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Student Organizations, Leadership, and Service

Registered Student Organization (RSO) Branding Guidelines

These branding guidelines will help student leaders when creating promotional content for their registered student organizations (RSO). Information about how to use official Vanderbilt logos and imagery can be found in the Communication and Promotion section of Chapter 5 (Student Engagement) in the student handbook.

RSO Mark

As part of Vanderbilt University’s brand refresh, a logo for registered student organizations was created. This mark can be used on promotional items including, but not limited to, notices, printed announcements, posters, flyers, banners, digital signage, emails, newsletters, and more. etc. The RSO mark may only be used by recognized RSOs as defined in the Student Engagement Chapter of the Student Handbook.

For more guidelines about using the RSO mark, see the Student Handbook.

View and download the RSO mark on Box.

VU Spirit Marks

RSOs can use official Vanderbilt Spirit Marks for promotional items. These marks can be used for notices, printed announcements, posters, flyers, banners, digital signage, emails, newsletters, and more. For more guidelines about using official VU spirit marks, view the Student Handbook.

View and download the VU spirit marks on Box.

Design Help

‘Dores Design, offers a free graphic design service for students, registered student organizations, faculty/staff, and departments on Vanderbilt’s campus. They can help create posters, fliers, social media materials, stickers, t-shirts, and more! Please request your design three to five weeks prior to your event. If you are requesting a design that needs printing, please request five weeks in advance. For more information, please visit their Anchor Link page.

Merchandise Order Request (MOR) Design Approval

All organizations who would like to place orders for apparel, promotional products, uniforms and awards must use an Internal Campus Supplier, which is a licensed vendor contracted by Vanderbilt University.

Please note, that approval of the MOR form is not approval of your artwork. That is approved separately. The Internal Campus Supplier will submit the final design to the Office of Brand Engagement for approval and will notify you if any further changes are required. You should follow the guidelines below to ensure your design will be approved.  

General guidelines:

  • The logos should not be altered in any fashion.
  • The use of elements from the Vanderbilt signature or any modifications to Vanderbilt’s logos, including official spirit marks, is prohibited.
  • The logos should have the proper trademark symbols (®, ™).
  • The logos should not be used in association with a private business or used in a manner that might associate or imply endorsements by the University with an outside business or product without proper authorization from the University.
  • Employees may not use the University’s names or its logos in any manner, which suggest or imply University support or endorsement of any movement, a candidate for public office, or an activity or program not officially sponsored by the University.
  • It is not permissible to create logos using Vanderbilt logos for a group or organization.

Unacceptable Products/Services:

Vanderbilt University will not approve the use of its name or marks to promote the following products: tobacco, controlled substances, sexually oriented products, alcohol (unless sold by the University at a University event), religious products, bathroom articles, or games of chance.

The University will not approve the use of its name or marks with: text or graphics that are judged to be sexually suggestive, denigrating language by any group including another College or University, items that infringe on the marks of other trademark owners on products or services, or endorsement of political candidates.

The University will not license products that: do not meet minimum standards of quality and/or taste, are judged to be dangerous or carry high product liability risks.

Click here for more information about the Internal Use Licensing Policies.

Need assistance?
Please email merchorderrequest@vanderbilt.edu.

Communicating with your Organization

Review tips on Sending a Message as an Organization Leader to learn more about effectively communicating with members of your organization using Anchor Link Relays.

RSO Website

All RSOs can use Vanderbilt’s WordPress to create a website for your student organization. If you would like to convert your current website to Vanderbilt RSO theme or request a new student organization website, fill out the Microsoft form to request a meeting with a member of the Student Affairs Communications team. During the meeting, a staff member will build your RSO’s website with you or convert your RSO’s website to the new theme. 

InnerVU

InnerVU is a weekly e-newsletter distributed to all undergraduate students.

InnerVU provides campus organizations and departments the opportunity to publicize their events and activities. There is no charge for placing an announcement in InnerVU. InnerVU is distributed to students via email on Sundays during the academic year, excluding holidays and academic breaks. You may view the full schedule and submission guidelines.

VUnity

VUnity is a monthly student newsletter and hub for diversity-focused events, education and resources on campus and in the community. There is not charge for placing an announcement in VUnity. VUnity is distributed to all students via email on the first Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays and academic breaks. If you would like to submit an event, please use the Microsoft form.

Additional Resources

Below are additional resources that student leaders should use when creating promotional content for their RSOs.

Questions about branding or communications? Email studentaffairscommunications@vanderbilt.edu.