Academic calendar
Fall 2026 1st 8-Week Session runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Summer 2026 Full Term 10-Week Session
- Summer 2026 2nd 5-Week Session
- Fall 2026 1st 8-Week SessionRelevant now
- Fall 2026 Full Term 16-Week Session
- Fall 2026 2nd 8-Week Session
- Spring 2027 (December) Mini-Mester
- Spring 2027 1st 8-Week Session
- Spring 2027 Full Term 16-Week Session
- Spring 2027 2nd 8-Week Session
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 17 of 17 terms
C
- CAB
- Campus Activities Board; the student-led organization responsible for planning major campus events like Spring Fest and Homecoming.
M
- Meal Swipes
- The standard unit of the campus meal plan used to enter the MSC Dining Hall.
N
- NPHC
- National Pan-Hellenic Council; the governing body for the 'Divine Nine' historically Black fraternities and sororities on campus.
P
- Panther Points
- The campus currency included in meal plans that can be used at retail dining locations like Chick-fil-A or Starbucks.
- Pantherland
- A term used to describe the campus community and the surrounding Prairie View area.
- PV
- A frequent shorthand used by students and alumni to refer to the university.
S
- SGA
- Student Government Association; the primary representative body for the student population.
T
- The Caf
- The main dining hall located within the Memorial Student Center (MSC).
- The Hill
- The most common nickname for the Prairie View A&M University campus, derived from its physical location on a high point in the region.
- The Marching Storm
- The official name and common shorthand for the Prairie View A&M University marching band.
- The MSC
- Refers to the Memorial Student Center, which houses the main campus dining hall and retail food options.
- The Phases
- A common student nickname for University Village, referring to the multiple construction phases (Phase I, II, III, and North) of the apartment complex.
- The Square
- Shorthand for University Square, the newest residential facility catering to upperclassmen and graduate students.
- The Storm
- Shorthand for the university's marching band, The Marching Storm.
- The View
- Shorthand for University View, an apartment-style housing community on campus.
- The Yard
- A general HBCU term used at PVAMU to refer to the central campus grounds where social gatherings and Greek life events occur.
U
- UC
- Shorthand for University College, the primary residential community for first-year students.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- chick_fil_a
- Chick-fil-A
- fooda
- Fooda
- Hump Day
- A weekly tradition every Wednesday featuring music, DJs, and student organization 'strolling' in the MSC or on the yard.
- John B. Coleman
- The John B. Coleman Library, the main academic library on campus.
- msc_dining_facility
- MSC Dining Facility
- Panther Camp
- The mandatory orientation program for incoming freshmen designed to introduce them to campus traditions and culture.
- Panther Card
- The official student ID card used for building access, meal swipes, and library services.
- PantherTracks
- The online student portal used for registration, checking grades, and managing financial aid.
- PVPlace
- The university's central login portal for accessing email, Canvas, and other student services.
- The Baby Dome
- The William J. Nicks Building, a multi-purpose arena used for basketball, volleyball, and commencement ceremonies.
- The MSC
- The Willie A. Tempton, Sr. Memorial Student Center, the hub for student life, dining, and the bookstore.
- The Rec
- The Student Recreation Center, featuring a climbing wall, pool, and fitness equipment.
- the_zone
- The Zone
- W.R. Banks
- The W.R. Banks Building, which houses administrative offices including the Cashier and Financial Aid.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall 2026 1st 8-Week Session runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 17 approved campus terms and 14 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.