Official University Seal
The seal signifies the academic character of the university and is appropriately used in support of official university policies, decisions, ceremonies or other formal actions of the university as an academic institution. To maintain its integrity and effectiveness, the seal may not be used for relatively informal, routine or promotional materials or for materials not directly related to academic purposes without written permission by the vice president for University Advancement or the executive director of University Web Communications and Publications. During the campuswide re-branding initiative, the university seal remained unchanged in design, but its approved uses have been restricted. The seal, in full color or line art, is restricted to (but not required on) the following:
- the Office of the President;
- university-level formal and official documents such as diplomas, academic awards and certificates, transcripts, resolutions and Commencement invitations, university reports;
- international correspondence.
- correspondence with academic societies and publishers; and
- letters of reference
If you choose, the new university logo may be used for the above instead of the seal.
Existing school/college/department letterhead may be used until depleted or Dec. 31, 2012, at the latest, and then on universitywide letterhead without unit name. Contact Printing Services for universitywide letterhead. The Integrated Marketing Communications Advisory Committee will review requests for exceptions;
What it symbolizes
The official seal symbolizes formal authority vested in the university. The seal is a mark of authentication and institutional sanction. The official seal was designed by artist and Fresno State Professor Emeritus Darwin Musselman.
It includes the "lamp of learning" and the "book of knowledge."
The Latin inscription "Lvcem Accipe Vt Reddas" translates as "Receive the light that you may give it forth." The university’s official name, California State University, Fresno, encircles the seal. The date 1911 refers to the founding year of the university.
Usage guidelines
The seal is no longer allowed to be used on printed materials (except as listed above), merchandise or apparel except as approved by the office of University Communications. Those uses should transition to the new Fresno State logo for new orders.
A committee has been established to review requests for exceptions to the established guidelines including the use of the seal. Contact University Communications to submit a request for exception review.
A new campus stationery template has been designed with the new Fresno State logo, and is available in the Downloadable Resources section. This template may be used for both printable and electronic (email) letterhead uses.
