Boston College has developed a graphic identity system and standards policy to be applied to all printed University communications. This policy has been instituted by the Office of the President to establish and maintain a consistent public image for the University that reinforces the mission and vision of Boston College.
In addition, University Communications has developed standards and guidelines for web-based and other digital communications, as well an editorial style guide, to serve as resources for departments and divisions across campus.
Find answers to some frequently asked questions related to use of Boston College images, video, logos, seals, and more below.
Media representatives must request access to campus in advance by calling the Office of University Communications at (617) 552-3350. OUC will notify the appropriate campus gate attendant of your arrival and direct you to available parking.
Shooting on campus / Use of images or video
From time to time, media agencies request the use of a Boston College campus setting for an external video or photography project, or the use of campus photos or images, logos or other identifiable materials (clothing, pennants, publications, etc.) for commercial or entertainment productions.
The following guidelines are in effect for such requests:
- A written letter of intent must be submitted to the Office of University Communications before permission for such use is granted. This letter must include information regarding the requested location, dates, times, length and number of people and vehicles to be involved in the proposed project (if applicable), a list of BC-related materials that will be used, and a detailed description of the project itself and its intended use.
- If the Office of University Communications approves an on-campus project, the requester must submit a certificate of insurance and appropriate release forms. The shoot will not be allowed to take place unless this material is received in advance of the proposed date.
- The requester will be required to pay for any Boston College-related materials needed for the project, as well as any overtime or miscellaneous expenses incurred by the University in connection with the shoot. If it is a commercial venture, a daily location fee may be required.
- Requests for projects that interfere with the University's academic enterprise or student life will not be approved.
- Due to the number of requests for student projects, the University does not grant location requests that are not directly affiliated with Boston College class assignments.
- Requesters who wish to use Boston College's name, nicknames, building or unit names when filming, videotaping and/or photographing the University campus for commercial and/or entertainment purposes may do so only with the approval of the Office of the President (to be arranged through the Office of University Communications.) At no other time may Boston College be identified in the finished product.
- The complete University policy on use of Boston College facilities for filming, videotaping and still photography for commercial and entertainment purposes is available at the Policies and Procedures website.
For additional information please contact the Office of University Communications at (617) 552-3350.
The University allows wedding photography for alumni on campus during the weekend. This is to ensure that the photo shoot is as minimally intrusive as possible to students, faculty, and staff.
Boston College's Baldwin is available upon request for parties, business meetings, or special events. Requests can be made through the Boston College Athletcis Department here.
The BC Eagles logo was created in 2000. The primary logo features an eagle with an interlocking "BC." The pantone ink colors are maroon 202, gold 4515 and metallic gold 871.
If you have questions about any promotion or use of the BC Eagles logo, contact the Sports Marketing office at 617-552-3005 or sprtmrkt@bc.edu.
Those interested in commemorating a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, retirement, marriage proposal, etc.) with a personal message on the scoreboard at a BC football, hockey, men's basketball, or women's basketball event can contact Boston College Athletics Marketing & Fan Development by filling out this form.
For other questions regrading athletics, contact the BC Athletics Communication Department.
The Office of University Communication has been entrusted with oversight of all public facing websites.
Web design and development is done in-house with occasional support from a vendor.
If you have questions on the process, please contact Scott Olivieri.
Accessibility
Boston College is committed to ensuring that all BC web pages are accessible. The Web Technlogy Group within ITS has created detailed documentation, established training classes, and purchased software to assist with the content remediation process.
Some recommendations on specific media:
- Web sites
- Web content editors are responsible for implementing accessibility best practices.
- Creating Meaningful Page Titles
- Using Structurally Correct HTML Elements
- Providing Alternate Text for Images
- Using Descriptive Links
- Adding Adobe Reader Link
- Adding Word Doc Viewer Link
- Web content editors are responsible for implementing accessibility best practices.
- Audio/Video
- Video files must contain proper subtitles (see below)
- Audio scripts should be included in videos
- Ensure accessible media player technology is available
- Video files must contain proper subtitles (see below)
- Documents
- MS Word, EPUB and PDF documents should be aligned with standards and created using best practices such as use of headings, proper use of tables, bulleted lists, high contrast fonts and colors and proper conversion between formats.
Review ITS documentation on AEM Accessibility
Video Captioning
Federal Law and Boston College require that any public-facing online video content produced by University faculty or staff must be closed captioned. This includes any videos posted on the Boston College website, BC associated websites, or any associated social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Vimeo.
In order to meet federal requirements, both pre-recorded and live video streams need to be professionally captioned. Captioning through an auto-captioning system (such as what you'll find on YouTube) does not meet federal guidelines.
The Boston College wordmark and seal should appear on all documents produced by the University. The Boston College wordmark should always appear at least on the cover of a brochure or first page of a document. The seal may appear with the wordmark on the cover but if space prohibits its use, or if it would need to be reduced smaller than ¾ of an inch, then it’s permissible to eliminate it from the cover. However, it should be placed on the back cover or last page of a document.
Please note: The seal and the name “Boston College” are registered trademarks, and reproduction of the seal alone or together with other elements of the Graphic Identity System is for official Boston College use only, in accordance with the University policy on use of the Boston College indicia.
There should be no manipulation of the wordmark or seal, and they should only be produced at full resolution for the highest quality reproduction. The seal should be used no smaller than 3/4 inch in diameter. When treated graphically (not in the document text), the words “Boston College” should appear as a logotype on one or two lines. To maintain the specific relationships between the letters, EPS files of the logotype are available. Do not attempt to recreate them using actual type.
The wordmark may only be reproduced in black, white (on a dark background), Pantone 874 gold, Pantone Warm Gray 11, or Pantone 202. The Pantone colors may be mixed from the four process colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK.) See chart of approved colors and CMYK mixes.
The Boston College seal should appear in black, gold (Pantone 874), or full color (4-color process.)
It is generally not permissible for any department or office within the University to have or create its own logo. Please consult with us directly when there is a question.
A grant source’s logo may appear in a document as long as the Boston College wordmark and/or seal is the prominent identity. The grant source’s logo must not be placed adjacent to the wordmark or seal nor should it be as large as the wordmark.
The Boston College Seal
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The Boston College seal is the central logo of the University. It should appear on all documents produced by the University, on either the front or back cover or on both.
The seal and the name Boston College are registered trademarks, and reproduction of the seal alone or together with other elements of the graphic identity system are for official Boston College use only, in accordance with the University policy on use of Boston College indicia.