Editorial Style Guide

This style guide should be followed in Michigan Ross publications, emails, and on the Michigan Ross website. For style questions not covered here, please contact us at rosscontent@umich.edu. This document is regularly updated.

You may also refer to the U-M style guide for additional questions.

Referring to the School

Official Name: Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan

Informal Name: Michigan Ross 

For press releases and online news, the following references are acceptable:

  • Headlines: Michigan Ross
  • First reference in press releases: Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan
  • First reference in online news: Ross School of Business
  • Second reference: Michigan Ross is preferred, but Ross is OK to use
  • Further references: Michigan Ross or Ross

Marketing Copy

In formal marketing copy (such as for PR), on first reference the school should be referred to as Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. For additional references, use “Michigan Ross.”

For other external marketing, “Michigan Ross” should be used on first reference and for all additional references.

Social Media

Michigan Ross 

Note: in some cases, using the official, full name of the school (Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan) on first reference is a good choice for formal/official settings.


Boilerplate

About Michigan Ross

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a diverse learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today’s dynamic global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to build a better world through business. Through thought and action, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation that improve business and society.

Michigan Ross is consistently ranked among the world’s leading business schools. Academic degree programs include the Bachelor of Business Administration, Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA (Online and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, Master of Supply Chain Management, and PhD. In addition, the school delivers programs for individuals and custom executive education programs targeting general management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management. For more information, visit MichiganRoss.umich.edu.


Abbreviations and Acronyms

See the University of Michigan style guide

Ross Academic Degrees:

MBA, PhD, MAcc, MSCM, MBAn, MM, BBA. (Note: Graduates of part-time MBA programs receive an MBA degree, not an “EMBA” or “WMBA”)

In general, spell out degrees on first reference, EXCEPT for MBA and PhD, which are widely known and are acceptable in all references. Acronyms for other degrees may also be acceptable on first reference in special cases such as headlines.

Ross Academic Programs: 

  • Full-Time MBA – FTMBA
  • Evening MBA – (avoid abbreviation, can be confused with Executive MBA)
  • Weekend MBA – WMBA
  • Online MBA – OMBA
  • Executive MBA – EMBA
  • Global MBA – GMBA
  • Bachelor of Business Administration – BBA
  • Master of Accounting – MAcc
  • Master of Business Analytics – MBAn
  • Master of Management – MM
  • Master of Supply Chain Management – MSCM
  • PhD
  • Business Minor

Capitalization

See the University of Michigan style guide

Note that we use title case for headlines.

Also, note this additional guidance for academic titles: Professors’ titles can be vexing as they tend to be long. Try to run the title after the name if possible. 

  • When referring to a professor who holds an endowed position, capitalize the title even when it comes after their name. Example: Gautam Ahuja, the Harvey C. Fruehauf Professor of Business Administration, assisted with the study.
  • If a person holds endowed and non-endowed titles, capitalize each as indicated above. Example: Bill Lovejoy, the Raymond T. Perring Family Professor of Business Administration and professor of operations and management science, will speak at the event. (List the endowed title first.)
  • Note: These rules apply in editorial contexts. Different rules may apply in citations or lists in agendas, programs, invitations, etc.

Dates

Proper format: Aug. 26, 2020.

  • The year is not necessary if it’s clear from the context.
  • When a date occurs in the middle of a sentence, use a comma after the year.
  • Abbreviate months as follows when used with a date: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. Do not abbreviate March, April, May, June, July. 
  • Spell out months without a date. (“She applied in November 2020” is correct.)
  • Note: These rules apply in editorial contexts. Different rules may apply in ads, agendas, programs, invitations, etc.

Dean

As of August 2022, Sharon F. Matusik is the Edward J. Frey Dean of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. She is also the Stephen M. Ross Professor of Business.

On first reference, when the permanent dean is mentioned, their full title must be included, either as the Edward J. Frey Dean or the Edward J. Frey Dean of Business.

  • Whenever the title is used alone (without reference to the school or the endowed professorship) the term “of Business” is included.  Example: Sharon F. Matusik, Edward J. Frey Dean of Business 
  • When the school or her endowed professorship is referenced, the title becomes “Edward J. Frey Dean”
  • In press releases and school news stories, etc., the dean should be introduced as Sharon F. Matusik, Edward J. Frey Dean of Business
  • On second reference and beyond, whenever the dean’s name is mentioned, she should be referred to as “Dean Matusik”

In cases where the dean’s bio is needed, the below should be used:

Sharon F. Matusik
Edward J. Frey Dean
Stephen M. Ross Professor of Business

Matusik is a distinguished scholar whose expertise spans strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. An academic leader, she has a strong record of accomplishment in student success; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and community engagement.

Matusik’s research has been published in top academic journals and is frequently cited in the management field. She has received multiple awards for research, teaching, and service to her profession.  

A first-generation college student, Matusik earned a BA in economics and English with honors from Colby College. She earned a PhD in strategic management from the University of Washington School of Business Administration.

Headlines

We use title case for headlines. (Capitalize the first letter of most words, but not articles, coordinating conjunctions, or short prepositions.)

Phone Numbers

Use hyphens, no parentheses: 734-764-1817

Ross Leadership Team

See this page for information on the Michigan Ross Leadership Team.

Times

Use lowercase letters and periods: 6 p.m.

Use colons only when the time is not on the hour: 9:30-10 a.m. or 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Time ranges that are entirely a.m. or p.m. should be separated by a hyphen: 1-2 p.m., 1-1:30 p.m.

Time ranges that are a combination of a.m. and p.m. should be separated by an en dash: 11 a.m. – noon, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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