S
says
Said when referring to speechmaking.
school
Capitalize when referring to a specific SMU school. Cox School of Business has a number of continuing education programs. Many business executives take classes at the School.
School names
The full name of schools should always be used on first reference. Because "the" is not a part of the name, it should not precede the name. Plays and concerts are produced regularly at Meadows School of the Arts. School names may be shortened on subsequent references and may include "the." The Meadows School faces the Boulevard. The following is a list of the correct full names of the University's seven schools:
- Cox School of Business
- Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
- Dedman School of Law
- Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering
- Meadows School of the Arts
- Perkins School of Theology
- Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development
seasons
Lowercase all seasons and seasonal terms such as fall, spring, winter, wintertime, etc., unless they are part of a formal title: SpringFest, Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics, Fall Festival, etc.
The Second Century Celebration
Official name of the commemoration of the centennials of the University's founding (1911) and opening (1915). It is OK to use the word centennial to describe components of The Second Century Celebration, such as centennial events. Centennial and celebration are always lowercase.
series
When listing more than two items in text, do not follow the next to last item with a comma: The flag is red, white and blue, and You may choose plant, vegetable or mineral.
service clubs
Capitalize the proper names: American Legion, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club.
Also capitalize words describing membership, as well as the formal titles of officeholders when used before a name: He is a Rotarian, a Lion, a Kiwanian, Lion's District Governor Clarke Keys.
Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development
On first reference. On second reference: Simmons School of Education and Human Development.
smartphone
A mobile telephone with computer features that may enable it to interact with computerized systems, send e-mails and access the Web.
Smith, Dr. Bob
Refers to the Dr. Bob Smith Auditorium and the Dr. Bob Smith Pre-Med Advising Center. Do not abbreviate as the Smith Auditorium or the Smith Pre-Med Advising Center. The full name must be used in every instance.
SMU/Southern Methodist University
SMU, the University's primary brand identity, should be used on all official University publications and external advertisements. Southern Methodist University may be spelled out in publications a) if needed for clarification with particular audiences or b) if materials are addressed to specific groups for whom the University’s original full name is of particular importance.
SMU Dads' Club
SMU-in-Plano
SMU-in-Taos
SMU Mothers' Club
SMU Parents' Club
SMU presidents and terms
- Dr. Robert S. Hyer, 1911–1920
- Bishop Hiram Abiff Boaz, 1920–1922
- Dr. Charles C. Selecman, 1923–1938
- Dr. Umphrey Lee, 1939–1954
- Willis M. Tate, 1954–1972 and 1974–1975
- Dr. Paul Hardin, 1972–1974
- Dr. James H. Zumberge, 1975–1980
- Dr. L. Donald Shields, 1980-1986
- Dr. A. Kenneth Pye, 1987–1994
- Dr. R. Gerald Turner, 1995–
SMU Unbridled
Chosen as the theme for The Second Century Campaign to communicate the momentum the University has been experiencing in recent years.
SMU: Unbridled Vision
The picture book published in 2011 to commemorate SMU's first 100 years.
SMU vision statement and mission statement
The Vision of Southern Methodist University
To create and impart knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead their professions in a global society.
The Mission of Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University's mission is to be a leading private institution of higher learning that expands knowledge through research and teaching. Among its faculty, students and staff, the University develops skills and cultivates principled thought and wisdom. The University is dedicated to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry and to its United Methodist heritage. To fulfill its mission the University strives for quality, innovation and continuous improvement as it pursues the following goals:
- To enhance the academic quality and competitiveness of the University.
- To improve teaching and learning.
- To strengthen scholarly research and creative achievement.
- To support and sustain student development and quality of life.
- To broaden global perspectives.
- To advance the University through select, strategic alliances.
social media
Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter
spacing between sentences
Use a single space between sentences in SMU publications. Style in correspondence may vary.
spring break
Not capitalized.
Sr.
Abbreviate as Sr. only with the full names of persons or animals. Precede by a comma: Paul B. Loyd, Sr. The notation II or 2nd also may be used if it is the individual's preference. Note, however, that II and 2nd are not necessarily the equivalent of senior – they often are used by a grandfather or a father.
St. Louis
state
Lowercase in state of constructions: He is licensed in the state of Texas. Also, do not capitalize when referring to a level of legal or political jurisdiction: state Sen. Bill Ratliff, state Rep. Pete Patterson, the state Transportation Department.
subject
Lowercase subjects, unless a language or followed by a roman numeral: English, French, Algebra I.
Sun Belt
T
TDP (time, date, place)
When listing the time, month, date and place of an event in news copy, list in this order: The sports banquet will take place at 7 p.m. July 1 in Moody Coliseum, The lecture will be held March 3 to 16 in Hughes-Trigg Student Center (not March 3 through 16), The bonfire will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, on the athletic fields. On invitations and programs, order may vary.
TEDxSMU
television
Spell out in all uses. Do not use tv, TV, or T.V.
term
Use instead of semester.
text message
that vs. which
In general, use that and which when referring to inanimate objects and to animals without a name. When choosing between the two, it often is necessary to determine whether the word will be used in an essential clause or in a nonessential clause.
Both types of clauses provide additional information about a word or a phrase in a sentence. The basic difference between the two lies in the fact that an essential clause cannot be taken out of the sentence without changing the sentence's meaning. In other words, it is so essential to the phrase that its absence would lead to a substantially different interpretation of what the writer meant. That is the preferred pronoun to use when introducing essential clauses that refer to inanimate objects or animals without a name.
A nonessential clause, therefore, is a clause that can be taken out without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. Which is the only acceptable pronoun to introduce a nonessential clause that refers to an inanimate object or an animal without a name.
Punctuation: An essential clause must not be set off from the rest of the sentence by commas, while a nonessential clause must be set off by commas.
Examples: The ruling that overturned the holiday schedule resulted in protests. The unpopular ruling, which was announced Tuesday, resulted in protests.
theater vs. theatre
Use theater when making a generic reference: I am going to the theater.
When used with a proper name, spell in accordance with the correct title of the facility: Bob Hope Theatre, Margo Jones Theatre, Greer Garson Theatre, but Hughes-Trigg Theater.
Also in reference to Meadows – Division of Theatre, Theatre Studies.
times
Use figures with all times except for noon and midnight, which should stand alone.
When using times for events that occur at the start of the hour, do not include :00. For example: The meeting will begin at 11 a.m., and should last until 4 p.m. For times that must include both the hour and the minute, use a colon: 8:30 a.m., 4:45 p.m.
Use lowercase a.m. and p.m., with periods between the letters. Do not use AM, A.M., PM, P.M.
Also, avoid such redundancies as 4 a.m. in the morning, 8 p.m. at night, etc. If necessary, use 4 a.m. today or 8 p.m. Monday, etc.
titles
In general, lowercase titles unless they precede a proper name. For example: Meadows School of the Arts Dean José Antonio Bowen, but José Antonio Bowen, dean of Meadows School of the Arts. Also, Professor of Journalism Tony Pederson, journalism Professor Tony Pederson, but Tony Pederson, professor of journalism.
toward
Not towards.
Tower Center
See the centers and institutes entry.
T-shirt
Not Tshirt, T shirt, tee shirt, etc.
Turner, R. Gerald
U
under way
Two words.
United States
Spell out when standing alone. Use the abbreviated form, U.S., only as an adjective. The United States is the best country in the world, but Jim Chapman is a U.S. representative, or My wife is studying U.S. history. See also the nation entry.
University
When referring to an institution in general, use lowercase: There are many fine universities in the state of Texas.
When referring to SMU, use SMU or the University. In news releases, use Southern Methodist University on first reference, SMU on succeeding references.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, The
The is part of the name.
Universitywide
One word.
upperclass
One word when describing college students (sophomores, juniors and seniors); two words when describing a class of society.