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Campus Glossary

At the University of Rochester, we've got a number of terms that are unique to our campus community. Explore the nicknames, abbreviations, and acronyms most commonly used below to help you get acclimated to The College.

BIC

Acronym for Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, which promotes cultural awareness and engagement and educates on issues of identity, culture, and diversity through intersectional and collaborative programming and initiatives

The Brunnel

Nickname for the covered bridge between the second floor of Douglass Commons and the third floor of Wilson Commons

Career Center

Common name for the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections, which offers career advising, planning, and resources for undergraduate students

CCAS

Initialism for the College Center for Advising Services, which provides academic advising and planning support to all School of Arts and Sciences and Hajim School of Engineering undergraduate students

CCC

Name of the website and mobile app with campus events and activities, as well as information on more than 270+ student organizations

CCE

Initialism for the Center for Community Engagement, which oversees community-engaged learning, community service, and civic engagement opportunities for undergraduate students

CETL

Initialism for the former Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, now split into the Learning Center and the Teaching Center; offers study groups, tutoring, and academic skills workshops

The College

Name of the overarching organization for undergraduate studies in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering

Connections

Name of the café in the back of Rush Rhees Library (near the UR Tech Store) serving soups, salads, sandwiches, a full bagel and cream cheese bar, baked goods, and Fair Trade coffee

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D-Fo

Nickname for the Danforth Dining Center, an all-you-can-eat dining location on the first floor of Susan B. Anthony Residence Halls

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D'Lion

An upperclass student living in a first-year student housing area, dedicated to making first-year students feel at home on campus

Declining

The allotted money in your meal plan to purchase items a la carte from on-campus dining locations; officially named spendable dollars

Douggie

Nickname for Douglass Dining Center, an all-you-can-eat dining location on the first floor of Douglass Commons

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Eastman

Abbreviation for the Eastman School of Music

EcoRep

An incoming first-year student selected to educate their hallmates on environmental issues and sustainability

Ed Abroad

Abbreviation for the Center for Education Abroad, which oversees all study abroad opportunities for undergraduate students and serves as the point of contract for incoming exchange students

First-Year Fellow

Name for the upperclass mentor living in first-year student housing areas, dedicated to help first-year students with academics

GAC

Acronym for the Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center, the centerpiece of the River Campus Sports Complex, which houses the Bloch Fitness Center and other athletic facilities

Goergen

Abbreviation for the Robert B. Goergen Hall for Biomedical Engineering and Optics, located on the Hajim Engineering Quad, which houses the Institute of Optics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as California Rollin' II, a Dining Services location serving fresh, made-to-order sushi and poke bowls

Grab & Go

The Dining Services location off the terrace outside the second floor of Douglass Commons; menu includes breakfast sandwiches, bagels, fruit, pre-packaged artisan sandwiches, sides, and fresh soups

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Hajim

Abbreviation for the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Hillside

Abbreviation for Hillside Market, located on the first floor of Susan B. Anthony Residence Halls. Stocks groceries, snacks, fresh produce, breads, toiletries, hot coffee, and more.

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Intercampus Lot

Abbreviation for the Intercampus Drive Lot (Zone 1 South and Zone 2 North parking lots) on the River Campus

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ISO

Initialism for the International Services Office, which provides immigration advising and cross-cultural support to all international students, scholars, and employees at the University

Kearns

Abbreviation for the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity, which provides educational guidance, scholarships, and support to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students in the College

Mel Weekend

Abbreviation for Meliora Weekend, an annual University-wide celebration each fall that incorporates Family Weekend, Reunion, and Homecoming

MSC

Initialism for the Multidisciplinary Studies Center, the academic home for all interdisciplinary majors and minors in the College

OL

Initialism for Orientation Leader, a student leader who help welcome new students to The College through online and in-person programs and activities, including Fall and Spring Welcome Weeks and throughout the academic year

OMSA

Acronym for the Office of Minority Student Affairs, which provides support, counseling, and resources to underrepresented students in the College

Park Lot

Nickname for the Zone 3 South parking lot on the River Campus

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The Pit

The Dining Services location on the first floor of Wilson Commons with different stations, including a grill, pizzas, burritos, salads, and deli sandwiches, as well as a variety of to-go options

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RA

Initialism for Resident Advisor, a Residential Life student employee who works to build an inclusive community within their on-campus residence hall and provide support and resources the students in their assigned area

ResLife

Abbreviation for the Office for Residential Life and Housing Services, which oversees all on-campus housing for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as provides assistance and resources for those living off-campus

Rochester Ready

Name of the online orientation program that introduces new students to University academics and student life ahead of their arrival for Welcome Week

Rocky's

Abbreviation for Rocky's Sub Shop and Lounge (located on the first floor of Wilson Commons)

Rocky Bucks

Allotted money that can be used at all campus dining locations, the bookstore, vending machines, printing services, the post office, and several other locations; formerly named URos

SA Government

Abbreviation for the Students' Association Government, a group made up of elected student officials responsible for funding student organizations on campus

SAS

Initialism of the School of Arts & Sciences

Spendable dollars

Allotted money in your meal plan to purchase items a la carte from on-campus dining locations; formerly called your declining balance

Sue B

Abbreviation for the Susan B. Anthony Residence Halls, a first-year residence hall comprised of the Gannett, Gates, Hollister, and Morgan wings; also home to Danforth Dining Center, Hillside Market, a River Campus ID Office location, and the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services

TA

Initialism for teaching assistant, a student with a mastery of a subject tasked with helping course instructors lead workshops, recitations, study sessions, and more

UCC

Initialism for the University Counseling Center, a division of the University Health Services that provides mental health counseling, support, and resources to all full-time University of Rochester students

UHS

Initialism for the University Health Service, which provides confidential, high-quality healthcare services to all full-time University of Rochester students

UR FOOT

Acronym for University of Rochester First-Year Orientation Outing Treks program, an early arrival program for incoming first-year students that allows them to some of greater Rochester's natural wonders through day treks and bond with fellow incoming students

URos

Allotted money that can be used at all campus dining locations, the bookstore, vending machines, printing services, the post office, and several other locations; officially named Rocky Bucks

WCSA

Initialism for Wilson Commons Student Activities, the office that oversees all student organizations, plans student events and programs, and manages many student life spaces on River Campus

Welcome Week

Name for the program of events and activities for incoming students and families ahead of the first day of classes in both August and January

Welcome Week Leader

Name of student leaders tasked with helping to run events and activities during Fall Welcome Week in August

Welcome Week Volunteer

Name of student volunteers who staff event and activities during Fall Welcome Week in August

WilCo

Abbreviation for Wilson Commons (building), the center of student life on River Campus; houses the The Pit, Rocky's Sub Shop & Lounge, Starbucks, the Students' Association (SA) offices, the Common Connection Information Center, as well as many meeting and event spaces