Suffolk University announced Thursday an alternative logo in the form of four different shields, officials said.

An email sent to faculty by President Norman Smith included photos of a shield design, featuring blue and gold colors and the phrase “honestas diligentia.”

“What is going on is what I am calling a return to Classic Coke.  While there is some affinity to the new stylized upper-and-lower-case design with the modern ‘shield and flame,’ there remains a strong affinity to the gravitas of the classic coat of arms,” Smith wrote in the email.

In 2012, the university changed its logo to one resembling a flame and shield.

Smith said Suffolk will use the current logo and the new shield interchangeably.

In the email, Smith also said, “note also that BOSTON has been added prominently in gold within the logo.” The new president has said before one of his priorities is to get Suffolk on the radar beyond the Boston area.