The university’s official name is Virginia Commonwealth University. On second reference and in headlines, VCU is preferred.

Style guidelines

• Do not use periods in VCU.
• Do not capitalize university when it stands alone and refers to Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Virginia Commonwealth University does not require a callout (VCU) following the first reference to be abbreviated in subsequent references.
• For websites, spell out Virginia Commonwealth University on the first reference for each index (or section) page.

Guidelines for campus unit names

• When Virginia Commonwealth University is followed by a college, school or department name, Virginia Commonwealth University may or may not take the possessive form. For example, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts or Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts.
• When Virginia Commonwealth University is followed by the name of a center, institute or program, Virginia Commonwealth University is not possessive. For example, Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Rivers Center.
• Drop university from the beginning of internal names when preceded by Virginia Commonwealth University but keep university when preceded by VCU.

Historical context

References to the Medical College of Virginia and Richmond Professional Institute as separate institutions may occur only in historical context before 1968, the year that Virginia Commonwealth University was established.

The Medical College of Virginia does not exist as a stand-alone entity (except in historical context before 1968), and references using only these initials are incorrect (i.e., do not use VCU/MCV, MCV/VCU or MCV). However, MCV Foundation and MCV Alumni Association of VCU are exceptions to this rule.