Capitalization
- For titles, use lowercase except when preceding a name or when used in a mailing address. President V. Lane Rawlins; V. Lane Rawlins, president of Washington State University; the president. Dean Candis Claiborn; Candis Claiborn, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture; the dean. Assistant Professor Carter Hay; Carter Hay, assistant professor of sociology; the assistant professor.
- For unit names, capitalize full references and lowercase subsequent alternative references. College of Veterinary Medicine; the college. Department of Biology; the department, the biology department. Holland Library; the library. Bohler Gym; the gym. Exceptions to this title rule: Washington State University; the University.
- When referring to the academic year, fall semester, spring semester, and summer session are lowercase, as are freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior.
- Academic degrees are lowercase when spelled out: baccalaureate degree, bachelor's degree, bachelor of arts; master's degree, master of science; doctoral degree, doctorate, doctor of philosophy, etc. Note the plural form: bachelor's degrees; master's degrees; doctoral degrees.
- Academic degrees are abbreviated with periods and closed up: B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., Ph.D., D.Ed., M.D., etc. Plural form: B.A.'s, B.S.'s, M.A.'s, M.S.'s, Ph.D.'s, D.Ed.'s.
- Names of majors, minors, concentrations, and programs are lowercase within text.
- Lowercase "fax" and "e-mail" in text. In listings, lowercase when the word follows the number; uppercase it when it precedes the number. Fax: 509-335-8568; 509-335-8568 is the fax number. E-mail: jonesm@wsu.edu; send e-mail to jonesm@wsu.edu.
- Lowercase the compass directions north, south, east, and west (including northern, southern, eastern, and western) when not part of a proper name. Capitalize in reference to a proper name or region. The Northwest, but northwestern. The West Coast, but western Washington.