The use of the term ‘the University’ is a formal way of expressing a statement of position, for example, ‘the University’s position on reconciliation is…’. Using ‘we’ or ‘our’ as pronouns referring to the University is less formal, and may at times be confusing if it is not clear to the reader exactly to whom the ‘we’ refers.
However, the use of pronouns tends to personalise correspondence, and make it more readable.
Use the first person plural pronouns ‘we’ or ‘our’ to mean the University only when:
the University has already been referred to earlier in the document so that it is clear that it is the University’s position that is being stated
it is clear to whom the pronoun refers (ie, no one will have to ask to whom the ‘we’ refers)
the context is appropriate for this slightly informal usage.
