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Editorial Style

Following NC State's editorial style lends your writing a professional sheen and ensures a consistent experience for all of our readers.

Clear, Consistent Writing

Editorial style is a set of rules that tells you what to do when there's more than one "correct" way to write something. Examples include determining which words to capitalize in a headline or when to spell out a number versus using a numeral. Without a clear-cut set of style guidelines, writers often address these situations in inconsistent and contradictory ways, which undermines their credibility.

NC State’s editorial style is based on The Associated Press Stylebook, with exceptions and additions as noted below. When AP style conflicts with NC State's own guidelines, you should follow the latter. To resolve questions of spelling, AP recommends using Merriam-Webster.

You should follow these rules far more often than not. However, situations may arise when bending a rule makes more sense than following it. Clarity and consistency are the most important considerations.

Use the search bar or index to find a specific editorial style reference.

alumna, alumnae, alumni, alumnus

An alumnus is a person of male, unknown or unspecified gender who has attended a particular school, college or university. Alumni is the plural form, referring both to males as a group and to people of all genders as a group. An alumna is a female alumnus; alumnae is the plural form, referring only to females as a group.

ampersand (&)

AP style dictates that the ampersand generally should not be used in place of “and,” and NC State style follows this rule. You should only use an ampersand when:

  • It is part of an organization’s official name — Procter & Gamble, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway
  • It is part of a publication name or composition title — the magazine Garden & Gun, the book and movie Marley & Me
  • It is a generally accepted abbreviation listed in the dictionary: B&B, R&B

antisemitism, antisemitic

Per a 2021 change in AP style, style these terms without a hyphen and with no capitalization.

athletics department

The official name of the university department that administers 22 NCAA Division I varsity sports is:

Department of Athletics

Treat capitalization of this department as you would any other department: Capitalize headline style when the full, official name is used, and lowercase otherwise.

  • Correct: Debbie Yow is director of the Department of Athletics.
  • Incorrect: Debbie Yow is director of the Athletics Department.
  • Correct: Debbie Yow is director of the athletics department.

In specific references to the department or its staff, avoid the singular version of the word.

  • Correct: NC State is hiring an assistant athletics director.
  • Incorrect: NC State is hiring an assistant athletic director.

athletics facilities

NC State has a variety of athletics facilities located on and off campus. Each has a designated facility name.

  • Carter-Finley Stadium — Opened in 1966 as Carter Stadium in honor of brothers Nick and Harry Carter, textile executives from Greensboro, N.C., who spearheaded the fundraising for the stadium. In honor of philanthropist A.E. Finley, a longtime NC State benefactor, the named was changed prior to the 1979 season.
  • Dail Basketball Center — The home of the Wolfpack men’s basketball program.
  • Doak Field at Dail Park — The home of NC State baseball. Doak Field was originally named for longtime coach Charles “Chick” Doak.
  • The Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium — The home of NC State’s newest varsity sport.
  • Dail Soccer Field — Home to both the men’s and women’s soccer team, the field is located in the infield of Paul H. Derr Track.
  • Paul H. Derr Track — A cinder track has been at this location since approximately 1939. It was named for former track coach and head of the NC State physical education department Paul H. Derr in 1979.
  • The J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center — This tennis complex, home to the men’s and women’s varsity programs, houses both the Andy Andrews Indoor Facility and the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Outdoor Tennis Stadium.
  • Lonnie Poole Golf Course — Located on 200 acres in the southeast corner of Centennial Campus, the 18-hole championship course was designed by golf champion Arnold Palmer with input from NC State graduates Erik Larsen and Brandon Johnson, both architects with Palmer Golf Course Design.
  • Wendell H. Murphy Center — This facility houses football coaches’ offices, locker rooms, training facilities, a weight room, and a lobby filled with displays about the history of NC State football.
  • PNC Arena — This indoor athletics stadium near campus, formerly known as the Entertainment and Sports Arena and the RBC Center, is the home-game venue for NC State’s men’s basketball team.
  • William Neal Reynolds Coliseum — The home of NC State men’s basketball from 1949 to 1999, it remains a multiuse facility for campus events and is the home of NC State women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling.
  • C. Richard Vaughn Towers — This four-level structure at Carter-Finley Stadium includes press seating, a chancellor’s suite and luxury boxes that are available for rent.
  • Weisiger-Brown Athletic Facility — This is the home of the athletics department administrative offices.
  • Willis R. Casey Aquatic Center — The pool facility, located in the Carmichael Gym complex, is named for the former swimming coach and longtime athletics director.

Atlantic Coast Conference

NC State is one of seven charter member universities of this NCAA Division I athletic conference. ACC is acceptable on second reference.

Belltower

This structure, officially named the Memorial Tower, is colloquially called the Belltower or sometimes the Memorial Belltower. It honors NC State alumni who were killed during World War I. The cornerstone was laid in 1921. The Depression and World War II delayed construction, but the completed tower was formally dedicated in 1949.

Board of Directors

Contrary to AP, and for consistency with “Board of Trustees,” always capitalize when used with an NC State-affiliated board: “The Alumni Association’s Board of Directors met on Tuesday to discuss the budget.”

Board of Governors

This is the policymaking body legally charged with governing the University of North Carolina System, of which NC State is a constituent institution. Contrary to AP, always capitalize: Board of Governors.

Board of Trustees

This body advises NC State’s chancellor with the management and development of the university. Contrary to AP, always capitalize: Board of Trustees.