Here's why:
* Modern Style Guides: Most style guides, like the Chicago Manual of Style and MLA, recommend italicizing the names of institutions, including universities.
* Clarity and Consistency: Italics help distinguish the name of the university from surrounding text, promoting clarity and consistency in your writing.
Example:
* Incorrect: _Harvard University_
* Correct: *Harvard University*
Exceptions:
* Specific Formatting Requirements: If you are following a specific formatting guide that instructs you to underline titles, then follow those instructions.
* Handwritten Work: If you are writing by hand, underlining might be a necessary alternative to italics, especially if you do not have a clear way to italicize your writing.
In most cases, you should italicize the names of universities to ensure proper style and clarity in your writing.