A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | YSensitive Terms

gay

Used to describe men and women attracted to the same sex, though "lesbian" is the more common term for women. Preferred over "homosexual" except in clinical contexts or references to sexual activity. Include sexual orientation only when it is pertinent to a story, and avoid references to “sexual preference” or to a gay or alternative “lifestyle.” 

This website is a good resource for gender and sexuality related topics: http://nlgja.org/stylebook/terminology

gender-neutral writing

Avoid using gender-specific words, such as "fireman," "policeman," etc. Go for "firefighter," "police officer," "actor" (not "actor/actress"), "server" (not "waiter" or "waitress").

genetically modified organisms/GMOs

Spell out this term on first reference. The acronym “GMO” may be used on second reference.

The term broadly refers to organisms — typically plants, animals or bacteria — whose DNA has been purposefully altered through some technological means. In most cases, the DNA is modified by inserting a gene or genes from other organisms.

girl

Applicable until 18th birthday is reached. Use "woman" or "young woman" afterward.

Glenn Korff School of Music

The Glenn Korff School of Music is a branch of the College of Fine and Performing Arts located in the Westbrook Music Building. Its facilities include the Westbrook Music Building, Kimball Recital Hall and Mabel Lee Hall. Use Korff School on second reference.

grade

Letter grades should be written with apostrophes.

The student earned three A's, two B's and one C+.

If a computer program won't allow +, use "C-plus."

grade point average

Spell out and do not hyphenate when using this term alone, as in: The student’s grade point average fell in the second semester.

Otherwise, is abbreviation is acceptable, especially when used with numbers, such as a GPA of 2.5 (A = 4.0) is required. Be sure GPA is spelled out in one reference in a story, as well as reference to the specific scale.

Graduate Studies

Shortened name of the graduate program at Nebraska. (Official name: Office of Graduate Studies.)

Great Plains Art Collection

A collection of the artworks of the Great Plains as collected and administered by the Center for Great Plains Studies. The program and art collection are housed in the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St., in Hewit Place.

Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center

This Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources center educates veterinary students, and offers continuing education for practicing veterinarians and livestock specialists.

Greek Affairs, Office of

The department that governs the fraternities and sororities at Nebraska. 

Greek, greek

Capitalize Greek when referring to people from Greece. Lowercase greek when referring to members of the university’s fraternities and sororities.

groundwater

One word. See surface water.