Style Guidelines

The Office of External Relations works to maintain a clear, consistent visual identity by offering consultation on appropriate uses of the official Centenary logos, graphics and typefaces. Logo and seal usage in publications for external audiences must be approved by the Office of External Relations.

College Style Guidelines

In an effort to maintain Centenary’s brand and image, the Office of Marketing and Commuincations encourages all faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the appropriate editorial and visual style guidelines, as outlined below.

1) Editorial

View the Editorial Style Guide in one of two ways:

The Office of External Relations has chosen to follow the Chicago Manual of Style and The Associated Press Stylebook in an attempt to standardize the documents we produce. As part of an institution of higher education, it is important to be accurate, clear, and consistent. The Chicago Manual and AP Stylebook are two of the most followed style guides, and geared toward making the English language clear and readable.

For most work, writers and editors should use the Associated Press Stylebook as a primary guide for written work. The Associated Press uses Webster’s New World College Dictionary, published by Wiley, as its primary dictionary. For questions not addressed by the Associated Press Stylebook, consult the Chicago Manual of Style.

The guidelines included refer to things we run into frequently at Centenary College. They are there to be helpful and to answer your questions, not to restrict. There is room for flexibility and for personal style. Always use discretion and tailor your language for its intended audience.

Although this guide contains some exceptions to the Associated Press Stylebook, the style rules here are not meant to supplant the Associated Press Stylebook but rather to augment it with guides specific to Centenary College. It is not intended for students or professors to use in writing academic papers and does not try to include field-specific guides. On the contrary, the intent of the guide is to provide ways to avoid the jargon that infiltrates any academic discipline.

Please contact the Office of External Relations at email with questions or with suggestions for making Centenary College’s style guide more helpful.

2) Visual

In the future, we will release a visual style guide to assist the Centenary community in sending consistent and positive brand messages through brochures, letters, posters and other publications. Working together, we can accurately tell the story of Centenary College.

Currently, logos are available in a variety of file formats.

3) Email Guidelines

Email messages are forms of official college communication and should always convey a professional image within and outside the institution. These guidelines will help ensure that college emails are consistent in format, professional and effective in visual presentation.

  • Background: The standard white background should be used for all emails sent on Centenary’s behalf. Colored backgrounds, pictures, patterns and decorative motifs detract from a professional impression, and should be avoided. Personalization of emails (including the use of the logo) is discouraged because it may:

    • add to an email’s file size;

    • increase the traffic load on the email server;

    • display as an attachment in the recipient’s inbox;

    • cause limited inbox space to fill up faster; and

    • increase the risk of spreading viruses and spyware.

  • Font & Color: Acceptable fonts are Verdana, Arial, Tahoma or Times New Roman in 10- or 12-point size. Uncommon fonts do not always translate to the recipient as intended. Font color should be limited to black.

  • Signature: Your email signature section should include only the identifying information that would otherwise be included in any official communication (e.g., business cards, letters, etc.). This information should contain no graphics or images for reasons stated above. For external signatures, the following information is suggested:

    • Name

    • Title

    • Telephone | Fax

    • http://www.centenary.edu (or specific link to department, etc.)

    • Centenary College of Louisiana

    • Developing leaders for a changing world.

  • Etiquette: Review your messages for accuracy in spelling and punctuation. Avoid backgrounds, stationery or graphics. Use conversational grammar. Do not use all caps or all lower case—it gives the reader the impression that you are yelling at them. Use punctuation. Please remember the relational component of communication—face-to-face communication is preferable.

Logos are available in a variety of file formats.

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