Terminology

Alum, Alumnus, Alumni, Alumna, Alumnae

  • The preferred term for referring to a person who graduated or attended the University is "alum." The plural form for this term can be "alums" or "alumni." "Alums" is often considered less formal.
  • If the context calls for it, you can refer to a male-identifying person as an "alumnus" or a group of male-identifying people as "alumni." "Alumni" can also be used to refer to a mixed-gender group.
  • If the context calls for it, you can refer to a female-identifying person as an "alumna" or a group of female-identifying people as "alumnae."

Department of Theatre Arts & Dance

  • If it's clear that only part of the department is being discussed, then it's fine to refer to, for example, "the dance program," but if the context is necessary, refer to the dance part of the department as "the University of Minnesota Dance Program."

First-year vs. Freshman

  • Refer to students who are in their first year of their academic career as "first-year students." 

Latin Honors

  • Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude) are not italicized.

Learning Abroad vs. Study Abroad

  • Preferred terminology for "study abroad" at the University of Minnesota is "learning abroad"

Liberal Arts Engagement Hub

  • Should be referred to as the "Liberal Arts Engagement Hub," "Liberal Arts Engagement Hub in the College of Liberal Arts," or "The Hub"
  • Do not refer to it as "CLA Liberal Arts Engagement Hub" or "CLA Engagement Hub"