INTRODUCTION
Every university presents itself to the community in many dimensions and venues. Individuals may encounter the university in any of the following forms of presentation: apparel, athletic events, signs, advertising, cultural programs, exhibits, promotional booklets, letters, forms, reports and telephone conversations.

Each individual will form an impression of the university based on reactions to its presentations; therefore, it is essential that care be taken in the control of the forms of presentation. The well-controlled use of coordinated communications graphics such as the official seal and mascots, MUST present the public with an accurate, appropriate and favorite portrait picture of the university in its totality.

USE OF MANUAL
The purpose of this manual is to present in one place the basic guidelines for the university’s graphic identity package. It will specify the protocol for many communications materials. The manual is to be used by all those involved in any phase of development, purchase, implementation, or supervision of the University’s diverse media of communication should use the manual. The university’s name and logo is the key graphic element in this identity package. It will serve as the primary coordinating element for the University, its various schools and departments, and its services. Correct use of the name logo and the seal is essential to the success of any activity or program.

The guidelines in this manual are provided to aid creative efforts to work in a coordinated cumulative fashion. There are wide boundaries for innovation within this system. This manual should guide creativity rather than inhibit it.

If there are any questions, any need for clarification, or any reason to question specific guidelines presented in this manual, then the user should contact the NCCU Office of Public Relations for clarification and review. In order to minimize expense, it is more productive to raise questions early in the development stages of a communications item, before final layout or development of mechanical art. After an item has been implemented, its critique becomes more academic, and more directed at future correction.

OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY COLORS
The official colors of North Carolina Central University are Maroon and Gray. Because these colors can be printed in many different shades, NCCU identifies itself with the color specifications:

OFFICIAL SEALS AND LOGOS

• University Seal
• University Name Logo
• Athletic Mascot (Logo)

USE OF THE UNIVERSITY’S NAME
North Carolina Central University is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina.

Approved variations of the University’s name are as follows:

North Carolina Central University
NCCU

But never:
UNC Central
NC Central
North Carolina Central
Carolina Central
Central, etc.

PUBLICATIONS
Before requisitions are approved for publications, you should seek approval from the Office of Public Relations by filling out the “North Carolina Central University Publication Form.” This is especially pertinent for catalogs, external newsletters and all recruitment materials. All external publications must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Public Relations before any final publication.

LICENSED VENDORS
The “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” label appears on all licensed merchandise, for NCCU and the other member institutions of the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC). Any merchandise not bearing these labels for schools represented by the Collegiate Licensing Company, but using the mark of the University, may represent an infringement of the trademark, which is punishable by law.

Restrictions
The University places restrictions on the following merchandise/products that will not be licensed for sale with university logos:

Logo Merchandise: On-Campus Usage
Departments and students may use university trademarks on merchandise; however, staff persons should submit a copy of the design artwork to the Office of Legal Affairs to ensure that is doesn’t violate aspects of the trademarks law.

LETTERHEAD AND BUSINESS CARD DESIGN
Business cards should be printed on gray paper stock with the seal printed in the approved maroon color with the founder’s name, “James E. Shepard, Founder” printed under the seal. All other personal information should be printed in black ink. Stationery should be printed with the founder’s name, “James E. Shepard, Founder” printed under the seal. The seal should be centered on the page with the University name, address, and other formal information in the footer of the page.

No competing logos or symbols may appear on official letterhead, stationery items or business cards. For joint ventures, the use of the logo must be approved by the Office of Public Relations.

Any deviation from the policies, guidelines and standards must be submitted to the special assistant to the chancellor for public relations and publications who will present it to the Communications Committee for approval. Any appeal of the Communications Committee’s decision must be made to the Chancellor’s Cabinet.

No individual school or programmatic logos are to be used in any publications without the approval of the Communications Committee.