    Make every effort to ensure that you are using language inclusive of all members of our community. Review all written materials to ensure that they are easily readable and accessible to screen-readers and that they avoid language that is biased and potentially alienating to people with marginalized identities.

Proper Names

  • Icie Macy Hoobler Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Hoobler Living Center is acceptable.

  • Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kaufman Interfaith Institute is acceptable.

J

Proper Names

  • Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Johnson Center is acceptable.

  • James H. Zumberge Hall

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Zumberge Hall is acceptable.

  • James L. Stevenson Center for Higher Education

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference Stevenson Center for Higher Education or Stevenson Center are acceptable.

  • James M. Copeland Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Copeland Living Center is acceptable.

  • Jamie Hosford Football Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Hosford Football Center is acceptable.

  • John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kennedy Hall of Engineering is acceptable.

  • Paul A. Johnson Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Johnson Living Center is acceptable.

K

Proper Names

  • A. Robert Kleiner Commons

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kleiner Commons is acceptable.

  • Ella Koeze-Weed Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Koeze-Weed Living Center is acceptable.

  • Fred M. Keller Engineering Laboratories

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Keller Engineering Laboratories is acceptable.

  • Grace Olsen Kistler Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kistler Living Center is acceptable.

  • John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kennedy Hall of Engineering is acceptable.

  • Kelly Family Sports Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kelly Center is acceptable.

  • Kenneth W. Robinson Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Robinson Living Center is acceptable.

  • Kirkhof College of Nursing

    Use on all references.

  • Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Keller Theatre is acceptable.

  • P. Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kindschi Hall of Science is acceptable.

  • Russel H. Kirkhof Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kirkhof Center is acceptable.

  • Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kaufman Interfaith Institute is acceptable.

  • William A. Kirkpatrick Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kirkpatrick Living Center is acceptable.

L

General

  • Lakers

    The use of the word "Lakers" alone is unacceptable. The following verbiage is permitted: "Grand Valley State Lakers," "Grand Valley Lakers," "GVSU Lakers," or "Grand Valley State University Lakers."

  • liberal arts

    Specific disciplines (the humanities, social sciences, and sciences).

  • liberal education

    Grand Valley State University offers this. General education and an expectation of in-depth study in at least one field normally comprise liberal education.

  • lists

    Do not use a colon between a verb and its preposition or object. (Incorrect = The ground rules are:...) (Correct = The ground rules are... and The ground rules are as follows...)

    If a vertical list is introduced by a sentence that gets completed by the list, use semicolons within the list and end the list with a period or other appropriate punctuation. Begin bulleted, numbered, or dashed points (use an endash) with lower case letters. For example: 

    The mission of the departments is to

    • support the development of its programs;
    • empower students; and
    • provide valuable research.

    If the vertical list does not complete the introductory sentence, do not use punctuation to separate the points. Capitalize the first word of each point. For example:

    The biology experiment included the following components:

    • A sealed reservoir
    • An aquarium pump
    • A plant container

    Endashes and bullets are equally acceptable for use in lists, but the hyphen and the emdash are not.

  • living centers

    Not dorms or residence halls.

Inclusive Language

  • Latinx/Latinxs

    A gender-neutral term that can replace Latino/Latina when referring to people of Latin American descent who identify outside the gender binary.

  • Latinx

    Use for those of Latin American descent who do not identify as being of the male or female gender or who simply don't want to be identified by gender.

  • LGBTQIA+ considerations

    Please review GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide for an extensive glossary of terms with notes on appropriate usage. The guide also contains explanations and suggestions for writing about the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • LGBTQIA+ language

    The GLAAD Media Reference Guide includes an extensive glossary and considerations for writing about the LGBTQIA+ community.

Proper Names

  • Arend and Nancy Lubbers Student Services Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Lubbers Student Services Center is acceptable.

  • Arend D. Lubbers Stadium

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Lubbers Stadium is acceptable.

  • Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Loosemore Auditorium is acceptable.

  • Charles W. Loosemore Forum

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Loosemore Forum is acceptable.

  • L. William Seidman Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Seidman Center is acceptable.

  • L.V. Eberhard Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Eberhard Center is acceptable.

  • Lacks International Plaza

    Use on all references.

  • Lake Huron Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Lake Michigan Center

    Use on all references.

  • Lake Michigan Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Lake Ontario Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Lake Superior Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Laker Effect

    Laker Effect is the university's current marketing campaign. Always capitalize both words when used together, i.e, "My Laker Effect is making my community a better," or "I feel that is my Laker Effect," or "What is your Laker Effect?"

  • Laker for a Lifetime - Capitalize as Laker for a Lifetime in headline and body copy use when referring to the initiative promoting the idea that students continue to share their Laker Effect long after graduation—continually using their skills, training, and critical and creative thinking to positively impact the world around them in both personal and professional pursuits.

    Laker for a Lifetime is the proper name of a university program. Always capitalize Laker and Lifetime.

  • Laker Village Apartments

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Laker Village is acceptable.

  • Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Keller Theatre is acceptable.

  • Louis Armstrong Theatre

    Use on all references.

  • Loutit Lecture Halls

    Use on all references.

  • Lubbers Stadium Press Box

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Press Box is acceptable.

  • Lubbers, Arend D.

    Grand Valley's second president, serving from 1968 to 2001. Current title is president emeritus, capitalized if used before his name (President Emeritus Lubbers) and not capitalized if used after his name (Arend D. Lubbers, president emeritus). May also be referred to as Arend (Don) D. Lubbers.

  • Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, LGBT Resource Center is acceptable.

M

General

  • majors

    Majors are lowercase except for English and foreign languages.

  • Medical Mile

    Only buildings on Michigan Street in Grand Rapids are part of the Medical Mile.

    Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall is not part of the Medical Mile.

    Do not refer to the area or Michigan Street as Health Hill.

    For all Grand Valley buildings located on Michigan Street in Grand Rapids, please use the following address format:

    Grand Valley State University
    On the Medical Mile
    XXX Michigan Street NE
    Grand Rapids, MI  49503

    This includes all letterhead, return envelopes, and address listings.

Proper Names

  • Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Writing Center is acceptable.

  • Frederik Meijer Honors College

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Meijer Honors College is acceptable. (Meijer Honors College curriculum, not Honors curriculum.) (Meijer Honors College classes, not Honors classes.)

  • Health Hill

    Do not use Health Hill. Please refer to Medical Mile.

  • Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Keller Theatre is acceptable.

  • Mackinac Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Manitou Hall

    Use on all references.

  • Mantella, Philomena V.

    Grand Valley's fifth president, named in 2019. Refer to as President Philomena V. Mantella or Philomena V. Mantella, president as appropriate. Do not use Ph.D. or Dr.

  • Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons

    Use full name on first reference. Following the first reference, Mary Idema Pew Library is acceptable.

  • Maxine M. Swanson Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Swanson Living Center is acceptable.

  • Meadows Club House

    Use on all references.

  • Meadows Learning Center

    Use on all references.

  • Meijer Campus in Holland

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Holland Campus is acceptable. The Meijer Campus in Holland is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Meijer Public Broadcast Center

    Use on all references.

  • Meijer

    Not Meijer Inc. or Meijer, Inc.

  • Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC)

    Former name of the Muskegon Innovation Hub. See Muskegon Innovation Hub.

  • Michigan Small Business Development Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, MI Small Business Development Center or MI-SBDC is acceptable.

  • Michigan's West Coast

    Not Lake Michigan's West Coast. Another term for West Michigan. Includes Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, and the Lake Michigan coastline.

  • Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, LGBT Resource Center is acceptable.

  • Murray, Mark A.

    Grand Valley's third president, serving from 2001 to 2006.

  • Muskegon Campus

    Or Grand Valley's campus in Muskegon. The Muskegon Campus is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Muskegon Innovation Hub is acceptable. Formerly known as Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC).

  • Muskegon Regional Center

    Use on all references.

  • The Marketplace

    Use on all references. Not Laker Market Place, Laker Marketplace, or GVSU Marketplace.

  • The Meadows

    Use on all references. Includes golf course, club house, and academy.

N

General

  • non-scientists

    Not nonscientists.

  • Non-Western

    Not NonWestern, Non-western, or nonwestern.

  • nonbusiness majors

    Not non-business majors.

  • nonprofit

    Not non-profit.

  • nonresident

    Not non-resident.

  • nonstatistical

    Not non-statistical.

  • nonteaching

    Not non-teaching.

  • nontraditional

    Not non-traditional.

  • numbers

    Spell out whole numerals below 10 and use Arabic numerals for 10 and above, except with percentages (every 30 minutes; the last 2,000 years; three credits; nine hours at the 300 level; 4 percent). No superscript on ordinal numerals (30th not 30th). Spell out a numeral at the beginning of a sentence, unless the numeral identifies a calendar year (1976 was a very good year.).

Proper Names

  • Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Niemeyer Learning and Living Center is acceptable.

  • NextEd Accelerator

    Use GV NextEd Accelerator on first reference. Following first reference, Accelerator is acceptable.

  • North Living Center A

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, North A is acceptable.

  • North Living Center B

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, North B is acceptable.

  • Northwestern Michigan College University Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, University Center is acceptable.

O

General

  • on-campus students

    Not oncampus students.

  • online

    Not on line or on-line.

  • onsite

    Not on site or on-site.

  • student organizations

    An official list of student organizations (along with formal names) can be found at https://gvsu.campuslabs.com/engage

Proper Names

  • Arnold C. Ott Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Ott Living Center is acceptable.

  • Office of the President

    Also, president's office is acceptable. Not President's Office.

  • Office of the Provost

    Also, provost's office is acceptable. Not Provost's Office.

P

General

  • percent

    Always spell out in sentences, including in bullet points, unless space absolutely does not allow. Use % in charts and graphs.

  • postconsumer

    Not post-consumer or post consumer.

  • postsecondary

    Not post-secondary.

  • predental

    Not pre-dental.

  • prelaw

    Not pre-law.

  • premed or premedical

    Not pre-med or pre-medical.

  • prepharmacy

    Not pre-pharmacy.

  • prephysical therapy

    Not pre-physical therapy.

  • preprofessional studies

    Not pre-professional studies.

  • Presidents' Ball

    The proper name for the annual event hosted by the university president and the Student Senate president. Not "President's Ball" or Presidents Ball."

  • preveterinary

    Not pre-veterinary.

Proper Names

  • Barbara and Stuart Padnos International Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference Padnos International Center is acceptable.

  • Lubbers Stadium Press Box

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Press Box is acceptable.

  • Office of the President

    Also, president's office is acceptable. Not President's Office.

  • Office of the Provost

    Also, provost's office is acceptable. Not Provost's Office.

  • P. Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kindschi Hall of Science is acceptable.

  • Paul A. Johnson Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Johnson Living Center is acceptable.

  • Performing Arts Center

    See below for the proper usage when referencing the Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts.

  • Peter F. Secchia Hall

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Secchia Hall is acceptable.

  • Robert and Mary Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center is acceptable.

  • Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pew Grand Rapids Campus is acceptable. All Grand Valley buildings except the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, and the Center for Interprofessional Health are part of the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. See Health Campus. The Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Robert C. Pew Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pew Living Center is acceptable.

  • Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference Padnos College of Engineering is acceptable.

     

  • Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Padnos Hall of Science or Padnos Hall are acceptable.

  • Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Haas Center for the Performing Arts or Haas Center is acceptable.

  • William F. Pickard Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pickard Living Center is acceptable.

Punctuation

  • period after Web address

    When a Web address is the end of a sentence, it should be completed with a period. (For more information about applying to Grand Valley, go to www.gvsu.edu/admission.)

  • post as a prefix with an acronym

    Use a hyphen to connect the prefix with the acronym (post-B.S.N.)

Titles

  • professor

    Spell out professor and capitalize it only when immediately preceding a name (Professor Smith). Lowercase elsewhere (The professor was walking to class).

Q

Punctuation

  • quotation marks (" ")

    Place end-of-quote punctuation before the close-quote mark. (The student cheered, "Go Lakers!")

R

General

  • recordkeeping

    Not record keeping.

  • REP4

    Rapid Education Prototyping. Always use REP4 (all caps, no spaces) when referencing in text.

  • residence halls

    Not a term we use. Use living centers.

  • room-and-board rates

    Not room and board rates.

  • résumé or resume

    Not resumé.

Proper Names

  • Kenneth W. Robinson Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Robinson Living Center is acceptable.

  • Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Finkelstein Hall is acceptable.

  • Ravine Apartments

    Use on all references.

  • Ravine Center

    Use on all references.

  • Recreation Center

    Use on all references.

  • Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

    Use full name on first reference. Note the use of "and" and then "&". Following first reference, DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is acceptable.

  • Richard M. DeVos Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, DeVos Center is acceptable.

  • Richard M. DeVos Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, DeVos Living Center is acceptable.

  • Robert and Mary Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center is acceptable.

  • Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, AWRI and Annis Water Resources Institute are acceptable.

  • Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pew Grand Rapids Campus is acceptable. All Grand Valley buildings except the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, and the Center for Interprofessional Health are part of the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. See Health Campus. The Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

  • Robert C. Pew Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pew Living Center is acceptable.

  • Russel H. Kirkhof Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kirkhof Center is acceptable.

S

General

  • seasons/semesters

    Uppercase season when it refers to a semester followed by a year, no comma. (Fall 2003). Lowercase when used as an adjective (offered fall and winter semesters or spring/summer semester) or not relating to a semester (we voted in the fall of 2008).

  • student organizations

    An official list of student organizations (along with formal names) can be found at https://gvsu.campuslabs.com/engage

  • student-athlete

    Hyphenate in all instances.

Proper Names

  • Bill and Sally Seidman Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Seidman Living Center is acceptable.

  • Dale Stafford Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Stafford Living Center is acceptable.

  • James L. Stevenson Center for Higher Education

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference Stevenson Center for Higher Education or Stevenson Center are acceptable.

  • L. William Seidman Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Seidman Center is acceptable.

  • Maxine M. Swanson Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Swanson Living Center is acceptable.

  • Peter F. Secchia Hall

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Secchia Hall is acceptable.

  • Seidman College of Business

    Use on all references.

  • Seidman House

    Use on all references.

  • Senior Management Team

    Not senior management team.

  • Service Building

    Not service building.

  • Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference Padnos College of Engineering is acceptable.

     

  • Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Padnos Hall of Science or Padnos Hall are acceptable.

  • Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center

    Use full name on first reference. Shape Corp. IDC is acceptable following the first reference.

  • Small Business Development Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, SBDC is acceptable. Not Small Business and Technology Development Center.

  • South Living Center A

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, South A is acceptable.

  • South Living Center B

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, South B is acceptable.

  • Steelcase Library

    Use on all references.

  • Student Senate

    Not student senate.

  • Student Services Building

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Student Services is acceptable.

Punctuation

  • spaces

    Use one space after all punctuation, except when using punctuation immediately before a close-quote mark or in the case of the hyphen and the endash.

T

General

  • theater/theatre

    Use theater when talking about the general term, use theatre when referring to Grand Valley's theatre major or Theatre when referring to the Louis Armstrong Theatre or Theatre at Grand Valley.

  • time

    6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. Not 7:00 or 7pm or 7 PM.

  • trademark

    ™ and ® are only required on the first reference to a trademarked/servicemarked name.

Inclusive Language

  • transgender

    Use as an adjective (e.g., “transgender people,” “transgender women,” “transgender communities”). Do not use as a verb (“transgendered”) or as a noun (“a transgender” or “transgenders”). For more guidance and considerations for writing about the transgender community, please see GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide.

     

Proper Names

  • Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Keller Theatre is acceptable.

  • Traverse City Regional Center

    Use on all references. The Traverse City Regional Center is one of eight Grand Valley locations.

U

General

  • username

    Not user name.

Proper Names

  • Northwestern Michigan College University Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, University Center is acceptable.

  • United States/U.S.

    Not US.

  • University Bookstore

    Now called the GVSU Laker Store.

  • University Guest House

    Use on all references.

  • University Health Services

    Use on all references.

  • University Policies

    Previously called University Regulations.

  • University Regulations

    Now called University Policies.

V

General

  • videocassette

    Not video-cassette or video cassette.

Proper Names

  • Van Andel Global Trade Center

    Not Trade Institute or Center for Global Trade. Note the space between Van Andel.

W

General

  • webpage

    Not web page or Web page.

  • website

    Not web site or Web site.

  • windpower

    Not wind power.

  • worksite

    Not work site or work-site.

Proper Names

  • W.G. Jackson

    Should be italicized with no quotation marks (W.G. Jackson).

  • Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Writing Center is acceptable.

  • West Living Center A

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, West A is acceptable.

  • West Living Center B

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, West B is acceptable.

  • West Michigan

    Not Western Michigan (to avoid confusion with the university in Kalamazoo). Use when referring specifically to the region comprised of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, and Allegan counties.

  • William A. Kirkpatrick Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Kirkpatrick Living Center is acceptable.

  • William F. Pickard Living Center

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Pickard Living Center is acceptable.

  • Winter Hall

    Use on all references.

Y

General

  • years

    Use a hyphen in a non-continuing year, such as an academic year (2012-2013, not 2012–2013). Use an endash to indicate ranges (1900–1950, not 1900-1950).

Z

Proper Names

  • James H. Zumberge Hall

    Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Zumberge Hall is acceptable.

  • Zumberge, James H.

    First president of Grand Valley, served from 1963 to 1968.


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