Assumption University Editorial Style Guide

This editorial style guide was created as a tool for writers, editors, and various other communicators across the Assumption University campus. Our goal is to help University communications be clear, concise, and consistent. This will be a living document updated by the Office of Integrated Marketing. 

In general, Assumption University uses the Associated Press Stylebook. For the most up to date guidance on writing style, please consult the Associated Press Stylebook, 57th edition.  

Academic Degrees

  • Do not list degrees, certifications, or similar notations after people’s names in running text.
    • If the person’s degree is important for context, spell out in the copy: Jed Barlet, who holds a Ph.D. in economics, says… 
    • Do not capitalize associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate in philosophy, etc.  
    • Do capitalize Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy 

  • Do use periods when abbreviating academic degrees; B.A., M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D., Ed.D.

Acronyms

  • On first reference, write out entire title/name/reference, and then follow with desired acronym or initialism in parenthesis.

  • Common Assumption acronyms:
    • Assumption University (AU)
    • Core Texts and Enduring Questions (CTEQ)
    • Law, Ethics, and Constitutional Studies (LEX)
    • Sophomore Initiative at Assumption (SOPHIA)
    • Alumni and Student Partnerships in Reflective Engagement (ASPIRE)
    • Center for Purpose and Vocation (CPV)
    • Denecker Career Development and Internship Center (Denecker CDIC)
    • Peers Advocating Wellness for Students (PAWS)
    • Cross Cultural Center (CCC)

  • Buildings (as seen when booking on Ad Astra):
    • Tsotsis Family Academic Center (TFAC)
    • La Maison Française (LAMF)
    • Taylor Dining Hall (TADH)
    • Plourde Recreation Center (PLRC)
    • Information Technology Building (INTB)
    • Testa Science Center (TESC)
    • Fuller Hall (FUHA)
    • Alumni Hall (ALHA)
    • Health Sciences Building (HASB)
    • Kennedy Hall (KEHA)
    • Laska Gymnasium (LAGY)

Assumptionists

  • The order of priests found on campus, and who founded Assumption University, are the Augustinians of the Assumption, also known as the Assumptionists. 

  • Correct references for Assumptionist priests and brothers in running text: 
    • Father Dennis Gallagher, A.A. 
    • Brother Hugo Ballesteros, A.A. 

  • The Religious of the Assumption are a community of Catholic sisters connected to the Assumptionists.  

Audience

  • The simpler, the better when it comes to language. We want all communications to be readable for a wide audience.

  • Make sure to consider who your communications are for and what the audience should be getting out of it.

Faculty, Administration, and Staff

  • When preceding one’s name, capitalize the full title
    • Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Marisa Gregg
      • The same rules apply for professors, associate professors, assistant professors, adjunct professors, staff, administrators, etc.

  • When following one’s name, do not capitalize the title.
    • Esteban Loustaunau, professor of Spanish
      • The same rules apply for associate professors, assistant professors, adjunct professors, staff, administrators, etc.

General Rules

  • Capitalization
    • Names of academic programs should not be capitalized, unless they are a proper noun (i.e. English, Spanish, etc.)
    • For academic departments, capitalize only when using the full formal title. After the first mention, an official name is often replaced by the generic term alone, which should be lowercased: The Department of Biology is pleased to announce a new position. The position will greatly increase the biology department’s efficiency. 
    • When being used as a synonym for Assumption University, “University” should always be capitalized.

  • Offices on campus
    • On first reference, in formal writing, campus offices should be referred to as “the Office of”. On subsequent references, “title Office” may be used.
      • Example
        • First reference: Office of the President
        • Subsequent: President’s Office

  • Time, date, place
    • Following AP style, there should be no letters after dates, and a.m. and p.m. should be written as so. Dates should be written Month, Day, Year.
      • Example: Commencement took place on May 20, 2025, at 10 a.m.

  • We are pro Oxford comma. Note that this differs from the AP Stylebook.

  • When using dashes, use the em dash (—) with no spaces between words.
    • Example: La Maison Française—the frontmost building on campus—was built in 1956.

President

  • Greg Weiner is the president of Assumption University. As with other titles, when appearing before his name, capitalize “president”; when appearing after, do not.

Schools

  • Only precede with “the” in running text.
    • D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • School of Health Professions
    • Froelich School of Nursing
    • Grenon School of Business
    • School of Graduate Studies

Students and Alumni

  • Use ’YOG for undergraduate bachelor’s degree, G’YOG for graduate degrees, P’YOG for parents of undergraduate students, HD’YOG for honorary degrees, HA’YOG for honorary alumni.  

  • AP’YOG for Assumption Prep graduates, AU’YOG following Assumption Prep graduation year if also an alum of AP 
    • e.g. Donald D’Amour AP’60, AU’64, HD’10 

  • When referring to a couple in running text 
    • Josh Lyman ’28 and his wife, Donna 
    • Josh and Donna Lyman, both Class of 2028 
    • In abbreviated text, such as signs, headlines, invitations, etc. it is acceptable to write Josh ’28 and Donna Lyman. Do not style this way in running text. 

  • Capitalize when referring to an entire class. 
    • She was a member of the Class of 2025. 

  • Utilize alumni, alumnae, alum, and alumna where appropriate.  
    • Brenna Aylward ’24 and David Pepin ’20, G’25 are alumni of Assumption University.  
    • Wanda Prytko ’23 and Karen Mirabile ’99 are alumnae of Assumption University. 
    • Bobby Davis, member of the Class of 2023, is an alum of Assumption University. 
    • Olivia Boudreau is an alumna of Saint Anselm College. 

  • In writing, refer to graduation year rather than class year (i.e. Toby Ziegler ’27 instead of junior Toby Ziegler) 

Index: Buildings on Campus

  • Residence Halls
    • Alumni Hall
    • Desautels Hall (Des)
    • Worcester Hall
    • Salisbury Hall
    • Dion Hall
    • Mouqin Hall (the 5s)
    • Authier Hall (the 6s)
    • Dufault Hall (the 6s)
      • Dion, Mouqin, Authier, and Dufault Halls are all located in what is known as “the Valley”.
    • Bissonette Hall
    • Aubuchon Townhouses
    • Wachusett Hall
    • Fr. Isidore Gayraud, A.A. Living Learning Center (the LLC)
    • Plough Hall
    • Cesareo Hall
    • West Hall
      • Plough, Cesareo, and West Halls are collectively referred to as “PCW”.

  • Academic Buildings
    • Tsotsis Family Academic Center
      • Grenon School of Business
      • Lagarce Trading Room
      • Brian and Paqui Kelly Atrium
    • Richard J. and Sophia Catrambone Health Sciences Center
      • Froelich School of Nursing
    • Richard and Janet Testa Science Center
    • Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Memorial Hall (Kennedy)
    • Fuller Hall
    • Founders Hall
      • D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

  • Athletic, Recreation, and Student Life Buildings
    • Plourde Recreation Center
    • Hagan Campus Center
      • Charlie’s Snack Bar (Chuck’s)
      • Andrew Laska Gymnasium
      • Pierre’s Pub
      • The Hound Store
    • Brian Kelly ’83 Stadium
    • Taylor Dining Hall
      • Mariott Room
      • President’s Room
    • Emmanuel d’Alzon Library

  • Other Campus Buildings
    • Chapel of the Holy Spirit
      • Tinsley Lauring Campus Ministry Center
    • Admissions House
    • Carriage House
    • Information Technology Center
    • La Maison Française
      • La Maison Salon
      • La Maison Hall
    • DiPasquale Media Center