Branding Approval - Student Life Communications

This page outlines the Student Life and Strategic Communications brand approvals process.

Project Approval Process

Your department must seek divisional approval from our team and Strategic Communications for some branded items.

What needs approval?

Any marketing/advertising materials that reference UA (this includes departmental logos, word marks and logos for events funded by the University) + anything that uses UA funds to produce/print item.

All promo items are required to include a reference to the Division of Student Life. Preferably, you can do this through your departmental wordmark, but at the very least by including the words “Division of Student Life” somewhere on the item. The only exception to this is if the promo item is too small to accomodate the text, in which case the departmental url including “sl.ua.edu” must be included.

Step 1. SL Comm Approval

If someone outside the Communications team created your materials, send the design to your department’s communication representative. Provide 1-3 business days for standard designs and 6-10 business days for large publication approvals. Find your department representative on our Staff Page.

Step 2. Submit a UA Branding Form

Upload the SL approved design to the UA branding approval form. Please make sure the person submitting designs for approval is your designated departmental communicator and/or regularly attends divisional communicator meetings.

Step 3. Save Your Confirmation

There are 3 entities included in the approval process: Strategic Communications, Trademark Licensing (apparel/promo items) and Procurement. Your final approval email from Procurement will have an attached pdf that you will need to save for P-card and Concur. Once you have approvals you can order your items with your specific mailing and purchasing information. SL Communications does not order items for departments.

Ordering promo items?

When ordering promo items please keep in mind that you will need to use the list of licensed vendors for The University of Alabama.

FAQ

Common questions regarding the Strategic Communications branding approval process.

What are we looking for?

We use UA’s branding guidelines to make sure everything adheres to the branding standards for the University.

How long does the approval process take?

Most approvals are completed in 2-3 business days as long as both the quote and the artwork are submitted with the form and there are no issues. If there are vendor or cost issues, you will be contacted by either Trademark Licensing or Procurement Services. If there are issues pertaining to the artwork, you will be contacted by Strategic Communications and/or Trademark Licensing. Issues with the submitted materials can delay the process of approval, and that delay depends on how quickly the issues are resolved.

My vendor said they already received approval for my promotional items or t-shirts. Do I need to fill out the branding and licensing approval form?

Yes. The vendor will receive approval through IMG College Licensing, but you will still need to submit UA’s branding and licensing approval form because Strategic Communications and Procurement Services are not included in the IMG process. The IMG form cannot be submitted as approval in Concur. Vendor approval in the IMG College Licensing system is not a guarantee for approval within UA’s internal approval system.

Trademarks

Designs using institutional marks, “Alabama”, “Bama”, “University of Alabama”, “Crimson Tide”, “Roll Tide”, and the primary athletic marks, will include ®. All other marks and slogans will use ™.

Do student groups need to fill out the branding and licensing approval form?

Student groups officially recognized by The Source will need to fill out the branding and licensing approval form if UA funds are being used to purchase items such as t-shirts and promotional items.
If UA funds are not being used, please email the artwork to jennifer.rodrigues@ua.edu for approval prior to purchase. Regardless of how the items are being paid for, a licensed vendor must be used.

What are the guidelines as it pertains to t-shirt colors?

As noted in UA’s Graphic Standards, it is recommended that t-shirts utilize our school colors palette of crimson, white, gray and black. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis with documentation as to the reasoning for a different color. For shirts utilized specifically for staff uniforms, recruitment, retention, orientation and community service efforts, the school colors palette should be used in all cases.

What will not get approved?

The University will not approve the use of University marks in connection with alcoholic beverages, inherently dangerous products (firearms, explosives), illegal drugs, tobacco, gambling, sexually suggestive products or language or any health related product. No University mark may be used in any manner that suggests or implies University endorsement of products, services, political parties or views or religious organizations or beliefs. Also using houndstooth as well as any reference or image of a coach and/or student-athlete is not allowed by Athletics and Trademark Licensing.

Do I need to go through the approval process again if I just have a reorder?

Yes, since Procurement is also part of the process. They will want to see a new approval form when processing payment. It’s best to put reorder in the product line to make the process move a little quicker.

Design