When referencing William & Mary:

  • William & Mary: required first reference in communications (no “College of,” uses the ampersand instead of “and”)
  • the university: preferred second reference. University is not capitalized.
  • W&M: use as second reference and can alternate with William & Mary
  • College of William & Mary: formal reference reserved for official Charter Day and Commencement event publications and certain presidential-level communications
  • College: acceptable as a second reference only in communications to classes who graduated 50 years ago or more from members of their class
  • The College of William and Mary in Virginia: most formal title, used only in the Charter and on diplomas
  • Do not use: WM, William and Mary, College of William and Mary, The College of William and Mary, The College of William & Mary, The College

Arts & Sciences: Capitalize with the ampersand when referring to the group of academic units (formally known as the Faculty of Arts & Sciences). “A&S” is acceptable on second reference.

Class year: Include a student’s or alumnus’ class year after his or her name on first reference.

  • Examples: Jon Stewart ’84 or Ginger Ambler ’88, Ph.D. ’06

Crim Dell: Refers to the pond and surrounding area, not the bridge itself. Do not use the definitive article.

  • Examples: Crim Dell, not the Crim Dell, but the Crim Dell bridge (note lower case.)

Historic Campus: Refers to the section of campus that includes the Wren Building, President’s House and Brafferton. Some refer to this area as Ancient Campus, but Historic Campus is preferred.

Public Ivy: Capitalized and in quotes on first reference (“Public Ivy”); lowercase, not in quotes on second references (public ivy).

Raymond A. Mason School of Business

  • use the full name on first reference
  • “the business school” or “school of business” are acceptable on second reference
  • do not use Mason School
  • housed in Alan B. Miller Hall (or Miller Hall on second reference)

Sunken Garden: Never plural.

William & Mary Athletics

  • “W&M Athletics” is acceptable on second reference

William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS

  • use the full name if only one reference
  • when multiple references:
    • use William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS on first reference
    • use the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS on second reference
    • use the Batten School & VIMS on subsequent references
  • exceptions:
    • when referencing where a degree is earned, reference only the Batten School
    • when referencing a service, etc. that pertains only to VIMS the state agency, reference only VIMS

William & Mary Law School

  • not “the” William & Mary Law School
  • “the law school” is acceptable on second reference
  • avoid using Marshall-Wythe School of Law except in formal documents

William & Mary School of Education

  • “the school of education” is acceptable on second reference

William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science

  • VIMS is acceptable on second reference

Wren Building: Appropriate first-reference form used for all but the most formal references to the Sir Christopher Wren Building. The Wren is the oldest college building still standing in the United States.