Acronyms

1. In general, avoid alphabet soup. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms which the reader would not recognize. Acronyms should be used only in second and subsequent references. On first use in a story, use the full name of the organization, followed by parentheses containing the abbreviation you intend to use thereafter.

   
   First reference:
   ie. Center for Schoalarship in Teaching and Learning (CSTL)

   Second reference:
   ie. The CSTL will hold training sessions Jan. 10-13.

   Commonly used University acronyms:

   ACE NET - American Council on Education
   AFROTC - Air Force ROTC
   CAC - Cultural Arts Center
   CBEC - Crisp Bootheel Education Center
   CEU - Continuing Education Unit
   CIE – Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
   CSTL - Center for Scholarship in Teaching and Learning
   CPA - Certified Public Accountant
   CPS – Certified Professional Secretary
   CTS - Clerical Technical Service Employee Staff Council
   CBHE - Coordinating Board for Higher Education
   DICE – Dollars for Innovative Campus Events
   DPS - Department of Public Safety
   FFR - Funding For Results
   IFC – Interfraternity Council
   ITV—Instructional Television
   MBA—Master of Business Administration
   MSW—Master of Social Work
   MAP—Missouri Assessment Program
   MMTF – Multi-Modal Transfer Facility
   MOBIUS—Missouri Bibliographic Information User System
   NAC – National Alumni Council
   NPC – National Panhellenic Council
   NPHC – National Pan-Hellenic Council
   OVC – Ohio Valley Conference
   PHEC—Perryville Higher Education Center
   RPDC—Regional Professional Development Center
   RHA—Residence Hall Association
   SAA – Student Alumni Association
   SAC—Student Activities Council
   SBTDC—Small Business & Technology Development Center
   SGA – Student Government Association
   SEK -- Southeast Missouri State University-Kennett
   SEM -- Southeast Missouri State University-Malden
   SES -- Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston
   TRIO – TRIO Programs
   UC—University Center

   **Note that SEMO is unacceptable in all forms except in references to Southeast athletic teams.

2. Omit periods in most acronyms of three letters or more, unless the result spells an unrelated word. Use periods for abbreviations of two letters. (ie. CIA, FBI, U.S.)