entitled. A right to do or to have something, not a synonym for “titled” or “called.” “The employees are entitled to receive benefits.” “The book is titled ‘The Associated Press Stylebook.’”

fraternities, sororities and service organizations. Capitalize the proper names: “Lambda Chi Alpha,” “Phi Beta Kappa,” “Phi Eta Sigma.” Also capitalize words describing membership: “He is a Legionnaire, a Lion, an Odd Fellow, an Optimist, a Phi Beta Kappa and a Rotarian.” Capitalize the formal titles of officeholders when used before a name.

nationalities and races. Capitalize the proper names of nationalities, peoples, races, tribes, etc.: Arab, Arabic, African, African American, American, Asian American, Caucasian, Cherokee, Chinese (both singular and plural), French Canadian, Gypsy (Gypsies), Japanese (singular and plural), Jew, Jewish, Latin, Latino, Mexican, Mexican American, Native American, Nordic, Oriental, Sioux, Swede, etc.

Lowercase black (noun or adjective), white, etc.

Consult the Associated Press Stylebook for further clarification.

sexism. Avoid masculine references “he” and “his” when the description assumes that both sexes are involved. If necessary, change construction from singular to plural to avoid sexist language. For example, write: “Students should contact their advisor for additional information,” rather than “A student should contact his advisor...”

Women should receive the same treatment as men in all aspects of writing. Physical descriptions, sexist references, demeaning stereotypes and condescending phrases should not be used.

To cite some examples from the Associated Press, this means that:

• Copy should not assume maleness when both sexes are involved, as in, “Jackson told newsmen” or in “the taxpayer ... he” when it can easily be said “Jackson told reporters” or “taxpayers ... they.”
• Copy should not express surprise that an attractive woman can be professionally accomplished, as in: “Mary Smith doesn’t look the part, but she’s an authority on...”
• Copy should not gratuitously mention family relationships when there is no relevance to the subject, as in: “Madeline Albright, a doughty grandmother, said today...”
• Use the same standards for men and women in deciding whether to include specific mention of personal appearance or marital and family situation.

In other words, treatment of the sexes should be even-handed and free of assumptions and stereotypes. For more information, consult the Associated Press Stylebook under the entries for courtesy titles; divorcee; man, mankind, and -persons.

sports identification. Missouri S&T’s sports teams compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) effective with the 2005-2006 athletic season. Prior to 2005-2006, the campus competed in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

St. Pat’s Celebration, St. Pat’s. The official name of the weeklong celebration at Missouri S&T is “the St. Pat’s Celebration.” “St. Pat’s” is often acceptable on second and subsequent references. The annual event, held every March, usually during the week that includes St. Patrick’s Day, began in 1908. Although he is not recognized officially as the patron saint of anything, engineering students at Missouri S&T and elsewhere consider St. Patrick to be the unofficial “patron saint of engineers.” The first student event to celebrate St. Patrick as the patron saint of engineers was held in 1903 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.