Titles and Salutations Standards

Use the same name as listed in the customer's signature, including the personal title.  If no signature is included, use the name listed on the Customer Information tab in FootPrints.

If you know the person and typically address them by their first name, it is acceptable to use only the first name in the salutation (for example: Dear Lucy:).  In all other cases, however, use the personal title and last name followed by a colon.  Leave one line blank after the salutation.

In the case of Faculty, if they have a PhD, address them as Dr.  If they do not have a PhD, address them as Professor.

NOTE:  If you are unsure of the Faculty member's PhD status, please err on the side of caution and address them as Dr.

For staff, address as either Mr. or Ms.  If you don't know a customer's gender, use a nonsexist salutation, such as their job title followed by the receiver's name.  It is also acceptable to use the full name in a salutation if you cannot determine gender.  For example, you might write Dear Chris Harmon: if you were unsure of Chris's gender.