Editorial Style Guide and Brand Guidelines

Editorial Style Guide - A

abbreviations, acronyms

Abbreviate titles when used before a full name (e.g., Dr., Gov., Mr.).

academic degrees

Academic awards conferred by a college upon successful completion of a program of study. Do not use an “s” or apostrophe when referring to the associate degree.

  • Associate degree is acceptable on first reference. If using official degree titles, use uppercase letters (i.e., Associate of Applied Science in Nursing).
  • Lowercase unofficial degree titles, such as associate degree in nursing.
  • Use periods after each letter in degree abbreviations (e.g., A.A., A.S.)
  • Do not capitalize “degree” when referring to the Associate of Arts degree since degree is a descriptive noun rather than part of the title. Do not capitalize academic degrees used in a general sense.
  • Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.

Access NJC

Refers to the college’s secure website that provides restricted access to tools and information customized to the individual visiting the site, using information from college databases. Also referred to as the student portal.

Employees and students receive access through a secure login, called their S-Number.

accreditation statement

Specific statements required by accrediting agencies when referencing the accreditation status of the college or individual programs. Please review the guidelines of the accrediting agency when communicating this information in print or on the web. See HLC.

Acquiring the English Language

Abbreviated AEL. Use Acquiring the English Language in first reference to Adult Basic Education noncredit classes for students who primarily want to learn English for everyday life. See ESL.

addresses

Use abbreviations only with locations that feature a numbered address (e.g., Ave., Blvd., Rd., St., and Dr.; 100 College Ave.) Spell out and capitalize when they are part of a formal street name without a number (i.e., “Located on College Avenue”). See room numbers.

add/drop, add/drop period, schedule changes

Interchangeable terms for the designated period at the beginning of each semester/session in which students can add or drop classes without penalty.

adjunct faculty

Instructors employed on a part-time basis. Title examples: adjunct assistant professor, adjunct associate professor, adjunct professor. Lowercase unless it precedes a name. See professor titles.

Administration/Professional Technical (APT)

Employees whose positions are exempted from the State Personnel System.

Admission Department

Not spelled “Admissions.” Located in Hays Student Center.

adult and community education

Uppercase when referring to the academic department that includes the college’s Adult Basic Education, GED Preparation, and English Language Learner programs. Abbreviated ACE (no periods).

advising, counseling

Advising is acceptable in general references to educational planning assistance offered by academic advisors, counselors, faculty advisors, and recruiters.

advisor

Preferred spelling uses the -or ending, not “adviser.”

Advisory Council

Six people comprise the Northeastern Junior College Advisory Council, which provides guidance to the college on large decisions.

African-American

Preferred usage on first reference. “African-American” and “black” are acceptable on second reference. Never lowercase.

age

Always use numerals when referring to an individual or entity (e.g., a 1-year-old child; the building is 5 years old; the student, 19, has a brother; the student is in his 20s.)

alumni, former student

Any individual who attended Northeastern can be called a former student. To be considered a Northeastern alumnus or alumna officially, a person must have completed 20 credits of coursework. “Alumnus” is not the same as “graduate” – a graduate must have earned a degree from Northeastern. When referring to alumni, note that “alumni” includes both men and women; the singular male is alumnus, the singular female is alumna; and “alumnae” refers to a group solely composed of women.

a.m., p.m.

Always lowercase, with periods. (i.e., “The play is at 8 p.m. today.”) See Time.

AppArmor

Emergency notification system that sends voice, email, and text messages in the event of an extreme emergency or threat of emergency.

Applied Technology Campus

Additional campus located north of the Main Campus on Pioneer Road. Holds:

  • Wind Technology Department
  • Diesel Technology Department
  • Automotive Technology Department
  • Welding Department

See campus names.

Associated Student Government

Official student senate that represents student body on Northeastern Campus. Can be abbreviated to ASG (no periods.)

AY

Spell out “academic year” in documents for a general audience. (I.e., Academic year 2013 [AY13] is the period from fall 2012 through summer 2013.)