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1000 Days

• No comma, capital "D," and the trademark symbol when using as a concept in undergraduate branding.
• Follow this for first reference in both a heading and body copy.
• Subsequent references are just 1000 Days
• Use a capital D for any mention of a day within a student's 1000 Days.

Correct: From Day One, your time at Cedarville will be transformative.

Correct: On Day 304, Michelle changed her major.

a.m.

• Lowercase both letters.
• Use periods after both letters.
• Do not use double zeros in text. Double zeros may be used in a list or schedule if desired for consistency.
• Do not use “12 midnight.” Instead, use “12 a.m.” or “midnight.”

Abundant Life Singers

This is the title of a former University ministry team.

Academic Council

Capitalize “Academic Council."

Correct: The Academic Council had a planning retreat in September.

Academic Honors Day

acronyms

Generally do not use periods in acronyms. Capitalize the letters in acronyms. Spell out the first reference.

Administrative Council

advisor

African-American

ages

• Use figures for all ages. This is an exception to the general rule concerning numbers.
  Correct: Julie is 4 years old.
  Incorrect: Julie is four years old.
  Correct: Kristen is 23 years old.
  Incorrect: Kristen is twenty-three years old.
• Hyphenate ages when used as compound modifiers preceding nouns.
  Correct: The party is for 5-year-old girls.
  Incorrect: The party is for 5 year old girls.
• Do not hyphenate ages when used as compound modifiers following nouns.
  Correct: Sienna is 3 years old.
  Incorrect: Sienna is 3-years-old.
• Hyphenate ages when used as a substitute for a noun.
  Correct: He is an experienced 25-year-old.
  Incorrect: He is an experienced 25 year old.

alumni

alumnus — male graduate; alumna — female graduate; alumnae — more than one female graduate; alumni — more than one male graduate or a group of female and male graduates

Alumni eNews

• This is a monthly newsletter sent to Cedarville’s alumni via email.
• Capitalize “Alumni.” Lowercase first “e” and capitalize “N” in “eNews.”

ampersand

Do not use an ampersand (&) instead of the word “and” unless it is part of a company’s formal name or composition title.

annual

• An event cannot be described as annual until it has been held at least two successive years.
• Do not use “first annual.” Instead, note that sponsors plan to hold the event annually.

Annual Report

Apostle

Asian

Asian-Indian

Awana

bachelor’s degree

Beans-n-Cream

• Capitalize “B” and “C.”
• This is a coffee shop in Cedarville.

Bee, the

Bible — book abbreviations

If a book of the Bible is mentioned in text, spell out the name of the book. If a book of the Bible is mentioned in parentheses, use the abbreviations below.

Bible Belt

Capitalize both words.

Bible study

• Capitalize “Bible,” but lowercase “study.”
• This is two words, not one.

Bible verses

Use cardinal numbers, not Roman numbers.

Correct: Katie read 2 Corinthians last night.

Incorrect: Katie read II Corinthians last night.

Bible, bible

• Capitalize “Bible” when it refers to the Word of God.

           Correct: Take your Bible to church with you.

• Lowercase “bible” when it refers to something else.

          Correct: The AP manual has been called the journalist’s bible.

biblical

Lowercase “biblical.”

blogs

Lowercase all the words in a blog address.

BlogVille

This was the former name for a site used to meet and interact with Cedarville students.

Board of Trustees

Capitalize “Board of Trustees.”

brand-new

break names

Lowercase generic break names, but capitalize proper nouns.

Correct: spring break, fall break

Correct: Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, Easter break

bullet points

• As stand-alone sentences, capitalize the first word and end with a period.
• As phrases, capitalize the first word and end without a period.

Cabinet

cafeteria

CareerNet

• This is a growing database of Cedarville alumni, parents, and friends. CareerNet contacts provide career advice to Cedarville students and graduates and informs Career Services about job openings and internships.
• Capitalize the “C” and “N.”
• This is one word, not two.

cedar.to

• This is a branded, shortened URL that directs to a full URL but is easier to share.
• Create and manage shortened URLs at cedar.to/create.
• Use predominantly in social media or texting campaigns to conserve characters.
• Bold these URLS.

CedarMania

• This an event held on Cedarville’s campus for junior high students.
• Capitalize “C” and “M.”
• This is one word, not two.

CedarNet

• This is Cedarville’s computer network.
• Capitalize “C” and “N.”
• This is one word, not two.

CedarPrint

• This is Cedarville’s wireless printing service that allow students, faculty, and staff to print from a laptop or dorm computer to a University printer via on-campus print stations.
• Capitalize “C” and “P.”
• This is one word, not two.

Cedarville experience

• This refers in general to the experience students have at Cedarville.
• Capitalize only “Cedarville.”

      Correct: Alumni often reflect on their Cedarville experience.

Cedarville Magazine

• This is the University's official publication that is sent to alumni and donors.
• Three issues published each year: fall, spring, and summer

Cedarville Society

• This is Advancement’s donor organization that recognizes those who have contributed financially to Cedarville.
• The following tiers of membership are capitalized and based on specific levels of financial giving:

           President’s Society ($1,000)

           Trustee Society ($2,500)

           Chairman’s Society ($5,000)

           Founder Society ($10,000)

           Charter Society ($25,000)

Cedarville University Contact Management System (CUCMS)

• This is a web-based contact management system that allows Cedarville to track contacts with churches, schools, prospective students, current students, and alumni.
• After the first mention in text, use “CUCMS.”

Cedarville University Emergency Medical Service (CUEMS)

• This is a volunteer ambulance service run entirely by students from Cedarville.
• Note that the last word is singular (Service) not plural (Services).
• After the first mention in text, use “CUEMS.”

Centers

• Cedarville has three centers that were founded to educate and engage people on a variety of topics using a biblical worldview.
• Capitalize the official names of Cedarville’s centers.

Certificates

Do not capitalize certificate titles. 

Incorrect: Alice earned her Graduate Certificate in Biblical Leadership from Cedarville.

Correct: James is taking classes toward a graduate certificate in biblical counseling.

chair

• Use “chair,” not “chairman,” “chairwoman,” or “chairperson.”

Chapel, chapel

• Capitalize “Chapel” only when it is part of a proper name.

           Correct: The concert will be held in the Jeremiah Chapel.

• Lowercase “chapel” when it refers to a service.

chapter

Lowercase “chapter” when used with or without a number.

Correct: Connor wanted to read another chapter in his book before he went to bed.

Correct: Connor opened to chapter 16 in his book.

check-in, check in

• Hyphenate “check-in” when used as a noun or adjective.

Correct: Stop by the check-in desk to register.

• Do not hyphenate “check in” when used as a verb.

Christ-centered

• Always hyphenate.
• Lowercase the second “c” unless it is part of an official title.

Christlike

• Capitalize “Christlike.”
• Do not hyphenate.

Chuck's

• This is an informal name for Cedarville’s dining hall on campus, referring to Chuck McKinney, who oversaw Cedarville’s dining services from 1980–2012.
• Do not use Chuck's in Cedarville communications.

Church, church

• Capitalize “Church” when it refers to the collective body of believers or when it is part of the formal name of a building.

Correct: As the Church, we must do a better job reaching the lost.

Correct: Sienna attends Faith Community Church.

• Lowercase “church” for other uses.

class

Lowercase “class.”

Correct: The class of 2002 will have a special reunion this Friday.

Incorrect: The Class of 2002 will have a special reunion this Friday.

Correct: The 1998 class reunion was held at a local restaurant.

Incorrect: The 1998 Class reunion was held at a local restaurant.

class years

(see also “alumni”)

• Follow the first mention of the names of alumni with a two-digit class year.

Correct: Gretchen Smith ’98

• Precede the year with an apostrophe, not a left single quotation mark.

Correct: Ben Baker ’87
Incorrect: Ben Baker ‘87

• For alumni with both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cedarville, use a comma after the undergrad year followed by the graduate degree and the year it was earned.

Correct: Susan Dawson ’00, M.S.N. ’08

co-

• Hyphenate when forming nouns, adjectives, and verbs that indicate occupation or status.

• Do not hyphenate in other combinations.

• Cooperate, coordinate, and related words are exceptions to the rule that a hyphen is used if a prefix ends in a vowel and the word that follows begins with the same vowel.

Colonial Pizza

• This is a restaurant in Cedarville. The noun form should not be shortened to “Colonials” or “Colonial’s.”
• Capitalize “Pizza” when it refers to the restaurant.

• Lowercase “pizza” when it refers to the food.

Commencement, commencement

• Capitalize “Commencement” only when it is preceded or followed by a year or number.

Correct: Katie enjoyed attending Commencement 2004.
Correct: Kay Coles James spoke at Cedarville’s 113th Commencement.

• Lowercase “commencement” when used without a year or number.

Correct: Dr. Charles Colson spoke at the commencement ceremony last year.

Communion

Capitalize “Communion” when referring to the Lord’s Supper.

company names

• Generally, follow the spelling and capitalization preferred by the company, e.g., eBay. But capitalize the first letter if it begins a sentence.

Correct: Bill sold bicycle parts on eBay.
Correct: EBay had many people who sell bicycle parts.

• Do not use all capital letter names unless the letters are individually pronounced, e.g., BMW. 
• Other company names should be uppercase and lowercase letters, e.g., Ikea, not IKEA and USA Today, not USA TODAY.
• Do not use symbols such as exclamation points, plus signs, or asterisks that form contrived spellings that might distract or confuse a reader. Use Yahoo, not Yahoo!; E-Trade, not E*Trade.

course names

• The term “course” is preferable to “class.”
• Lowercase generic course names, but capitalize proper nouns.

• Capitalize names of courses if they are the official names of the courses according to the current Cedarville catalog.

• Do not use quotation marks around a course name.
• Do not italicize a course name.
• Use a hyphen (not an en dash or em dash) between the capitalized subject abbreviation and course number.

NOTE: Using the hyphen and abbreviation (HIST-3500) should only be used in tables, charts, or graphs. Do not use this format in regular text.

courses

coursework

CU

Unless part of an official name, do not use CU when referring to Cedarville University.

Incorrect: Students at CU fondly remember their chapel experience.

Correct: Students at Cedarville University fondly remember their chapel experience.

CU Friday

• This is a day for prospective students and their families to experience Cedarville firsthand.
• Capitalize “CU” and “Friday”

CU on the Road

• This is the proper name of the initiative that sends Cedarville representatives on the road for recruitment and ministry purposes.
• Capitalize “CU” and “Road.”

D.C.

Use commas around “D.C.”

Correct: Betsy visited Washington, D.C., in May.

D.C. Semester

• This semester-long program for students in Washington, D.C., combines an internship experience with credit-earning course work.
• Capitalize both “D.C.” and “Semester.”

Dashes – em and en (see also "hyphen")

Use an em dash to indicate a break in thought or to separate an idea or phrase in a sentence. Use an en dash to indicate sequential order.

Dates

Dean's Honor List

Dean's List

decades

• When referring to decades, use an apostrophe to indicate numbers that are left out. Do not use an apostrophe between the year and “s.”
  

Correct: 1980s
Correct: ’90s
Incorrect: 1920's

degrees

This entry lists official degree titles Cedarville offers and specifies rules for using degree titles with or without names.

departments

• Capitalize the official names of departments with or without "Cedarville University."

Correct: The Department of Psychology held a meeting today.
Correct: The Cedarville University Department of Psychology held a meeting today.
Correct: The psychology department in known for mentoring students.

departments and offices — nonacademic

Capitalize the official names of departments. Do not follow the names with the word "department" or "office."

Dining Dollars / Flex Dollars

• Use dining dollars to refer to the flexible currency that comes with a student's meal plan.
• Use flex dollars to refer to additional currency purchased outside of a student's meal plan.

dining hall (see also "Chuck's" and "The Commons")

• The official name of Cedarville's dining hall is "The Commons." Use this in all formal references.
• "Chuck's" is an informal name and should not be used in University communications.
• Use “dining hall,” not “cafeteria.”

Using "The Commons":

• When possible, use "The Commons" when referring to Cedarville's dining hall
• "Commons" is an acceptable abbreviation in situations where "The Commons" would be awkward

Correct: This benefit is available to all Commons employees.

directions

Lowercase compass directions unless they designate regions, are part of a proper name, or denote widely known sections.

Divisions

This entry lists correct names for non-academic divisions and departments at Cedarville.

divisions (see also "Official Names")

• Capitalize the names of divisions

Correct: On Wednesday, Cedarville University Advancement held a meeting.
Correct: On Wednesday, Advancement held a meeting.

• NOTE: Exceptions are the Business Division and the Academic Division, which require both the words “the” and “division.” Do not use the word “division” unless you use the word “the.”

Correct: On Wednesday, Marketing and Communications held a meeting.
Correct: On Monday, the Business Division held a meeting.
Correct: On Monday, the Academic Division held a meeting.

dorm or dormitory (see also "residence hall")

dramaturg, dramaturgy

Dual Enrollment

• This is the name of Cedarville’s online learning program for high school students. 
• Capitalize both words when referring to Cedarville's department or program.
• Lowercase both words when referring to dual enrollment in general.

Correct: Dual Enrollment at Cedarville teaches every class from a biblical perspective.
Correct: Jamie was considering several universities' dual enrollment programs.
Incorrect: Taking Dual Enrollment courses helps students get ahead on college.
Incorrect: Cedarville's dual enrollment program offers heavy discounts on general education courses.

e-

• Use the prefix “e-” as an abbreviation for “electronic.”

NOTE: The following are exceptions to using the hyphen: email, enews, esports.

Correct: Business students will focus on e-marketing in their course work.
Incorrect: Business students will focus on emarketing in their course work.

e.g.

• Means “for example.”
• Always follow “e.g.” with a comma.

each

•  “Each” takes singular (not plural) verbs and pronouns.

Correct: Each student must accept the consequences of his or her choices.
Incorrect: Each student must accept the consequences of their choices.

ellipsis

• Treat an ellipsis as a three-letter word, with spaces before and after but not in between.

Correct: Heather ordered a grande chai ... with extra whipped cream.
Incorrect: Heather ordered a grande chai . . . with extra whipped cream.
Incorrect: Heather ordered a grande chai...with extra whipped cream.

• Minimize the use of ellipses in Cedarville publications.
• Do not use Microsoft Word’s auto ellipsis.
• Do not use an ellipsis at the beginning or ending of a quote.

Emergency Notification System

• This emergency notification system is utilized as a communication tool in the event of campus-wide imminent danger due to weather (e.g., tornado sighting), structural issue (e.g., building on fire), or threat of violence (e.g., active shooter on campus).
• Capitalize all three words.

emeriti

• This refers to someone who has retired from a position but maintains an honorary title.
  

emeritus — male retiree
emerita — female retiree
emeritae — more than one female retiree
emeriti — more than one male retiree or a group of men and women retirees

enrollment

Enrollment Deposit

• Use "enrollment deposit" to describe the payment incoming students make to secure their place at Cedarville.
• Do not use "reservation deposit."

everyone

• “Everyone” takes singular (not plural) verbs and pronouns.

Correct: Everyone should bring his or her books to the meeting.
Incorrect: Everyone should bring their books to the meeting.

everyone, every one

• Use “everyone” as one word when used as a pronoun meaning “everybody, all persons.”

Correct: Everyone in the class should line up at the door for lunch.

• Use “every one” as two words when referring to individual items.
  

Correct: Every one of the eggs was broken.

firsthand

For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ

full-time, full time

• Hyphenate “full-time” when used as a compound adjective preceding a noun. 

Correct: Connor has a full-time job.

• Do not hyphenate “full time” when used as an adverb.

Correct: Connor works full time.

fundraiser, fundraising

Getting Started Weekend

• Capitalize all three words.
• In all subsequent references within the same publication, “Getting Started” is acceptable.

Gibson Society

God

Capitalize any pronouns or nouns used to refer to God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.

godly

Golden Rule

goodbye

• This is one word, not two.
• Do not hyphenate.

Gospel, gospel

Capitalize Gospel when referring to the good news of the Christian faith or the first four books of the New Testament.

Grab+Go

• Use a plus symbol (+), not "and" or "'n'."
• Do not include spaces around the plus symbol.

Graduate School

graduation years

• Follow the first mention of the names of alumni with a two-digit class year.

Correct: Gretchen Smith ’98

• Precede the year with an apostrophe, not a left single quotation mark.

Correct: Ben Smith ’87

• If an alumnus also has a master’s degree from Cedarville, follow the graduation year with a comma and the master’s degree and year. However, do not include the graduation year from a school other than Cedarville.

Correct: Ben Smith ’87, MEd ’04

Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC)

• Spell out on first reference. G-MAC is acceptable in all other references.
• Cedarville University is a member of this athletic conference.

group

• “Group” takes singular (not plural) verbs and pronouns.

Correct: The group will hold its meetings on the second Saturday of each month.
Incorrect: The group will hold their meetings on the second Saturday of each month.

healthcare

HeartSong Ministries

• In the first reference use “HeartSong Ministries.” In subsequent references within the same publication “HeartSong” is acceptable.
• Capitalize “H” and “S.”
• This is one word, not two.

heaven

high school

• Lowercase both words unless used with the official name of a school.
• Do not hyphenate.
• This is two words, not one.

Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

• This refers to the commission that grants accreditation to Cedarville.
• By law, the website address must accompany every reference: ncahlc.org

holidays

• Capitalize the names of holidays.
• The following indicates the correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization of holidays and special days:
             April Fools’ Day
             Christmas Day
             Christmas Eve
             Columbus Day
             Easter (or Easter Sunday)
             Father’s Day (the third Sunday in June)
            Good Friday
            Groundhog Day
            Hanukkah
            Holy Week
            Independence Day
            Labor Day
            Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
            Memorial Day
            Mother’s Day (the second Sunday in May)
            New Year’s Day
            New Year’s Eve
            Palm Sunday
            Passover
            Presidents Day
            Thanksgiving Day
            Valentine’s Day
             Veterans Day
             Washington’s Birthday

Holy Spirit

• Capitalize all references to the Holy Spirit, including pronouns or nouns used in place of Holy Spirit.

Correct: The Holy Spirit came so that He could minister to believers.

Homecoming, homecoming

• Capitalize “Homecoming” only when it is preceded or followed by a year.
• Lowercase “homecoming” when used without a year.

Correct: Kurt enjoyed attending Homecoming 2023.
Correct: Kurt enjoys returning to Cedarville for homecoming.

homepage

• Lowercase “homepage.”
• This is one word, not two.

NOTE: This is an exception to AP’s style of using “home page.”

homeschool, homeschooler, homeschooled, homeschooling

• These are all one word, not two.
  

NOTE: This is an exception to AP’s style of treating these words. AP uses the following: home-school, home-schooler, home-schooled, and home schooling.

honorary degrees

• These honorary degrees are the official degrees that Cedarville bestows at commencement.
• Indicate these degrees by directly following the year with a capital “H.”

Correct: Alistair Begg ’03H

1961 George Sherwin Milner – Doctor of Humanities
1963 Hall Daut – Doctor of Divinity
1963 J. Irving Reese – Doctor of Divinity
1964 Kenneth Masteller – Doctor of Divinity
1965 Ruth Hege – Doctor of Humanities
1966 Roy G. Hamman – Doctor of Divinity
1968 William Hopewell – Doctor of Divinity
1969 Chaplain William V.V. Goldie – Doctor of Divinity
1970 W. Thomas Younger – Doctor of Divinity
1972 Mead C. Armstrong – Doctor of Divinity
1973 James Thomas Jeremiah – Doctor of Letters
1974 William A. Brock – Doctor of Divinity
1974 Viggo B. Olsen – Doctor of Humanities
1975 David Lee Moore – Doctor of Divinity
1976 Mark Evan Jackson – Doctor of Divinity
1977 Gerald V. Smelser – Doctor of Divinity
1977 Donald Leslie Tyler – Doctor of Divinity
1979 Joseph Mishael Stowell – Doctor of Humanities
1981 David Jeremiah – Doctor of Divinity
1982 A. Donald Moffat – Doctor of Divinity
1983 W. Wilbert Welch – Doctor of Letters
1985 Paul Tassell – Doctor of Letters
1986 Donald Kyle – Doctor of Humanities
1987 Clifford W. Johnson – Doctor of Humanities
1987 Warren Wiersbe – Doctor of Letters
1987 David McKinney – Doctor of Letters (posthumously)
1987 Wilbert Renwick McChesney – Doctor of Letters (posthumously)
1987 Milo Thompson – Doctor of Divinity
1988 Vernon Miller – Doctor of Letters
1990 Richard Holliday – Doctor of Divinity
1995 William J. Rudd – Doctor of Divinity
1997 Richard W. Houg – Doctor of Divinity
1998 Eddie L. Hawkins – Doctor of Divinity
2003 Alistair Begg – Doctor of Divinity
2005 Loren M. Reno – Doctor of Science
2016 James D. Parker, Sr., Doctor of Divinity

hyphen

• There are many rules regarding hyphens. Refer to AP for complete information.
• Hyphenate when ambiguity would result if the hyphen were omitted.
  

Correct: He re-covered the leaky roof.

• Hyphens are sometimes used with compound modifiers. See “compound modifiers” for complete information.
• For suspensive hyphenation, use the following format.
  

Correct: For your assignment, write a 10- to 20-page paper.

• Do not use hyphens to indicate a date range (en dash) or to divide a sentence (em dash)

Incorrect: Homecoming this year was October 4-5.

Incorrect: I'll admit it -- Cedarville is my favorite school!

i.e.

• Means “that is.”
• Always follow “i.e.” with a comma.

Inc.

• Use commas around "inc.”
• Capitalize “Inc.” when part of a proper noun.

NOTE: This is an exception to AP’s style of not using commas around "inc.”
Correct: Company XYZ, Inc., just held a grand opening, complete with balloons and door prizes.
Incorrect: Company XYZ Inc. just held a grand opening, complete with balloons and door prizes.

initials

• Do not use a space between names with two adjacent initials.
• Use periods after the initials.
  

Correct: T.S. Eliot wrote poetry.
Correct: J.E. “Jack” Hoover was the director of the FBI.

Internet

iPod, iPhone, iPad

Jesus

• Capitalize all references to Jesus, including pronouns or nouns used in place of Jesus.
  

Correct: On the third day, He rose again.
Correct: We serve the Lamb who was slain.

Jr.

• Capitalize “Jr.” when used with a full name.
• Use commas around “Jr.”
  

Correct: Michael Smith, Jr., answered the phone.

Jubilate

• Do not use an accent over the “e.”
• Capitalize “Jubilate.”

junior high

• Lowercase both words unless used with the official name of a school.
• Do not hyphenate.
• This is two words, not one.

Kingdom, kingdom

• Capitalize “Kingdom” when it is used to refer to the Christian faith.
  

Correct: The Kingdom of God is near.
Correct: The students were involved in Kingdom work.

• Lowercase “kingdom” when it refers to something else.

Correct: The king offered his son up to half his kingdom.

Kingsmen Quartet

Latino, Latina

Legacy Circle

Lifeline Players

Li'l Sibs Weekend

• Capitalize all three words.
• Use an apostrophe after the first “i.”

LLC

• Use commas around “LLC.”
  

NOTE: This is an exception to AP’s style of not using commas around “LLC.”
Correct: Company XYZ, LLC, just held a grand opening, complete with balloons and door prizes.

login, log in

• This is one word when used as an adjective.
  

Correct: At Allison’s company, employees get a new login code each month for security purposes.

• This is two words when used as a verb.

Correct: When Allison gets to her office each morning, she must log in to her computer.

logout, log out

• This is one word when used as an adjective.
  

Correct: Katie checked the Event Viewer to find her computer's login and logout history.

• This is two words when used as a verb.
  

Correct: When Katie leaves her office each afternoon, she must log out of her computer.

long-term

longtime

Lord's Supper, Lord's Table

maiden names

• Use parentheses around maiden names of alumnae. Do not use italics, quotation marks, etc.
  

Correct: Emma (Allen) Clark ’97

• Only include maiden name in the first reference.

majors and minors

• Lowercase generic names of majors and minors, but capitalize proper nouns.
• Do not put majors in italics or quotation marks.
• Refer to Cedarville’s current catalog for a complete list of the majors and minors.
  

Correct: Kurt majored in biology.
Correct: Ben majored in Spanish education.

masterclass

master's degree

MediaPlex

• This is a one-stop center for audio, video, and imaging services located on the lower level of the Centennial Library.
• Capitalize “M” and “PLEX.”
• This is one word, not two.

mindset

minorities

• Acceptable and sensitive descriptors for minorities include “African-American,” “Asian,” “Asian-Indian,” “black,” “Latino,” and “students of color.”
• Further information can be found in the AP Stylebook.

mission statement

missions trip

• Use the “s” on “missions.”

Correct: The youth group had a car wash to raise money for the missions trip.

Mom and Dad's Dairy Bar

• Capitalize all the words except for “and.”
• This is a restaurant in Cedarville.

months

• Spell out the names of months. Do not abbreviate them.
  

NOTE: It is acceptable to abbreviate the names of months in tables, charts, or graphs if necessary due to space constraints.

NCAA

• Acceptable in all references for “National Collegiate Athletic Association.”
• Any use of the NCAA logo must be reviewed prior to use by the Creative Director and the Director of Marketing and Sponsorships in Athletics.
  
• When displaying the NCAA logo, the following sentence must be included: NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

network drives

• When referring to Cedarville’s network drives, the letter should be capitalized and followed by a colon, space, and the word “drive.”
  

Correct: Visit the H: drive to access the files.

non, non-

• In general, do not use a hyphen when forming a compound that does not have special meaning and can be understood if not used before the base word.

Correct: nonacademic, nonfat, nongovernment, nonprofit, nonrefundable, nontechnical

• However, use a hyphen before proper nouns or in awkward combinations.

Correct: non-Christian, non-discriminatory, non-nuclear, non-Socratic

Non-Academic Departments and Offices

This entry lists non-academic departments and offices at Cedarville.

non-discrimination statement

numbers

• Spell out numbers zero through nine.

Correct: I sliced two limes.

• Use figures for numbers 10 and greater.

Correct: I sliced 10 limes, and Sienna sliced 14.

• As an exception to the general rule concerning numbers, use figures for all ages.

Correct: Julie is 4 years old.

• As an exception to the general rule concerning numbers, use figures for all dimensions. 

Correct: The table is 3 feet wide.

• As an exception to the general rule concerning numbers, use figures for all percentages. 

Correct: In the audience, 8 percent filled out reply cards.

• When a sentence begins with a number (including ages, dimensions, and percentages), spell it out or rewrite the sentence to avoid the situation.

Correct: Three hundred students signed up for the rally.
Correct: Five-year-old Laura had a birthday party with a tea party theme.

off-campus, off campus

• Hyphenate “off-campus” when used as a compound modifier preceding a noun. 

Correct: SGA plans several off-campus activities each month.

• Do not hyphenate “off campus” when used as a compound modifier following a noun. 

Correct: SGA arranged for transportation for the concert held off campus.

OhioLINK

• Capitalize the first “O” and “LINK.”
• This is one word, not two.

on-campus, on campus

• Hyphenate “on-campus” when used as a compound modifier preceding a noun.

Correct: The new club will have monthly on-campus meetings.

• Do not hyphenate “on campus” when used as a compound modifier following a noun. 

Correct: Design students will exhibit their work on campus at the end of the year.

p.m.

• Lowercase both letters.
• Use periods between letters.
• Do not use double zeros.
• Do not use “12 noon.” Instead, use “12 p.m.” or “noon.”

Correct: Blair went to the coffee shop at 9:30 p.m.
Correct: Grant had dinner at 7 p.m.

page

• Lowercase and spell out “page” when used with or without a number.

NOTE: It is acceptable to abbreviate page references in statistical contexts, such as tables, charts, or graphs if necessary due to space constraints. If an abbreviation is used, the number must be included. Use “p.” (for a single page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages). Include a space between the abbreviation and the number.

Parent Connect

• This is a blog sent to parents of current students via email.
• Capitalize both words.

Correct: Parents enjoy receiving updates about Cedarville via Parent Connect.

Parent Prep

• This is a Cedarville blog that provides resources for parents of prospective students.
• Capitalize the first two “Ps.”
• This is two words, not one.

part-time, part time

• Hyphenate “part-time” when used as a compound modifier preceding a noun. 

Correct: Kira has a part-time job.

• Do not hyphenate “part time” when used as a compound modifier following a noun.

Correct: Kira works part time.

percent

• In text, use the percent sign in all cases.
• Always use numerals for percentages.  

phone numbers

• Use hyphens between numbers.
• Do not use parentheses, slashes, periods, etc.
  

Correct: 333-333-3333

• Use a “1” only before toll-free numbers.

Correct: 1-800-444-4444

• If a word is part of the phone number, set it in all caps and separate multiple words with hyphens. In most cases, put the equivalent numbers in parentheses after the full number.

Correct: 1-800-CEDARVILLE (233-2784)

post-

• Follow Merriam–Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Use a hyphen if the word is not listed there.

Correct: postdoctoral, postgraduate, postscript
Correct: post-mortem, post-Cedarville

PowerPoint

• Capitalize both “P”s.
• This is one word, not two.

pre-

• In general, use a hyphen if a prefix ends in a vowel and the word that follows starts with the same vowel.
  

Correct: pre-election, pre-establish, pre-exist

• Otherwise, follow Merriam–Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Use a hyphen if the word is not listed there.

Correct: preagriculture, prearrange, predate, predental, premarital, premedical, prepharmacy
Correct: pre-Cedarville, pre-convention, pre-college, pre-noon

prefixes

• In general, do not hyphenate when the word that follows the prefix starts with a consonant.
• Hyphenate words if the prefix ends in a vowel and the word that follows begins with the same vowel.

Two exceptions are “cooperate” and “coordinate.”

• Hyphenate if the word that follows is capitalized.
• Hyphenate to join doubled prefixes.

Correct: sub-subparagraph.
Correct: pre-Enlightenment

prophet

• Lowercase “prophet” when it precedes a person’s name.

Correct: I read about the prophet Jeremiah in the Bible.

residence hall

Resident Assistant, RA

• After first reference, use “RA.”
• Capitalize both words.
• Do not use “Residence Assistant.”

Resident Director, RD

• After first reference, use “RD.”
• Capitalize both words.
• Do not use “Residence Director.”

Resound Radio

• This is an on-campus radio station run by Cedarville students.
• Capitalize both words.

resume

Rinnova

• This is the name of the coffee shop in the SSC.
• Capitalize “Rinnova.”
• Do not precede or follow with “café.”

room

• Lowercase “room” when used with or without a number.

Correct: The test will be given in room 117.

roundtable

schools

• Capitalize the names of academic schools.

School of Allied Health and Psychology
School of Arts and Humanities
School of Biblical and Theological Studies
Robert W. Plaster School of Business
School of Education and Social Work
School of Engineering and Computer Science
School of Nursing
School of Pharmacy
School of Science and Mathematics
The Graduate School

Scripture, scriptural

• Capitalize "Scripture" when referring to the Bible.
• Lowercase "scriptural."

seasons

semester

• Lowercase "semester."
• Lowercase seasons, even when accompanied by "semester."

Correct: The students were excited to return for fall semester.
Incorrect: The Spring Semester lasted until the first week of May.

sessions/terms

Smart Start

• Smart Start refers to a Cedarville Online program for students with an undeclared major.
• Smart Start is two words, not one.

spacing

• Use only one space (not two) between sentences.
• Use only one space (not two) before zip codes.

square feet, square foot

• Write out “square feet” or “square foot” instead of using the abbreviation “sq. ft.”
• As an exception to the general rule concerning numbers, use figures. 
• Use “foot” and hyphenate when used as a compound modifier preceding a noun. 

Correct: The bedroom has a 9-square-foot closet.
Correct: The new building will include a 400-square-foot entryway.

• Use “feet” and do not hyphenate when used as a compound modifier following a noun. 
  

Correct: The new entryway is 400 square feet.

Sr.

• Capitalize “Sr.” when used with a full name.
• Use commas around “Sr.”
  

NOTE: This is an exception to AP’s style of not using the comma before or after “Sr.”
Correct: Ben Jones, Sr., wrote a letter to his cousin.

state names

• Use full names of U.S. states. Do not abbreviate them.
• With city and state names, use commas around the state.
  

Correct: Kristen visited Boston, Massachusetts, to see her friends.
NOTE: It is acceptable to abbreviate state names in tables, charts, or graphs, if necessary due to space constraints.

student organizations

• Capitalize the official names of the student organizations at Cedarville.
  

Correct: In October, Women in Business will be selling T-shirts.

Sunday school

Swordbearers

The Cedarville Experience

• This is the official name of the Cedarville University student handbook.
• Capitalize all three words.
• Italicize all three words.

      Correct: All students should read The Cedarville Experience.

The Cove

• This is another term for the Academic Enrichment Center.
• Always include “The.”
• Capitalize both words.

The Master's Puppets

theatre

• Always use this spelling (not “theater”), unless the proper name uses the “-er” spelling.
  

Correct: Emma is majoring in theatre.
Correct: Katie is going to the theatre tonight.

timeline

times

• Lowercase both letters in “a.m.” and “p.m.”
• Use periods between the letters in “a.m.” and “p.m.”.
• If using all caps in the design, do not use periods in AM or PM.
• Do not use double zeros within text. You may use double zeros within a list or table.
• Do not use “12 midnight.” Instead, use “12 a.m.” or “midnight.”
• Do not use "12 noon." Instead, use "12 p.m." or "noon."
• Use an en dash to indicate sequential order. Do not use spaces on either side of an en dash.

Correct: Blair went to the library at 11:30 a.m.
Correct: Grant had breakfast at 8 a.m.
Correct: Mike had basketball practice from 3–5:30 p.m.

title case

• Capitalize the first word and all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in a headline.
• Lowercase articles (a, an, the); coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet); and prepositions with three letters or less.
• Capitalize "To" when serving as part of an infinitive

Correct: Students To Arrive From Around the World
Correct: An Unexpected Visitor Comes to Campus
Correct: Three Students Graduate With Top Honors

titles — jobs

• Capitalize a person’s official job title, lowercase informal references to the position.
  

Correct: Thomas White, President of Cedarville University, spoke in chapel on Monday.
Correct: Derrick moved to Ohio to become Professor of History at Cedarville.
Correct: Derrick moved to Ohio to become a professor at Cedarville.

• When no name is mentioned, capitalize the official job title, but lowercase informal references to the position.

Correct: The President of Cedarville University enjoys traveling to other countries.
Correct: The president enjoyed speaking in chapel.

NOTE: Most individuals’ names may be treated informally after first use, though board members, vice presidents, and professors may be treated with perpetual formality (e.g., Dr. Dixon, not Paul).

titles — published works

• Capitalize the first word and all nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Lowercase articles (a, an, the); coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet); and prepositions with three letters or less.
• Italicize the proper titles of books, magazines, periodicals, movies, plays, songs, television programs, blog posts, radio programs and works of art.
• In paragraphs of text, italicize the titles of major works of music, but do not italicize the individual movements/sections of the work.
• Use quotation marks around titles of articles, speeches, sermons, television episodes, radio episodes, book chapters and lectures.

trademarks

• A trademark is a brand, symbol, word, etc., used by a manufacturer or dealer and protected by law to prevent a competitor from using it. Brand names should be used only if they are essential to a story. Otherwise, use a generic term.
• Do not use the registered trademark symbol, but capitalize the trademarked words.

T-shirt

• Capitalize "T-shirt."
• Always hyphenate.

University, university

• Capitalize “University” only when specifically referring to Cedarville University.
  

Correct: The University is located near Dayton and Columbus.

• Lowercase “university” when referring to universities in general.
  

Correct: Many universities have been raising tuition.

username

'Ville

voice mail

Washington, D.C.

With “Washington, D.C.,” use commas around “D.C.”.

Correct: Betsy visited Washington, D.C., in May.

web

• Lowercase “web.”

NOTE: This is an exception to AP’s style of using “Web.”

web address

• Lowercase all the words in web addresses. The following are two exceptions:

cedarville.edu/TheCove

cedarville.edu/HeartSong

cedarville.edu/MEd

• Generally, bold websites that refer to Cedarville, but don’t bold websites that refer to outside companies, organizations, etc.
• Do not use “www” at the beginning of website addresses except in cases when the website is only accessible as a full URL with www.
• When providing addresses for a University website, use the shortest URL available. To find shortened URLs, refer to cedarville.edu/reports/webshortcuts.cfm to see shortened URLs that have been created for Cedarville sites.

webpage

• Lowercase “webpage.”
• This is one word, not two.

NOTE: This is an exception to AP’s style of using “Web page.”

website

• Lowercase "website".
• This is one word, not two.
• Lowercase all the words in web addresses. The following are two exceptions:

cedarville.edu/TheCove

cedarville.edu/HeartSong

cedarville.edu/MEd

• Generally, bold websites that refer to Cedarville, but don’t bold websites that refer to outside companies, organizations, etc.
• Do not use “www” at the beginning of website addresses except in cases when the website is only accessible as a full URL with www.

worldview

• This is one word, not two.
• Do not capitalize the names of specific worldviews unless derived from a proper noun.

Correct:

naturalism

postmodernism

theism

transcendentalism

Darwinism

Platonism

Xerox

Trademark for a brand of photocopy machine.

NOTE: Never use “Xerox” as a verb.

Years

• Use the following formats when indicating sequential years.

NOTE: Use an en dash (not a hyphen) to indicate sequential order.

Correct: 2006–07

Correct: 2006–2007

• When referring to decades, use an apostrophe to indicate numbers that are left out. Do not use an apostrophe between the year and “s.”

Correct: 1980s

Correct: ’90s

Yellow Jacket

This is the Cedarville University mascot.

• Do not refer to the mascot as “The Bee.”
• When used as an adjective, do not use an “s.”

Correct: Yellow Jacket athletic programs are listed on their website.

Young’s Jersey Dairy

ZIP code

accept/except

• Accept means to receive.
• Except means to exclude. 

Correct: I will accept the gift from Ruth. 
Correct: Everyone went to the meeting except Henry. 

affect/effect

• Affect as a verb means to influence.
• Effect as a verb means to cause. 
• Effect as a noun means a result. 

Correct: Eating habits affect people’s health. 
Correct: He plans to effect many changes in his company. 
Correct: Her decisions may have a negative effect on her future.

allusion/illusion

• An allusion is an indirect reference to something else. 
• An illusion is a hallucination or something that is seen but does not really exist. 
  

Correct: The allusion was to the political candidate’s record. 
Correct: David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear through an illusion. 

among/between

• Between compares two items or several items seen as distinct from one another. 
• Among compares three or more items. 

Correct: Alex chose between history and social science for his major. 
Correct: Emma chose between Harvard, Brown, and Yale. 
Correct: Among Anne’s most-loved books, Middlemarch was by far her favorite. 
Correct: This was the best choice among all the options. 

assure/ensure/insure

• Use assure for things that are alive. 
  

Correct: John assured Megan that he’d come to the party early. 

• Use ensure to guarantee events and conditions. 
  

Correct: Being organized ensures you will get to class on time. 

• Use insure for all of the above in financial contexts. 
  

Correct: Michael wondered if the caterers were insured against loss. 

commas

Always use a serial comma. Use commas around states, countries, and continents. Use a comma before and after the year in complete dates.

compound modifier

A compound modifier is two or more words expressing a single concept. When a compound modifier precedes a noun, use hyphens to link all the words in the compound.

e.g./etc./i.e.

• E.g. means “for example.” 
• I.e. means “that is.” 
• Etc. means “and so on.” 
  

Correct: Connie does not eat at fast food restaurants (e.g., McDonald’s and Burger King). 
Correct: Mark loves watching Donald Duck’s nephews (i.e., Huey, Dewey, and Louie). 
Correct: For the trip, Rachel packed clothes, towels, shoes, etc. 

entitled/titled

• Entitled refers to deserving something. 
• Titled refers to a name.

Correct: After all the work he did, he is entitled to a day off. 
Correct: The book was titled Walden.

farther/further

• Farther applies to an actual distance. 
• Further refers to a degree or extent. 
  

Correct: She can run farther than her sister. 
Correct: His father will go no further in his concessions.

fewer/less

• Fewer refers to a number. 
• Less refers to a quantity or extent. 
  

Correct: The old theatre held fewer viewers than the new one does. 
Correct: Glen earns less money than Rick does. 

it's/its

• It’s is a contraction for “it is.” 
• Its is the possessive form. 
  

Correct: It’s snowing outside.
Correct: The dog lost its bone. 

noun/pronoun agreement

• Pronouns should agree with their antecedents (nouns) in number. 
• Do not use a singular noun with a plural pronoun or vice versa. 
  

Correct: Most people want to have their cake and eat it too. 
Incorrect: Everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too. 

over/more than

• Over refers to a spatial relationship. 
• More than is the preferred choice when referring to numbers. 
  

Correct: The cardinal flew over the tree. 
Correct: More than 250 students visited campus last week. 

perspective/prospective

• Perspective refers to someone’s outlook on a topic.
• Prospective makes reference to the future.

Correct: Because he is from another country, he has a different perspective on politics than I do.
Correct: Cedarville is offering a campus tour for prospective students

principle/principal

• A principle is a fundamental truth or logic.
• Principal refers to a position of authority, such as a school principal, the principal player of an orchestra, or a capital sum.

Correct: Kara operates under the principle that justice will triumph.
Correct: Cindy is the principal of the school.

toward/towards

• The American version of this word never includes an “s” at the end.
• The same rule applies to words such as backward, afterward, forward, and among.

which/that

• That introduces a statement that limits or restricts its antecedent. 
• Which introduces a statement that clarifies or adds information about its antecedent and is usually set apart with commas. 
  

Correct: The organization that raises the most funds wins the competition. 
Correct: The lawnmower, which is in the garage, needs sharpening. 

who/that

• Who refers to people. 
• That refers to groups or things. 
  

Correct: John remembers the faculty members who made the greatest difference in his life. 
Correct: John remembers the basketball games that were most exciting. 

who/whom

• Who is a subject pronoun (a nominative case pronoun).
• It can be substituted with he, she, they, or we. 
  

Correct: Who is that person in the corner?
Correct: He is the man who received the award. 

• Whom is used as an object (an objective case pronoun). 
• It can be substituted with him, her, them, or us. 
  

Correct: Whom can we turn to in a time of crisis? 
Correct: Jones is the man with whom I went fishing last spring. 
Correct: The women, two of whom are my sisters, went shopping in Easton.

Academic Centers

This entry lists correct names for Cedarville's academic centers.

Academic Structure

This entry lists the official structure of Cedarville's Academic Division and rules on how to refer to schools, departments, and program groupings.

Building and Sites

All buildings on campus.

Building Names

This entry lists correct names for all buildings and sites on campus.

capitalization

      Capitalize the following items in text.

• Buildings and Sites
• Centers — Academic
• Departments — Academic 
• Departments and Offices — Nonacademic 
• Divisions 
• Schools 
• Student Organizations

Student Organizations

This entry lists current student organizations at Cedarville.