Purpose
The Yale name and marks associated with the University are protected by trademark law. Yale regulations require that use by student groups of the Yale name or marks in the title or caption of a publication, as part of the name of an organization, on promotional materials, on any item or product to be manufactured, distributed, or sold by an individual or an organization, or such similar uses must be approved by the Secretary of the University or the Secretary’s duly authorized agents, and under such restrictions and explanations as they may impose or require.
Only student groups registered with the appropriate Student Affairs office may use the Yale name and certain other identifiers and only in accordance with applicable University regulations and restrictions. Student Groups may not use the Yale name to incorporate or apply for 501 (c) (3) status.
This guidance is designed to help guide registered student groups build awareness through their name and logo while protecting the integrity of the Yale brand and promoting compliance with University policy.
Developing a Name & Logo
As of July 15, 2017, student groups registering with their school’s or unit’s Student Affairs office that wish to include “Yale” in their name or logo must clearly indicate they are a student organization. Suggested discriptors include: undergraduate, undergraduate organization, graduate student, student organization, student alliance, student partnership, student society or student association.
Organizations may not use or modify another organization’s trademarked logo in conjunction with any Yale logo.
Student groups whose names/logos was approved under guidelines in place prior to July 15, 2017, are encouraged to follow these updated guidelines.
Examples that use “Yale” and indicate student affiliation
“Yale Undergraduate Chess Team”
“Yale Undergraduate Women in Economics”
“Yale Car Club - A Student Run Organization”
“Ink & Vellum: Undergraduate Architecture Society”
“Asian Graduate & Professional Student Council”
“Kpop Dance Society at Yale - A Graduate Student Organization”
Use of “at Yale”
“At Yale” does not indicate student status. An organization with “at Yale” in its name must also include language that clearly identifies the group as a student organization.
Examples of correct use of “at Yale” based on guidelines
“YEP! at Yale - an Undergraduate Student Organization”
“American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Chapter at Yale”
“Asian Crossroads at Yale - a Student Union”
“Black Student Alliance at Yale”
“Canadian Students at Yale”
“Open Labs at Yale - a Graduate Student Organization”
Use of Logos
Logos that include the word “Yale” must also indicate that your group is a student organization.
Example conveying student affiliation in an organization’s logo
Student groups may incorporate only the “Slab Yale” or “Slab Y” Yale marks in their logo designs.
Yale marks must not be altered (including color changes) or overlapped with another mark. When using a Yale mark in this context, the organization must indicate they are a student organization.
Items to be distributed (e.g. T-shirts)
New and existing student groups that use “Yale” in their name and/or logo, and produce items for internal use (such as T-shirts), must include the full registered name and/or logo on their item, including language indicating they are a student organization.
T -shirt example
If an approved Yale mark is used on an item, the item’s color must not be commonly identified with another institution. (For example, T-shirt should not be similar to the orange associated with Princeton or the crimson associated with Harvard).
Student groups producing items must work with a Yale licensed vendor. For assistance identifying the most appropriate licensee, you may contact Leigh Anne Minutoli in the Office of Marketing and Trademark Licensing for guidance.
All items (artwork form) must also be approved by the Office of Marketing and Trademark Licensing prior to production.
Websites and Applications
Websites for student groups (new or existing) that use “Yale” in their name and/or logo must include their registered name and/or logo prominently on the site, including language indicating they are a student organization.
Websites and applications must also include an appropriate disclaimer stating that their activities are not endorsed by Yale University, for example:
“Yale” and “Yale University” are registered trademarks of Yale University. This website is a student run website and is maintained, hosted, and operated independently of Yale University. The activities on this website are not supervised or endorsed by Yale and information contained on this website does not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the University.
Students may not create or use email addresses that include the word “Yale”; they must use their assigned Yale email address for all of the student organization’s activities