Editorial Style Guide - D

data

The word is plural so it takes a plural verb. (I.e., Data indicate improvement.)

dates

Use numbers without the superscripted st, nd, rd or th. Use day of the week, comma, month, date, comma, and finally year when needed, followed by a comma or other punctuation mark (most often a period).

• Correct: Monday, April 1, 2018
• Correct: On Monday, April 1, 2018, the students attended class.
• Incorrect: April 1st

Month-year combinations don’t require commas.

• Correct: April 2018
• Incorrect: April, 2018

When a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate only Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. (i.e., Oct. 4 was the day of her graduation.)

Use an apostrophe to indicate numbers from a year that are left out (i.e., the year ’99). There is not an apostrophe before an “s” (i.e., 1990s). Separate dates involving spans of time with an en-dash or hyphen (2000–05).

days of the week

Avoid abbreviating except in tabular formats.

Deaf

The preferred term is “Deaf” or “hard of hearing.” Capitalize Deaf in all instances. Do not use the term “hearing impaired.”

degree

See academic degrees.

degree audit or Degree check or Degree Works

A system that tracks student progress toward completion of a specified degree program.

department

Used when referring to a specific academic or administrative area of the college. Capitalize when part of a full name (i.e., the Biology Department). Acceptable to abbreviate to “dept.” See office. Exceptions are:

• Office of the President
• Office of Admission

Desire to Learn

Also referred to as D2L.  Online system that allows instructors to post assignments, grades, and notes. Students use the system to check grades, turn in assignments, and communicate with their instructors and other classmates.

disabled, handicapped, impaired

In general, do not describe an individual as disabled or handicapped unless it is clearly pertinent to a story. When such words are used, never use them as modifiers before the noun.

• Correct: The person with disabilities was describing his accident.
• Incorrect: The disabled person was speaking.

distance learning

Program that delivers online courses to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom.

dorm, dormitory

Preferred term is residence hall.

Dorothy J. Corsberg Theater

Performing-arts theater located in E.S. French Hall.

Dowis Hall

Residence hall with studio-style rooms and located at 145 College Ave. on the Main Campus. Can hold 73 residents. Use both words on first mention. Can be shortened to Dowis in subsequent mentions in the same piece of content. See residence hall.

Dr.

See courtesy titles.

dual enrollment, dual credit

Typically refers to students who enroll simultaneously in two or more institutions. For example, students may be dual enrolled at CCCOnline and Northeastern. The term “dual credit” applies to select college courses that provide dual college credit to students. See concurrent enrollment.