Hofstra-SPECIFIC guidelines

The following entries cover usage and style guidelines particular to Hofstra University and its schools and colleges.

ACADEMIC DEGREES

•   The names of specific degrees are capitalized in formal references: Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, etc.

•   Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.

•   No periods in abbreviations of academic degrees: BA, BBA, MA, MS, MSEd, PhD, etc.

•   Degree with major: Capitalize the major when used with a specific degree. For example: BA in Biology, MS in Chemistry, BBA in Marketing.

•   Fields of study: Do not capitalize majors, minors, or fields of study – except English and foreign languages – unless these elements follow a specific degree (BA in Journalism; BA in Journalism program). Note in the example that the word program is not capitalized.

ACADEMIC TITLES

Capitalize and spell out formal titles such as professor, chair, etc., when they precede a name. Lowercase elsewhere. Note: Endowed professorships are capitalized, even when the title follows a name. If following a name, it is preceded by “the” or “Hofstra’s” to avoid confusion.

ALUMNI CLASS YEARS

When crediting an accomplishment to two or more alumni, list the name of the earlier graduate first. When two people are listed as a couple and only one is a graduate, the class year is listed after the graduate’s last name: Joseph and Mary Jones ’52. When two alumni are married, the class year is listed after the first name of whoever is listed first and after the last name of whoever is listed second: John ’00 and Jane Smith ’02. In instances of two or more alumni from the same family, refer to alumni with full names and dates of graduation following each name. Siblings John Smith ’89, Amy Smith ’91, and Mary Smith Jones ’93 started a family business. 

Note: The apostrophe for a graduation year should be a typographical apostrophe (like a closing single quote) that curves away from the numbers, often described as pointing down and to the left. A straight single quote is also acceptable.

AMPERSAND (&)

Use the ampersand when it is part of a company's formal name or composition title: House & Garden, Procter & Gamble, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway.

The ampersand should not otherwise be used in place of and, except for some accepted abbreviations: B&B, R&B.

Note: Most Hofstra building names, departments, and centers follow this rule. Exception: Science & Innovation Center

CAMPUS LOCATIONS

On-campus distribution: Use room number, building name, and side of campus.

Room 200 Hofstra Hall, South Campus

Off-campus distribution: Use room number, building name, building address, city, state, and Hofstra’s ZIP code with the four-digit extension.

Room 200 Hofstra Hall, 101 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549-1010

CITATION OF HOFSTRA DEGREES

Hofstra degrees may be cited in various formats. The clearest method is the following:

John Smith, BA, 1995 • Jane Smith, BA, 1995; MA, 1997

When a briefer format is preferred, please follow the method below:

John Smith ’95 • John Smith, BA, ’95; MA, ’97 • Jane Smith ’95; MA, ’97

Note: In this format, a year without a degree abbreviation is understood to refer to a Hofstra undergraduate degree.

Note: The apostrophe for a graduation year should be a typographical apostrophe (like a closing single quote) that curves away from the numbers, often described as pointing down and to the left. A straight single quote is also acceptable.

HOFSTRA EMAIL ADDRESSES

Use all lowercase letters for Hofstra staff email addresses, e.g., linda.merklin@hofstra.edu. For department email addresses, a mix of upper and lowercase letters is acceptable (and sometimes preferable, particularly if the department uses two words in its email address, e.g., GraduateAdmission@hofstra.edu).

HOFSTRA STUDENTS

Do not refer to Hofstra students as our students.

Using our students can imply ownership or a possessive relationship that might be inappropriate or unintentionally diminish the students' autonomy. Also, using our can imply a shared identity or experience that may not be accurate for all students.

By choosing language that is respectful, accurate, and inclusive, we can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all Hofstra students.

HOFSTRA TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Do not use parentheses for the area code. Use the following format:

516-463-xxxx

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY AND ITS SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Hofstra University is often referred to as “the University,” and our style recommends the convention of the uppercase “U” in “University” to show that it refers to Hofstra. In publications, the Hofstra schools and colleges must appear with full names on the first reference.

•   Frank G. Zarb School of Business

•   Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science

•   Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

o   Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs

o   School of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts

o   School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

•   Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies

•   Hofstra University Continuing Education

•   The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication [Note: “The” is part of the name.]

•   Maurice A. Deane School of Law

•   School of Education

•   School of Health Sciences

•   Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

•   Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College

The named Hofstra schools may be shortened on second reference:

•   Deane School of Law

•   DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science

•   Herbert School of Communication

•   Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs

•   Rabinowitz Honors College

•   Zarb School of Business

•   Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; Zucker School of Medicine

If necessary, the named schools may be further shortened to DeMatteis School, Herbert School, Honors College (or RHC), Kalikow School, Zarb School, and Zucker School. Please note that the Maurice A. Deane School of Law often uses Hofstra Law to refer to the school in print and online.

HOFSTRA WEB ADDRESSES

Do not underline Hofstra web addresses; use bold and all lowercase letters. Do not include http:// or www. Avoid breaking URLs. If the address will not fit on a line, do not add a hyphen or other punctuation. Break it before the existing punctuation, such as periods, hyphens, slashes, or double slashes. Use a period at the end of a sentence that ends with a web address: To register, go to hofstra.edu/springevent.