The UC Davis Seal

The unofficial seal of the University of California
The unofficial seal of UC Davis

The UC Davis unofficial seal, or the UC Davis seal, is based on the unofficial seal of the University of California.

The UC seal can be identified by "1868" centered at bottom. The UC Davis unofficial seal replaces "1868" with "Davis."

All seals in the UC system are derived from the official seal of the University of California, which is reserved exclusively for use by the Regents of the University of California. All other derivative seals — even the seal used by the Office of the President — are considered unofficial seals.

The UC Davis Seal is the most formal asset in the UC Davis identity architecture. It is reserved for chancellor-level communications and official acknowledgment of courses completed or work performed at UC Davis. The UC Davis seal must not be recreated or acquired from a web page.

See below for exclusions and approved applications of the seal.

Official UC Davis Policy

Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM) 310-65 and 310-40

Authority over the use of the seal is delegated to each campus chancellor, laboratory director or senior vice president of administration.

PPM 310-65 Section III, subsections D and E.
D (see May 3, 1985 memorandum) grants the delegation of authority
E limits that authority: The seal can only be used on official corporate materials

PPM 310-40 outlines the role of Strategic Communications in “establishing and maintaining graphic, editorial, and marketing standards for print, electronic, and broadcast communications; ensuring that campus publications conform to campus policy and standards . . . ”

Allowed Applications of the UC Davis Unofficial Seal

The Offices of the Chancellor and Provost have right to discretionary use of the UC Davis seal. Other allowed cases are listed below.

 
A Note on the Use of Stationery Bearing the UC Davis Unofficial Seal

All communications on letterhead bearing the UC Davis seal must represent UC Davis with dignity and formality. There are many letterhead options without the seal suitable for informal pleasantries, transactional business communications and the like. When the seal is used, please ensure that the business at hand reflects the interests and aspirations of UC Davis at its very finest.

Approved List

The following are examples of correspondence in which letterhead bearing the UC Davis seal SHOULD be used:

  • Official university correspondence
    (e.g., external communication for teaching, research, service or human resource purposes)
  • Letters to government agencies 
  • Letters that require signature from the chancellor or provost
  • Official letters of recommendation
  • Offer letters to staff or faculty
  • Merits and promotion letters
  • Official awards
  • Official certificates and plaques for participation in University activities
  • Grant requests or funding requests

Other Approved Uses of the UC Davis Seal

  • Diplomas
  • Degrees
  • Transcripts
  • Commencement regalia
  • Business cards

Exclusions List

The following are examples of correspondence in which the seal SHOULD NOT be used:

  • Websites
  • Social media
  • Digital communications unless related to Commencement
  • Email signatures
  • Unofficial correspondence
  • Internal memos and letters
  • Presentations — including but not limited to:
    • PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote and the like
    • Research and scientific posters
  • Architectural installations and features
  • Clothing, uniforms or any wearable items 
  • Signage
  • Displays, physical or screen
  • Lobbying
  • Commercial purposes
  • Swag and promotional items

For communications listed among the exclusions, we recommend using letterhead that does not incorporate the UC Davis seal.