BACKGROUND: The intent of the Kentucky State University Graphics Standards and Editorial Style Guide is to serve as an effective resource for communicators across the campus community to establish consistency in editorial style for websites, print publications, social media and more. Our foremost goals are clarity, consistency and tone, ensuring we speak in one voice.

Generally speaking, these style guidelines are written for use in narrative copy — complete sentences and paragraphs as you’d employ in a news story, annual report or descriptive web copy. For narrative copy, our starting point is the Associated Press Stylebook (AP). Unless we establish Kentucky State University style to the contrary, AP style will always be correct. For style questions not addressed by the Associated Press, we use the Chicago Manual of Style as a secondary guide and Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary.

The graphic standards establish official standards for our visual identity. It is designed to help stakeholders like you promote Kentucky State consistently and accurately throughout every point of contact with our audiences. Inside, you will find guidelines for the proper use of Kentucky State University logo, official seal, and other symbols, as well as acceptable color use, approved typefaces, and more.

Adherence to these standards reflects our credibility, strengthens our brand, and enhances our recognition as we move #KSUForward.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES: The new Kentucky State University Graphics Standards and Editorial Style Guide will be available at www.kysu.edu and the University community may request printed copies via news@kysu.edu.

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC GOALS: It is our goal to position Kentucky State University among the nation's most visible post-secondary institutions and as an