Capitalization

In addition to the first word in a sentence, the following are generally the
only words which should be capitalized.
Proper nounsa specific individual name: Kalamazoo.
Proper adjectivesan adjective derived from a proper noun: Romance
languages (derived from the proper noun Roman).
Common nouns only when used as part of a specific name: Kanley
Chapel, Waldo Library (otherwise lowercase chapel, library).
Common adjectives only when used as part of a specific name: Brown
and Gold Room (otherwise lowercase brown and gold).

UNIVERSITY EXCEPTIONS
The following are the only common nouns which should be capitalized in
publications and correspondence of Western Michigan University.
Alumni AssociationCapitalize only when it refers to the WMU Alumni
Association.
Board of TrusteesCapitalize only when it refers to the WMU Board of
Trustees.
UniversityCapitalize only when it refers exclusively to Western
Michigan University.

TITLES
Used in textIn text, titles are capitalized only if they precede the name
of the individual. A title following the name of an individual or a title by
itself is not capitalized.
Capitalize: ...President John M. Dunn spoke at the...
Do not capitalize: ...John M. Dunn, president, spoke at the... The
president spoke at the...
In text, it is preferable for the title to follow the name and, therefore, the
title would not be capitalized. This is especially true of titles consisting of
more than one word. For example, it is acceptable to use either "President
John M. Dunn" or "John M. Dunn, president." However, "John Doe, director

of alumni services," should be used in text rather than "Director of Alumni

Services John Doe."
Some words identifying occupations or professions are pseudo titles and
should not be capitalized even if they precede the name. Do not capitalize
"attorney Jane Doe" or "pianist John Doe."
Titles are not capitalized when used in conjunction with the name of an
office, department or program. Do not capitalize the title in "Jane Doe,
dean of the College of Fine Arts" or "Jane Doe, College of Fine Arts dean."
Used in a listWhen used in a directory listing or other similar
situations, the title is capitalized whether it precedes the name, follows
the name, or appears in tabular form.
Used in an addressWhen used as part of an address, the title is
capitalized, whether it appears in text or block address form.
See addresses.
Examples: For more information, contact John Doe, Director of Alumni
Relations, Western Michigan University, 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo
MI 49008-5404 USA.
For more information
John Doe
Director of Alumni Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5404 USA

OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS

The names of offices and departments at WMU are capitalized only when
the full, official name is used.

Capitalize

Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Department of Biological Sciences

School of Music

College of Health and Human Services

Division of Intercollegiate Athletics

Light Center for Chinese Studies

Do not capitalize

provosts office, academic affairs, the office

biological sciences, the department

the school, music school

health and human services, the college

intercollegiate athletics, athletics, the division

the center, the institute

Some names of offices, departments, scholarships or programs contain

proper nouns and are always capitalized when the proper noun is
included. The full name of the alumni center is the Harold A. and Beulah J.
McKee Alumni Center. You should also capitalize McKee Alumni Center,
because it contains the proper noun McKee. However, alumni center, by
itself, is not capitalized.

MAJORS, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND DEGREES

Except for languages, such as English, French and Japanese, the names
of academic disciplines, majors, minors, programs and courses of study
are not proper nouns and should not be capitalized. Example: She
majored in integrated supply management and German.
Academic degrees are capitalized only when the full name of the degree
is used, such as Bachelor of Arts or Master of Social Work. General
references, such as bachelors, masters or doctoral degree, are not
capitalized. Use an apostrophe (possessive) with bachelors degree and
masters degree, but not in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Do not
use an apostrophe with associate degree or doctoral degree. Do not
capitalize the major specialty.

Examples (all correct)

Ph.D. in interdisciplinary health sciences, M.S. in computer science,

B.A. in English

integrated supply management program, English program

Bachelor of Science in mathematics, Bachelor of Arts in English

bachelor's degree in business administration, master's degree in

English, doctoral degree in chemistry, doctorate in chemistry

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The word "program" is part of relatively few official names at the
University. The word program is not capitalized simply because it is
preceded by a proper noun. Example: Medallion Scholarship program.

SALUTATION FOR FORM LETTERS

Form letters are addressed to groups. The salutation should, therefore, be
plural. Capitalize key words, lower case articles and conjunctions, and end
with a colon. Example: "Dear Parents and Family Members:"

DO NOT CAPITALIZE

administration, the administration, administrator

alumna, alumnus, alumnae, alumni

board, the board

chair, the chair

committee, the committee, our committee

college, the college, our college

department, the department, our department

director, directors, the directors

emerita, emeritus, emeritae, emeriti

faculty, faculty member(s), member(s) of the faculty

student, students, student body

trustee, trustees, the trustees