Introduction

How do you define a university publication?

A university publication is any written or graphic communication produced or authorized by university faculty and staff (and, in some cases, students) that is intended for a mass audience on or off campus. This broad definition includes printed publications and electronic publications, though some guidelines presented here will not apply to all Web pages, CDs, and other electronic publications.

Which publications need to follow the guidelines?

apply to all campus publications.

(Note: For campus publications going off campus and those with distribution on campus of more than 200, Executive Memorandum 02-96, University Publications requires that "all university publications intended for off-campus audiences or wide distribution on campus will be reviewed by the publications editor prior to publication. This policy applies to printed publications, including all program brochures, program/department newsletters, recruitment materials, and new program Web pages." Contact the publications editor at 898-4139 or chuff@csuchico.edu for more information.)

In addition, all publications must adhere to a standard use of the names, seals, and logos of CSU, Chico, explained in detail in the Graphic Standards section, to ensure the University's ability to protect its registered trademarks.

To clarify the level at which publications should follow the graphic standards, following is a list of different publication types:

Leading Contact Pieces:

Admissions brochures, University Catalog, Chico Statements, and the University's Web home page.

Each of these is a "signature" publication that defines the University for a particular mass audience. Admissions publications are the first contact points for most prospective students; Chico Statements is the primary communication vehicle for alumni, donors, and other friends of the University; the World Wide Web Home Page, the University's digital "front door," is increasingly the first contact point for people curious about CSU, Chico. To compete with other universities' publications, these leading contact pieces need the flexibility to create their own identity within the University's larger identity. Thus, their graphic designs will follow the graphic standards, but not be held rigidly to them.

Other Leading Contact Pieces:

Getting Connected, First-Year Information, Fall Application Day, How to Graduate in Your Planned Time Frame, Chico Status, Excellence at CSU, Chico, Inside View.

These publications for current and prospective students benefit greatly from a clear university identity and graphic consistency. Therefore, they are required to adhere to the graphic standards outlined in the following pages.

Secondary Contact Pieces:

All college, department, and program brochures, Campus Map, Campus Walking Tours, Special Interest Tours, Student Health Services brochure.

These publications are usually not the first publications seen by students and prospective students, but they are often seen soon after the leading contact publications, so consistency and identity are important. Therefore, these secondary contact pieces for groups with particular needs or interests are required to adhere to the graphic standards outlined in the pages that follow.

Special Event Programs:

Founders Week program, President's Scholars program, CELT Conference program, Commencement program.

These special-event publications serve different groups of people who are important to the University. Because the events vary in nature and tradition, these publications will not all adhere to the graphic standards, but should use them as a guide and reference point.

College/Department/Program Newsletters:

It is important that colleges and departments be free to develop designs for their newsletters that communicate most effectively to their specific audiences. Therefore, these publications may not adhere strictly to the graphic standards. However, it is recommended that these newsletters use university type fonts and logo or seal.

Who do I go to for assistance?

For questions about university public relations in general, contact Joe Wills, Public Affairs and Publications, x4143.

For questions about graphic design, contact Ron Linzy, IMC Graphics (in Academic Technologies), x6113. IMC publishes useful information about planning and executing publications that are designed at IMC.

For questions about printing, contact Dale Wymore, University Printing Services, x5992.

For questions about the Publication Guide, the Writing Style Guide, or Web publishing, contact Casey Huff, Public Affairs and Publications, x4139.