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Writing Style Guide

Usage and style particular to SUNY Brockport are outlined in this section of the University Style Guide.

It is meant only for University publications and the website. It should not be extended to journalistic or scholarly writing outside of the University.

University Name

In any publication, the very first reference should be “State University of New York at Brockport” or “SUNY Brockport.” Following the first reference, it is correct to use “Brockport” or “the University” (note uppercase University).

“Brockport university,” “Brockport State”, or “The College at Brockport” should not be used.

Academic & Administrative Departments, Offices, Divisions & Schools

Academic units are generally called departments and administrative units are offices.

The words “Department of” always precede the specific academic department name on the first reference; in subsequent references, use either “department” (lower case), or “theatre,” or “chemistry,” etc. The same rule applies to the “School of” or “College of”.

The words “Office of” always precede the specific service office name on the first reference; in subsequent references, use either “office” (lower case) or the name of the office, “Student Accounts and Accounting” (upper case), etc. The same rule applies to “Division of”.

Capitalize the name of the department and the words department, office, division, and school only when they appear in the form of official names such as: “Department of Art and Design,” “College of Education and Health,” or “Division of Enrollment Management.”

Right: Department of English
Right: He is studying the earth sciences.
Right: The Office of the President invites local leaders for a luncheon.
Right: Advancement is raising funds for scholarships.
Wrong: English Department
Wrong: University Communication Office
Right: The Divisions of Administration and Finance & Advancement and Communications are sponsoring this event.
Wrong: The Division of Administration and Finance and the Division of Advancement are sponsoring this event.

Review the Official University Directory

Buildings & Facilities

Use the official name of campus facilities with capitals in formal communication. On second reference, if the name is partial, you may shorten the name with the appropriate designation. On second reference when you use no proper name, lowercase hall, center, theater and building. Do not use building, hall and center interchangeably.

Right: Allen Administration Building houses the Office of University Communications. The building is next to the library.
Wrong: University Communications is located in the Allen building.

Official Names for Buildings and Other Campus Areas

Preferred Usage List