A&M SYSTEM REFERENCES
Referencing the A&M System
When referencing The Texas A&M University System, use “The Texas A&M University System” on first reference (with a capital “T” in “the”) and “A&M System” or “Texas A&M System” on second reference. Do not put a space between the letters and the ampersand (i.e., A & M).
Correct: The Texas A&M University System
Second reference: A&M System or Texas A&M System
Incorrect: TAMUS or TAMU System
Exception: TAMUS is allowed in digital applications such as website URLs and social media for hashtags (i.e. #TAMUS) and account names (i.e. @TAMUSystem).
To prevent confusion in publications for external audiences, always use “A&M System” or “Texas A&M System” on second reference, not just “system” alone.
In publications for internal audiences, the word “system” can be used alone on second reference. Lowercase “system” unless beginning a sentence.
- A&M System employees involved in the project were elated.
- They were proud that so many system members could pull together on a single project.
Website Address
The website address for the A&M System should always be listed as “tamus.edu” or “www.tamus.edu.”
Suggested “About the A&M System” boilerplate
The following is a boilerplate that can be used in whole or in part and added to the end of news releases or other documents:
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $7.3 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS, the Texas A&M System educates more than 157,000 students and makes more than 21 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state’s economy.
Communicating A&M System affiliation
- A&M System institutions without the A&M affiliation in their name should add the phrase “a member of The Texas A&M University System” to their stationery, business cards and other external publications.
- All A&M System universities, agencies and health science center institutions should be referred to as “members” of the system, not parts or components.
- All universities, agencies or health science center institutions should reference their affiliation with the A&M System in text in the following manner: “Tarleton State University, a member of The Texas A&M University System, . . .”
Referencing A&M System administration
The following are correct references for the A&M System Board of Regents:
- Board of Regents
- The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
- Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System
- the A&M System Board of Regents (on second reference)
- Texas A&M System Board of Regents (on second reference)
Lowercase “board” and “regents” if used separately.
- The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today approved new degree programs at three A&M System universities.
- At its regularly scheduled meeting, the board discussed the importance of collaboration between A&M System universities and agencies.
Referencing specific members of the Board of Regents
Regent first name last name.
- Regent Jim Schwertner said the new program would be beneficial.
- Chairman Phil Adams called the meeting to order.
Referencing A&M System executive officers and offices
The offices in the A&M System building in College Station should be referred to as “System Offices.” (These offices were formerly called the “System Administrative and General Offices” or “SAGO.”) “System Offices” takes a plural verb.
- The System Offices provide support for the members of the A&M System.
Uppercase a title when it comes before a name, but lowercase a title when it comes after a name.
- Chancellor John Sharp
- John Sharp, chancellor of the A&M System
Uppercase names of offices.
- Office of the Chancellor
- Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
A&M SYSTEM MEMBERS REFERENCES
When listing other universities, agencies and the health science center, always use the institution’s complete name on first reference and its preferred acronym or abbreviation on second reference.
Institution |
Preferred Abbreviation |
Texas A&M University |
Texas A&M |
Texas A&M University at Galveston |
Texas A&M at Galveston |
Texas A&M University at Qatar |
Texas A&M at Qatar |
Texas A&M University Health Science Center |
Texas A&M Health |
Prairie View A&M University |
PVAMU |
Tarleton State University |
Tarleton State |
Texas A&M University-Central Texas |
A&M-Central Texas |
Texas A&M International University |
TAMIU |
Texas A&M University-Commerce |
A&M-Commerce |
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
Texas A&M University-Kingsville |
TAMUK |
Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
A&M-San Antonio |
Texas A&M University-Texarkana |
A&M-Texarkana |
West Texas A&M University |
WTAMU |
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service |
AgriLife Extension |
Texas A&M AgriLife Research |
AgriLife Research |
Texas Division of Emergency Management |
TDEM |
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station |
TEES |
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service |
TEEX |
Texas A&M Forest Service |
Texas A&M Forest Service |
Texas A&M Transportation Institute |
TTI |
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory |
TVMDL |
Texas A&M-Fort Worth |
A&M-Fort Worth |
Texas A&M-RELLIS |
A&M-RELLIS |
RELLIS Academic Alliance |
Academic Alliance |
A&M SYSTEM NEWS
The Office of Marketing & Communications maintains an online newsroom for A&M System News, which can be accessed here.
EMAIL SIGNATURE
When promoting The Texas A&M University System brand, consistency is important, whether in print or electronic communications. For emails, the background should remain white, with no colored backgrounds or graphics/photos added. Additionally, other than your email signature, there should be no other copy on your outgoing emails (e.g., quotes, additional graphics/photos, taglines, personal information, etc.).
When using an email signature, use one of the following options. The primary option contains your full information. The secondary option contains your contact information and physical address, and the third option can be used for departmental email or for mobile devices.
DO NOT use images in email signatures.
Note: You aren’t required to include your cell phone number, fax number or email address. These examples are to show placement only.
Primary
Full Name | Title —————— 11 pt Arial Bold, black (Note: use one space before and after divider)
Office Name ———————— 11 pt Arial, black
Email Address
Mail Stop | College Station, TX 77840-7896
Tel. 123.456.7890 | Fax 234.567.8901 | www.tamus.edu
The Texas A&M University System —————12 pt Times New Roman, small caps, maroon (RBG is 80, 0, 0)
Reminder: DO NOT use images in email signatures.
SECONDARY (with physical address)
Full Name | Title —————— 11 pt Arial Bold, black (Note: use one space before and after divider)
Office Name ———————— 11 pt Arial, black
Email Address
Mail Stop | College Station, TX 77840-7896
Tel. 123.456.7890 | Fax 234.567.8901 | www.tamus.edu
Moore/Connally Building
301 Tarrow
College Station, TX 77840-7896
The Texas A&M University System —————12 pt Times New Roman, small caps, maroon (RBG is 80, 0, 0)
Reminder: DO NOT use images in email signatures.
MOBILE DEVICES
If you are unable to change the default font or bolding on your device, please follow the format below using the available font.
Full Name | Title —————— 11 pt Arial Bold, black (Note: use 1 space before and after divider)
Office Name ———————— 11 pt Arial, black
Email Address
THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM —————11 pt Arial, black