Academic calendar
Summer Term 2026 runs Jun 22, 2026 – Aug 30, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Spring Quarter 2026
- Summer Term 2026Relevant now
- Fall Quarter 2026
- Winter Quarter 2027
- Spring Quarter 2027
- Summer Term 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 39 of 39 terms
A
- A&O
- A&O Productions, the student group responsible for organizing major concerts, speakers, and films.
- Allison
- The primary dining hall for South Campus students, located in Allison Hall.
- ASG
- Associated Student Government, the primary undergraduate student representation body.
B
- Bobb
- Bobb-McCulloch Hall, known for its social atmosphere and proximity to North Campus athletics.
C
- Cat Cash
- A declining balance account on the Wildcard used for laundry, printing, and some off-campus vendors.
D
- Dillo
- Short for Dillo Day, the nation's largest student-run music festival held annually in May.
- Dillo
- Dillo Day, the nation's largest student-run music festival held annually on the Lakefill.
- Dining Dollars
- Funds included with meal plans that can be used at on-campus retail food locations.
- DM
- Dance Marathon, one of the largest student-run philanthropy events in the country.
E
- Elder
- Elder Hall, a large freshman-heavy residence hall located on the far north end of campus.
- Elder Dining
- The dining hall located within Elder Hall on North Campus.
F
- FMO
- For Members Only, Northwestern’s premier Black student alliance.
- Fran's
- Fran's Cafe, a popular late-night food spot located in Willard Hall.
J
- Jones
- Jones Residential College, known for its focus on the fine and performing arts.
K
- Kemper
- Kemper Hall, an upperclassman suite-style residence hall.
L
- Lakefill
- The man-made park area along Lake Michigan used for recreation and student events.
- Lisa's
- Lisa's Cafe, a sandwich and snack shop located in Slivka Hall.
N
- NBN
- North by Northwestern, a leading student-run news magazine and website.
- Norris
- The Norris University Center, which houses various retail food vendors like Starbucks and MOD Pizza.
- North Campus
- The area of campus generally associated with STEM buildings and fraternity life.
- NUDM
- Northwestern University Dance Marathon, one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country.
P
- Plex
- Foster-Walker Complex, a large dorm known for single rooms and its two dining halls.
- Plex
- The dining hall located within the Foster-Walker Complex.
- Plex West
- The retail-style dining side of Foster-Walker Complex, often serving late-night options.
R
- Reading Period
- The designated days before final exams when no classes are held, intended for studying.
S
- Sarge
- Sargent Hall, a North Campus residence hall located near the Technological Institute.
- Sargent
- The dining hall located on the North side of campus near the engineering buildings.
- SHAPE
- Sexual Health and Assault Peer Educators, a student group providing education and resources.
- Slivka
- Slivka Residential College, the primary residence for science and engineering students.
- STUCO
- Student Collaborative, the umbrella organization for student theatre groups.
T
- The Arch
- Weber Arch, the symbolic entrance to the Evanston campus where 'March through the Arch' occurs.
- The L
- The CTA elevated train system, specifically the Purple Line which serves the Evanston campus.
- The Lakefill
- The man-made expansion of campus into Lake Michigan, used for recreation and Dillo Day.
- The Plex
- Foster-Walker Complex, known for its single rooms and two dining halls.
- The Rock
- A large quartzite boulder on campus that students paint to advertise events or messages.
W
- Waa-Mu
- The Waa-Mu Show, Northwestern's oldest theatrical tradition and original musical revue.
- Wildcat
- The official mascot and the term used to refer to any Northwestern student.
- Wildcat Welcome
- The mandatory multi-day orientation program for incoming freshmen.
- Willard
- Willard Residential College, a popular South Campus dorm known for its community and renovated facilities.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Annenberg
- Annenberg Hall, the primary building for the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP).
- CAESAR
- The online student information system used for class registration, grades, and financial aid.
- Canvas
- The learning management system where professors post syllabi, assignments, and grades.
- Cat's Circle
- The campus shuttle system that connects the Evanston and Chicago campuses.
- Deering
- Deering Library, the historic, 'Harry Potter-esque' library connected to Main.
- Dining Dollars
- Currency included in meal plans for use at campus retail food locations.
- Ford
- The Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center, used for design and shop work.
- Intercampus
- The shuttle bus that runs between the Evanston and Chicago campuses for students and staff.
- Kresge
- Kresge Centennial Hall, the main hub for humanities and language classes.
- Main
- University Library, the primary research library on campus (distinct from Deering).
- Mudd
- Mudd Science and Engineering Library, a popular study spot on North Campus.
- NUhelp
- The university's safety and wellness app providing quick access to emergency services and resources.
- SafeRide
- A free university-provided shuttle service for safe transportation around campus at night.
- Tech
- The Technological Institute, the massive main building for the McCormick School of Engineering.
- The Garage
- Northwestern's hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation.
- The Global Hub
- The Kellogg School of Management building, often called 'Kellogg' by students.
- Wildcard
- The official Northwestern photo ID card used for building access, meals, and library services.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Summer Term 2026 runs Jun 22, 2026 – Aug 30, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 39 approved campus terms and 17 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.