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University of Wisconsin–Madison

Browse the editorial styleguide A–Z

U-Rah-Rah
generally, use hyphens and initial caps; however, in some design contexts, all caps and/or no hyphens may be more accommodating
U.S.
see United States (noun), U.S. (adjective and noun)
UK
no periods; see also CMS 8.31
UN
no periods; see also CMS 8.62
under way (adverb); underway (adjective)
open when used as an adverb; closed when used as an adjective.
undocumented
Use undocumented to refer to a group of people or an individual who does not have documentation required for legal immigration or residence, and only when relevant to the story and with explicit permission from a group or individual. For example, undocumented immigrants or an undocumented student. Avoid illegal or alien.
Union South
see Wisconsin Union
Union Theater
the proper name is the Wisconsin Union Theater; it is not the Memorial Union Theater
Union, the
see Wisconsin Union
United States (noun); U.S. (adjective and noun);
periods with U.S. is a departure from Chicago style
Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System)
The Universities of Wisconsin (formerly called the UW System) comprise 13 four-year universities and their branch campuses. Universities of Wisconsin is the preferred reference for the collective of the 13 four-year universities. The name takes the form of a plural for subject–verb agreement: The Universities of Wisconsin are … Do not abbreviate the name to UWs or UW universities on second reference, an exception to the Universities of Wisconsin’s style guide for the UW–Madison campus. This is to avoid confusion with UW–Madison’s common abbreviation to the UW. Instead, spell out the Universities of Wisconsin on all references whenever possible. If necessary, UW system (lowercase) is acceptable to describe the collective of the 13 four-year universities. Note that the entity’s legal name remains the University of Wisconsin System. This name is still used when referring to the UW System Board of Regents. It’s also used for official documents (such as diplomas), court filings, contracts, grants, and other formal correspondence and delegations of authority. See also UW System Board of Regents and Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System) campus names.
Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System) campus names
Use an en dash for the four-year campuses, except for UW Oshkosh. Preferred naming conventions for their branch campuses are below. See also CMS 6.81. Effective July 2018, the two-year campuses formerly known as UW Colleges joined several of the Universities of Wisconsin’s four-year institutions as branch campuses. Refer to the Universities of Wisconsin style guide for full guidance. Four-year campuses
    • UW–Eau Claire
    • UW–Green Bay
    • UW–La Crosse
    • UW–Madison
    • UW–Milwaukee
    • UW Oshkosh
    • UW–Platteville
    • UW–Stevens Point
    • UW–Stout
    • UW–Superior
    • UW–Whitewater
Branch campuses
    • UW–Eau Claire – Barron County
    • UW–Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
    • UW–Green Bay, Marinette Campus
    • UW–Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus
    • UW–Milwaukee at Washington County
    • UW–Milwaukee at Waukesha
    • UW Oshkosh, Fond du Lac Campus
    • UW Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus
    • UW–Platteville Baraboo Sauk County
    • UW–Platteville Richland
    • UW–Stevens Point at Marshfield
    • UW–Stevens Point at Wausau
    • UW–Whitewater at Rock County
university
capitalize only as part of a formal title on first reference; always lowercase on second reference
University Book Store, The
although The is in its official name, use lowercase roman type for “the”; here Book Store is two words, but normally bookstore is one word
University Club
initial caps
University Health Services (UHS)
use plural Services
University Housing
not Division of University Housing
University of Wisconsin Armory and Gymnasium
see Red Gym
University of Wisconsin Foundation
see UW Foundation (UWF)
University of Wisconsin–Madison, the
Use an en dash rather than a hyphen between University of Wisconsin and Madison. Spell out on first reference in external publications or publications that will be read widely off campus. UW–Madison (with an en dash, not a hyphen) is acceptable in external publications and in all internal communication for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Do not use the with UW–Madison (research at UW–Madison). Also acceptable on second reference are the UW and the university (when the context is clearly UW–Madison). To prevent confusion with the Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System), however, use the UW as a substitute for UW–Madison only when the context is clearly UW–Madison or the entity is officially named UW instead of University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW Hospital and Clinics, UW Law School). Capitalize The only as a formal title in a formal reference, such as in the headline of a program; generally, though, lowercase the. UW is acceptable when referring to athletics teams or departments that do not use UW–Madison as part of their official names (UW Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center). See also CMS 6.81.
University of Wisconsin, the
see University of Wisconsin–Madison, the
University Ridge golf course
lowercase golf course
University Theatre
not Theater
university-wide
but campuswide, citywide, countywide, nationwide, statewide, systemwide, worldwide
URL
stands for Uniform Resource Locator, an internet address style for addresses: e.g, http://www.wisc.edu/pubs/ug/index.html, though typically shortened to, e.g., wisc.edu/pubs/ug/index.html; see also website (URL) addresses
UW
see University of Wisconsin–Madison, the
UW athletics
see athletics department
UW Department of Athletics
see athletics department
UW Field House
the official name is the Wisconsin (not UW) Field House; do not capitalize the in the Field House or the Wisconsin Field House
UW Foundation (UWF)
use the Foundation (capitalized) or UWF (never the UWF) in subsequent references
UW Homecoming Parade
but Homecoming parade
UW Libraries
this umbrella title refers to all libraries on this campus
UW Marching Band, UW Varsity Band
the university’s best-known band is called the UW Marching Band in the fall (when it marches) and the UW Varsity Band in the spring (when it plays indoor concerts); use marching band on second reference when discussing the UW Marching Band
UW Spirit Squad
UW–Madison's squad comprises the dance team, cheerleaders, and Bucky Badger mascots; on second reference, use Spirit Squad or the squad; lowercase other schools' spirit squads
UW System Board of Regents
The 17-member panel that oversees the Universities of Wisconsin. Use the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents or the UW System Board of Regents on first reference; regents, board of regents, or board (all lowercase) are acceptable on second reference. While the Universities of Wisconsin is the preferred name for the collective of the 13 four-year campuses, the entity’s legal name remains the University of Wisconsin System. The board of regents continues to use the legal name:
  • University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents; UW System Board of Regents
  • Jane Doe, president of the University of Wisconsin System; UW System president Jane Doe
See also board of directors, board of regents, board of visitors; Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System); and regent, regents.
UW Varsity Band
see UW Marching Band, UW Varsity Band
UW–Madison (no the)
Use an en dash rather than a hyphen. Acceptable on second reference in external publications and in all internal communication for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Do not use the with UW–Madison: research at UW–Madison. To prevent confusion with the Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System), use the UW as a substitute for UW–Madison only when the context is clearly UW–Madison or the entity is officially named University of Wisconsin rather than University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW Hospital and Clinics, UW Law School).  See also CMS 6.39 and 6.81 ; University of Wisconsin, the; and UW, the.
UW–Madison brand
Lowercase brand in reference to the UW–Madison brand and brand website. The abbreviated UW brand is also acceptable when the context is clearly UW–Madison.
UW–Madison Division of Extension
Extension offers credit and noncredit educational opportunities throughout the state
UW, the
see University of Wisconsin–Madison, the