Naming Conventions
Our name matters.
The correct and consistent use of our name across all communications and media is essential to building awareness and reinforcing our identity.
FULL NAME / FIRST USE:
University of Colorado Denver
SHORT NAME / SUBSEQUENT USE:
CU Denver
Unacceptable names
All other uses or variations are unacceptable, including:
- UC Denver
- UCD, CUD, DC, DDC (no acronyms)
- Denver Campus
- Downtown Denver Campus, Downtown Campus
- at Denver, @Denver (no “at” or symbol)
- hyphens or commas before “Denver”
School and unit names
Consistent naming doesn’t end with the university. Maintaining a consistent and proactive approach toward the correct naming of CU Denver’s schools, centers and units is just as essential.
Schools and colleges
For first use, always use the full school name. Subsequent uses, or those directed at familiar audiences, may use the appropriate school acronym (in parentheses) instead.
- College of Architecture and Planning (CAP)
- College of Arts & Media (CAM)
- Business School
- School of Education & Human Development (SEHD)
- College of Engineering, Design and Computing (CEDC)
- Graduate School
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
- School of Public Affairs (SPA)
Centers and units
Center and unit naming conventions vary, depending on individual unit needs and practices. To maintain consistency, conserve space and increase viewer retention, the terms “office of” and “department of” should be excluded from unit names whenever possible. For example:
- Institute for International Business
- National Center for Media Forensics
- Comcast Media and Technology Center
- University Communications (versus Office of University Communications)
- Student Affairs (versus Division of Student Affairs)
- Academic Technology & Extended Learning (versus Office of Academic Technology & Extended Learning)
- International Admissions (versus Office of International Admissions)
Spirit identity / mascot-related naming
Naming guidelines related to CU Denver's spirit identity or mascot is covered in the spirit identity section of this website.