Boston College

Our official name is Boston College; you can use University on a second reference. Spell out Boston College on a first reference; use BC sparingly.

Capitalization

Capitalize University when referring to Boston College specifically.

The words commencement, convocation, and reunion are only capitalized when referring to the specific Boston College event.

Titles

University President William P. Leahy, S.J.; then William P. Leahy, S.J., president, or Father Leahy or Leahy. Avoid using President Leahy.

Religious

In non-quoted text, the first reference should give the priest’s full name with the initials S.J. after it; subsequent reference can abbreviate to Fr. Do not use Fr. with the religious suffix. 

Religious titles are abbreviated in text and in quotes: Fr., Rev., Br., Sr., St.

John Smith, S.J. (then: Fr. Smith; or just: Smith. No space in S.J.).

Rev. John Smith (okay to use when not a Jesuit)

Serial comma

In a series of three items, use a commas before the and.

He ate some bread, butter, and jam.  He ate some ham and jam.

Other

Premedical/Predental Program (no hyphen)

Communication (no “s”) Department

Jesuit, Catholic University (no hyphen between Jesuit and Catholic)

AHANA is an acronym used to describe individuals of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent.