Student Life
U-M Lingo for Parents
How would you respond if your student told you:
“After my EECS class, I went to the CCRB then headed over to the UGLi to meet my GSI.”
Understanding young adults is often challenging—especially once they go off to college and are surrounded with a new world and a whole new vocabulary! Here’s a translation guide to help you communicate with your U-M student.
| Nickname | Definition |
|---|---|
| A2 | Nickname for Ann Arbor, pronounced "A squared" |
| AATA | Ann Arbor Transit Authority (city buses) |
| APA | Academic Peer Advisor |
| the Arb | The Arboretum. A large, wooded area east of campus, accessible from Geddes Ave. or from Washington Hts. Popular spot for picnics, jogging, and romantic dates! |
| the Arcade | Glass-roofed pedestrian walkway of small shops that runs from the intersection of State St. and N. University Ave. to Maynard St. |
| The [Engin] Arch | The archway through West Hall at the southeast corner of the Diag. Opens onto South and East University streets. |
| ATO | Athletic Ticket Office |
| B-School | The Business School |
| the Big House | One of many terms for the Michigan Football Stadium. Also known as “the house that Bo built” or simply “the Stadium” |
| CAEN | Computer Aided Engineering Network. Handles all aspects of computing for the College of Engineering |
| CAPS | Counseling and Psychological Services |
| CCRB | Central Campus Recreation Building |
| CEW | Center for the Education of Women |
| CIC | Campus Information Centers |
| CSG | Central Student Government, the student governing council |
| the Cube | The large, black metal sculpture in Regents Plaza near the Fleming Administration Building |
| the Diag | The large grassy area located in the center of campus, and surrounded by the Graduate Library, Angell/Mason/Haven Hall, and the Natural Resources and Chemistry buildings. A central meeting place and people-watching spot |
| DOS | Dean of Students |
| DPS | Department of Public Safety |
| EECS | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science—a building and an academic concentration. Pronounced “eeks” |
| Fishbowl | Large glassed-in ITCS computing site where Angell, Haven, and Mason Halls meet (located on the “diag” side of Angell Hall |
| the Grad | Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library |
| GSI | Graduate Student Instructor—a graduate student who teaches or assists in a classroom |
| the Hill | The area of residence halls on and near Observatory Street, east of the walking bridge |
| IM | Intramural, as in IM sports or IM building |
| ITS | Information Technology Services. Handles all aspects of computing on campus |
| LSA | Literature, Science, and the Arts. The name of the largest undergraduate college and of the orange-colored brick building on State Street |
| the League | The Michigan League on North University Avenue |
| the ‘M’ | There are many Ms on the U-M campus, but THE M is the bronze one inlaid at the center of the Diag |
| MESA | Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs |
| MLB | Modern Languages Building |
| MLC | Michigan Learning Community |
| MRC | Michigan Research Community |
| MUG | The restaurant and seating area on the ground floor of the Michigan Union |
| MUTO | Michigan Union Ticket Office |
| NCIC | Campus Information Center on North Campus. Located in Pierpont Commons |
| NCRB | North Campus Recreation Building |
| OAMI | Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives |
| OSCR | Office of Student Conflict Resolution |
| ONSP | The Office of New Student Programs (includes Arts@Michigan, Orientation, Mentorship, Parents Programs, UM Educational Theatre Company, Transfer Connections, and Welcome to Michigan, among other functions) |
| PAAO | LSA’s Peer Academic Advising Office |
| Pierpont (PC) | Pierpont Commons, on North Campus |
| RA, DPE | Resident Advisor, Diversity Peer Educator. An upperclass student living in a residence hall as a peer counselor and floor supervisor |
| RC | Residential College |
| RHA | Residence Halls Association—the student voice in the residence halls |
| the Rock | Large frequently painted rock covered with graffiti on the corner of Washtenaw Avenue and Hill Street |
| SAB | Student Activities Building |
| SAPAC | Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center |
| SOAS | Student Organization Account Services, budget management for groups |
| UAC | University Activities Center. The student organization that sponsors entertainment and mini-courses on campus |
| U-Club | The University Club dining area, on the 1st floor of the Union |
| UGLi | The Shapiro Undergraduate and Science Library, pronounced “ugly” |
| UHS | University Health Service |
| UMMA | University of Michigan Museum of Art, pronounced “ooma” |
| UMS | University Musical Society |
| Underground | The lower level of the Michigan League |
| Union | The Michigan Union, the oldest of the three student unions, located on State Street |
| uniqname | Your computing ID. Pronounced “u-neek-name” |
| UPROD | University Productions |
| Wolverine Access | The secure online website where students can register for classes, view grades, print unofficial transcripts, and view financial records |
