Writing Guidelines

A&M SYSTEM REFERENCES

The Texas A&M University System adheres to AP style, the recognized standard for journalistic and news writing. The AP Stylebook is updated each year and available in both print and digital formats.

Referencing the A&M System
When referencing The Texas A&M University System, use “The Texas A&M University System” on first reference (with a capital “T” in “the”) and “A&M System” or “Texas A&M System” on second reference. Do not put a space between the letters and the ampersand (not A & M).

Correct: The Texas A&M University System
Second reference: A&M System or Texas A&M System

Incorrect: TAMUS or TAMU System

Exception: TAMUS is allowed in digital applications such as website URLs and social media for hashtags (e.g., #TAMUS) and account names (e.g., @TAMUSystem).

To prevent confusion in publications for external audiences, always use “A&M System” or “Texas A&M System” on second reference, not just “System” alone.

In publications for internal audiences, the uppercase word “System” can be used alone on second reference.

• A&M System employees involved in the project were elated.
• They were proud that so many System members could pull together on a single project.

Website Address
The website address for the A&M System should always be listed as “tamus.edu” or “www.tamus.edu.”

Suggested “About the A&M System” boilerplate
The following is a boilerplate that can be used in whole or in part and added to the end of news releases or other documents:

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $9.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth and the Texas A&M–RELLIS Campus. The A&M System also plays a direct role in U.S. national security as a member of the teams that manage and operate Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Pantex Plant for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The A&M System serves approximately 184,000 students and reaches millions more through research, service and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities and drives Texas’ economy forward.

Communicating A&M System affiliation

• A&M System institutions without the A&M affiliation in their name should add the phrase “a member of The Texas A&M University System” to their stationery, business cards and other external publications.
• All A&M System universities, agencies and health science center institutions should be referred to as “members” of the A&M System, not parts or components.
• All universities, agencies or health science center institutions should reference their affiliation with the A&M System in text in the following manner: “Tarleton State University, a member of The Texas A&M University System, . . .”

The Texas A&M University System should not be listed or placed in such a way that it seems connected to any logo other than the approved A&M System marks. See the Brand Guidelines for other logo usage rules.

Referencing A&M System administration
The following are correct references for the A&M System Board of Regents:

• Board of Regents
• The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
• Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System
• the A&M System Board of Regents (on second reference)
• Texas A&M System Board of Regents (on second reference)

Lowercase “board” and “regents” if used separately.

• The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today approved new degree programs at three A&M System universities.
• At its regularly scheduled meeting, the board discussed the importance of collaboration between A&M System universities and agencies.

Referencing specific members of the Board of Regents
Regent first name last name.

• Regent Kelley Sullivan Georgiades said the new program would be beneficial.
• Chairman Robert Albritton called the meeting to order.

Referencing A&M System executive officers and offices
The offices in the A&M System building in College Station should be referred to as “System Offices.” (These offices were formerly called the “System Administrative and General Offices” or “SAGO.”) “System Offices” takes a plural verb.

• The System Offices provide support for the members of the A&M System.

Uppercase a title when it comes before a name, but lowercase a title when it comes after a name.

• Chancellor Glenn Hegar
• Glenn Hegar, chancellor of the A&M System

Uppercase names of offices.

• Office of the Chancellor
• Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

A&M SYSTEM MEMBERS REFERENCES

When listing other universities, agencies and the health science center, always use the institution’s complete name on first reference and its preferred acronym or abbreviation on second reference.

A&M SYSTEM NEWS

The Office of Marketing & Communications maintains the A&M System newsroom.

EMAIL SIGNATURE

This email signature block is for all System Offices employees and other A&M System members.

When promoting The Texas A&M University System brand, consistency is important, whether in print or electronic communications. For emails, the background should remain white, with no colored backgrounds or graphics/photos added. Additionally, other than your email signature, there should be no other copy on your outgoing emails (e.g., quotes, additional graphics/photos, taglines, personal information). Arial and Times New Roman fonts are used in the email signature blocks since they are compatible across email clients.

When using an email signature, use one of the following options. The primary option contains your full information. The secondary option contains your contact information and physical address.

DO NOT use images in email signatures.

Note: You aren’t required to include your cell phone number or fax number. These examples are to show placement only.

PRIMARY

Full Name | Title
12 pt Arial Bold, black (Note: use one space before and after divider)

Office Name
12 pt Arial, black

Mail Stop | College Station, TX 77840-7896
Tel. 123.456.7890 | Fax 234.567.8901

The Texas A&M University System
12 pt Times New Roman, small caps (if small caps are unavailable, please use sentence case) in web maroon (RGB is 80, 0, 0)

SECONDARY (WITH PHYSICAL ADDRESS)

Full Name | Title
12 pt Arial Bold, black (Note: use one space before and after divider)

Office Name
12 pt Arial, black

Mail Stop | College Station, TX 77840-7896
Tel. 123.456.7890 | Fax 234.567.8901

Moore/Connally Building
301 Tarrow
College Station, TX 77840-7896

The Texas A&M University System
12 pt Times New Roman, small caps (if small caps are unavailable, please use sentence case) in web maroon (RBG is 80, 0, 0)

Reminder: DO NOT use images in email signatures.