Student Organization Guidelines for UA Trademark and Licensing Usage
Student organizations at The University of Alabama are categorized into four distinct tiers as it relates to access to, and use of, University trademark symbols and/or language. Please note that any use of those items for each tier must still adhere to an official approval process. Questions regarding organizations and their designated tier should be directed to the Office of Student Involvement and/or the Trademark Licensing Office.
Regardless of student organization tier, University of Alabama trademarks and logos are prohibited to be used in conjunction with: alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, illegal and recreational drugs & drug paraphernalia, gambling products, firearms or other weapons, profanity, sexual acts & sexually oriented goods, statements impugning other universities, racist, hateful, demeaning or degrading language or statements, national flags, political symbols, political issues and candidates, and religious symbols. The list of prohibited items/language includes actual and/or implied usage. The University of Alabama retains the right to modify or make exceptions to these guidelines at any time.
The tiers and placement of each student organization are as follows:
TIER 1
UA Coordinating Body, Academic & Honor Society Organizations
Organizations identified in Tier 1 fall within our SOURCE categories of coordinating body, academic or honor society. These organizations, due to their mission and priorities, broadly represent the teaching and research component of UA’s mission statement and the emphasis of the University academic setting. Organizations in this category represent the University to campus and the broader community, serving in an ambassadorial capacity and/or presenting events of an academic nature that are of broad appeal and considered an integral part of the University and its activities. These organizations can use The University of Alabama®, UA™ and/or Bama® in their organization name as well as include the following marks in their program materials: Capstone A, Script A, Word Mark and Nameplate. Please note that Alabama and Bama require a registration mark and UA requires a trademark symbol.
TIER I organizations can use The University of Alabama’s official logo in a program configuration, but the logo must be created by the Division of Strategic Communications. If a student organization’s mark includes another university or national/local logo or insignia, a co-brand solution can be developed.
TIER 1 ALLOWABLE LOGO USAGE
All requests for an official program logo similar to the example below must be submitted HERE.
TIER 2
School/College-based Professional Organizations; Student Organizations supported by a Division of Student Life program or department (to include Social/Fraternal organizations under the umbrella of the OFSL)
Tier 2 student organizations serve a specific University interest and/or provide support to University programs and/ or initiatives. They contribute to the mission, vision and goals of the University by routinely presenting events/programs that seek to further a particular profession, trade or academic program interest. These groups are officially sponsored by a school, department or program and are advised by a designated faculty/ staff member in that program. These organizations can use The University of Alabama®, UA™ and/or Bama® in their organization name as well as include the following marks in their program materials: Capstone A, Script A, Word Mark and Nameplate. Please note that Alabama and Bama require a registration mark and UA requires a trademark symbol.
TIER 2 groups can use the formal school/college/department logo with the organization’s name included in a co-branded configuration. Logo requests to the Division of Strategic Communications must be initiated and requested by the sponsoring department/school/college.
TIER 2 ALLOWABLE LOGO USAGE
All requests for an official program logo similar to the example below must be submitted HERE.
TIER 3
Sport Clubs
Sport clubs are University-recognized student organizations registered with The SOURCE and University Recreation that serve the interests of its membership through competitive sports and recreational activities. These clubs are formed and developed, governed and administered by the student membership of the sport, working in conjunction with the competitive sports office of University Recreation in the Division of Student Life. While sport clubs are competitive with college/universities at the local/state, regional or national level, they are not considered varsity level sports at The University of Alabama. Sport clubs are allowed to use the Script A, but it must be accompanied by the official Sport Clubs logo/patch. The following are additional guidelines for sport clubs:
Logos:
- Script A logo is permitted only when accompanied by the official Sport Clubs patch.
- Block UA™ with sport name, or Sport Clubs patch, in Acens or Impact font is allowed.
- Alabama® with sport name, or Sport Clubs patch, in Acens or Impact font is allowed.
- Sizing of Sport Clubs patch must be proportionate to Script A based on approved sizing.
- No sponsor logo can be used in conjunction with the Script A in any way.
- No sponsor has any right to use any Sport Clubs logo in any advertising or promotional activity.
Colors:
- Crimson, white, silver (light and dark), black.
- No other colors will be approved.
General Apparel and Merchandise:
- Script A with Sport Clubs patch is allowed on general apparel and merchandise for the Sport Club teams only.
- No alteration to logos allowed.
- Fashion colors are not allowed.
- A University licensee must be used for all orders. If no licensee is found, a One-Time Agreement may be available.
- No sponsor names or logos can be used on general apparel and merchandise in conjunction with the Script A.
Jerseys and Uniforms:
- The Script A with the Sport Clubs patch is acceptable based on the guidelines for jerseys and uniforms.
- No alterations are allowed to any of the guidelines.
- No sponsor names or logos can be used on jerseys and uniforms in conjunction with the Script A and Sport Clubs patch.
- If Sport Clubs teams would like to include sponsor logos on jerseys and uniforms that use a secondary logo, not including the Script A, then those items will be permitted. Prior approval will be necessary.
- No overlapping of logos and word marks.
- No use of Crimson Tide, elephants, mascots, Roll Tide, or altered versions.
- No houndstooth patterns.
- Designs will need to be submitted to cprice@ia.ua.edu for review and approval.
TIER 3 ALLOWABLE LOGO USAGE
BUT, must also include one of the following:
TIER 4
General, Unaffiliated, and Local Student Organizations
The vast majority of UA student organizations fall in this category. These organizations exist through a recognition process with The Office of Student Involvement and as such, gain the privilege of certain access and opportunities on The University of Alabama campus. These organizations have gone through the appropriate recognition process at The University of Alabama. Their primary function will focus around one of the identified category areas and their organizations function and operate with 50% + 1 student membership and with minimal support. The University registers, but does not support or endorse the purposes of these organizations and may not accept responsibility or liability for the activities undertaken by them. As such, the following guidelines apply:
- These organizations cannot imply they are acting on behalf of The University of Alabama.
- These organizations are NOT included in the previous three tiers, but must be active and registered with The Office of Student Involvement to exist in Tier 4.
- General, Unaffiliated/Local Student Organizations may use their name in conjunction with “at The University of Alabama®” or “at UA™” for the purpose of logo creation, but are not permitted to utilize the University’s academic, word mark, or athletic logos, secondary marks or other parts of the verbiage or UA identity systems, including fonts or secondary artwork.
Please contact The Office of Student Involvement for more information about Student Organization Trademark and Licensing.
NOTE: Student organization tiers and allowable logo usage are evaluated annually by The Source. The guidelines contained in this document can be changed at any time to reflect updated branding and Trademark Licensing specifications. Use of UA logos and trademarks can be revoked at any time.