Leuallem Solomon graduated with a major in communications and minors in French and journalism. She has developed this vocabulary list for parents, which is divided into several subject areas: Academics, Student Life, Student Housing, Web Services, Campus Information, Campus Buildings and Offices, Campus Neighborhoods, Athletics, Transportation, and General Student Information.

ACADEMICS:

CLA: Abbreviation of College of Liberal Arts. This college, the largest college within the University, has a huge area of topics from which students can choose to study, which makes it one of the largest colleges on campus. Other colleges have abbreviations as well:

Colleges which may not use abbreviations: School of Nursing, Medical School, School of Dentistry, Law School, College of Pharmacy, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, and School of Public Health.

Permission Numbers or Magic Numbers: These are special numbers that can only be received from professors and academic advisers. This number is given to students when they must register for a class that is closed online, if it’s full, or if there is a special circumstance. Magic numbers are limited and are unavailable in some classes. Magic numbers are coveted the first day of class!

Syllabus: A calendar of events given to students in each of their classes, the syllabus outlines what the particular class is covering, when homework is due, and when the exams and finals are scheduled. It also includes the contact information for the instructors and their TAs.

TA: An abbreviation for Teaching Assistant. This person is designated to assist the professor during class, and the job varies from teaching the discussion section to just being available to answer questions. TAs are sometimes easier to reach and understand than the professors because, for the most part, they are younger and better able to relate questions and problems to students.

UA: An abbreviation for Undergraduate Assistant. This person does the same job as a TA, but UAs are undergraduates.

Office Hours: Hours in which professors or TAs are in their office when students can stop by and talk about a class or problem they would like to discuss.

STUDENT LIFE:

Greeks: Students of the University who belong to a fraternity or sorority. These students are often recognizable because they wear shirts with their Greek letters across the front. Fraternities and sororities are official student groups and have a Greek adviser through the University.

Row or Frat Row: This term refers to Fraternity Row, which is the part of University Avenue where most of the fraternity houses are located. On weekend nights, many people gather around the frats or just walk up and down the street to watch the excitement.

Homecoming: The annual celebration for students past and present with events like lip sync, sports competitions, a huge bonfire, a parade down University Avenue, and a homecoming football game to top off the festivities.

Spring Jam: A student-planned event that happens every year during spring semester to celebrate warmer weather to come. There is a dance competition called Ballyhoo, student band competitions, and more.

Convocation: A celebration in honor of the start of student’s college career. A special ceremony is held, followed by a celebration of pride and spirit. This lively event includes a welcome from President Bruininks and current students, dinner, free prizes, music, and an introduction to University of Minnesota history and tradition. This celebration helps new students feel at ease and meet new friends at the University

MSA: Stands for Minnesota Student Association. This is the student government for undergraduates at the University.

Radio K: A student-run radio station here at the University. It is on 770 am and 106.5 fm for the West Metro. This is a more personalized radio station, which includes topics and issues that are tailored to students and the events in their lives, and it has a playlist unlike any other radio station in the Twin Cities.

The Minnesota Daily: Also known simply as "The Daily," this is the campus newspaper that is produced by University students and read throughout campus religiously. This is a free newspaper that has grown to be one of the largest college newspapers in the nation. The paper keeps students updated on local and current events. One of the most helpful sections is the classifieds, which is a great way to find a job or apartment near campus. The Sudoku is a must-do part of the paper that is popular among students.

STUDENT HOUSING:

Dorms: We don’t call them dorms. We call them residence halls, and they are where students live on campus.

The Superblock: A block of four residence halls located on the East Bank. This block of residence halls is made up of Centennial, Frontier, Territorial, and Pioneer halls. Staying in these residence halls is a great way to meet tons of new people who live near you, and it’s a great way for students to find a buddy to walk with to class.

T-Hall: Is short for Territorial Hall, which is one of the residence halls located on the East Bank. This residence hall is located right off of Oak Street and is one of the four buildings that comprise the massive superblock.

CA: This abbreviation stands for the Community Adviser who lives on each floor of the residence halls (supervising about 30-50 students). They are trained to help students with personal, social, academic, and all other general needs within the community. A CA and security staff member are available during the evening hours and are trained to handle emergency situations and enforce general university policies and regulations.

UDS: Is an abbreviation for University Dining Services. This service prepares and supplies the food for all the residence halls and some restaurants on campus.

FlexDine: An electronic form of money that is stored on a student’s U-card which can be used at many of the restaurants and convenient stores on campus. This money is part of students’ meal plans when they live in the residence halls, and serves as a supplemental way to eat if the cafeteria food doesn’t look appetizing on any given night. You can also use this money at the Starbucks and other food venues in Coffman Memorial Union.

ON THE WEB:

One Stop: The University’s “can-do” Web site, a hub of online information for students, parents, staff, and faculty.

WebCT: Online management software that aids students in their classes by creating, managing, organizing, and housing a Web-based learning environment. On this site, professors can post lecture notes and information, grades, past quizzes, and a chat area and bulletin board. Its biggest advantage is that it allows students access to information at any time of the night or day.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

East Bank: One of the three areas that make up the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. The East Bank is the largest, and is home to the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), the Institute of Technology, and Graduate School to name a few. This is where most of the residence halls are located as well as Coffman Union. (See also West Bank and St. Paul)

West Bank: This area is home to the Carlson School of Management, the Law School, and the Humphrey Institute. The West Bank also houses the Wilson Library and the Arts Quarter, which includes the music, art, and theatre programs.

St. Paul: St. Paul is home to several colleges including the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Food, Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences. It also is the site of the well-known Goldstein Gallery. Although this area is too far to walk from the East or West Bank, the University transit buses provide a free and quick trip (less than 15 minutes) to St. Paul.

The Mall (also known as Northrop Mall): The Mall on campus refers to the strip of grassy area that extends from Northrop Auditorium to Coffman Union. It’s a place where students can relax, sit, or play Frisbee between classes. It is located in the middle of the East Bank so it proves to be the perfect place to meet and chat with friends.

The Gopher Way: This is one of the most useful things on campus! With Minnesota’s cold winters, it is one way for students to keep warm. Its series of underground tunnels and passageways connect and run underneath, over, or through many of the buildings. It helps to ensure that students make it to their class before being frozen alive!

Washington Avenue Bridge, also known as The Bridge: The two-level bridge over the Mississippi River connecting the East and West Banks. (Also see WABC below)

CAMPUS BUILDINGS/OFFICES:

Bursar’s Office: The place to pay university fees, cash checks, or buy parking coupons. There is a Bursar’s office located at 145 Williamson Hall on the East Bank and 107 Coffey Hall in Saint Paul.

One Stop Student Services Center (Registrar's office): A helpful office if you need to look up academic records like your transcripts, Academic Progress Audit Reports (APAS), enrollment certification, or student fee refunds and waivers. There is a student services center located at 200 Fraser Hall on the East Bank, 130 West Bank Skyway on the West Bank, and 130 Coffey Hall in St. Paul.

Northrop Auditorium: The University’s historic, ornate auditorium that has spectacular dance seasons and great jazz series as well as many other shows and performing arts. Every year it is a tradition for many to see the Nutcracker Ballet at this venue. It is the home for most commencement ceremonies.

Weisman Art Museum (also known as WAM or “The Fred”): A modern museum and gallery, the Weisman has become a Twin Cities architectural landmark. Named for Frederick R. Weisman, the building was designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. The museum features American art and a series of special art exhibitions. Located next to the Washington Avenue Bridge, the building is sometimes said to look as though it’s covered in aluminum foil.

Coffman Memorial Union: The University’s student union, Coffman is located on the East Bank right off Washington Avenue. This is a great place for students not only because there are tables to study and a 65-unit computer lab, but a variety of entertainment options. There is a bowling alley, a movie theater, pool tables, an arcade, a huge snack bar, and a nightclub called “The Whole”. There are also restaurants like Baja Grill, Chick-Fil-A, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and a Starbucks. In addition, there are services such as a post office, US Bank, U card office, and the University Bookstore. This is a good place to hang out between classes and a safe place to go and have fun during the evenings.

Boynton Health Service: The campus health clinic helps students, faculty, and staff of the University with any medical issues—dental, optical, physical, or mental. It is located on the East Bank next to Coffman Union. Boynton offers many other health-related services like free stress management workshops, yoga, Tai Chi, and body toning.

CAMPUS NEIGHBORHOODS

Dinkytown: This is an area north of the East Bank of campus with many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, video stores, and most importantly, metered parking spaces.

Stadium Village: Another area adjacent to the University, Stadium Village is just east of the East Bank. It has plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, convenient stores, and more metered parking.

The Quarry: The nearest shopping center to campus which includes the mammoth stores: Home Depot, Rainbow Foods, Office Max, PetSmart, Famous Footwear, Old Navy, Party City, and last but most important for every college student, Target!

Housing neighborhoods: Students tend to find their first apartment or off-campus house in neighborhoods near campus, including Southeast Como, Marcy Holmes, Prospect Park, Seward, Cedar Riverside, Saint Anthony Park, and Falcon Heights.

ATHLETICS:

Rec: Short for the recreation center which is located on the East Bank and in St. Paul. In other words it’s the workout gym.

Goldy: The school’s mascot, this gender-neutral critter is a large gopher. Go Gophers!

The Barn: Home of the Gophers basketball teams, Williams Arena is also known as The Barn. Other athletic teams compete at the TCF Bank Stadium, Sports Pavilion, Mariucci Hockey Arena, Ridder Arena, the Aquatic Center, and sports fields at many locations on campus.

TRANSPORTATION:

WABC (waa-bic): Otherwise known as the Washington Avenue Bridge Circulator. It is the bus which travels from in front of Sanford Hall, through the East Bank, then across the Washington Avenue Bridge to the West Bank, stopping in front of Willey Hall. As it makes its way back to the East Bank it stops in front of the Grand Marc Apartments and Carlson School of Management as well.

U-Pass: This is a bus pass provided by Metro Transit that allows students and faculty to ride the bus at a reduced rate. This is especially useful if you work downtown or don’t have a car. The great thing about this pass is that it can be used anytime even if it is not school related.

GENERAL STUDENT INFORMATION:

U card: The student identification card allows students to enter the Rec, the residence halls (if you live there), the cafeterias, and computer labs. It doubles as a library card and can be used as a TCF bank card. Money can be put on this card electronically and used in all of the campus vending machines, as well as used in the printing labs. This feature is useful because students don’t have to carry cash, and it reduces the amount of cards students have to carry in their wallet. Another bonus of having this card is that many movie theaters give student discounts for admission as long as you show your U card!

The Gopher Guide: A calendar/planner produced by the University of Minnesota that contains important university dates, numbers, and other helpful campus information. Not only is it useful for writing down homework assignments and tests, but it also lists finals dates and holiday dates to keep students on schedule. It is available at the University Bookstore.