Augusta University uses the Associated Press stylebook with select exceptions. Those exceptions, along with other commonly asked questions regarding editorial style, are noted below. For more information, contact the Division of Communications and Marketing at 706-721-7406 or marketing@augusta.edu. The AP Stylebook is available for purchase at The Roar Store.
Academic Degrees— Other than in lists and business cards, do not follow a name with “letter” degrees. Establish credentials in the body of copy, if necessary: “John Doe earned a master’s degree in nursing from The Ohio State University.”
Academic Programs— “Program” is capitalized if it is part of the official name of the program:
- the Study Abroad Program
- the Honors Program
- the MD/PhD Program
- the PhD in Nursing Program
Acronyms— Readily understood and approved acronyms are acceptable on subsequent reference (DOD, DOE, UGA, USG, NIH, CDC, etc.), but in general, avoid alphabet soup and do not place these readily understood acronyms in parentheses after a first reference. However, do place acronyms that your audience would not quickly recognize in parentheses after the first reference. Universities, offices, institutes, foundations, associations, departments, etc., can often be shortened in subsequent references as “the university,” “the office,” “the foundation,” etc. These shortened references should not be capitalized. Base article usage on the sound of the first letter of the acronym: an SRS, an MCG, a CURS.
Augusta University —Is the enterprise consisting of nine colleges and schools, and its satellite campuses. Always use “Augusta University” on first reference. Refer to as Augusta” or “AU” on second and subsequent references. Informal references such as “the university” are acceptable. When using “Augusta” in second and subsequent reference, be certain it is clear you are not referring to the city of Augusta.
Bullet Points— Make bullet points consistent in structure: All should be full sentences or fragments, not a combination of both. However, if you have two sets of bullet points in a document, you do not need to make them consistent with each other — just within themselves. Punctuate bullets consistently. That is, if one bullet ends with a period, end all with a period, following these rules:
- If all bullets are sentences, end each one with a period or question mark.
- If all bullets are phrases or fragments, use no end punctuation. Avoid using semicolons between bullets.
Campus — Campus is capitalized when it is part of the name of our campuses.
- Summerville Campus
- Health Sciences Campus
But: Summerville and Health Sciences campuses
CAMPUS NAMES
Forest Hills Campus— The Augusta campus that is home to the Christenberry Fieldhouse, Forest Hills Golf Course and the university’s Golf House and Practice Facility.
Health Sciences Campus— The Augusta campus that is home to the Medical College of Georgia, College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Science & Mathematics, Dental College of Georgia, and the Graduate School.
Riverfront Campus— The Augusta campus that is home to the future Georgia Cyber and Innovation Training Center.
Summerville Campus—The Augusta campus that is home to the College of Education and Human Development, Hull College of Business; and Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Cancer Center— On first reference, spell out the entire name: the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University. On second and subsequent references: the Cancer Center.
Capitalization— Capitalize formal names: The Dental College of Georgia, the Department of Anesthesiology, the Section of Pediatric Cardiology, etc. Lowercase informal references: the university, the health system, the medical school, the dental school, the department, the section, etc. Email addresses and websites should be lowercase. (Exception: some international web addresses)
Christenberry Fieldhouse — Athletic building on the Forest Hills Campus. Fieldhouse is always one word.
Colleges
Medical College of Georgia The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University is the state’s flagship medical school and one of the largest in the country with five campuses across the state. The Medical College of Georgia has a nearly 200-year-old tradition of great doctors and great medicine. Since 1828, MCG has been educating the next generation of physicians and physician researchers for Georgia and beyond. When referencing or writing, please follow these editorial standards:
- Augusta University colleges are written on first reference, for example: the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
- On second reference please use the Medical College of Georgia.
- The official acronym is: MCG (do not use the acronym on first reference).
MCG Satellite Campuses When referring to our satellite campuses, standards have been created to identity with the region name and the region + city name. Southwest Campus
- On first reference use ‘The Medical College of Georgia Southwest Campus’ or ‘The Medical College of Georgia Southwest Campus in Albany’. On second reference use ‘MCG Southwest’ or ‘MCG Albany’.
Southeast Campus
- On first reference use ‘The Medical College of Georgia Southeast Campus’ or ‘The Medical College of Georgia Southeast Campus in Brunswick’. On second reference use ‘MCG Southeast’ or ‘MCG Brunswick’.
Northwest Campus
- On first reference use ‘The Medical College of Georgia Northwest Campus’, ‘The Medical College of Georgia Northwest Campus in Dalton’ or ‘The Medical College of Georgia Northwest Campus in Rome’. On second reference use ‘MCG Northwest’, ‘MCG Dalton’, or ‘MCG Rome’.
MCG Atlanta
- On first reference use ‘The Medical College of Georgia Atlanta at Wellstar Kennestone. On second reference use ‘MCG Atlanta’.
MCG Savannah
- On first reference use ‘The Medical College of Georgia Savannah at Georgia Southern University. On second reference use ‘MCG Savannah’.
The Dental College of Georgia The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University has been the state’s sole dental college since it was established in 1969. Since the first class of DMDs graduated in 1973, nearly 2,500 students have earned their Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. The college is an accredited CODA Dental School, providing care to nearly 50,000 patients each year.
- The college is located inside The Dental College of Georgia Building on the Health Sciences Campus.
- On first reference, use the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University.
- On second reference, use the Dental College of Georgia or DCG.
- The official acronym is DCG (do not use on first reference).
College of Allied Health Sciences
- The college is located on the Health Sciences Campus and uses the Health Sciences Building.
- On first reference, use the College of Allied Health Sciences.
- On second and subsequent references, use the college or CAHS.
- The official acronym is CAHS (do not use on first reference).
College of Education and Human Development
- The college is located on the Summerville Campus and uses University Hall.
- On first reference, use the College of Education and Human Development.
- On second and subsequent references, use the college or COEHD.
- The official acronym is COEHD (do not use on first reference).
College of Nursing
- The college is located on the Health Sciences Campus and uses the Health Sciences Building.
- On first reference, use the College of Nursing.
- On second and subsequent references, use the college or CON.
- The official acronym is CON (do not use on first reference).
College of Science and Mathematics
- The college is located on the Health Sciences Campus and uses the Science and Mathematics Building.
- On first reference, use the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
- On second and subsequent references, use the college or CSM.
- The official acronym is CSM (do not use on first reference).
James M. Hull College of Business
- The college is located on the Summerville Campus and uses Allgood Hall.
- On first reference, use the James M. Hull College of Business.
- On second and subsequent references, use Hull College or Hull.
- Do not use an acronym in body text.
Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- The college is located on the Summerville Campus and uses Allgood Hall.
- On first reference, use the Katherine Reese Pampin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (the Oxford comma is used in the official name, an exception to AP Style and Augusta University Style).
- On second and subsequent references, use Pamplin College or Pamplin.
- Do not use an acronym in body text.
School of Computer and Cyber Sciences
- The college is located on the Summerville Campus and uses the University Hall.
- On first reference, use the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences.
- On second and subsequent references, use the school or SCCS.
- The official acronym is SCCS (do not use on first reference).
The Graduate School
- The college is located on the Health Sciences Campus and uses Pavilion III.
- On first reference, use The Graduate School.
- On second and subsequent references, use the Grad School or TGS.
- The official acronym is TGS (do not use on first reference).
School of Public Health
- The college is located on the Summerville Campus and uses uses the Science Hall.
- On first reference, use the School of Public Health.
- On second and subsequent references, use Public Health or SPH.
- The official acronym is SPH (do not use on first reference).
Commas in a Series — Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: The flag is red, white and blue. He would nominate Tom, Dick or Harry.
Put a comma before the concluding conjunction in a series, however, if an integral element of the series requires a conjunction: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and eggs for breakfast.
Use a comma also before the concluding conjunction in a complex series of phrases: The main points to consider are whether the athletes are skillful enough to compete, whether they have the stamina to endure the training, and whether they have the proper mental attitude.
Commas with introductory clauses and phrases — A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause: When he had tired of the mad pace of New York, he moved to Dubuque.
The comma may be omitted after short introductory phrases if no ambiguity would result: During the night he heard many noises.
But use the comma if its omission would slow comprehension: On the street below, the curious gathered.
Compound Modifiers — When a compound modifier precedes a noun, use hyphens to link all the words in the compound except the adverb “very” and all adverbs that end in -ly:
- a first-quarter touchdown
- a bluish-green dress
- a full-time job
- a well-known man
- a know-it-all attitude
- a very good time
- an easily remembered rule.
Many combinations that are hyphenated before a noun are not hyphenated when they occur after a noun:
- The team scored in the first quarter.
- She works full time.
- His attitude suggested that he knew it all.
But when a modifier that would be hyphenated before a noun occurs instead after a form of the verb “to be,” the hyphen usually must be retained to avoid confusion:
- The man is well-known.
- The woman is quick-witted.
- The children are soft-spoken.
- The play is second-rate.
- All our employees are full-time.
Courtesy Titles — The only courtesy titles used are “Dr.” and formal titles, such as “President” or “Provost,” and then only on first reference. “Mr.,” Mrs.,” “Miss” and “Ms.” are not used. The courtesy title “Dr.” is used for any kind of doctor (MD, PhD, DMD, EdD, etc.), an exception to Associated Press style. The title precedes the full name in the first reference but is not used on subsequent references.
Examples:
- Dr. John Smith has been named chair of the National Society of Physicians. Smith, a 1988 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University ….
- Dr. Mary Smith has been named chair of the National Society of Dentists. Smith, a 1988 graduate of The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University ….
- Augusta University President John Smith has been named chair of the National Society of Educators. Smith, who earned a doctorate in education from the University of ….
- Jane Williams has been named chair of the National Society of Wordsmiths. Williams, who earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism ….
Dates — Use Arabic figures, without st, nd, rd or th.
Dates in Body Text — AP style is “event time date place”:
The Jazz Extravaganza will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in the Maxwell Theatre.
Degrees and Fellowships — Augusta University style does not place periods in “letter” degrees or fellowship acronyms.
NOTE: Other than in lists and business cards, do not follow a name with “letter” degrees. Establish credentials in the body of copy, if necessary: “John Doe earned a master’s degree in nursing from The Ohio State University.”
Departments, Divisions and Sections
When referring to a specific department or section, capitalize it:
Examples:
- Department of Anesthesiology
- Section of Pediatric Cardiology
- Department of Art
- Art Department (an exception to AP style)
- Bob Smith has an appointment in Cardiology. But the general use of a term such as “cardiology” is lowercase: Dr. Jones’ training is in cardiology.
- Dr. John Smith, professor of neurology, said …. (job title after the name)
- Dr. John Smith, professor in the Department of Neurology, said …. (department name used, not part of his title)
Event Programs (lists in) —
(Ex: White Coat Ceremony program):
- Jack Jones, RN
- Angela Williams, MD, PhD
First Names — First names are acceptable on every reference for children (age 18 and younger). The same is occasionally true of adults referred to in feature stories. The tone of the story should dictate first-name usage in these cases. When in doubt, use last names on second and subsequent references.
Health care — Two words. (n. and adj.)
- Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons— Always referred to as J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons on first reference. On second and subsequent reference, it is referred to as the Harrison Education Commons.
Multiple Titles — Use only one title to precede a name: Dr. John Doe or Augusta University President John Doe. Never Augusta University President Dr. John Doe.
Nicknames — Use as part of a first reference only if subject prefers it and is commonly called by it. If preference is unclear, use formal name (William rather than Bill).
Numerals — Spell out one through nine and first through ninth; starting with 10 and 10th, use figures. Exceptions: Always use figures for ages (“She is 2 years old”) and percentages (“9 percent”), and spell out a numeral at the beginning of a sentence (“Twelve committee members attended …”)
Temporary Titles — The title-holder’s preference applies: interim or acting.
Tenses — Articles should be written in the past tense, except for occasional feature articles that may be written in the present tense, depending on the tone of the story. The tense should be consistent throughout the article. (Example of present tense: “Augusta University is a great place to work,” says John Doe, vice president in the Department of Wordsmithing.) Headlines and photo captions are written in the present tense.
Titles
Academic and General—
When a formal job title appears before a person’s name, capitalize it.
When it appears after a person’s name or alone, do not capitalize it.
Examples:
- President Mary Smith said ….
- Dr. Mary Smith, president of Augusta University, said …. (Augusta University will always be capitalized.)
- John Smith, vice president for marketing and communications, said …. (This is his job title; therefore, “marketing and communications” is lowercase.)
- John Smith has been named vice president for communications and marketing at Augusta University. (Again, “vice president for communications and marketing” is his job title; therefore, “marketing and communications” is lowercase.)
- John Smith holds the position of vice president in the Division of Communications and Marketing at Augusta University (“Division of Communications and Marketing” is not being used as part of his job title; therefore, it is capitalized.)
Capitalize and spell out formal titles such as professor or dean when they precede a name. Lowercase elsewhere.
Examples:
- Professor of History Mary Smith said ….
- Professor Mary Smith said ….
- Dr. Mary Smith, professor of history, said ….
- Dr. Mary Smith, professor in the Department of History, Anthropology and Philosophy, said ….
- Dean John Smith said ….
- Dr. John Smith, dean of the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said …. (The name of the college will always be capitalized.)
- Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs Mary Smith, said ….
- Dr. Mary Smith, vice president for enrollment and student affairs, said …. (This is her job title; therefore, “enrollment and student affairs” is lowercase. However, Dr. Mary Smith holds the position of vice president in the Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs.)
Named and endowed chairs and professorships are always capitalized.
Examples:
- John Smith, Morris Eminent Scholar in Art, said ….
- Morris Eminent Scholar in Art John Smith, said ….
- Dr. Mary Smith, Cree-Walker Professor of Education and director of Augusta University’s Literacy Center, said ….
Emeritus:
- Professor Emeritus Mary Smith, said ….
- Dr. Mary Smith, professor emeritus of anthropology, said ….
- Dr. Mary Smith, professor emeritus in the Department of History, Anthropology and Philosophy, said ….
- Dean Emeritus John Smith said ….
- Dr. John Smith, dean emeritus of the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said ….
Titles following names in lists or on business cards are capitalized.
Web Addresses
When placing a web address on promotional material, such as posters, verify that the address works. If the address works without the use of the protocol “http://” or the abbreviation for World Wide Web (www), do not use them. Example: The web address for Augusta University is written “augusta.edu” (an exception to Associated Press style). If a web address occurs at the end of a sentence, end punctuation is used. All urls should be lowercase. Example: The web address for Augusta University is augusta.edu.