FAQ

Our brand explained

• Why have we changed the university's brand name to Ontario Tech University?

  Since its founding in 2002, the university has quickly established itself as one of Canada’s newest publicly funded research universities; it has enjoyed many successes and is well-positioned for the future. We have a great story to tell. Unfortunately, the university has struggled with developing a definitive identity. A unified brand platform strengthens our ability to significantly enhance our image and reputation going forward.

  The Ontario Tech University brand is:

  • • Simple, unique and identifiable: stands out in a crowded academic landscape.
    • Technology-focused: consistent with our mandate, communicates our positioning as an innovative and leading-edge technology-focused institution.
    • Modern and relevant: approachable, untraditional and confident.
    • Flexible: useable across multiple applications that range in scale and touchpoints.
• Why invest in a new brand at a time when the university is exercising restraint in its expenses?
  This change has taken time and investment. We have been fiscally responsible in every decision we have made and this has been a common thread in the implementation of the brand. We have been strategic in the changes we have made to minimize the impact to the campus community. We chose to implement the brand during a time when university communications were being updated as a normal course of business. In addition, this investment had not previously been made at any other time during the history of the university. Many of the signs that you see on campus were intended to be temporary and had already outlived their useful purpose at the time the Ontario Tech University brand was introduced. It was an appropriate time to make this right.
• What are we trying to accomplish with the Ontario Tech University brand?
  The Ontario Tech University brand creates a new and exciting platform on which we can share the story of the university, facilitate improved engagement with our various stakeholders, and bring us closer to the original mandate of the university.
• Why should the brand matter to me?
  Strong brands get noticed. Awareness and familiarity of the university remains lower than we’d like. This affects recruitment efforts, donations, research grants, partnerships and more. Together, with this new brand platform, we will build general awareness, support and excitement for the university.
• Has the university changed its name?
  We’re not changing the university’s formal name through this brand initiative; we’re changing the way we refer to the university so that it is clear and consistent. We’re adopting a similar approach to that of some other universities, such as Western (official name: University of Western Ontario) and Virginia Tech (official name: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). The official university name will remain University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
• Will the university’s name on degree parchments change?
  No, the official name for the university is not changing. Our degrees will continue to be conferred by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

How we got here, and what’s next

• How did we arrive at the Ontario Tech University brand?

  September 2018 - New potential moniker introduced to campus community

  October to November 2018 - Consultations and engagement with campus community

  December 2018 - New brand design initiated

  January to February 2019 - Brand Advisory Group reviews new brand options

  Monday, February 25 through Friday, March 1, 2019 - Brand Preview Week

  Wednesday, March 27, 2019 - New brand announcement

  Phased introduction April to August 2019 - Campus rollout and implementation (marketing, communications, branded items, brand opportunities)

  August through Fall 2019 - New brand external launch (2019-2020 admissions cycle, all marketing communications, website)
• How was the feedback collected from all consultations, including the Preview Week, used to finalize the brand?

  We benefited from more than 9,000 contacts across all stakeholder groups providing feedback and reactions throughout the process. 

  The feedback has helped us develop a short name, and refine the visual design that supports the Ontario Tech University brand.

Our new look

• Who can answer questions about using the Ontario Tech University logo?

  It is important to note that the new brand is much more than a new logo, and the visual elements to support our new identity are very different than our previous look.  Our Communications and Marketing department can help you with usage of the new identity. If you have any questions, contact brand@ontariotechu.ca.

• Where can I get the Ubuntu font?
  Ubuntu is a free, open-source font that can be downloaded from the Ubuntu website .
  
  There are many tutorials online on how you can install new fonts, including one at How-To Geek , which walks through installing a new font on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.
• Do I have to use the Ubuntu font on all written material, or can I use the default Arial or Times New Roman, etc.?

  Ubuntu is a free, open-source font. We recommend using Ubuntu as much as possible within your communications documents. Our secondary font is ITC Franklin Gothic STD. 

  Arial can be used in documents from external sources or in PowerPoint presentations when a copy of our primary or secondary font isn’t available.

  Learn more about our fonts.

• When I use the Ubuntu font in a document and share it externally, the font changes. What should I do?

  If you are using the primary font (Ubuntu) or secondary font (Franklin) in Word or PowerPoint, be sure to save the document as a PDF before sending it externally; otherwise the receiver’s system may convert it to a default font.

  If you would rather send your document in Word or PowerPoint presentation format, please use Arial or Calibri.

• I work in a department that had its own logo; how will this be used with the Ontario Tech University identity?

  Consistency is important for brand recognition. We’re following a ONEbrand strategy to ensure we take a unified approach to improving our brand presence. This means we’re not using or creating independent logos or signatures unique to divisions or initiatives.

  Our Communications and Marketing department will help you position your department or program while working within the brand guidelines.

• What are the university’s official colours?
  The university’s three primary brand colours are dark blue, orange and light blue. The dark blue and orange is the most prominent and distinctive colour for identifying the university’s brand.
• Do the former faculty colours fit within the Ontario Tech University identity system?

  Consistency is important for brand recognition. We’re following a ONEbrand strategy to ensure we take a unified approach to improving our brand presence.

  Former faculty colours (e.g. promotional giveaways, marketing and collateral materials, etc.) have been replaced with the new brand colours (see the Our Primary Colours section on page 7 of our Quick Reference Guide). 

• Can I still use the old University of Ontario Institute of Technology or UOIT logo?
  We’ve retired all logos used prior to the Ontario Tech University logo. You may only use this identity moving forward.
• Can I still use the university wordmark – University of Ontario Institute of Technology?
  There is no plan to change the legal name of the university – University of Ontario Institute of Technology. However, in all our marketing and promotional materials, websites, and media relations materials, we will call ourselves Ontario Tech University.
• How will the brand change affect the Coat of Arms?
  The university’s Coat of Arms is not affected by the new brand. The university reserves the use of this emblem for commemorative and ceremonial purposes.
• How has the Athletics brand changed?

  The Athletics paw identity and dog identity have been updated as part of the Ontario Tech University brand. This update provides consistency and strengthens the university’s brand.

• How has on-campus signage been updated?

  Exterior signage has been updated to reflect the new logo, and some signs have been removed altogether.

Help us tell our story

• How can I help encourage Ontario Tech University brand adoption?

  We are all brand ambassadors. There are many ways you can help others recognize and embrace the university's brand:

  • Learn about the brand (identities, colours, key messages, fonts, etc.) at Brand Central.
  • Update your materials with the new logo.
  • Contact the Communications and Marketing department when you see an old logo, or the new one used incorrectly.
  • Use the templates available on Brand Central.
• When should I use the full name of the university versus the new branded name?

  You should use the name Ontario Tech University in all your references to the institution going forward in your communications.

  In all our marketing and promotional materials, websites, and media relations materials we will be calling ourselves Ontario Tech or Ontario Tech University. 

  The legal name of the university remains unchanged as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and will be used only on diplomas and legal documents.
• I am a graduate of the university. What name should I use on my resume and on my LinkedIn profile?

  Your resume should refer to the university as:

  Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology)

  Our central LinkedIn account will update your profile accordingly.

• How do I introduce myself during speaking engagements?
  “Hello, my name is XXXXX and I am from Ontario Tech University.”
• How should organizers of events refer to our university?

  You should instruct event organizers to say you are from Ontario Tech University.

• I need to inform my partners about the Ontario Tech University brand. What should I say?

  The university’s Partnership office has contacted a number of our partners about the Ontario Tech University brand. If you still need to contact any of your partners, please contact Lindsay Coolidge, Manager, Government and Community Relations or Jennifer Alsop-Lee, Strategic Partnership Officer, and provide them with information using this template. This will help to avoid duplication.

  Once you submit this information, they will double-check that the partner has not already been contacted. They will provide you with a letter that includes information about the Ontario Tech University brand.

• Is there a French translation for Ontario Tech University?

  The preferred translation is Université Ontario Tech.

  This translation is for text only. When a logo is required, you should use the Ontario Tech University logo. 

• Is the acronym 'UOIT' being replaced with 'OTU'?

  No. We will not use an acronym when referring to the university. Ontario Tech University is used in the first reference, and Ontario Tech in subsequent references.

  Note: To ensure brand consistency on social media, the university approved  ‘OT_(sub-brand)’ to identify official Ontario Tech handles. ‘OT’ is separated from the sub-brand with an underscore. This is the only instance where ‘OT’ is used. Acronyms are not used in general text.
• UOIT is in the name of the service/program I work on. Do I need to change the name?

  Yes. UOIT must be removed from the naming convention. Please consider a simpler approach and not include the university’s name when choosing how you’d like to reference your service/program.

  For example:

  • UOIT Ambassadors -> change to Ambassadors
  • UOIT Research Ethics Board -> change to Research Ethics Board

  Quite often services/programs appear on the university’s website or along with the university’s logo so adding the university’s name may not be necessary.

• How do I refer to the university on letters of reference and what letterhead do I use?

  When naming the university in a letter of reference, please refer to it as:

  Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology).

  Faculties and departments are encouraged to use up their old stationery (letterhead, envelopes, etc.). New stationery is now available for purchase on the university's eStore.

• If I am writing a cheque to the university do I make it out to UOIT, University of Ontario Institute of Technology or Ontario Tech University?

  Cheques should remain payable to University of Ontario Institute of Technology as this is the legal name of the institution. This will help to avoid any issues, especially through our transition to the new brand.

Questions researchers are asking

• How do I refer to the university in my research grant applications?

  The research portals for external funding agencies, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Canadian Common CV, will retain the legal name of the university in their organizational drop-down menus.

  In the written component of research grant proposals, use the name Ontario Tech University in first reference and Ontario Tech for all subsequent references to the institution. Do not use the acronym OTU. For further clarity to reviewers unfamiliar with the new brand, you may include the statement, 'Ontario Tech University is the brand name used to refer to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.'

• I need to inform my funding agency about the Ontario Tech University brand. What should I say?
  The Office of Research Services has contacted a number of our external funding agencies (including NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, CRC and CFI) about the brand. You don't need to contact these agencies.
• I need to inform my research partners about the new brand. What should I say?

  Before you contact your research partner(s), please speak to your research partnerships contact in the Office of Research Services, or email researchpartnerships@ontariotechu.ca.

  If you have a question about a legal agreement, please note: the legal name of the university remains the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. This is the name that must be used on legal documents.

• I am submitting an article for publication. What name should I use for the university to ensure my publication is included in the university's research impact scores?

  The Campus Library has updated our institutional affiliation to include the new brand name variants in two major citation indexes: Clarivate’s Web of Science and Elsevier’s Scopus/SciVal.

  Publications submitted under the name Ontario Tech University or Ontario Tech will all be automatically affiliated with our official name, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, for bibliometric purposes.

• How do I refer to the university when attending conferences, symposiums, conventions, etc.?

  When attending conferences, symposiums, conventions, etc., researchers should use the name Ontario Tech University in first reference and Ontario Tech for all subsequent references to the institution. Do not use the acronym OTU.

• How do I refer to the university when preparing conference materials, such as presentations, speaker’s notes, conference profiles, etc.?

  The Communications and Marketing department can help you use the new identity correctly in presentations, speaker’s notes, conference profiles, etc. If you have any questions, contact brand@ontariotechu.ca. For information on purchasing new business cards, see the New stuff: Where to get branded materials section on this page.

• How do I refer to the university online, either on a personal or professional website or social media platform that references my academic work with the university?

  See the Digital assets: Social media, websites, emails and more section on this page for more information/instructions.

New stuff: Where to get branded materials

• How do I purchase new stationery (letterhead, envelopes, etc.) and business cards?

  Updated products are now available for purchase on the university's eStore.

  When naming the university in a letter, please refer to it as:

  Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology).

  When you give out your business card, use this as an opportunity to let people know about the Ontario Tech University brand.

• What should I do with my old stationery (letterhead, envelopes, etc.)?

  If you still have old stationery (letterhead, envelopes, etc.), please do not use it any longer, and recycle it at your convenience. New stationery is now available for purchase on the university's eStore.

Digital assets: Social media, websites, emails and more

• How have the university's URLs and social media accounts changed to reflect the new brand?

  The official domain to access university websites is ontariotechu.ca. The old uoit.ca domain now simply forwards all web traffic to ontariotechu.ca.

  Social media handles have changed to reflect our new identity. The university’s new handles are:

  Twitter: @OntarioTech_U
  Instagram: @OntarioTechU
  Facebook: @OntarioTechU

  Our official hashtag is #OntarioTech 

  These handles must be used when referencing the university’s social media or for tagging the university in your social media posts. If you have any questions, please contact socialmedia@ontariotechu.ca.

• Our emails have changed to @ontariotechu.ca and @ontariotechu.net. What do I need to do?
  • Notify your contacts that your email address has changed by utilizing the signature feature within the email client you are using. We suggest a simple note at the bottom of your email stating:
    "My email address has changed to @ontariotechu.ca; please update your contact information."
    • Tips:
      • Instructions for Adding a Signature in Outlook
      • Instructions for Adding a Signature in Gmail
        
        
  • Update all of your online accounts, including social media sites, with your new email address.
    • Tip: If you use a password manager, use this as a source to help identify the sites requiring changes or look for previous website confirmation emails you have received or are subscribed to.
      
      
  • Remember to update your new email address on your mobile device.
    • Tips:
      • Instructions for Adding Outlook Email to Mobile Devices 
      • Instructions for Adding Gmail Email to Mobile Devices
        
        
  • Business cards with the new @ontariotechu.ca email address can be ordered through the university's stationery eStore. Please speak to your faculty or department eStore administrator to co-ordinate your order.
• If the university is not using an acronym with the new brand, why am I seeing ‘OT’ being used in social media channels?

  Most social media channels impose character limits on handles. To ensure brand consistency on social media, the university approved  ‘OT_(sub-brand)’ to identify official Ontario Tech handles. ‘OT’ is separated from the sub-brand with an underscore.

  This is the only instance where ‘OT’ is used. Acronyms are not used in general text.

• Is there an easy way to update department/faculty/program website content to Ontario Tech University?

  To update your section of the university's website, you can complete the following searches to find replaceable content:

  Google

  Note: The example below is for the Human Resources website; replace hr.ontariotechu.ca with your own faculty, department or personal research website URL to find content you should replace:

  Search for:

  site:hr.ontariotechu.ca "University of Ontario Institute of Technology"

  
  CMS
  Navigate to your site and put the term in the search box (for instance, University of Ontario Institute of Technology)
  From these searches, the content can be identified and replaced.