Pink Identity Standards
Touches of pink can be introduced to a new internal audience during a transitional period, defined as Orientation through Homecoming. During the transitional period, the use of pink should correlate to how much time/resources/content can be dedicated to providing the audience with the historical context and UND meaning surrounding the unique color. The use of pink should organically grow as an internal audience becomes more integrated into campus life.

The sample palettes below illustrate how pink is introduced and used with internal audiences. The palettes are not an exhaustive list, but show how pink’s limited use should increase from 0% (external audience) to 1-3% (transitional period) to a maximum of 10% (internal audience).

Using Pink at UND
Often departments are unsure of how to strategically share pink with an internal audience. Ways of using pink should fall into four categories: celebrating the history of pink, showing school spirit, celebrating our students’ rosy prospects and inclusion. The following are ways to share pinks in each of these categories. Some ideas are already used. Others are new ideas departments could adopt and implement. In all instances, the use of pink must be intentional and adhere to the usage percent. For additional ideas or to discuss options not listed, contact identity@UND.edu.
- Kiosks and displays can also tell the history of UND’s school colors.
- New buildings could include a historical reference to school colors, tradition, etc.
- Thoughtful art pieces incorporating pink in buildings and exterior spaces across campus.
- Describe school history, school colors, and points of pride about school colors.
- Campus Landscaping and Flowers (see appendix).
- Work with Facilities to enhance pink in plantings (e.g., prairie rose bushes).
- Outdoor prairie rose art installation explaining school history.
- Plant prairie rose bushes with the art installation.
- Events – Internal Audience (e.g., balloons, food, flowers, napkins, flags, etc.)
- Paired with green and white, gray or black (see appendix).
- Spirit Fridays
- In collaboration with Dining Services, create a specialty pink food or drink.
- Sold at retail, catered item and served in residential dining.
- Develop a story to share, including a unique name (e.g., The Rosy).
- Prairie Rose Day: A special day celebrating our school colors.
- Helps grow awareness of why pink is an official color.
- Timing: Founder’s Day or Homecoming
- Free green and pink promo items (highlighters, pens, etc.)
- Green and pink food (cotton candy, cookies, cupcakes
donuts, The Rosy, etc.) - Give away school color ribbons as a nod to how school
colors were worn in 1889. - Instagram photo context of UND green and pink content.
- Sell felt prairie roses to raise scholarship funds.
- Retail clothing, non-uniform clothing and student-focused clothing.
- Photos of large events are shared on social media and for external marketing and UND’s distinctive green provides quick brand recognition. For these events (Welcome Weekend, Homecoming, The Big Event, etc.), shirts cannot be a majority pink. Pink can be included on the shirt or a smaller subset of an order can be mostly pink to designate a special group within the whole.
- Commencement (e.g., regalia, flags, balloons, etc. see appendix).
- Rose Pin: Pin or other object given to students as they arrive on campus.
- The pin would “grow” each year a student is at UND.
- Pride point for students, connects classes, and is a keepsake for alumni.
- Freshman year students get a basic pin at Welcome Weekend.
- Second year, paint it green.
- Third year, paint it pink.
- Fourth year, paint it white at the Grad Expo.
- At commencement, graduates receive an official version and include a write-up about the pin in the program.
- Prairie Rose Seeds: Give away prairie rose seeds to celebrate UND.
- Relates to the growth of UND students and their rosy prospects.
- Could be on May Day, Earth Day, Founders Day, Homecoming, etc.
- Customize packets to include school history, traditions and colors.
- Encourage wearing UND pink on International Pink Day (4/8/20) which celebrates diversity and is against all forms of bullying.
- Encourage wearing UND pink in October to support the fight of breast cancer.
- Pink or Prairie Rose Card
- Create a limited-edition card given out as recognition of good deeds.
- Giveaway to students every Friday or once a month.
- Different groups could rotate who gives out the cards.
- Discount or coupon for food item (a pink one?) at campus vendor.
- Given for something as simple as opening a door or to recognize
someone specific. - Front of card would reference history, tradition, pride at UND.
When Not to Use Pink
To strengthen brand recognition, the following areas are reserved for UND green, white, gray, black and additional neutrals. The use of pink is not approved.
- Building Décor: per guidelines, neutrals should be used in permanent and semi-permanent
building features (e.g., paint, furniture, textiles, finish materials, etc.) with
UND green used to create a focal point or add emphasis (see appendix).
- Building décor guidelines were developed with guidance from UND Facilities.
- This palette allows events to use significant colors (e.g., individual college colors such as the School of Law using purple).
- Non-retail UND logos (academic or athletic).
- Non-retail clothing such as official UND uniforms for employees and athletes.
- Cannot be used with the intent to be equal to or replace UND Green.
- External marketing material in any medium.