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Brand Updates

Associated Press style updates: Capitalization of Black and Indigenous

June 25, 2020 by University Communications

Aerial shot of hands typing on keyboard

There is an important change to AP style with regard to the capitalization of Black and Indigenous.

From now on, capitalize Black in a racial, ethnic or cultural sense. This conveys an essential and shared sense of history, identity and community among people who identify as Black, including those in the African diaspora and within Africa. The lowercase black refers to a color, not a person.

Also, capitalize Indigenous in reference to original inhabitants of a place.

These two changes align with long-standing capitalization of other racial and ethnic identifiers, such as Latino, Asian American and Native American.

The updates become part of the AP Stylebook’s race-related coverage guidance, which begins:

“Avoid broad generalizations and labels; race and ethnicity are one part of a person’s identity. Identifying people by race and reporting on actions that have to do with race often go beyond simple style questions, challenging journalists to think broadly about racial issues before having to make decisions on specific situations and stories.

“In all coverage — not just race-related coverage — strive to accurately represent the world, or a particular community, and its diversity through the people you quote and depict in all formats. Omissions and lack of inclusion can render people invisible and cause anguish.”

Missouri State has a limited membership to the online AP Stylebook. More information on each of these entries is available in the online guide. If you create content for the university, contact Andrea Mostyn to request access.

Filed Under: News and updates Tagged With: associated press

Associated Press style updates: Coronavirus

May 14, 2020 by University Communications

Hands typing on computer keyboard

The Associated Press is maintaining a coronavirus topical guide that includes many rulings on spelling and common usage. The university is following this guide when writing and editing.

Missouri State has a limited membership to the online AP Stylebook. More information on each of these entries is available in the online guide. If you create content for the university, contact Andrea Mostyn to request access.

Updates and additions

coronaviruses (revised)

A family of viruses, some of which cause disease in people and animals, named for crownlike spikes on their surfaces.

The viruses can cause the common cold or more severe diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and COVID-19, the latter of which first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Referring to simply the coronavirus is acceptable on first reference in stories about COVID-19. While the phrasing incorrectly implies there is only one coronavirus, it is clear in this context. Also acceptable on first reference: the new coronavirus or the new virus for the virus; COVID-19 for the disease caused by the virus.

Passages and stories focusing on the science of the disease require sharper distinctions.

COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019, is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. When referring specifically to the virus, the COVID-19 virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are acceptable.

But, because COVID-19 is the name of the disease, not the virus, it is not accurate to write a new virus called COVID-19. Also incorrect are usages such as COVID-19 spreads through the air; scientists are investigating how long COVID-19 may remain on surfaces; she worries about catching COVID-19. In each of those, it should be the coronavirus, not COVID-19.

Do not shorten to COVID, even in headlines, unless part of a quotation or proper name.

In stories, do not refer simply to coronavirus without the article the. Not: She is concerned about coronavirus. Omitting the is acceptable in headlines and in uses such as: He said coronavirus concerns are increasing.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, breathing trouble, sore throat, muscle pain, and loss of taste or smell. Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.

SARS is acceptable on first reference for the disease first identified in Asia in 2003. Spell out severe acute respiratory syndrome later in the story.

MERS is acceptable on first reference for the disease first identified in 2012. Spell out Middle East respiratory syndrome later in the story.

COVID-19

All capitalized; stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

cancel, canceled, canceling, cancellation

CARES Act

Avoid using this term unless in a direct quotation in reference to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Instead, use phrasing such as the coronavirus relief bill, the coronavirus aid bill, the coronavirus rescue package, etc., for the U.S. government’s $2.2 trillion package to help businesses, workers and the health care system. Do not refer to it as a stimulus or a stimulus package, etc.

contact tracing (new)

The practice of tracking down and monitoring people who have been in close proximity to someone who is infected. Do not enclose in quotation marks. Include a hyphen for clarity when used as a modifier: The state’s contact-tracing efforts. Consider rephrasing to avoid the term or for variety: The state’s efforts to identify people who have had close contact with the nursing home worker.

contagion (new)

Avoid this term. Usually better to use words like disease or illness, or more specific words like virus.

distance learning (n., adj.)

No hyphen. Examples: Schools are turning to distance learning. He is taking a distance learning class.

epidemic, pandemic

An epidemic is the rapid spread of disease in a certain population or region; a pandemic is an epidemic that has spread worldwide. Follow declarations of public health officials when writing. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Do not write global pandemic, which is redundant.

hand-washing

Use a hyphen.

health care

Don’t use a hyphen.

nonessential

Do not use a hyphen.

patient

Only use if someone is being or has been treated by a medical professional. The vast majority of people with the virus are not hospitalized, and some may not seek care, so avoid using patients to refer to all people with the virus.

personal protective equipment

Don’t use PPE. If necessary to use PPE in a direct quotation, spell it out and explain the term.

shelter in place (v.), shelter-in-place (adj.)

Examples: The governor urged residents to shelter in place. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order.

stay at home (v.), stay-at-home (adj.)

shutdown (n.), shut down (v.)

social distancing, socially distancing

No quote marks, no hyphen: Examples: The CDC is urging social distancing. The parents are taking social distancing precautions. They’ve been socially distancing themselves.

telecommute, telecommuting, telecommuter

teleconference, teleconferencing

telemedicine

travel, traveled, traveling, traveler

videoconference, videoconferencing; video chat

virus’s

The singular possessive form of virus. Not virus’.

Filed Under: News and updates Tagged With: associated press, writing

A digital #BearGrads experience

May 11, 2020 by University Communications

More than 2,800 students will graduate from Missouri State this week. Although we can’t celebrate them in person until later this year, we can still give you a way to express your pride online.

Facebook Frames

Click or tap on each image to open Facebook and test the frame on your profile picture.

For #BearGrads

Missouri State Bear Grad on maroon with graduation cap

For families

"So proud of my Bear Grad" in maroon and white"So proud of my Bear Grad" with walking Bear

GIPHY stickers and GIFs

We’ve loaded several #BearGrads-themed stickers and GIFs for you to use on Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. Access the collection or search using the “beargrads” tag.

Access the collection

YouTube congratulations from President Smart, deans and administrators

President Clif Smart, deans and administrators recorded messages of congratulations to the class of 2020.

Filed Under: downloads and resources, News and updates, Social Media Kit Tagged With: beargrads, social media, Social Media Kit

Make your Zoom meetings festive with fountain backgrounds

April 13, 2020 by Michelle S. Rose

When it’s spring at Missouri State, it’s time for the fountains! Even if you aren’t on campus, you can celebrate this landmark.

We are now offering Zoom backgrounds featuring the John Q. Hammons Fountains.

These are the first MSU-branded Zoom backgrounds, and we will offer more in the near future.

Download yours and get instructions on how to use Zoom backgrounds today!

Filed Under: News and updates

MSU marketing materials win CASE awards

February 28, 2020 by Michelle S. Rose

Missouri State University’s editorial and design services team won seven awards at the CASE 2020 District VI Institutional Awards.

You can see the winning pieces in a slideshow: CASE-awards-2020.pdf.

CASE stands for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. It’s a nonprofit that serves professionals who work in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and other related areas.

MSU’s editorial and design services is part of the university’s Marketing and Communications Division.

MSU’s EDS team entered their work — publications, graphic design, writing and other creative endeavors — in several categories. They competed against other universities from across the district’s eight-state region.

EDS team members, marketing staff members and clients across the university who worked on these projects won the following:

  • Bronze in Editorial Design for a Missouri State magazine piece: “The efactory: A Place for Movers, Shakers, Dreamers and Doers.”
  • Gold in Design-Invitations for the It’s On campaign launch invitation.
  • Bronze in Design-Posters for the 32nd annual Wine & Food Celebration poster.
  • Bronze in Student Recruitment Publications: Publication Packages for items related to MSU’s Admitted Student Day.
  • Silver in Institutional Relations Publications: President’s Reports and Annual Reports for the 2018 Foundation Annual Report.
  • Bronze in Institutional Relations Publications: Research Publication for 2018 Mind’s Eye.
  • Bronze in News Writing-Periodical Staff Writing for feature stories in Missouri State magazine.

Missouri State’s editorial and design services team has a long history of bringing home CASE awards. This means our branding and outreach materials meet and exceed best practices for marketing!

Filed Under: awards, Inspiration, News and updates

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