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Sponsored Student Organization Names

Sponsored Student Organizations should include the word “club” or similar identifier in the name of the organization.  Identifiers include but are not limited to:  “Club,” “Society,” “Association,” “Sorority,” “Fraternity,” “Council,” “Institute,” “Group,” “Committee,” “Students,” “Students For…,” “Campus Ministry,” “Ambassadors,” “Recruiters,” “Fellowships,” “Community,” Greek Letters, and/or “Chapter.”

Sponsored Student Organization names may include “Auburn,” “AU,” or “Auburn University.”

Sponsored Student Organization Logos

Sponsored Student Organizations may create their own official graphic that incorporates the name “Auburn University”, “AU”, or “Auburn” but may not incorporate any additional Auburn trademark or references into the logo.  The organization name must be included with this graphic.  The text “Auburn University”, “AU”, or “Auburn” may not be larger than the rest of the organization name.

Examples of organization graphic logos:
Auburn University Bowling Club (fictional organization)

Example SSO logosLogos must be approved by the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Trademark Management and Licensing. Submit your proposed logo here.

Sponsored Student Organization Product Designs

Sponsored Student Organizations may use the interlocking AU, tiger eyes, and eagle logos, as well as Auburn word marks but may not use vintage logos or the university seal.  Such organizations may incorporate Aubie into their designs.  However, depictions of Aubie need to be rather true to size/portion and current demeanor and characteristics. We will allow Aubie to wear items that reflect the organization’s mission.

Designs may contain graphics that reflect the Auburn campus, but the design cannot incorporate the student organization’s logo into the graphic or verbiage or alter the Auburn graphic or verbiage to reflect the purpose of the student organization.  Symbols that represent the organization may not surround any Auburn graphic or verbiage or be overlaid on the graphic or intersect with the graphic or verbiage.  No patterns or designs may be placed inside Auburn logos. Only the word “AUBURN” may be altered with a pattern design inside the letters. Auburn logos must be independent of any other graphic element.

Licensed Vendors

Any product bearing Auburn University trademarks or references, despite the use, must be purchased from a vendor that has a license agreement with Auburn University Office of Trademark Management and Licensing and is royalty bearing.

No contract printing is allowed.

Promotional T-Shirts; Sponsors

Promotional t-shirts distributed in bulk for an event must be white.  Organizations may not use orange or navy promotional t-shirts without prior approval by the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Trademark Management and Licensing.

If any proposed design includes sponsor names/logos, the list of sponsors must be submitted for prior approval using the form below. Sponsor names or logos on product must be separated from any Auburn related design element.

Third-Party Intellectual Property

Use of intellectual property owned by a third party must be approved by that entity in writing and submitted to the Licensing Office along with the desired artwork. For example, if you wish to use another entity’s logo (i.e., professional sport team, clothing brands, food and beverage items, etc.), a written release allowing for such use is required before Auburn will grant design approval.  This type of approval process often takes weeks, so allow enough time for such approval to be obtained.

Student Organization Events

Events sponsored by a recognized student organization may not contain a University trademark or reference in the event name without permission from the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Trademark Management and Licensing.

Prohibited Uses

Organization products and other designs that incorporate Auburn University’s name and/or trademarks may not reflect any of the following:

  • Elements that state or imply Auburn University’s endorsement of or affiliation with non-university entities, products, services, viewpoints, and/or political candidates, parties and activities, except that a student organization with a political reference in its name may use the Auburn University name as permitted by this policy;
  • Discrimination against any person or group based on age, race, ethnicity, disability, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status;
  • References to gambling, alcohol (in a non-educational manner), tobacco, illegal substances, illegal activity, violence, weapons (that are not germane to the organization’s official activities), profanity, or sexually explicit designs or products; and
  • Use of a current Auburn University student-athlete’s name or likeness.

Procedure

  1. Complete and submit the online Licensing Authorization Form below to the Office of Trademark Management and Licensing for approval.
  2. Select a university licensed vendor.
  3. Upon approval, present a fully executed authorization form in person or via e-mail to the licensed vendor manufacturing the product with your order.
  4. The licensed vendor will then submit your artwork to the Office of Trademark Management and Licensing for review and approval. Any necessary changes to the design will be communicated directly to the licensed vendor.

Brand Use Request Form

Please complete the form below with information about your brand usage request:

Auburn University licenses its brand to approximately 500 consumer products companies which manufacture and market everything from apparel and headwear to salt shakers and bowling balls. Since 1981, Auburn’s licensing agent, The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) has helped to manage Auburn’s licensing program and handles applications and contracts for standard, local and internal licensees.