Logo Standards: Student Clubs and Organizations

These standards explain how Utah State University (USU) trademarks and logos may be used by USU student clubs and organizations. USU reserves the right to restrict the use of its trademarks and logos if their use is inappropriate or inconsistent with USU's mission, values, brand standards.

Categories of Student Clubs and Organizations

Every student club and organization at USU falls into one of four categories:

1. Sponsored
2. Affiliated
3. Registered
4. Academic/Departmental

The logo requirements for each category are outlined below. If you are not sure which category your club or organization belongs to, contact the Student Success office at 435-797-1712.

Sponsored Student Organizations

Examples: Club sports teams managed by USU Campus Recreation, USUSA student body officers, the HURD committee, USU Ambassadors, Residence Hall Association, and the Spirit Squad.

Sponsored student organizations are supported directly by a USU department or division and have the following characteristics:

• Governance & Oversight: Each organization has an advisor appointed by the sponsoring USU department or unit with defined responsibilities.
• Finances & Legal Authority: All financial accounts are managed directly through USU. Organizations may accept donations using USU's tax identification number and enter into legal contracts on behalf of USU. They may be approved to travel using university funds by the college or department and as authorized by USU policies and procedures.
• Privileges & Funding: Sponsored organizations receive priority for reserving on-campus spaces. However, they are not eligible for USUSA club funding.
• Branding Requirements & Restrictions: Student officers and advisors must complete any required training for trademarks and logos use; please contact your advisor or supervisor to make those arrangements. Organizations must not be based on personal identifying characteristics as described in Utah Code Section 53B-1-118(1)(b). They must comply with all applicable USU policies, including those related to fundraising, social media, trademarks, and logo use.

Trademarks and Logo Use

Sponsored student clubs and organizations have the following two options for using USU trademarks and logos:

1. Use USU Trademarks and Logos – Organizations may continue using the U-State logo and other USU trademarks by following the existing University Marketing & Communications' approval process. All marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, banners, etc.) and branded goods/swag (apparel, water bottles, bags, hats, etc.) that include the use of any USU trademarks and logos must also be reviewed and approved.
   1. Submit a request for artwork approval.
      
      
2. Use Organization's U-State Badge – Organizations may use newly created U-State badges specific to their organization (see examples below). Using the badge allows organizations to create and distribute marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, banners, etc.) without going through the standard University Marketing & Communications approval process, as long as no other USU or third-party trademarks and logos are included. Including a third-party vendor must also be approved through a sponsorship process. Please work with your advisor. When using the badge, branded goods/swag (apparel, water bottles, bags, hats, etc.) must still be produced through a licensed vendor and follow the corresponding approval process. Sponsored student groups must continue to follow any approval requirements established by their sponsoring USU department or unit even when using the badge and can refer to their organization as "Utah State", "Aggies" or "USU" if approved, i.e., Utah State Hockey Club or USU Ambassadors.

Sponsored Student Organizations badge examples









Please reach out to your club advisor or supervisor to obtain badge files.

 

Affiliate Student Organizations

Examples: Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations recognized by USU.

Affiliate organizations have a recognized relationship with the university but operate independently. They are characterized by the following:

• Governance & Oversight: Advisor roles and responsibilities vary by organization. To be recognized by USU, affiliate organizations must have a separate agreement or contract with the university. Members may also be required to complete organization-specific training.
• Finances & Legal Authority: Affiliate organizations do not maintain financial accounts through USU, cannot utilize USU's tax identification number, and cannot travel under USU sponsorship.
• Privileges & Funding: Affiliate organizations receive priority when reserving on-campus spaces. They are not eligible for USUSA club funding.
• Branding Requirements & Restrictions: Student officers and advisors must complete any required training for trademarks and logos use; please contact your advisor or supervisor to make those arrangements. Affiliate organizations must receive explicit approval before using any official USU names, logos, trademarks, or other brand assets.

Trademarks and Logo Use

Like sponsored student organizations, affiliate student organizations have two options for using USU trademarks and logos:

1. Use USU Trademarks and Logos – Affiliate organizations may continue using the U-State logo and other trademarks by following the University Marketing & Communications approval process. All marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, banners, etc.) and branded goods/swag (apparel, water bottles, bags, hats, etc.) that include the use of any USU trademarks and logos must also be reviewed and approved.
   1. Submit a request artwork approval.
      
      
2. Use Organization's U-State Badge – Affiliate organizations may use the newly created U-State badge (see example below). Using the badge allows affiliated organizations to create and distribute marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, banners, etc.) without going through the standard University Marketing & Communications approval process, as long as no other USU or third-party trademarks and logos are included. Including a third-party vendor must also be approved through a sponsorship process. Please work with your advisor. When using the badge, branded goods/swag (apparel, water bottles, bags, hats, etc.) must still be produced through a licensed vendor and follow the corresponding approval process. Affiliated organizations must continue to follow their own internal approval processes.

Affiliate Student Organizations badge examples









Please reach out to your club advisor or supervisor to obtain badge files.

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)

Examples: Film Club, Latin Dance Club, Neuroscience Club, Native American Student Council. Visit the USUSA club website for a complete list of clubs.

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are student-led groups that are recognized by USU and officially registered through the Utah State University Student Association (USUSA). RSOs are run by students and operate independently from the university. RSOs are characterized by the following:

• Governance & Oversight: RSOs are registered, approved, and overseen by the USUSA Council for Clubs & Organizations. RSOs that host open or public events on campus must have a voluntary advisor.
• Finances & Legal Authority: RSOs do not maintain financial accounts through USU, cannot utilize USU's tax identification number, and cannot travel under USU sponsorship.
• Privileges & Funding: RSOs receive priority when reserving on-campus spaces reservations and have access to USUSA club funding.
• Branding Requirements & Restrictions: RSOs can only use the approved U-State club badge brand mark. Student officers and advisors must complete any required training for trademarks and logos use; please contact your advisor or supervisor to make those arrangements.

Trademarks and Logo Use

RSOs must use the approved U-State club badge shown below on official communications, marketing, apparel, promotional items, and other assets. Using this badge allows RSOs to bypass the approval process for marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, etc.) as long as no other USU or third-party trademarks and logos are included. Including a third-party vendor must also be approved through a sponsorship process. Please work with your advisor. When using branded goods/swag (apparel, water bottles, bags, etc.) must still be produced through a licensed vendor and follow the required approval process. RSOs must continue to follow any approval requirements established by USU Student Association when using the badge and can refer to their organization as "USU" or "Aggies", if approved, i.e., USU Roundnet and Aggie Game Nights Club.

Registered Student Organizations badge



Download the RSO badge

Academic/Departmental Student Clubs

Examples: Animal Sciences Club, USU Rocketry Club, Pre-Med Club, Slavic Studies Club.

Academic and departmental student organizations are student-led groups that are officially recognized and supported by a USU academic college or department. These organizations are connected to an academic program or unit but are primarily run by students and operate independently from the university's administration. Academic/Departmental student organizations are characterized by the following:

• Governance & Oversight: Academic/Departmental student organizations are registered, approved, and overseen by a USU college or department.
• Finances & Legal Authority: Academic/Departmental student organizations may receive financial support from the college or department. They may also be approved to travel using university funds by the college or department. Some organizations may be affiliated with a national academic or professional society.
• Privileges & Funding: Academic/Departmental student organizations may have access to funding and other resources through the sponsoring college or department.
• Branding Requirements & Restrictions: Student officers and advisors must complete any required training for trademarks and logos use; please contact your advisor or supervisor to make those arrangements. Organizations must follow the brand standards established for academic and departmental student organizations.

Trademarks and Logo Use

Academic/Departmental student organizations have two options for using USU trademarks and logos:

1. Use USU Trademarks and Logos – Organizations may continue using the U-State logo and other USU trademarks by following the University Marketing & Communications approval process. All marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, banners, etc.) and branded goods/swag (apparel, water bottles, bags, hats, etc.) that include the use of any USU trademarks and logos must also be reviewed and approved.
   1. Submit a request for artwork approval.
      
      
2. Use Organization's U-State Badge – Organizations may use the newly created U-State badge specific to their organization (see examples below). Using the badge allows organizations to create and distribute marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, banners, etc.) without going through the standard University Marketing & Communications approval process, as long as no other USU or third-party trademarks and logos are included. Including a third-party vendor must also be approved through a sponsorship process. Please work with your advisor. When using the badge, branded goods/swag (apparel, water bottles, bags, hats, etc.) must still be produced through a licensed vendor and follow the required approval process. Organizations must continue to follow any approval requirements established by the sponsoring college or department even when using the badge. 

Affliate Student Organizations badge examples

Approval Process Overview:

• If a Club Badge is Used, No Review is Needed for Marketing Materials: If an organization uses only its approved student organization badge (see categories above) with no other USU or third-party trademarks and logos included, University Marketing & Communications no longer needs to review or approve the design. Marketing materials are generally defined as posters, calendars, mailers, flyers, digital signage, banners, social media content, etc.
• Review and Approval Still Required for Branded Goods/Swag: Under University Policy 5100, all branded goods/swag items displaying a USU trademark or logo (including a prescribed student group badge) must be produced by a licensed vendor and complete the standard review and approval process. Branded goods/swag are generally defined as apparel, pens, water bottles, hats, etc.
• Additional Trademark Requests: If your organization would like to use any USU trademarks and logos beyond the approved student badge, you must submit a Request for Extended Trademark and Logo Use through ServiceNow.
• Sponsored Organizations Exception: Sponsored organizations may use USU trademarks and logos as part of their sponsored status. However, all artwork must be pre-approved through the pre-established artwork review forms on ServiceNow, and also follow any approval requirements of the sponsoring department or division.
• Look-Alike USU Trademarks and Logos Cannot Be Used: While the new badges provide much more flexibility and encourage custom graphics and designs, graphics that imitate or closely resemble USU trademarks and logos, including the U-State mark and the Utah State University Athletics bull mark, cannot be used.
• Club Names using a USU Trademark: To create a club with a USU Trademark in the name a request must be submitted via the Naming Procedures and Trademark Request form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to replace existing jerseys, uniforms, or organization apparel?

No. If your organization has already received approval for uniforms or other apparel, that approval remains valid. Next time you order apparel, you will continue to work with a USU licensed vendor and follow the required approval process.

What is the advantage of using the approved badge for sponsored organizations?

For Sponsored Organizations, using an approved badge allows them to create marketing materials (posters, signage, fundraising mailers, etc.) without going through the standard trademarks and logo approval process, as long as no other USU or third-party trademarks and logos or other artwork requiring review are included. Please note that branded goods (apparel, water bottles, bags, hats, etc.) still need to be produced by a licensed vendor and go through that review and approval process even if an approved badge is being used.

When do these standards take effect?

While these standards are currently active, it will take time to implement them. RSOs should begin using the approved badge on any new materials created and replace any USU logos currently used on social media accounts with their approved organization badge.

Will my organization be penalized if they are not adhering to these standards?

To maintain affiliation with USU, all student organizations are required to understand their classification and comply with all the requirements outlined through their governing bodies. Failure to follow USU policies or organization requirements may affect an organization's standing or recognition with USU.

Our organization includes students who are paid employees. Do these standards apply to us? What category would our organization be in?

Paid student employees in organizations (such as the A-Team, Peer Mentors, Reach Peers, etc.) are not included in the four student organization categories described above. However, they may request permission to follow the trademark and logo standards established for sponsored organizations.

What training beyond trademarks and logos is required, and when will it be offered?

Required training varies by student organization type. Information about training requirements, schedules, and registrations will be provided by the organization's governing body or sponsoring USU department or unit. Please contact your organization's advisor or supervisor to make those arrangements.