Academic calendar
Summer Term 2026 Session 1 runs May 26, 2026 – Aug 18, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Summer Term 2026 Session 1Relevant now
- Summer Term 2026 Session 2
- Summer Term 2026 Session 3
- Fall Semester 2026
- Winter Term 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 73 of 73 terms
A
- Arbor
- The Arbor Grill or Arbor Court, a central dining area featuring multiple food vendors and outdoor seating.
- Arbor Grill
- A popular dining spot located near the library and the Education building.
- AS
- Associated Students, the student government body that manages campus fees and clubs.
B
- Bamboo
- Bamboo Bistro, an Asian-fusion dining location on campus.
- Bamboo Terrace
- A Pan-Asian 'all-you-care-to-eat' dining location situated next to Geronimo's.
- Building 15
- The specific housing building often associated with the Lighthouse living-learning community.
- Building 21
- A specific dorm building within the University Park Apartments often used as a reference point for housing events.
C
- C-Sun
- The standard phonetic pronunciation of the university's acronym (CSUN).
- CSUN Shine
- A play on 'sunshine,' often used in campus marketing and student social media.
- CSUNny
- A play on 'sunny' used to describe the campus weather or the general Northridge vibe.
D
- DRES
- Disability Resources and Educational Services, the office providing accommodations for students.
E
- EOP
- Educational Opportunity Program, providing support for first-generation and low-income students.
F
- Freudian Sip
- The campus-branded coffee shops found in various locations like the library and USU.
G
- G-Mo
- Geronimo's, the primary dining hall located in the student housing complex.
- G-mo's
- Geronimo's, the primary residential dining hall located in the housing complex.
- G-mos
- Common shorthand for Geronimo's, the main residential dining hall located within the student housing complex.
- G-mos
- Geronimo's, the primary all-you-care-to-eat dining hall on campus.
- G-Spot
- A common student nickname for Geronimo's, the main campus dining hall.
- G's
- Common student shorthand for Geronimo's dining hall.
- Geronimo's
- The main all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located in the student housing area.
L
- Lighthouse
- A specific themed living community within the student housing complex focused on transitional support.
M
- Matador Eats
- The official name for the campus dining services and meal plan provider.
- Matador Patrol
- The student-operated personal safety escort service available for walking across campus at night.
- Matador Statue
- The large bronze statue in front of the USU, a primary meeting point for students.
- Matador Walk
- The primary north-south pedestrian walkway that runs through the heart of the campus.
- Matadors
- The official nickname for CSUN students, often shortened to 'Mats'.
- MataMoney
- The campus debit system used for purchasing food and services with a student ID.
- Matty
- Matty the Matador, the official university mascot.
- Matty's
- The Matador Bookstore's spirit shop section where students buy CSUN-branded apparel.
- MCC
- The Multi-Cultural Center located within the USU.
- Mercado
- El Mercado, a convenience store located near the housing complex.
N
- NCOD
- National Center on Deafness; a major resource center for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
- Northridge Earthquake
- Frequently referenced by students and faculty as a historical marker for campus architecture and safety drills.
O
- OASIS
- The Oasis Wellness Center, a facility dedicated to relaxation, meditation, and napping.
P
- Park Apartments
- Common shorthand for the University Park Apartments complex.
- Park North
- The northern section of the student housing complex.
- Park South
- The southern section of the student housing complex.
- Phase 1
- The oldest section of the apartment-style student housing, often used to distinguish location.
- Phase 2
- The second section of the apartment-style student housing.
- Phase 3
- The newest section of the apartment-style student housing located furthest north.
S
- SRC
- Student Recreation Center, the massive on-campus gym and fitness facility.
T
- The Apartments
- Student Housing Phase III, referring to the apartment-style units usually reserved for upperclassmen.
- The Arbor
- The Arbor Grill, a central outdoor eatery and convenience store area.
- The Arches
- The iconic white arched structure at the south entrance of the campus, a common meeting spot.
- The Duck Pond
- The pond located in the Orange Grove area, a popular spot for relaxing between classes.
- The Exchange
- The Matador Exchange, a convenience store and food spot in the USU.
- The Freudian Sip
- The official campus-branded coffee shop chain with multiple locations.
- The G-Spot
- A legacy student nickname for Geronimo's dining hall, though 'G'mos' is now the official rebrand shorthand.
- The Grove
- The historic Orange Grove on the east side of campus, a quiet spot for students.
- The Lighthouse
- The community center and study hub located within the student housing complex.
- The Marketplace
- Matador Marketplace, a convenience store and food court area near the housing office.
- The Matadome
- The campus arena (now Premier America Credit Union Arena) where basketball and volleyball games are held.
- The Mercado
- Matador Mercado, the campus convenience stores selling snacks, drinks, and basic groceries.
- The Orange Grove
- A historic 1.5-acre grove on campus that serves as a popular quiet study spot and event space.
- The Oviatt
- The former name of the University Library, still used frequently by upperclassmen and alumni.
- The Park
- The University Park Apartments and Suites, the primary on-campus housing complex for undergraduate and graduate students.
- The Pond
- The turtle and duck pond located within the Orange Grove on the west side of campus.
- The Pub
- The Matador Pub located in the University Student Union (USU) that serves food and drinks.
- The Quad
- The large grassy area in front of the library, a popular spot for events and lounging.
- The Ridge
- A common shorthand for Northridge, the surrounding neighborhood.
- The Sip
- Short for Freudian Sip, the campus-branded coffee shops located in various buildings.
- The Steps
- The large concrete seating area outside the library often used for protests, performances, or hanging out.
- The Suites
- Student Housing Phase I and II, typically referring to the suite-style living arrangements for freshmen.
- The Village
- Common shorthand for the University Village Apartments located off the main campus loop.
- TUC
- The University Corporation; the non-profit that manages campus dining, the bookstore, and sponsored programs.
U
- University Park
- The official name for the main student housing community on the north side of campus.
- University Village
- The Apartments at University Village, unfurnished housing located off-campus for students with families.
- UP
- University Park Apartments, the collective name for the campus housing complex.
- UPA
- University Park Apartments, the primary apartment-style housing for students.
- UPie
- Short for University Park Apartments, the primary on-campus housing complex.
- USU
- University Student Union, the hub for student life, events, and study spaces.
- UVA
- University Village Apartments, student housing typically reserved for upperclassmen and families.
V
- VRC
- Veterans Resource Center, located in the USU to support student veterans.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- arbor_grill
- Arbor Grill
- Bayramian
- Bayramian Hall, the administrative hub for admissions, records, and financial aid.
- Bayramian Hall
- The main student services building (BH) housing Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Cashier.
- BH
- Bayramian Hall, the primary building for admissions, financial aid, and student records.
- Canvas
- The Learning Management System (LMS) where professors post syllabi, assignments, and grades.
- CSUN App
- The official mobile application used for campus maps, digital ID, and emergency alerts.
- CSUN Portal
- The central web gateway for students to register for classes, pay fees, and check grades.
- CSUN Shuttle
- The campus transit system that provides transportation between the main campus and the North Campus/housing areas.
- CSUNny
- The official mobile app for navigating campus and checking class schedules.
- DPR
- Degree Progress Report, the automated audit students use to track graduation requirements.
- EU
- Eucalyptus Hall, another key building within the science complex.
- F10
- A distant parking lot on the north side of campus that offers significantly cheaper permits and a shuttle service.
- freudian_sip
- Freudian Sip
- geronimo_s_g_mos
- Geronimo's (G'mos)
- Jac
- Jacaranda Hall, the main building for the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
- Jacaranda
- Jacaranda Hall, the main building for the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
- Jacaranda Hall
- The primary building for the College of Engineering and Computer Science (JD).
- JD
- Jacaranda Hall, the main building for the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
- Lashley
- The Lashley Lane area, often referenced in the context of campus transit and shuttle stops.
- Late Start
- Classes that begin several weeks into the semester, often used by students to add units later in the term.
- Live Oak
- One of the primary science buildings, often paired with Eucalyptus Hall.
- LO
- Live Oak Hall, a major building for the College of Science and Mathematics.
- LRC
- Learning Resource Center, located in the library, providing free tutoring and writing assistance.
- Manzanita
- Manzanita Hall, the main building for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication.
- Manzy
- Manzanita Hall, primarily housing the Journalism and Cinema and Television Arts departments.
- MataCard
- The official CSUN student identification card used for library access and campus spending.
- Matador ID
- The official CSUN identification card required for library access, gym entry, and meal plans.
- Matador Mercado
- The name for the various convenience stores located throughout campus and housing.
- Matador OneCard
- The official CSUN student ID card used for library access, printing, and meal plans.
- Matador Patrol
- A student-operated personal safety escort service available for walking across campus at night.
- matador_food_court
- Matador Food Court
- MataMoney
- Campus currency loaded onto the MataCard that can be used at all campus dining locations and the bookstore.
- Metrolink Shuttle
- The free campus shuttle that transports students between the Northridge Metrolink station and the campus.
- MZ
- Manzanita Hall, the building housing the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication.
- North Campus
- The area of university property located north of Lassen Street, including the athletic stadium.
- OneCard
- The Matador OneCard, the official student ID used for library access, gym entry, and meal plans.
- Oviatt
- The University Library; despite being officially renamed, students almost universally still refer to it by its former name, the Oviatt Library.
- Portal
- The CSUN Portal, the central web gateway for class registration, financial aid, and grades.
- SH
- Sierra Hall, one of the largest and oldest classroom buildings on campus.
- Sierra
- Sierra Hall, one of the largest and oldest classroom buildings on campus.
- Sierra Hall
- A massive, central classroom building that serves as a primary landmark for students in the humanities and social sciences.
- Sierra Tower
- The tallest building on campus (ST), primarily containing faculty offices and academic departments.
- SOLAR
- The primary online student portal used for class registration, financial aid, and checking grades.
- The Library
- The main central library, formerly known as the Oviatt Library.
- The Matadome
- The Premier America Credit Union Arena, where basketball and volleyball games are held.
- The Oasis
- The Oasis Wellness Center, a facility in the USU offering nap pods, massage therapy, and relaxation spaces.
- The Orange Grove
- A historic campus landmark and quiet outdoor study area located on the south side of campus.
- The Oviatt
- The University Library, still widely called 'The Oviatt' by students despite its official name change.
- The Portal
- The CSUN web gateway where students register for classes, pay fees, and view grades.
- The Shuttle
- The campus tram service that transports students between the F10 parking lot, housing, and the main campus.
- The Soraya
- The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, the campus's major concert hall.
- U-Pass
- A discounted transit pass for students to use the LA Metro and local buses.
- UPD
- University Police Department, which provides 24/7 security and the Matador Patrol escort service.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Summer Term 2026 Session 1 runs May 26, 2026 – Aug 18, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 73 approved campus terms and 53 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.