Our Editorial Style Guide was created to promote a stronger, more unified Raider voice campus-wide. Intended for use by anyone writing on behalf of the college, this style guide ensures consistency and clarity by implementing a standardized usage of grammar and punctuation that is unique to GRCC. We celebrate the multitude of voices on this campus and want to give you the tools to write with accuracy and college identity in mind.
If you have an editorial or style question, please contact the Communications Department.
Building names
For whichever building you are referencing, always spell out entire building name on first reference: Student Center, not SCC. Any appropriate abbreviations are included in parentheses next to the official title:
- Albert P. Smith Music Center (the music center)
- Calkins Science Center (CSS)
- Custer Alumni House (full title to be used on all references)
- Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza (formerly referred to as Bostwick Commons)
- Ford Fieldhouse (Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse used in official external communications, Fieldhouse on second reference.)
- Lakeshore Campus (Always capitalize Lakeshore, and Lakeshore Campus)
- Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC (Tassell M-TEC; never simply "M-TEC")
- Learning Center
— When referring to the Library and Learning Commons, located within the Learning Center, use full title on first reference. The library is acceptable on second reference. - Meijer Center for Business Studies
- Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI on second reference)
- Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory (referred to as Early Childhood Learning Laboratory in print and web materials, ECLL on second reference)
- Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RJF Hall, formerly Main Building)
- Student Center (SCC is acceptable as it is still used on students' schedules; never Student Center Building or Student Community Center in print materials)
Dates
Spell out months and days of the week, unless they need to be abbreviated for formatting within a table or graph. If using a day and date together, set the day off with a comma: Thursday, Aug. 3.
If using a specific date with a month, abbreviate only: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.
Years are always set off with commas if they follow a month and day: She graduated May 1, 2016, at the top of her class.
Years are always expressed in the following range: 2016-17.
When referencing a decade, always use an apostrophe: In the '90s, Bill Clinton was president.
Time
Always format a.m./p.m., and omit additional zeros: The Diversity Lecture Series begins at 7 p.m., not 7:00 p.m.
Noon always appears: noon, lowercase, not 12 p.m.