The color(s) dark purple, red, white, and gold is/are claimed as a feature of the mark.
The mark consists of a shield design outlined in white and dark purple with the term "EAST" to the left and the term "YORK" to the right, both in dark purple letters. Below the shield design are the words "GRADIBVS ASCENDIMVS" in dark purple inside of a dark purple banner. The shield design is crenellated at the top. The upper portion of the shield is red while the bottom portion is dark purple. At the top of the shield is an open white and gold book with the left page containing the terms "DEI GRATIA" in gold. The right page contains the Roman numerals "XVII" in gold. Below the book is a gold and white lion holding a white and gold rolled scroll with a red ribbon.
The English translation of GRADIBVS ASCENDIMVS, DEI GRATIA in the mark is "ASCENDING BY DEGREES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD".