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20.11 / Use of the University's Name, Seal, Logos or Marks

Purpose:
The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to the usage of the University's name, seal, logos or marks.

Preamble:
The University receives numerous requests from outside the University community relative to proposed usage of the University's name, the University seal and University logos and/or marks.  The University considers its name, seal, logos and marks, whether registered or not, to be University property and subject to University control relative to usage.  This policy is designed to provide guidance to University officials and to those interested in usage as to how usage will be controlled.  See also the WSU Visual Identity Standards Manual (http://www.wichita.edu/visualstandards) for specific instructions and guidelines for consistent and appropriate use of the University's name, the University seal and University logo and/or marks as they relate to all forms of University communications.

Policy Statement:

1.  Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to use the name of the University and to use University stationery for official correspondence.

2.  Faculty, staff and students should not use the name of the University in any announcement, advertisement, publication, or report involving personal or unofficial activities, if such usage could be construed as implying University endorsement of any product, project or service.

3.  Requests from outside the University for use of the University seal should be directed to the Vice President and General Counsel.

4.  Requests from outside the University for commercial use or exploitation of the University name or University logos or marks should be directed to the Athletic Director or the Athletic Director's designee.

5.  Requests for use of the University name to indicate an existing or previous business relationship should be directed to the Vice President and General Counsel.  Such requests may be granted, subject to the following parameters:

  1. Any usage shall be subject to written authorization and permission from the University.
  2. The University will be given an opportunity to review and approve the intended usage.
  3. The period of usage will be well-defined and limited; continued usage will be subject to further University review and approval.
  4. The University's name, logos or marks may not be displayed more prominently or any larger than other corporate marks or logos.
  5. Any display of the University's name, logos or marks shall be accompanied by the following text:
    "The University's name, logo or mark are used with the permission of Wichita State University.  Usage reflects a prior or current business relationship and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation."
6.  Subject to the above limited circumstances, use of the University's name, seal, logos and/or marks is specifically prohibited; provided, however, that the University does not intend or understand this policy to prohibit usage of the University's name in connection with news items or stories, in connection with events or activities where the University is a recognized sponsor, or pursuant to a specific contractual agreement.

Implementation:
This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.

The Vice President and General Counsel shall have primary responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.

Effective Date:
November 1, 2001

Revision Date:
February 1, 2010

(Regarding Use of University Name, see also Commitment of Time, Conflict of Interest, Consulting, and Other Employment at Section 3.04 of this manual.)

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