These Johns Hopkins University (“JHU”) Use of Name guidelines (“JHU Use of Name guidelines”) apply to all schools and divisions of the Johns Hopkins University (including the School of Medicine, except where a conflict exists, in which case the Johns Hopkins Medicine Use of Name guidelines prevail), and are intended to clarify JHU’s institutional principles, standards, and guidelines concerning use of the JHU name, its constituent school and division names, and any of their respective abbreviations (i.e., “Hopkins,” “JHU,” “Carey”) and the associated JHU logos, trademarks, insignias, and icons (together referred to as “Name and Marks” or “JHU Name and Marks”).
Background
In 2006, JHU President William R. Brody appointed an external committee to make recommendations concerning when and under what circumstances JHU may permit third-party entities to use the Johns Hopkins name. The external committee, chaired by Stephen D. Potts, subsequently issued a report titled “Report of the Johns Hopkins External Committee on Institutional Conflicts and Use of Name” (generally referred to as the “Potts Report”). Based on the recommendations in the Potts Report, Johns Hopkins Medicine created robust and comprehensive Use of Name guidelines applicable to both faculty and staff uses of its Name and Marks as well as third-party uses of the Name and Marks. Many of the principles, standards, and criteria in these JHU Use of Name guidelines are derived from the Potts Report and/or adapted from the Johns Hopkins Medicine Use of Name guidelines.
General Principles
The JHU Name and Marks are among JHU’s most valuable assets. The widely recognized JHU Name and Marks represent the high caliber of the JHU faculty, staff, and students and the quality and breadth of their integrity and endeavors. Every use of the JHU Name and Marks conveys an association with JHU and potentially affects the institution’s reputation. Therefore, the activities with which the JHU Name and Marks are associated must be consistent with the JHU mission and values, and with appropriate standards of quality and excellence.
No use of the JHU Name and Marks is permitted that would undermine the public trust in what the JHU Name and Marks stand for or that would damage or depreciate their value over time. Use of the JHU Name and Marks in connection with activities, projects, events, publications, products, and the like implies a close association with JHU, and JHU must maintain appropriate control and involvement so as to ensure that the representation of the association is accurate and not overstated.
Uses of the JHU Name and Marks must be accurate and not misleading. The public’s trust may be eroded if the JHU Name and Marks are used inaccurately or improperly, for example, to endorse or approve an outside product, service, or third-party. Even the appearance of an endorsement could harm JHU’s reputation for independence and objectivity.
Faculty, staff, students, and alumni share in the benefits associated with the JHU Name and Marks and therefore also share responsibility for their appropriate use. To uphold the public’s trust in JHU and to maintain the institution’s reputation and credibility, members of the JHU community should carefully consider any proposed use of the JHU Name and Marks, seek advice as necessary, request approval, ensure adequate control to guarantee accuracy of approved uses, and adhere to established guidelines and restrictions, as set forth in these JHU Use of Name guidelines and as directed by JHU.
JHU actively protects its Name and Marks from improper, inaccurate, or misleading use by individuals or entities not associated with JHU and by JHU faculty, students, alumni, staff, schools, programs, divisions, units, and others.
For questions on the application of these guidelines or for guidance on the uses of the JHU Name and Marks, please contact us.
Fundamentals of Use
Authorization for Use of Name
JHU prohibits faculty, staff, students, and alumni from using the JHU Name and Marks unless such use is specifically authorized pursuant to these JHU Use of Name guidelines and the procedures set forth herein. JHU strictly prohibits third parties from any use of the JHU Name and Marks unless authorized representatives of JHU have granted prior written approval for the use.
Where JHU approval is required for use of the JHU Name and Marks, the approval must be in writing and obtained prior to the requested use. Approval to use the JHU Name and Marks may be subject to terms, conditions, and/or restrictions, including without limitation explicit and prominent disclaimers, as determined in accordance with these JHU Use of Name guidelines and the discretion of the appropriate JHU approving individual or office. For example, when ambiguity or confusion about endorsement may exist in an otherwise approved use, JHU requires prominent disclaimers to accompany the use, stating that JHU does not endorse or approve third parties or their services or products.
JHU reserves the right to revoke at any time any approval it has granted for use of the JHU Name and Marks.
Violations
JHU actively enforces proper use of the JHU Name and Marks. JHU may pursue disciplinary action, civil or criminal penalties, or other legal action, as appropriate, for violations of these JHU Use of Name guidelines. The JHU Office of the Vice President and General Counsel works closely with the JHU Office of Communications to pursue appropriate remedies for violations.
Correct Use of the JHU Name
“The Johns Hopkins University” refers to the legal entity. It is appropriate to maintain the capitalized The when using the formal name in stand-alone copy. However, in running copy, do not retain the capitalized The (e.g., “The course is offered by the Johns Hopkins University” or “The course is offered by the Johns Hopkins University School of Education.”
When used as shortened forms of JHU, university should not be capitalized. The preferred shortened name of the university is Johns Hopkins rather than Hopkins. Please consult the editorial style guidelines.
What’s your use case?
Student and Alumni Use
All students and alumni are responsible for ensuring proper use of the JHU Name and Marks in the conduct of their individual activities.
Individual Use
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JHU students and alumni may refer to their status as students at or alumni of JHU for purposes of identifying themselves, provided that the reference is consistent with the principles and guidelines set forth herein, is factual and accurately represented, and does not have the potential to suggest or imply JHU involvement, endorsement, or approval.
Student and Alumni Businesses, Projects, Studies, Activities, and Events
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Using the JHU name to identify student and alumni businesses, projects, studies, activities, events, and the like suggests or implies a close connection with JHU and/or JHU responsibility, sponsorship, or endorsement. Approval is required prior to any such use, and if approved, a disclaimer of JHU responsibility, endorsement, or sponsorship may be required.
Generally, identifying a business, project, study, activity, event, or the like with the JHU name— for example, the Johns Hopkins University Hydrofracking Monitoring Project—would not be approved unless the project were institution-wide, with significant institutional accountability and broad institutional involvement, and unless there were no issues of potential confusion with other activities at JHU or elsewhere.
In some circumstances, an approved use may instead be a reference, in a locational sense, to the appropriate JHU school, for example, the Project on Hydrofracking Monitoring at the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. In other circumstances, the approved use will not reference either JHU or the appropriate school, for example, the Project on Hydrofracking Monitoring.
Requests for approval should be submitted to the specific school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
Academic Presentations
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Making presentations in legitimate academic forums is an important aspect of the research and education missions of JHU. JHU students and alumni may reference their status as students or alumni of JHU for identification purposes when giving talks at scientific or academic society and association meetings, at other institutions, and in other academic settings as well, for example in videotapes and other recordings of scientific or educational presentations such as those listed above.
However, students’ and alumni’s reference to their status and affiliation with JHU must be factual and accurate, and must not create an appearance of JHU endorsement or approval of the viewpoints expressed in the presentation. If there is the potential for the appearance of JHU support or endorsement of the viewpoint expressed by the students or alumni in the presentation, appropriate disclaimers must be made. Requests for approval and guidance on appropriate disclaimer language should be submitted to the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
Academic Publications
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Publication of scholarly books and articles is central to the JHU educational mission. JHU students and alumni may reference their status as students or alumni of JHU for identification purposes when writing or contributing to professional publications, provided that:
- The reference is factual and accurate;
- Use of the JHU name does not create an appearance of institutional responsibility, endorsement, or approval; and
- JHU’s name does not appear in larger font than the name(s) of the author(s).
If there is the potential for the appearance of JHU involvement, responsibility, support, or endorsement of the publication, appropriate disclaimers must be made. Requests for approval and guidance on appropriate disclaimer language should be submitted to the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
Independent or Student Publications
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Independent or student publications must receive prior approval to use the JHU name. Approval is generally not granted when the use of the JHU name has the potential to imply or suggest an official connection with JHU or JHU involvement, responsibility, approval, or endorsement of the publication. Any approved use of the JHU name is subject to all terms, conditions, and/or restrictions that JHU may in its discretion impose.
Independent or student publications that have been granted approval to use the JHU name must identify the publication in a prominent location and in prominent size font as “An independent [student] publication.” Such publications must also include the following disclaimer in a prominent location and prominent size font:
[Name of independent or student entity], an independent [student] entity located at Johns Hopkins University, produced and is entirely responsible for the form, format, content, and all other aspects of this publication. This publication was not reviewed by Johns Hopkins University, and the university does not endorse or approve this publication. This publication does not necessarily express or reflect the policies, positions, or opinions of the university.
Requests for approval should be submitted to the Office of University Communications.
Student Websites and Social Media
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The JHU name may not be used on student or alumni websites or by students or alumni in social media without prior JHU approval, except for factual and accurate references to an individual’s status as a student or alumnus/alumna of JHU for identification purposes.
The JHU Name and Marks may not be used on any student websites or social media for any use that has the potential to imply or suggest JHU endorsement or approval of any programs, events, publications, viewpoints, positions, policies, political and/or social movements, products, services, companies, or activities. JHU will require a disclaimer to accompany the use if it has the potential to suggest or imply improper endorsement. Requests for approval should be submitted to the school or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
Faculty, Staff, and Institutional Use
These JHU Use of Name guidelines are not intended to limit use of the JHU Name and Marks by faculty and staff for legitimate purposes that fall within the scope of their JHU professional work, including for teaching, publication, research, and other academic activities.
Academic Titles
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As set forth in these JHU Use of Name guidelines, JHU faculty and staff may reference their affiliation with JHU for identification purposes in connection with faculty and staff activities that clearly support and advance JHU’s research and education mission.
Faculty and staff use of the JHU name may not suggest or imply JHU endorsement, approval, support of, or opposition to activities, programs, events, publications, viewpoints, positions, policies, political and/or social movements, products, services, companies, candidates for political office, and the like, without prior JHU approval. JHU will require a disclaimer to accompany any permitted use that has the potential to suggest or imply any of the foregoing.
Faculty and staff members using their JHU title and affiliation in accordance with these JHU Use of Name guidelines should also ensure transparency by disclosing any personal and/or institutional financial interests in the activity, company, service, or product.
JHU faculty may cite their JHU title and affiliation factually for identification purposes in the context of professional activity, as follows:
Example citation for full-time faculty:
Sarah Brown, PhD
Professor of Epidemiology
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Example citation for part-time faculty:
Sarah Brown, PhD
Assistant Professor of Archaeology (part-time)
Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
Example citation for adjunct faculty:
Sarah Brown, PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor of International Economics
Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
Example citation for visiting faculty:
Sarah Brown, PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering
Non-JHU Activities
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When faculty and staff members are involved in activities or purposes not directly associated with JHU (i.e., independent consulting, other business activities, private practices, etc.), faculty and staff are only permitted to use the JHU name for identification purposes in factual and accurate references to the individual’s JHU title and affiliation, as set forth above in Academic Titles.
Additionally, faculty and staff referencing their JHU title and affiliation in connection with non-JHU activities or purposes must ensure that such use:
- Does not have the potential to imply or suggest JHU involvement, responsibility, endorsement, approval, or promotion of a commercial product, service, or outside activity, company, or organization, etc.; and
- Clarifies that any opinions or viewpoints expressed are those of the individual and are not official positions of JHU or endorsed or approved by JHU.
When use of a faculty or staff member’s JHU title and affiliation is permitted, but ambiguity or confusion about any of the foregoing may still exist, JHU will require appropriate disclaimers.
JHU faculty and staff may post blogs or participate in social media outside JHU. In doing so, however, any use of their JHU title and affiliation must be accompanied by a disclaimer, as follows: “Dr./Mr./Ms. [Name]’s post on this site is made in a personal capacity and is independent of his/her affiliation with Johns Hopkins University.”
Requests for approval should be submitted to the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
Academic Presentations & Other Speaking Engagements
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Making presentations in legitimate academic forums is an important part of the JHU mission of research and education. JHU faculty and staff may reference their JHU title and affiliation for identification purposes, as illustrated in Academic Titles, when giving academic presentations or talks at scientific or academic society and association meetings, at other institutions, and in other academic settings as well as in videotapes and other recordings of scientific or educational presentations such as those listed above.
JHU also encourages faculty and staff to participate in external speaking engagements other than academic presentations that present an opportunity to disseminate their expertise.
Faculty and staff may reference their JHU title and affiliation for identification purposes in connection with their participation in presentations and speaking engagements provided that:
- The reference is factual and accurate;
- The reference does not have the potential to imply or suggest JHU endorsement, approval, or promotion of a commercial product, service, or outside activity, company, or organization;
- The faculty or staff clearly states that he or she is speaking individually and not on behalf of JHU and that any viewpoints, opinions, or positions expressed are those of the faculty or staff member and not official positions of JHU or endorsed or approved by JHU;
- If applicable, the presentation substantially uses the faculty or staff member’s own content and the sponsor or organizer does not restrict the faculty or staff member’s use of his or her own content;
- If applicable, slides or presentation material are not prepared by a third-party company or sponsor; and
- If applicable, any third-party company material is used only if and to the extent necessary to comply with appropriate regulatory requirements.
JHU strongly discourages faculty and staff from participating in external speaking engagements in which the objectives are to market third-party products, services, or companies, and prohibits the use of the JHU name in connection with such speaking engagements without prior written approval.
Other than in the media (for uses that do not include advertising, marketing, promoting, or endorsing of products, services, or third parties), faculty and staff may not be quoted in third-party organization materials in the areas of their professional expertise. Exceptions may be made only in rare instances with the prior permission of the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
Books, Academic Publications, and Textbooks
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Publication of scholarly books and articles is central to the JHU mission of research and education, and JHU faculty and staff authors often enter into personal publication contracts with commercial publishers. Generally, JHU permits publishers to use a faculty or staff author’s JHU title and affiliation to reference the faculty or staff member’s contributions to textbooks, professional publications, and other scholarly works, provided that:
- The reference is factual and accurate;
- The use of the faculty or staff member’s JHU title and affiliation does not have the potential to suggest or imply JHU endorsement or approval of the publication or the faculty or staff contribution or viewpoint; and
- JHU’s name does not appear in larger font or more prominently than the name(s) of the author(s).
The faculty or staff member’s contract with the publisher should specify how the faculty or staff member’s JHU title and affiliation may be used and prohibit any other uses of the JHU name. In some cases, JHU participates in the creation or publication of professional or consumer works and permits limited uses of the JHU Name and Marks in association with such works. Use of the JHU Name and Marks in the title of or in connection with a book, CD, DVD, video, website, or other publication in any medium requires prior written approval from the Office of University Communications.
Example of approved use
Request: A textbook publisher has engaged Professor Silver as editor-in-chief of a new textbook. Silver will engage the co-editors and chapter authors and will take overall responsibility for the work. She proposes to enter into a personal contract with the publisher that will pay her a royalty on sales of the book. The contract specifies that the publisher can cite her title and JHU affiliation in the book and in the material it uses to promote the book.
Decision: This use is appropriate, and Professor Silver may proceed with the project.
Example of use that is not approved
Request: Professor Silver’s publisher wants to use the JHU logo on the cover of the book. In its publicity campaign, it plans to take photos of Silver in front of JHU campus signs.
Decision: This is an individual, not an institutional, publication activity. JHU is not taking responsibility for manuscript preparation or any other aspect of the book. JHU will not approve the use of the JHU logo on the book cover or photos of campus signs in its publicity.
Business Cards, Letterhead, Email
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JHU faculty and staff may use the JHU Name and Marks on business cards, letterhead, and the like if the reference is factual and accurate. JHU faculty and staff may not use both the JHU Name and Marks and another institution’s, organization’s, individual’s, or company’s name, logo, slogan, website, or the name of any third-party product or service, on the front of the faculty or staff member’s business cards, letterhead, and the like. However, JHU faculty and staff may use another institution’s or organization’s name on the back of their business cards.
Faculty and staff may not use letterhead, business cards, or email with the JHU Name and Marks for private, non-JHU purposes, including private professional activities, a private practice or business, outside consulting or commercial activities, or for any use that may imply or suggest JHU involvement with, responsibility for, or approval or endorsement of any non-JHU communications or activities, or any commercial or third-party product, service, or entity.
Faculty and Staff Websites
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JHU websites are designed to provide a credible source of information about JHU activities, and JHU faculty members’ individual Web pages are an important part of this resource for colleagues, students, sponsors, donors, and the public.
Faculty and staff may not create and/or maintain any external (i.e., non-JHU) website that contains university or divisional names or logos or gives the appearance that this site is part of the university. Faculty and staff may not cite their JHU title and affiliation on websites unrelated to a faculty or staff member’s professional activity as a JHU faculty or staff member (for example, websites pertaining to a personal avocation).
All JHU faculty Web pages must be clear and easy to navigate and contain appropriate, up-to- date content. All faculty Web pages should reside on the appropriate JHU department website and have a format and appearance that are consistent with the standards of the department site, as well as JHU graphic standards.
If a faculty or staff member’s JHU website links to an outside website, the following disclaimer must be posted: “You are being redirected to a website outside of Johns Hopkins University for information purposes only. Johns Hopkins University does not control, endorse, or approve websites outside of the university and has no responsibility for the form, format, content, reliability, accuracy, or any other aspect of external websites.”
If you have questions about use of the JHU Name and Marks on websites, please contact the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
JHU websites should not contain content from outside entities, such as logos, marks, diagrams/charts, graphics, PDFs, photos, or videos. Content from outside entities could be viewed as implying or suggesting endorsement or approval of an outside entity or its products or services. Limited exceptions may be permitted if, for example, content created by a government entity or professional society is appropriate and will enhance the utility of the JHU website. However, prior approval from both JHU and the third party is required, and the third-party content must have clear and appropriate attributions.
A JHU website, whether maintained by a department, division, program, center, or other organizational unit, must post the following disclaimer if linking to outside websites: “You are being redirected to a website outside of Johns Hopkins University for information purposes only. Johns Hopkins University does not control, endorse, or approve websites outside of the university and has no responsibility for the form, format, content, reliability, accuracy, or any other aspect of external websites.” No JHU website may link to a vendor website.
If a JHU website resides on a third-party server pursuant to a contract with JHU, the third-party vendor’s name may be referenced below the footer at the bottom of the Web page (i.e., “powered by”). No vendor logo, mark, or hyperlink should be present.
Questions and requests for approval should be directed to the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the Office of University Communications.
Promotion of Products and Services
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The JHU Name and Marks may not be used on consumer products, product packaging, or packaging inserts, and may not be used in any manner that may imply or suggest JHU endorsement or approval of a third party or consumer product, service, or entity.
Outside companies may seek to leverage their relationship with JHU or a JHU faculty member to promote company products or services. Use of the JHU name or a faculty member’s name, particularly including his or her JHU title and affiliation, in a manner that may imply or suggest endorsement of third-party products, services, or entities is strictly prohibited without prior written JHU approval.
When a use is permitted but ambiguity or confusion about endorsement or approval may still exist, JHU will require explicit and prominent disclaimers stating that JHU does not endorse or approve the third party or its services or products.
The JHU Name and Marks may not be used in connection with activities involving third parties if the activities have the potential to imply or suggest endorsement or approval of a third-party or commercial entity, product, or service. Likewise, faculty and staff should not use their JHU title and affiliation in connection with JHU-based or outside activities involving third parties if these activities have the potential to imply or suggest endorsement or approval of a third-party or commercial entity, product, or service.
JHU will consider the particular facts of each use—for example, where and how the name is used, what other information is stated, the size of the font, and what links are on a Web page—to determine whether there is the potential for the appearance of improper endorsement. Requests for approval of uses should be made to the Office of University Communications.
Consulting Services Provided to Third Parties
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Many units, divisions, and departments of JHU provide consulting services to third-party entities. Similarly, many faculty members provide consulting services to outside organizations and companies. Prior written approval is required before any third party that receives consulting services from JHU or JHU faculty may use the JHU name or reference a JHU faculty member’s JHU title and affiliation. Where such use is approved, JHU often requires the third party to include a prominent statement disclaiming involvement, endorsement, or approval by JHU faculty and/or JHU.
If approved, the use of a JHU faculty member’s JHU title and affiliation in connection with consulting services provided to a third-party client by the JHU faculty member must:
- Be factual and accurate;
- Not include any use of JHU marks, insignias, or logos;
- Not have the potential to imply or suggest JHU endorsement or approval of the client or its products or services;
- Be accompanied by a clear statement that the viewpoints or opinions expressed are those of the faculty member and not official positions of JHU;
- Be memorialized in a formal contract with the third party. The contract must specify the limited permissible uses of the JHU name and indicate that prior written JHU approval is required for any other uses; and
- For third parties stating that JHU faculty members are its consultants or advisers, the third party may only reference the JHU faculty member as one in a list of the third party’s other advisers or consultants.
Use of the JHU name in connection with consulting services provided to a third party by a JHU school, unit, division, or department, if approved, must:
- Be factual and accurate;
- Not include any use of JHU marks or logos;
- Not have the potential to imply or suggest endorsement or approval of the client or its products or services;
- Be memorialized in a formal contract with the outside organization or company; the contract must specify the limited permissible uses of the JHU name and indicate that prior written JHU approval is required for any other uses;
- Specify the JHU school, unit, division, or department that provides the consulting services;
- Not imply or suggest that JHU as an institution provides such services; and reference the JHU school, unit, division, or department in a list of the third party’s advisers or consultants.
- For third parties stating that a JHU school, unit, division, or department is its consultant or adviser, the third party may only reference the JHU school, unit, division, or department as one in a list of the third party’s other advisers or consultants.
Requests for approval should be directed to the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the university Office of Communications.
Institutional Relationships and Contracts with Third Parties
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JHU and its faculty and staff have relationships with thousands of third-party individuals and entities, including organizations, research sponsors, collaborators, vendors, foundations, community groups, and others. Use of the JHU Name and Marks by third parties is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from authorized representatives of JHU.
In certain collaborations where the objectives of the collaboration are consistent with JHU’s mission and values, JHU may approve limited third party use of the JHU Name and Marks. The terms of the institutional collaboration and use of name provisions must be set forth in a formal contract between JHU and the third party.
Contracts between JHU and third-party individuals or entities must include provisions specifying permissible third-party uses, if any, of the JHU Name and Marks, and requiring JHU review and approval prior to any other third-party uses of the JHU Name and Marks. When limited third-party use of the JHU Name and Marks is permitted, contract provisions must ensure that JHU has adequate control and has provided for appropriate safeguards to ensure accuracy of the third party’s use of the JHU Name and Marks and to monitor ongoing use to ensure it is appropriate.
If the potential for ambiguity or confusion about inappropriate endorsement or approval of a third-party entity, service, or product exists in an otherwise approved use, JHU will require explicit and prominent disclaimers to accompany the use. JHU may choose not to approve the requested use if the potential for ambiguity or confusion about endorsement or approval is too great.
Outside organizations or companies may use the JHU name to reference their relationship with JHU (for example, on their websites) only with prior written JHU approval for the specific use, and provided that:
- the use is factual and accurate;
- the use does not have the potential to imply or suggest endorsement or approval of a product, service, or third party;
- the use is not in exchange for discounted or free products or services provided by a third party;
- no JHU faculty, staff, or student quotations are used;
- no characterizations of the opinions or viewpoints of JHU faculty, staff, or students are used;
- relevant contracts are in full force and effect, and the approved uses of the JHU name are memorialized in appropriate contract provisions specifying the limited permissible uses and indicating that prior written JHU approval is required for any other uses; the use, including size, style, and placement, is appropriate and does not have the potential to imply or suggest JHU endorsement or approval;
- where JHU permits a vendor to state that JHU is a client or customer, JHU must be listed as one of a number of other clients or customers and the JHU name may not be any more prominent than the names of other clients; and
- if necessary, an appropriate disclaimer must accompany the use.
Third parties may not use the JHU Name and Marks as part of their name, title, tag line, or brand marks without prior JHU approval, which must be memorialized in a formal contract between JHU and the third party. As a general matter, JHU will not authorize such uses unless JHU has ownership interests or significant quality control over the third party and/or the services being provided.
News Coverage and Press Releases
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JHU encourages appropriate proactive and reactive relationships with national, local, and international press, broadcast, and online news media and the appropriate use of the JHU name by recognized and legitimate news organizations.
Requests for information, interviews, or other press activities that come directly to faculty and staff from accredited news organizations, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online news services, should be referred to the school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the university Office of Communications, which assesses and manages:
- Requests for information from and interviews with faculty and staff that come from accredited news organizations, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online news services;
- All news releases and official statements regarding JHU research, business, and other information;
- Requests from organizations, companies, and vendors to use the JHU name in press releases and similar material;
- Interactions with documentary film and entertainment producers and freelance writers; and
- Letters to the editor and opinion articles representing an institutional perspective or position.
JHU generally does not issue joint press releases regarding external products or services. However, companies or other organizations that have contractual relationships with JHU frequently want to issue news releases that publicize their relationships with JHU. If authorized by JHU, such companies or organizations generally may cite the JHU name in a news release provided that:
- The company or organization has an official or contractual relationship with JHU;
- Any reference to the relationship between JHU and the company or organization is factual and accurate;
- JHU has the opportunity to verify the complete accuracy of what is stated in the release and provides approval of the release prior to its issuance;
- Contracts have been fully executed before the release is issued if the release refers to research sponsorships, licenses, or purchases;
- The release does not include any quotations from JHU faculty or staff, in order to avoid the appearance of endorsement; and
- Any human subject research protocols described in the release have been approved by a JHU institutional review board.
Political and Public Policy Activities
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For guidance on political and public policy activities, please refer to the JHU Policy on Political Activities and consult with Government, Community & Economic Partnerships and/or the Office of University Communications.
Faculty and staff must obtain prior JHU approval from the Office of Government & Community Affairs and/or the appropriate school’s or division’s communications office, which may consult with the university Office of Communications, for any use of the JHU Name and Marks (including a faculty or staff member’s use of his or her JHU title and affiliation) in the context of these activities. Further disclaimers may be required for any approved uses.
Subdomains of jhu.edu
The university has established these guidelines for governing third-level domain (i.e., NAME.jhu.edu) registrations to ensure that all URLs in the JHU.edu domain are assigned and used in alignment with institutional goals and that the university’s name, brand, and reputation are protected. Examples of third-level domain names would be in the form of NAME.jhu.edu. The granting of third-level domain names will be limited to entities of broad scope and long duration.
All official university websites must live within the JHU.edu domain, though there may be exceptions for entities in partnership with other institutions. Those instances must be approved by University Communications and the Office of the Provost.
Requests
Requests for a third-level domain name must originate from a staff member of the requesting entity and have the endorsement and sponsorship of the entity’s dean, director, communications lead, or department head if not the requester.
University entities that have an existing third-level domain (i.e., NAME.jhu.edu) may establish fourth-level domain names (i.e., NAME.NAME.jhu.edu) without approval from University Communications. Fourth-level domain names may be requested from, and will be approved by, the relevant official responsible for the existing third-level domain.
Requirements for Approval
The requested subdomain should:
- accurately name the unit, department, or program;
- The use of initiative names must be approved by University Communications as a clearinghouse to ensure no duplications or conflicts across the JHU.edu domain’s information architecture, directory structure, or nomenclature.
- Use of abbreviations or acronyms for names must be approved by University Communications.
- not include “JHU” in the name;
- not be generic or applicable to many units or functions, or conflict with other current or future subdomain requests for websites, services, or systems;
- be aligned with the university’s current or anticipated strategic initiatives or objectives.
Subdomains will be granted to the groups listed below. Subdomain requests from entities that do not fall in the listed categories will be reviewed on an individual basis by University Communications and other departments as needed but will generally be denied.
- Johns Hopkins University schools and divisions. For example,
- Interdisciplinary units, with “interdisciplinary” defined as spanning multiple (two or more) schools or divisions. For example,
- Consortium for School-Based Health Solutions: schoolhealth.jhu.edu (universitywide)
- Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare: malonecenter.jhu.edu (Whiting School of Engineering, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Bloomberg School of Public Health)
- Program in Molecular Biophysics: pmb.jhu.edu (Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, School of Medicine, Whiting School of Engineering, and Bloomberg School of Public Health)
- Academic and Cultural Centers. For example,
- Universitywide departments and administrative units. For example,
- Universitywide strategic initiatives. For example,
- Universitywide communications. For example,
- Universitywide/enterprisewide systems. For example,
Approval
Please allow approximately two to three business days for approval. A representative from University Communications will contact the requester with questions or feedback if necessary.
Subdomains can begin to be used upon approval. Websites that live on the subdomain can be launched after review by University Communications (branding) and Information Technology (security, accessibility). View more information regarding required approvals.
The revocation of a third-level domain will be a rare occurrence but could happen if an existing third-level domain conflicts with the request of a major new university entity or is in violation of these guidelines. The review process for new third-level domains will include screening for current or potential future conflicts.