Academic calendar
Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 18, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall Semester 2026Relevant now
- Spring Semester 2027
- Summer Session 2027 - 3-week Session A
- Summer Session 2027 - 4-week Session D
- Summer Session 2027 - 5-week Session F
- Summer Session 2027 - 6-week Session G
- Summer Session 2027 - 8-week Session H
- Summer Session 2027 - Full Term Session J
- Summer Session 2027 - 8-week Session I
- Summer Session 2027 - 3-week Session B
- Summer Session 2027 - 4-week Session E
- Summer Session 2027 - 3-week Session C
Campus language
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Showing 34 of 34 terms
A
- AFCON
- Anime and Fantasy Convention, a major annual student-run event at MSUM.
C
- Campus Cash
- A debit-style currency on the Dragon ID used for non-food services, primarily printing and vending.
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- A long-standing campus tradition where this specific soup is served every Thursday, typically paired with grilled cheese.
- CMU
- Comstock Memorial Union, the hub for student organizations and campus activities.
D
- Dahl
- Dahl Hall, a high-rise residence hall primarily for first-year students.
- DECA
- Collegiate DECA, a popular student organization for those interested in marketing, finance, and business.
- DEG
- Dragon Entertainment Group, the student-led organization that plans major campus events and entertainment.
- Dragon Dollars
- A debit-style currency on the Dragon ID used specifically for food purchases at campus dining locations.
- Dragon Pride
- The universal term for campus spirit and school loyalty at MSUM.
- Dragon Train
- A campus tradition involving a physical train ride that students are encouraged to experience before they graduate.
- Dragons
- The collective term for MSUM students, derived from the university's mascot.
H
- Holmquist
- Holmquist Hall, a traditional-style residence hall.
I
- ISO
- International Student Organization, supporting the international student community.
J
- JNH
- John Neumaier Hall, the campus apartment-style residence hall.
- John Neumaier
- Commonly referred to by its full name or simply 'Neumaier,' this is the apartment-style residence hall for upper-class students.
K
- Kise
- Short for Kise Commons, the primary residential dining hall on campus.
M
- Minnesota Nice
- The local social convention of being exceptionally polite and non-confrontational.
N
- Nelson
- The cylindrical, twelve-story residence hall known for its unique round shape and views of the campus.
O
- Ope
- A ubiquitous Upper Midwestern exclamation used when bumping into someone or making a small mistake.
P
- Pie Rooms
- Refers to the unique wedge-shaped dorm rooms in Nelson Hall caused by the building's circular design.
- PRSSA
- Public Relations Student Society of America, the campus chapter for aspiring communications professionals.
S
- SAC
- Student Activities Committee, the student-led group that plans major campus events.
- SCEC
- Student Council for Exceptional Children, a student organization focused on special education and diversity.
- Scorch
- The official name of the MSUM Dragon mascot.
- Scorch & Torch
- The names of the two dragon mascots that represent MSUM at athletic and spirit events.
- SGA
- Student Government Association, the representative body for the student population.
- Sliv
- The nickname of Alex Nemzek, the legendary coach for whom Nemzek Hall is named; often used when discussing the building's history.
- Snarr
- Snarr Hall, a large residence complex divided into East, West, and South wings.
- Snarr Complex
- The collective name for the three connected residence halls: Snarr East, Snarr South, and Snarr West.
T
- The Advocate
- The award-winning student-run weekly newspaper of MSUM.
- The Beer Can
- A common nickname for Nelson Hall, the 12-story cylindrical residence hall that is a landmark on campus.
- The Den
- Dragon's Den, the retail food court located in the Comstock Memorial Union.
- Tri-College
- The partnership between MSUM, NDSU, and Concordia allowing students to take classes across campuses.
U
- Uff da
- A common regional expression of surprise, exhaustion, or relief frequently heard on campus.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Bridges
- Bridges Hall, which houses the planetarium and various academic departments.
- caribou_coffee
- Caribou Coffee
- CMU
- Comstock Memorial Union, the central hub for student life and organizations.
- D2L
- Desire2Learn (Brightspace), the online learning management system for course materials.
- Dragon Central
- The online platform and mobile app used by students to find events, join organizations, and track involvement.
- Dragon Days
- The multi-day welcome and orientation program for new students held just before the fall semester begins.
- Dragon ID
- The official student identification card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- dragon_caf
- Dragon Café
- DragonID
- The unique 8-digit student identification number and physical ID card.
- eServices
- The online portal used for class registration, checking grades, and paying tuition.
- Flora Frick
- Flora Frick Hall, a historic building used for various academic and administrative purposes.
- Hagen
- Hagen Hall, the primary facility for science and mathematics departments.
- kise_commons
- Kise Commons
- Langseth
- Langseth Hall, the dedicated science building featuring specialized labs and artistic ecological floor designs.
- Lommen
- Lommen Hall, home to the School of Education and Human Services.
- MacLean
- MacLean Hall, an academic building housing various departments and administrative offices.
- MATBUS
- The local public transit system; MSUM students ride all fixed routes for free by showing their Dragon ID.
- Nemzek
- Alex Nemzek Hall, the main building for athletics, physical education, and the campus pool.
- Owens
- Owens Hall, the main administrative building housing the Registrar and Business Office.
- SOAR
- Student Orientation, Advising & Registration; the mandatory orientation program for incoming freshmen.
- starbucks
- Starbucks
- StarID
- The universal login credential used to access Wi-Fi, campus computers, and online student services.
- Weld
- Weld Hall, the oldest building on campus, known for its historic architecture and rumored hauntings.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 18, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 34 approved campus terms and 23 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.