Editorial Style Guide

ABD

An abbreviation that stands for “all but dissertation,” in reference to those who have completed their doctoral studies except for their dissertation defense. This should be abbreviated in all caps, no periods. Avoid using ABD following a name as if it were a degree. When needing to recognize a person's credentials, write John Doe is a Ph.D. candidate rather than John Doe, ABD. Refrain from referring to someone as Dr. when they have ABD status.

Academic Colleges

See Colleges.

Academic Dean

See Dean.

Academic Degrees

See Degrees, Academic.

Academic Departments

Proper names of JSU's departments are capitalized, but informal or incomplete names are lowercased. Examples: the Department of Communication, the communication department, the department. The exception would be proper nouns that occur within these names. Examples: the English department, Department of English. Programs that do not offer degrees are lowercased: creative writing program. Note: do not use an ampersand (&) in department names (example: Department of Art and Design).

Academic Disciplines

Do not capitalize generic phrases or terms for academic fields of study unless

they function as proper nouns, such as English. Examples: He is a music major but has a strong interest in English and French. His sister, enrolled in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, is delving into history as part of her bachelor's degree program. Sam, formerly a business student, is now studying political

science.

Academic Semester

See Semester.

Academic Titles and Names

Titles are lowercased when they stand alone: president, dean, director, vice president, professor, etc. Capitalize a title when it precedes a name or when the title and name appear in a table or list (as in a directory or program). A shortened title preceding a name is acceptable, although the full formal title is often more appropriate in formal writing. Examples: The university president will address the graduates. President Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. attended the meeting.

Notes:

• Professor should not be used as a synonym for any person who teaches at a university or college; professor is a specific academic rank. To determine a faculty member's academic rank at JSU, consult the Undergraduate Catalog or departmental website. Double-check for accuracy when stating a person's academic rank. In addition to professors, there are associate professors, assistant professors, adjunct instructors, instructors, etc.
• When used after a person's name (and this should be done sparingly), an academic degree abbreviation is set off by commas: John Doe, Ph.D., wrote a textbook.
• Do not precede a name with a courtesy title indicating an academic degree and then follow it with the abbreviation for the degree. Examples: Dr. John Doe, Ph.D., historian, is redundant. Dr. John Doe, historian, is better. John Doe, Ph.D., historian, is correct.
• Avoid using both Dr. and title before a name; use one or the other. Examples: President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. is incorrect; President Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. is correct. On second references, use President Killingsworth, Dr. Killingsworth, or the president.
• Medical professionals who are known as doctors should be indicated as follows: Dr. Joe Smith, a physician; Joe Smith, MD; Dr. Jane Doe, a surgeon; etc.

Academic Units/Entities

Capitalize the formal name of an academic unit. Lowercase partial or informal unit names except for words that are proper nouns. Examples: The Economic Development Center has done a fine job. The center projects a stronger economy. He was a member of the faculty of the David L. Walters Department of Music. The music department held a concert. The college published 20 books last year.

Admissions/Admission

At JSU, it is the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Example: Go to the Undergraduate Admissions office for help with your admission process.

Advice/Advise

Advice is a noun meaning counsel or guidance; advise is a verb meaning to offer such guidance.

Advisor

The preferred spelling at JSU is advisor, not adviser.

Affect/Effect

Affect is a verb: Many factors affect your grade. Effect is a noun: The effect of poor attendance may be a failing grade. However, effect may also be used as a verb that means “to bring about”: The student newspaper hopes to effect change at the university.

AL/Ala.

When writing, use traditional abbreviations (Ala.), not the US postal format (AL). Reserve postal abbreviations for mailing purposes. When writing the state name alone, however, avoid abbreviations: He drove through Alabama on the way to Florida. See also State Abbreviations.

Alumni Association

Capitalized when used as a full proper noun: JSU Alumni Association. The JSU Alumni Association is housed in Alumni Relations.

Alumnus/Alumni

The terms alumnus (singular) and alumni (plural) are used for graduates of Jacksonville State University. The informal alum may be used in informal writing. These inclusive terms are preferred.

Alumna/Alumnae

The terms alumna (singular, pronounced “alum-nuh”) and alumnae (plural, pronounced “alum-nee”) are used for graduates of all-women organizations. The informal alum may be used in informal writing. Example: She is an alumna of Zeta Tau Alpha and often volunteers with other local ZTA alumnae.

a.m./p.m.

Use lowercase with periods.

Annual

Something that has happened two or more years in a row. Do not refer to an event as an annual event until it has been held at least two times, hence there will never be a “first annual event.”

Apart/A Part

Apart is used to show separation. Example: The class fell apart without their instructor in the room. A part is used to show a part of a whole. Example: She enjoys being a part of the Southerners.

Army

Military units are lowercased when used generically but capitalized when U.S. or United States is added: He took army ROTC classes and plans to have a career in the U.S. Army.

Artist-in-Residence

Note hyphens. Plural is artists-in-residence.

Assure/Ensure/Insure

“Ensure is the general term meaning to make sure that something will (or

won't) happen. In best usage, insure is reserved for underwriting financial risk. So, we ensure that we can get time off for a vacation and insure our car against an accident on the trip. We ensure events and insure things. But we assure people that their concerns are being addressed.” (Chicago)

Athletics

JSU Athletics encompasses all sports at the university and should be uppercased. Example: JSU Athletics is now selling football season tickets.

Athletics Director

The athletics director heads JSU Athletics. This title should be lowercased unless preceding a name. Examples: The athletics director announced the new coach. Athletic Director Greg Seitz is a season ticket holder for all the teams in JSU Athletics.

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

Lowercased bachelor's degree is acceptable, as are B.A. and B.S. (with periods, in accord with AP Style). Capitalize when used as a proper noun: Bachelor of Arts in English.

Ballerinas

See Marching Ballerinas.

Board of Trustees

When using the entire phrase, capitalize Board of Trustees or Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees. In subsequent references, or when the entire phrase is not used, lowercased board or trustees may be used. Note: board is singular (The board is meeting today or The Board of Trustees is meeting today). Trustees is plural (The trustees are meeting today).

Buildings and Spaces at JSU

Capitalize the proper names of buildings and write their complete names upon first reference, including capitalizing the words building or hall if they are an integral part of the formal name. Example: The university has numerous buildings, including the Theron Montgomery Building and the Ernest Stone Center. After the first reference, initialisms or shortened names, such as TMB and Stone Center, may be used. Please note that some spaces on campus are named for donors, and the formal name must include that information upon first reference. Example: The student tour will start at the Miriam and James Haywood Memorial Fountain, and it will end at the fountain as well.

Cannot

Cannot is always written as one word, not two.

Canvas

JSU’s learning management system, which is uppercased. Example: Online@JSU prepares all Canvas courses.

Capitalization in Titles

Principal words should be capitalized. Articles, prepositions, and conjunctions should be written lowercase unless used as the first or last word in the title.

Cascade

The content management system used for the JSU website, which is uppercased. Example: Chris logged in to Cascade to make changes to the website.

Catalog

Not Catalogue. Capitalize when giving the full title: the Undergraduate Catalog. Lowercase when using generically: Students follow the program from their catalog year.

Center Around

Use either center on or revolves around.

Chair

The person leading a group or body, such as a committee. Note: Chairman should be shortened to chair to be more inclusive. JSU's academic departments are led by department heads, not chairs.

Civil Titles

Lowercase as a stand-alone; capitalize when preceding a person's name. Examples: the president; President George Washington.

Classification, Student

Lowercase freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes, as well as the levels undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral. Uppercase a class name that includes the specific year: Class of 2022.

Colleges

Proper names of JSU's colleges are capitalized, but informal or incomplete names are lowercased. Examples: the College of Health Professions and Wellness, health professions, the college. College names, including the word and, should be spelled out and not use an ampersand. Example: the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences.  The ampersand may be used in graphic logos and informally, for example: the College of Arts, Humanities & Sciences (note the omitted comma before the ampersand).

Commencement

The term commencement refers to the actual ceremony at which degrees are conferred. The term graduation refers to the completion of all requirements for a degree. The two terms are not necessarily interchangeable, depending on context. For example: I completed all graduation requirements and will participate in commencement this December.

Complexes/Campuses

Only the university in its entirety may be referred to as a “campus.” Therefore, JSU South and the builidings housing the College of Education and Professional Studies are referred to as complexes, not campuses. They are the JSU South Complex and the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) Complex.

Contractions

Contractions may be used in all but the most formal writing or publications. The writer is encouraged to consider the audience and the rhetorical situation when deciding whether or not contractions should be used. For example, contractions may be used in social media captions but are not appropriate for a commencement program.

Corequisite

Written as one word without a hyphen at JSU.

Dates

In text, avoid the all-numeral style of writing dates (10/10/52). JSU prefers the following format in text: month, day, year (August 18, 2004). When the day is unimportant, use the month and year without punctuation: August 2004. A range of days may be written as follows: August 13-18, 2004; July 1-August 1, 2004.

Dean

On first reference use the full title: Dean Tim Lindblom or, in a departure from AP Style, write Dr. Tim Lindblom, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences. For every subsequent reference use Dean Lindblom, Dr. Lindblom, or the dean (lowercase). Capitalize the title when used in front of a person’s name. Example: Dean Jane Smith. Do not capitalize the title when it is used descriptively after a name. Example: Jane Smith is the dean of our college.

Dean’s List

Always lowercase and use the possessive. Example: He made the dean’s list.

Degrees, Academic

Capitalize formal degree names, such as Bachelor of Arts in English. When written generally, use lowercase and an apostrophe: He is working on his master’s degree while she is working on her bachelor’s degree. Likewise, someone pursues a doctoral (adj.) degree but receives a doctorate (noun). Use periods when abbreviating degrees like Ph.D., B.S., and M.B.A. However, we use no apostrophe when writing associate degree and only capitalize with a formal degree name, such as Associate of Arts.

Degree Titles, Academic

For all degrees conferred at JSU, please see the current Undergraduate Catalog or Graduate Catalog and use the titles found therein. For degrees conferred at other colleges and universities, we recommend seeing their catalogs. See also Degrees, Academic.

Departments

Proper names of JSU's departments are capitalized, but informal or incomplete names are lowercased. Examples: Department of Communication, the communication department, the department. The exception would be proper nouns that occur within these names. Examples: Department of English, English department. Programs that do not offer degrees are lowercased: creative writing program. Note: do not use an ampersand (&) in department names (example: Department of Art and Design).

Department Head

JSU's academic departments are led by department heads, not chairs. On first reference use the full title: Department Head Tanveer Islam or, in a departure from AP Style, write Dr. Tanveer Islam, Head of the Department of Emergency Management and Public Administration. For every subsequent reference use Dr. Islam or the department head (lowercase).

Directions and Regions

Compass points and terms derived from them are lowercased when they indicate direction or location: JSU is located in the northeastern part of Alabama. However, when referring to a geographic region, we capitalize: JSU serves Northeast Alabama, which is part of the South.

Disabilities

See Inclusive Language.

E-Book

Hyphenate. Example: This course uses an e-book.

Email

Do not hyphenate or uppercase. Example: I need to email my advisor.

Ensure/Insure/Assure

“Ensure is the general term meaning to make sure that something will (or won't) happen. In best usage, insure is reserved for underwriting financial risk. So, we ensure that we can get time off for a vacation and insure our car against an accident on the trip. We ensure events and insure things. But we assure people that their concerns are being addressed.” (Chicago)

Esports

Do not hyphenate or uppercase. Many students at JSU play esports.

Events

Capitalize the full name of events, including sporting events: Preview Day, Homecoming, Gamecock Orientation.

Everyday/Every Day

Everyday is an adjective to mean “common or ordinary.” Example: Students wear everyday clothes to class. Every day is used to show a repeated occurrence. Example: Every day, students wear everyday clothes to class.

Farther/Further

Farther is a physical distance: How much farther until we get to Jacksonville. Further is a figurative distance, as in, We'll look into it further.

Faculty

Can be used as singular or plural. Both faculty members and faculty are correct, but take care to be consistent. The English faculty met at Angle Hall. Some faculty members write books.

Fewer/Less

Use fewer for items than can be counted; use less for items that cannot. Examples: Fewer students live off campus. There is less housing on campus.

First Day Access

The JSU Bookstore’s program that delivers e-books to students’ Canvas classes.

First Generation

Generally speaking, first-generation college students do not have parents who earned four-year degrees. Hyphenate this term when it is used as an adjective and comes before a noun: first-generation students.

Former/Latter

Former was in the past; latter is in the present, or more recent past. Former President Cole instituted the policy; latter President Meehan retained the policy.

Fractions

Spell out fractions less than one. Example: Approximately two-thirds of our students are the first in their families to attend college.

Friendliest Campus in the South

This university slogan should be capitalized.

Full Time

Hyphenate when used in front of a noun; otherwise, do not hyphenate. Examples: He is a full-time student. He attends JSU full time.

Fundraising (n.), Fundraising (adj.), Fundraiser (n.)

These terms are no longer hyphenated. Examples: She is in charge of fundraising at the university and plans many fundraisers. These fundraising efforts are strong.

General Education/General Studies

This term refers to foundation courses in the liberal arts that are a basis for every university degree.  JSU’s signature general studies program is called Jax MIX. See also Jax MIX.

GPA

May be abbreviated to GPA for all purposes. If spelled out, write grade-point average (lowercase with hyphen).

Grades, Scholastic

Letters used to denote grades are capitalized and are not italicized. Do not use

quotation marks or an apostrophe with plural forms. Examples: Javier made all As. Javier received an A on the essay.

Graduation

The term commencement refers to the actual ceremony at which degrees are conferred. The term graduation refers to the completion of all requirements for a degree. The two terms are not necessarily interchangeable, depending on context. For example: I completed all graduation requirements and will participate in commencement this December.

Honorary Degrees

The honorary title Dr. is usually omitted. However, it is acceptable to use the reference to an honorary degree if you make it clear that the degree is honorary. Example: Dr. John Doe, who holds an honorary doctorate from JSU, spoke Thursday.

ID

Capitalize. No apostrophe when writing the plural: IDs. Note: The official name of the campus ID for students and employees is called the JCard.

Impact

Avoid using as a verb unless in a physical context. For example, you would not write “I was impacted by the concert.”  Instead, you might say, “The concert had an impact on me.”  To use impact in the physical context, you might say, “Unfortunately, Dr. Smith is out of work with an impacted tooth.”

Inclusive Language

Strive to use inclusive language as described below:

·         When speaking of an unknown person in general, use the singular they to avoid imposing gender on this unknown person. Example: The student needs to have their own living space. When possible, you might instead make the sentence plural to avoid the singular they. Example: Students need to have their own living spaces.

• Avoid gendered phrases like ladies and gentlemen.
• Avoid gendered titles when possible, like chair instead of chairman or police officer instead of policeman.
• Avoid addressing a married woman as Mrs. unless you know that is her preferred title.  Ms. Is the more accepted way to address women.
• Use “people first” language when writing about people with mental illness or disability. For example, handicapped is no longer the appropriate term for a person with a disability. Please see the National Disability Authority website for more information.
• In general, terms like black and white are lowercased when writing about race; however, it is becoming more common to capitalize Black. Terms like African American and Asian American are also capitalized and not hyphenated.

Please visit The Diversity Style Guide website for more in-depth information on using inclusive language.

Instructor

The generic term to be used for faculty members at JSU, which should not be capitalized. Example: Please ask your instructor about the syllabus. (Teacher is a term that is more frequently used in K-12, and professor is a term that applies only to faculty with terminal degrees who are on the tenure track.)

Insure/Ensure/Assure

“Ensure is the general term meaning to make sure that something will (or won't) happen. In best usage, insure is reserved for underwriting financial risk. So, we ensure that we can get time off for a vacation, and insure our car against an accident on the trip. We ensure events and insure things. But we assure people that their concerns are being addressed.” (Chicago)

International House

See International House and Programs.

International House and Programs

The name of this campus unit is International House and Programs; however, the physical building on campus is the International House. Note: The International Program at JSU is formally called the James H. and Myra Hume Jones International House Program while the building itself is called the Clarence W. Daugette Jr. International House.

Jacksonville State University

In formal and academic university writing, write out the entire university name upon first mention: Jacksonville State University. For each subsequent mention in the piece of writing, use the abbreviation JSU or Jacksonville State. Only use the term Jax State in informal writing, such as social media posts or captions, never in formal or academic writing, such as business letters and catalogs. Jax State is also appropriate when discussing athletics. Before using Jax State, consider your audience and purpose.

• JSU – An abbreviation for Jacksonville State University, used on second reference to the university in all writing.
• Jacksonville State – An abbreviation for Jacksonville State University, used on second reference to the university in all writing.
• Jax State – An informal abbreviation for Jacksonville State University, acceptable only in graphic logos and informal communications, such as social media posts or captions. Also acceptable for athletics.
• Jacksonville State U. – Not an acceptable abbreviation of Jacksonville State University in writing.

Jacksonville State U.

Not an acceptable abbreviation of Jacksonville State University in writing. See also Jacksonville State University.

Jacksonville State

An abbreviation for Jacksonville State University, used on second reference to the university in all writing. See also Jacksonville State University.

Jax MIX

A signature general education program that aligns with JSU’s new strategic plan, provides a distinctive educational experience, and prepares students for success at JSU and beyond. Note: MIX is spelled with all capitals.

Jax State

An informal abbreviation for Jacksonville State University, acceptable only in graphic logos and informal communications, such as social media posts or captions. Also acceptable for athletics. See also Jacksonville State University.

JSU

An abbreviation for Jacksonville State University, used on second reference to the university in all writing. See also Jacksonville State University.

JSU Alumni Association

Capitalized when used as a full proper noun: JSU Alumni Association. The JSU Alumni Association is housed in Alumni Relations.

jsuRIDE

The university’s student transportation system on campus.

Legal Citations, Versus in

For versus, the abbreviation v. should be used rather than vs. Italicize legal citations. Example: Roe v. Wade. Versus may be shortened to vs. in sports stories but the preferred style is to spell it out: JSU versus Auburn.

Less/Fewer

Use fewer for items that can be counted; use less for items that cannot. Examples: Fewer students live off campus. There is less housing on campus.

Login/Log In

Login, written as one word, is a noun. Example: What is your login for MyJaxState?  Log in, written as two words, is a verb. Example: I need to log in to my account. NOT: I need to log into my account.

Majors, Minors, and Concentrations

The names of majors, minors, concentrations, areas, and fields of study should be lowercased, unless the word is a proper name. The formal degree name should be capitalized. Example: She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in foreign language and a minor in English.

Marching Ballerinas

A section of the Marching Southerners. Can be referred to as the Marching Ballerinas or the Ballerinas in stand-alone references. The Marching Ballerinas are referred to as a dance line, kick line, or dancers but never as a squad, team, or group. See Marching Southerners.

Marching Southerners

The all-inclusive term for JSU’s band, including the Ballerinas. Upon first mention in writing, use the full name (Marching Southerners); then Southerners may be used for subsequent mentions.

Master of Arts, Master of Science

Lowercased master’s degree is acceptable, as are M.A. and M.S. (with periods, in accord with AP Style). Capitalize when used as a proper noun: Master of Arts in English.

Master’s

Capitalize when referring to a specific degree: Master of Arts. Do not capitalize, and use an apostrophe when used generally: a master’s degree. Not Master’s of Arts or Master’s degree.

Microcredential

Written as one word at JSU with no hyphenation. Not Micro-Credential or Micro-credential. Capitalize when speaking of a specific microcredential (the Teaching College Writing Microcredential), but not when speaking of a microcredential in general (she is looking into JSU’s microcredential programs).

MyJaxState

The university’s information management system is written MyJaxState, formerly called MyJSU.

Non-Traditional Students

See Post-Traditional Students.

Numerals

Spell out one through nine, and use numerals for 10 and above, except for ages, addresses, dates, and academic course numbers.

Office Names

The proper names of all campus offices follow the same format: Office of the President, Office of the Registrar, etc.

Over

Use more than when referring to a number. Example: More than 9,000 students attend JSU.

Part Time

Hyphenate when used in front of a noun; otherwise, do not hyphenate. Examples: He is a part-time student. He attends JSU part time.

Percent

Use percent (one word) instead of per cent (two words). Use the percent sign following a numeral: 55%.

Ph.D.

Use periods, and no apostrophe for the plural form. Examples: There were several Ph.D.s on the faculty. , Ph.D.

Phone Numbers

Use the format 012-345-6789, ext. 10. Not (012) 345-6789 or 012.345.6789.

Plural Possessives

Add the apostrophe after the plural word to show possession: parents’, candidates’, the Smiths’.

Possessives

Always add an apostrophe and the possessive s on all words ending in s. Example: Dylan Thomas's poetry, Ted Hughes’s poetry. The exception to this rule is ancient names, for which the ending s may be omitted: Zeus’, Jesus’.

Possessive versus Attributive Forms

According to Chicago Style, “Although terms such as employees' cafeteria sometimes appear without an apostrophe, Chicago dispenses with the apostrophe only in proper names (often corporate names) or where there is clearly no possessive meaning.” Examples: A consumers' group; taxpayers' associations; children's rights; the women's team, a boys' club. But note: Publishers Weekly, Diners Club, Department of Veterans Affairs, Founders Day.

Post-Traditional Students

Now more accepted than the term non-traditional, post-traditional students are generally 25 years of age or older and, according to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI), “are a diverse group of adult learners, full-time employees, low-income students, students who commute to school, and working parents. In general, post-traditional students have one or more of the following characteristics: they delay enrollment in college after high school, they attend part-time for at least part of an academic year, they work full-time while also enrolled in school, they are financially independent, or they have dependents (spouse and/or children).”

Prerequisite

Written as one word without a hyphen at JSU.

President

Do not use both Dr. and President before the university president’s name: Dr. President Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. is incorrect. Instead, on first reference use the full title: President Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. or, in a departure from AP Style, write Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr., President of Jacksonville State University. For every subsequent reference use President Killingsworth, Dr. Killingsworth, or the president (lowercase).

President’s List

Always lowercase and use the possessive. Example: He made the president’s list.

Professional Designations

Do not use periods with abbreviated professional designations such as

CPA or MPA. Do not capitalize such credentials when spelled out. Examples: Sue Jones, CPA. Sue Jones, a certified public accountant.

Professorships, Named

Capitalize these titles in all instances, before or after a name and when standing alone. Example: Mark Edmundson is the Daniels Family Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Virginia.

Provost

On first reference use the full title: Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Christie Shelton or, in a departure from AP Style, write Dr. Christie Shelton, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. For every subsequent reference use Provost Shelton, Dr. Shelton, or the provost (lowercase). Note: do not use an ampersand (&) in the provost’s full title.

Quad, Quadrangle

Generically, lowercase quad, unless referring to a proper name.  Capitalize when referring to the Quad on JSU’s campus.

Quotation Marks Enclosing Periods and Commas

Periods and commas are used inside closing quotation marks: “I really like eating at the cafeteria,” said the senior.

Regions and Directions

Compass points and terms derived from them are lowercased when they indicate direction or location: JSU is located in the northeastern part of Alabama. However, when referring to a geographic region, we capitalize: JSU serves Northeast Alabama, which is part of the South.

Room

When used with numerals, capitalize.  Example: Stone Center, Room 229. In general, when giving a location, it is best to list the room number after the building name.

ROTC

Stands for Reserve Officers Training Corps. The abbreviation is appropriate in all writing without periods.

Semester

JSU's academic year is based on the semester system. Avoid quarter as a synonym for semester; however, term may be used as a synonym for semester. The term that begins in January is the spring semester, not the winter semester. Use lowercase for semester titles when used generically, but capitalize semester titles when followed by the year. Examples: The fall semester begins on Monday. Enrollment grew during the Fall 2003 semester.

Scholastic Grades

See Grades, Scholastic.

School

JSU is made up of academic departments that are part of academic colleges, not schools, with the exception of the School of Nursing, which is part of the College of Health Professions and Wellness, and the Graduate School. Refrain from referring to Jacksonville State University as a school or a college; use university instead.

Southerners

See Marching Southerners.

Space After Punctuation Marks

Use only one space after periods and other punctuation marks.

Sport Management

The title of this academic program uses the word sport not sports.

Staff

The non-faculty personnel at JSU are referred to as staff, both in the singular and the plural. Examples: The support staff of the university. John is on our staff. John is a member of our office staff.

State Abbreviations

In written text, either spell out the state or use the traditional abbreviations, not the two-letter postal format. Examples: Ala., Ga., Tenn., Fla., Miss., La.

Student-Athlete

Hyphenated.

Student Classification

See Classification, Student.

Student Groups

Capitalize the formal names set forth on the Registered Student Organizations website. Use the full student group name upon first reference, but the abbreviation may be used for subsequent references. Example: Student Government Association and then SGA.

Symbols

In text, spell out temperature degrees and dimensions (feet, inches). See also Percent.

T-shirt

Not tee shirt, tee-shirt, or tee.

Teacher

General term for a K-12 educator. Instructor is the preferred generic term for faculty at JSU.

Time

Numerals are used except for noon and midnight. Lowercase a.m. and p.m. and use periods with no spacing.  Abbreviate time zones if needed, such as CST.

Titles

Please use the guidelines below when writing titles.

Enclosed in Quotation Marks

• Dissertations
• Journal Articles
• Lectures
• Magazine Articles
• Manuscripts in Collections
• Poems
• Short Musical Compositions (such as arias, choruses, dances, ensembles, and songs)
• Speeches
• Television Program Episodes
• Theses
• Unpublished Papers

Italicized

• Books
• Brochures
• Corporate or Institutional Reports
• Journals
• Long Musical Compositions
• Magazines
• Movies
• Musicals
• Newsletters
• Newspapers
• Operas
• Paintings
• Pamphlets
• Periodicals
• Plays
• Plays
• Poems, long
• Television Programs

Capitalized Only

• Adjunct Faculty Guide
• Faculty Handbook
• Graduate Catalog
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Undergraduate Catalog
• Student Handbook

Trustee

Trustee is used lowercase as a stand-alone word. Capitalize when used before a name as a proper title. Examples: Trustee John Doe. John Doe, trustee. The trustee had a long drive. See also Board of Trustees.

Underway

One word. Example: Construction on the JSU campus is underway.

University

Lowercase as a stand-alone word, even when referring to JSU. Examples: Dr. Jones works at Jacksonville State University. The university is accredited. Sam attends the university each summer.

Vita/Vitae

A condensed biography or autobiography that generally means “the course of one’s life.” The term vita may be used as a stand-alone term, while it is more common to say curriculum vitae.  Examples: I sent over my vita. I need to update my curriculum vitae. Not, I need to update my vitae. CV is also an acceptable abbreviation.

Voicemail

One word. Example: The student left his professor a voicemail.

Waitlist

One word. Example: The student registered for the class’s waitlist.

Website

Written as one word, lowercased. Also webpage, webmaster. Example: The webmaster updated the webpage on the university’s website.

Xerox

A trademarked name; never a verb. Do not use as a generic term meaning to photocopy; write photocopy instead.

Year, Academic

JSU academic years include fall, spring, and summer terms, in that order, and start over every fall. Example: The 2024-2025 academic year includes Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms.

Yearlong, Yearslong

Written as one word. Example: She took a yearlong research sabbatical.

Year-Round or Year-End

Always hyphenate. Example: English Composition is offered year-round, so your advisee should be able to complete it by year-end.

Zero, Zeros

Not zeroes.