University Brand Review (UBR) is an audit of digital and print materials that are intended for an external audience or for widespread dissemination internally and is used to ensure conformity with branding and editorial standards as set forth in the Brand Book.

Does my item need reviewed?

  • Review and list UBR number: brochures, flyers, handbooks, programs, postcards, campaign emails, newsletters
  • Review without displaying UBR: paid advertising, billboards, websites, videos, podcasts, invitations, digital signage panels
  • Review not needed: classroom instructional material, scholarly articles, faculty papers, internal memos, non-Penn State materials, flyers created by student organizations

Please finalize your design before submitting for review. The UBR should be the last step before releasing the piece. If you’re not sure if an item needs review, submit the item to our office. Complete information about UBR can be found at the UBR website.

Below are some of the most common items that need to be corrected before we'll issue a UBR number.

Dates

  • Dates should include the day of the week.
  • Both days and months should be spelled out.
  • Do not include th or nd after the numeral date.
  • The current year can be omitted from dates.
    • For example: Friday, January 5

Times

  • Use noon instead of 12:00 p.m., and midnight instead of 12:00 a.m.
  • Include :00 for solid hour times.
  • Do not capitalize a.m. or p.m.
  • Use an en dash (–) without spaces on either side in time ranges.
  • For virtual events, make sure to include EST or EDT.
    • For example: Noon–1:00 p.m. EDT

Locations

  • Write out the full names of locations.
    • For example: W101 Olmsted Building; Morrison Gallery, Madlyn L. Hanes Library

Recommended Fonts

  • For materials that will be printed, use Proxima Nova, Proxima Nova Condensed, and Serifa fonts.
  • For materials that will only be shared digitally, use the above or Roboto, Roboto Condensed, and Roboto Slab fonts.
  • Try to avoid uppercase-only fonts.

Penn State Usage

  • Use Penn State to refer to the University in all external communications.
  • The full name (The Pennsylvania State University) is reserved for formal documents, legal contracts, and some mailing addresses.
  • Do not refer to the University as "PSU" or Penn State Harrisburg as "PSH."

Usage of Dr.

  • Do not use "Dr." as a title unless the individual has a medical degree.

Numbers

  • Write out any numbers up to one hundred.

Serial Comma

  • Except for news stories, we utilize the serial (Oxford) comma, which comes before “and” in a series of items.
    • For example: She studied lizards, snakes, and frogs.

Courses

  • When mentioning courses, be sure to include the name and course number. There should not be a colon between the course number and the course name.
    • For example: PUBPL 419 Race and Public Policy

Ampersands

  • Use ampersands (&) only in charts, tables, or lists of companies, where the ampersand is part of the company’s official name.
  • It can also be used for “Q&A.”
  • Outside of these exceptions, replace the ampersand (&) with “and” in all references.

In addition to the UBR number, one of the following statements is required by Penn State to appear on all publications with limited exceptions (e.g., formal invitations, digital signs, and printed advertisements).

Most Promotional Materials

This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Our events and programs are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class. Penn State Harrisburg is committed to building a community of belonging for all. UBR HBG 25-XX

Materials Related to an Event

This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact the organizer in advance. Our events and programs are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class. Penn State Harrisburg is committed to building a community of belonging for all. UBR HBG 25-XX