Commode Chronicles

Dimensions: 2.5" W x 4.5" H
Preferred file size: 750 x 1350 px
Preferred DPI: 300 dpi 
Preferred file formats: .jpg, .pdf, .psd, .ai, .pub. PLEASE NOTE: we cannot accept ads in Word format. If you've created the ad in the proper size and resolution inside of Word, please save the document as a PDF before sending over. 
Images: High resolution, NO copyrighted materials

You may submit your own ad or request for design assistance from Auxiliary Services Marketing. If you are requesting design assistance, please submit your materials no later than noon on the Wednesday before the submission deadline so we have plenty of time to work with you. Our design schedule is tight, so if you do not meet this deadline, you may have to forfeit your Commode Chronicles spot for that issue.

Please note: The Commode Chronicles are about serving the larger campus, so ads need to come from someone in the UCCS community and need to be broad enough to serve the majority of the UCCS student population. Advertised events must be hosted by a UCCS registered/recognized club or organization. Member-only advertising, or advertising for the sole purpose of increasing membership is not accepted.

If designing an ad yourself, please see below for a list of helpful design tips specifically for the Commode Chronicles. We cannot accept a submitted ad in a Word document. If you've used Word and the ad is the proper size and resolution, save the document as a pdf before sending over. 

Send your ad to commode@uccs.edu with the following information:

• Contact name - the contact must be affiliated with UCCS (student, staff, faculty)
• Contact email address
• Your final ad OR your design request

If requesting design, please also include in your submission email:

• Text as you'd like it to appear in the ad (bullet points or one-two sentences)
• Event name, date, location, time, if applicable
• Contact information for your readers 

Please email all requested information by 12:00 p.m. on the submission deadline. If we do not receive your ad by the deadline, even if you reserved the space in advance, we reserve the right to replace your ad with another from the waiting list.

We want you to get the biggest bang for your metaphorical buck in Commode Chronicles, so we've put together a few suggestions to help make sure your ad lands with potency, vibrancy and credibility.

• Text. Keep it readable, and remember that more is often less. We recommend no text under 11 pts and a maximum of 20 words on your ad. Lists of dates and times, sponsors, collaborators, etc. are cumbersome and difficult to read and remember.
• Include a "call to action." What should people do after seeing your ad? Sign up? Eat? Study? Buy a ticket? Don't make them guess, tell them exactly what you want them to do-make a clear ad that is easy for folks to understand. ·
• Images. A picture is worth a thousand words, unless it isn't. If you don't have a good image, go big and bold with the typeface you choose. That will be more clear and impactful than using an unrelated or weak image or (shudders) clipart.
• URLs. Short and only if necessary.
• Contact information. You must include one method for people to contact you. So think about the best way--website, phone or email? Including all three takes up a lot of space and is difficult to remember. Social media addresses are insufficient to fulfill this requirement.
• Department/event title. Make sure people know who you are. Using a UCCS logo for your department is fine, but it should be readable and doesn't need to include the "University of Colorado Colorado Springs" since this is an internal document.
• Typefaces are a great way to make your ad eye-catching, but the eye is only worth catching if it can read the text. You might use a fun font for the title, but stick to a sans serif font for the rest (Helvetica Neue is the University's preferred font).
• Color. Use it! White backgrounds and black text are for papers, not ads-Commode Chronicles ads look great with bold color. Use contrasting colors that allow text to stand out. Avoid colors that will be hard to read when printed, such as black text on a dark blue background.
• Print a copy of your ad at the final size. Text should be easily readable from a distance of several feet.
• CLEAN and SIMPLE is most effective.

We occasionally publish a split issue of the Commode Chronicle as needed: instead of only one version in all the stalls in campus, we create, publish, and hang two versions in the stalls. This will increase available ad space from 12 spots to 18-24, and add space for featured material. Submitted ads will appear in only one of the versions (we are not duplicating material between the two versions), and the featured material will be at the discretion of Auxiliary Services Marketing. All spots are available on a first come, first serve basis to all departments, organizations, and groups at UCCS. Auxiliary Services Marketing department reserves the right to place ads according to the space available. Preference is given to events and departments who have not advertised during the current semester. The Auxiliary Services Marketing department reserves the right to edit submitted ads. All decisions on editing and ad placement are final.

Please note that these are the dates we are working with, but as the pandemic has shown us, things can change. We will work to stay to schedule, but if catastrophe strikes, there may be adjustments. 

* Runs during Fall Break
** Runs during Winter Break
+ Runs during Spring Break
~ Runs during Summer Vacation
^ Runs during Finals Week and Commencement