Student Groups — Design Guidelines

In order to use the university’s logos, word mark, name or nicknames on any apparel or merchandise item, the following steps need to be followed:

• Ensure the organization’s logo or design fits within the university’s graphic identity standards.
• Use one of the approved licensed vendors.
• If paying with a university account, orders must be placed through AgoraCX, the university's internal purchasing system for licensed products.
• Submit artwork to Trademarks and Licensing for approval prior to production. If using AgoraCX, artwork will automatically route to Trademarks and Licensing for approval prior to being approved for production.

• Student organizations are permitted to create unique logos to represent their group. All logos and designs need to follow the university’s graphic identity standards. 
• The organization’s full name should appear in the design or on the product. Intramural teams, athletic club teams and student organizations must include the word “intramural,” “club,” “organization,” “society,” "team," etc., to help differentiate the group from SDSU Athletics teams or academic programs or majors.
• All clubs and organizations must use their official name as it appears in Jacks Club Hub.  
• All university logos, word marks and verbiage require the appropriate trademark registration symbol.
• Student groups are not permitted to use the SD logo or the jackrabbit logo.
• When used within an overall T-shirt design, the Jacks logo needs to be seen in its entirety and cannot be covered, layered, screened back, distressed or used as a background image. A minimum of 3/16 clear space must surround the logo.
• All university logos, word marks and verbiage must be used in the proper colors and cannot appear on red or green garments.
• Stylized, cartoon or hand-drawn images of a jackrabbit (or parts of a jackrabbit such as ears) are not permitted. Use of alternate jackrabbit images undermines efforts to build a unified South Dakota State brand. 
• The Trademark Licensing Program reserves the right to deny any designs that are likely to cause confusion or mistake, to deceive or to dilute or tarnish university logos, word marks and verbiage.

• A university-licensed vendor must be used to produce all products utilizing a university logo, work mark or registered verbiage. Exceptions will be made only for highly specialized items that current vendors do not already have. A one-time licensing agreement must be obtained from Trademarks and Licensing prior to placing an order and royalties will be due upfront.
• If paying with a university account, orders must be placed through AgoraCX, the university's internal purchasing system for licensed products.
• Failure to use a licensed vendor and have artwork approved will result in the university confiscating and destroying the items at the club’s expense.
• Apparel and merchandise for student clubs and organizations are subject to royalties.
• The 16% royalty payment is paid to the university by the vendor, not the club or organization. The vendor will include this fee in the overall price of the product. When receiving a quote, be sure to ask if it includes the royalty fee or if royalties will be added on top of the quote.
• The royalties paid to the university fund student scholarships.

• Student groups are permitted to sell products associated with their organization for fundraising purposes. All designs must be approved by Trademarks and Licensing and include the club/organization name. If a club wishes to sell apparel/merchandise featuring a college or department name rather than the club name, written permission must be obtained from the appropriate dean or department head.
• A licensed vendor must be used and royalties are due.
• Due to university regulations, student organizations must obtain permission before selling anything in the University Student Union. A form can be obtained from Info Exchange and must be completely filled out and signed by the appropriate parties before items can be sold.

• The words “South Dakota State University”
• The Jackrabbit mascot graphic (head, full body and wordmark)
• The Campanile graphic
• The SD graphic
• The initials “SDSU”
• The words “South Dakota State”
• The word “SDState”
• The word “Jackrabbits”
• The word “Jacks”
• The words “Go Jacks”
• The words “Hobo Day”
• The words “Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks.”
• The words “Weary Wil”
• The words “Dirty Lil”

For additional information, visit University Marketing and Communications. 
If you have any questions, contact Andrea Kieckhefer.