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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
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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.
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Center for Adult and Continuing Studies
Use on all references. Replaces "Continuing Education."
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chair
Use chairman, chairwoman, or chair.
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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
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College of Computing
Use on all references.
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College of Education and Community Innovation
Use on all references.
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College of Health Professions
Use on all references.
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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Use on all references.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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courseware
One word. Not course ware.
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coursework
One word. Not course work.
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COVID-19
Use COVID-19 on first reference. Following first reference, COVID is acceptable.
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Alexander Calder Fine Arts Center
Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Calder Fine Arts Center and Calder Arts Center are acceptable.
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Calder Residence
Use on all references.
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Central Utilities Building
Use on all references.
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Central Utilities Building - South
Use on all references.
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Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium
Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Loosemore Auditorium is acceptable.
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Charles W. Loosemore Forum
Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Loosemore Forum is acceptable.
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Children's Enrichment Center
Use on all references.
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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.
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Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences
Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, CHS and Center for Health Sciences are acceptable.
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Cook-DeWitt Center
Use on all references.
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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.
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James M. Copeland Living Center
Use full name on first reference. Following first reference, Copeland Living Center is acceptable.
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The Commons
Use on all references.
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The Lynn M. Blue Connection
Use full name -- The Lynn M. Blue Connection -- on first reference. Following first reference, The Blue Connection is acceptable.