Overview
UMBC’s name, logos, marks, and visual identity are valuable institutional assets. Student organizations and groups wishing to use UMBC’s brand in connection with sponsored events or external partnerships must follow the guidelines below to protect the university’s reputation and ensure consistent, accurate representation.
What You Can Do
- Use approved UMBC marks on event materials, social media, and promotional items when your organization is officially registered and the event has been approved through the appropriate university channels
- Reference your affiliation with UMBC in descriptive terms (e.g., “a student organization at UMBC”) without implying university endorsement of a sponsor or partner
- Co-brand with sponsors using approved UMBC marks, provided the sponsor’s identity does not appear more prominently than UMBC’s, and the pairing has received prior approval
- Download and use official mark files from the UMBC brand portal to ensure logo accuracy and consistency
What You Cannot Do
- Imply university endorsement of any external sponsor, company, product, or cause — the presence of UMBC’s logo must not suggest that the university officially endorses or partners with a sponsoring organization
- Alter or modify UMBC marks in any way, including changing colors, adding text, distorting proportions, or combining the logo with another organization’s mark without approval
- Use UMBC’s name or marks in paid advertising on behalf of a sponsor without written approval from Student Affairs. Requests for usage of name or marks in paid advertising should be submitted to UCM at brand@umbc.edu with the subject: Student Sponsorships advertising approval.
- Enter into sponsorship agreements that grant a company the right to use UMBC’s name or logo as part of a commercial campaign or product promotion
- Use UMBC’s identity to solicit donations or sponsorships in a manner that could be construed as an official university fundraising effort
- Display sponsor logos more prominently than UMBC’s on any co-branded materials
Approval Process
All student organizations seeking to use UMBC’s brand in connection with a sponsorship or external partnership should submit materials for review to the Division of Student Affairs prior to publication.
A Note on Misrepresentation
Using UMBC’s name or marks in ways that misrepresent the university’s involvement, values, or endorsement — even unintentionally — may result in the revocation of brand use privileges and other disciplinary action. When in doubt, ask before you publish.
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Please see this in-depth guide to UMBC logo use, or for further questions about brand use, please email brand@umbc.edu.