How would you respond if your student told you, “After my EECS class, I went to the CCRB then headed over to the Diag 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.
A2 =
Nickname for Ann Arbor, pronounced "A squared"
AATA =
Ann Arbor Transit Authority (city buses), also known as "The Ride"
APA =
Academic Peer Advisor
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, also known as "Ross"
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
CCI =
Center for Campus Involvement
CCRB =
Central Campus Recreation Building
CEW =
Center for the Education of Women
CIC =
Campus Information Centers, located in the Michigan Union and the Pierpont Commons
CSG =
Central Student Government, the student governing council
Cube =
The large, black metal sculpture in Regents Plaza near the Fleming Administration Building
Diag =
The large grassy area located in the center of Central Campus. A central meeting place, useful for relaxing in the sun, studying outside, playing Frisbee and watching the famous Diag squirrels.
DOS =
Dean of Students
DPSS =
Department of Public Safety & Security
EECS =
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science—a building and an academic concentration. Pronounced “eeks”
Fishbowl =
Large glassed-in ITS computing site where Angell, Haven, and Mason Halls meet (located on the “Diag” side of Angell Hall)
the Grad =
Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library
Grove =
The large grassy area located in the center of North Campus; useful for relaxing in the sun, studying outside, and playing sand volleyball.
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
MRADS =
Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars
MUG =
The restaurant and seating area on the ground floor of the Michigan Union
MUTO =
Michigan Union Ticket Office
NCRB =
North Campus Recreation Building
OAMI =
Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives
OSCR =
Office of Student Conflict Resolution
ONSP =
The Office of New Student Programs
PAAO =
LSA’s Peer Academic Advising Office
Pierpont =
Pierpont Commons, one of several campus unions. Located on North Campus.
RA =
Resident Advisor; an upper-level 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
UAC =
University Activities Center. The student organization that sponsors entertainment and mini-courses on campus
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
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