Naming Standards

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Review the naming standards for units and programs, as related to the policy for Naming University Properties, Facilities, and Academic and Non-Academic Programs.

Naming Standards for Units and Programs

Names developed and chosen for university units, programs, and associated entities (e.g., centers and institutes) should adhere to the following conventions:

  • Names must reflect the nature of the activities conducted and services provided under that moniker (e.g., Center for Excellence in Writing).
  • To the greatest extent possible, names should be succinct and concise, and fashioned so as not to create confusion with any existing entity under the UB umbrella. Names should explicitly describe the entity’s relationship to the university.
    • Academic units should use “department,” “center,” “institute” or similarly descriptive noun.
    • Officially recognized student organizations should use “club,” “group,” “team,” “chapter,” or the like.
  • Names must be respectful of, and not include, other copyrighted names or phrases either within or beyond the copyrighted assets of the university.
  • Use of “UB” to imply the phrase “you be,” such as UB Learnin’ or UB Safe, is not permitted.
  • Use of unnecessary articles (e.g., “The”) should be avoided, as it adds to the length of the name and reads awkwardly when cited in narrative copy or otherwise read aloud.
  • Names must not include exponents, subscripts, or superscripts, nor any other character that is not a letter or number (e.g., TI2ME). Doing so creates confusion in both written and oral communications. Additionally, some technology platforms may not allow or render atypical characters, with super-and subscripts being particularly troublesome. 

Initialisms and Acronyms

When developing a unit, program, or entity name, do not begin with an acronym or initialism and engineer a name to fit. This often results in strained and confusing names. It is also important to be cognizant of a desired name’s acronym to avoid unwittingly creating an embarrassing or inappropriate acronym (e.g., Administrative Support Services”).

Relatedly, do not use initialisms, acronyms, or abbreviations in official names. These shorthand conventions have the potential to cause confusion among users and make the name of the unit harder to understand and difficult to translate into other languages. They also tend to present comprehension challenges for those using assistive technology.

Visual Expression of the Name

While initialisms, acronyms, or abbreviations (shorthands) are not to be used in the formal name of a unit or program, they may be used in the visual expression of an entity’s name (e.g., in an official unit lockup[1]). This approach may be helpful where brevity aids in the application of the name and does not compromise comprehension. Such instances are permissible as far as any two of the below conditions are met:

  • The shorthand is commonly accepted by the vast majority of the general public.
  • The shorthand is officially recognized by governing bodies of the field in question.
  • The shorthand is accepted upon first use by professional writing style guides such as the Associated Press.

Examples of acceptable shorthand that would be allowed in an official name include:

  • AI (Artificial Intelligence)
  • IT (Information Technology)
  • MBA (Master of Business Administration)
  • SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle)

Regional, local, or unit-specific initialisms, acronyms, or abbreviations (e.g., “WNY”) are not permitted, even if they are commonly accepted and used within the university community.

 

Note: Units and programs may only have one official lockup, and lockup expressions of the name should not become the norm, supplanting the formal reference.

Standards Stewardship

Should an adjustment or exception to any facet of the university’s naming standards be desired, a request must be directed to University Communications (UC) for review and approval. With respect to research units, centers and programs, UC will work with the Vice President for Research and Economic Development to assess appeals. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be presented with a well-articulated and compelling business case.

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Donor Relations and Stewardship 716-881-1708 nms23@buffalo.edu