Yes, we are 'Missouri S&T' (and other name change writing tips)

There's been a bit of confusion over how to abbreviate the university's name, so perhaps it's time to discuss proper usage.

For starters, let's go back to the name change FAQ, which says:

What will be the new name for the university?

Missouri University of Science and Technology.

And:

How will it be abbreviated?

"Missouri S&T" is the official abbreviation or nickname. Either the full university name or the nickname will be used on all official university materials, such as stationery, business cards, marketing materials and apparel.

But the FAQ doesn't address some aspects of how the name or nickname should be used. That's where the Missouri S&T Style Guide, currently in development, comes in. Here's a page -- actually an entire chapter -- out of that guide:

Chapter 2: Missouri S&T or Missouri University of Science and Technology?

For headlines, photo captions and other tight spots, shorter is always better. Thus, “Missouri S&T” is preferred. For news releases, use “Missouri University of Science and Technology” on first reference and “Missouri S&T” on subsequent references.

When writing to audiences familiar with the campus – such as alumni or students – Missouri S&T is acceptable in all references.

Never, under any circumstances, use “MUST” or “MST.” (The exception with “mst,” in lowercase, is in web and email addresses. See Internet terms.)

university identification. Use “University of Missouri System” when referring to all four UM campuses. On second reference, use “UM System” or “university system” when referring to the central administration of the four campuses or the Board of Curators. For first reference of any UM campus other than Missouri S&T, write the complete name: “University of Missouri-Columbia” (not “Missouri University” or “University of Missouri”), “University of Missouri-Kansas City” and “University of Missouri-St. Louis.” On second and subsequent references, the following rules apply:

For the University of Missouri-Columbia: MU is acceptable on second reference. This is in keeping with the University of Missouri Board of Curators’ Nov. 29, 2007, decision to allow the Columbia campus to use “University of Missouri,” “MU” or “Mizzou” on second and subsequent references.

For the University of Missouri-Kansas City: UMKC is acceptable on second reference.

For the University of Missouri-St. Louis: UMSL is acceptable on second reference.

Use the lowercase “university” in the generic sense. For example, write: “The university’s Campus Performing Arts Series will host a performance of Evita tonight in Leach Theatre of Castleman Hall.”

We're planning to make the style guide available to campus when we release the graphic identity standards. Both will be posted online. In the meantime, if you think you just can't live without a Missouri S&T Style Guide, drop me a line at acareaga@umr.edu and I'll send you a copy of the almost complete, in-progress version.