Academic calendar
Autumn Term 2026 runs Aug 13, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Summer Term 2026
- Autumn Term 2026Relevant now
- Spring Term 2027
- Summer Term 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 24 of 24 terms
F
- Family Night
- The mandatory (for meal plan holders) communal dinner held every Wednesday in the Great Hall.
- Family Night
- The weekly communal dinner held every Wednesday evening, a cornerstone of the college's culture.
P
- P-Board
- Preston Government Board, the student-led governing body that organizes events and represents residents.
- PAC
- Preston Activities Council, the student group responsible for planning social and cultural events.
- PALs
- Preston Ambassador Leaders, upperclassmen mentors who assist new residents and lead building tours.
- PAs
- Preston Ambassadors, student leaders who represent the college to prospective residents and visitors.
- PGA
- Preston Government Association, the student-led governing body of the college.
- Preston
- Preston Residential College, the only residential college at the University of South Carolina.
- Preston
- Common shorthand for the Preston Dining Hall, located inside the residential college.
- Preston Dining
- The specific dining facility within Preston, known for its community-focused atmosphere and shared meals.
- Preston Love
- A common motto and sign-off used by students to express community pride and support.
- Preston Pride
- A term used to describe the unique community spirit and traditions of the college.
- Prestonite
- A student who lives in or is a member of the Preston Residential College community.
- Prestonites
- The collective name for students who live in or are members of Preston Residential College.
T
- The Garden
- The specific name of the dining facility inside Preston, often used to distinguish its menu from other campus spots.
- The Great Hall
- The formal name for the dining room, used for both daily meals and community events.
- The Hall
- Occasionally used by residents to refer to the specific residential wings of the building.
- The Principal
- The faculty member who lives in the college and serves as its academic and administrative head.
- The Principal's House
- The on-site residence for the faculty principal located within the Preston complex.
- The Res College
- A common term used by students to distinguish Preston from traditional residence halls.
- The Senior Associate
- The live-in faculty member who assists the Principal and provides student mentorship.
- The Senior Master's House
- The residence for the senior faculty master within the college grounds.
- The Wings
- Refers to the four residential corridors (North, South, East, and West) that house students.
Y
- Yule Log
- A major winter tradition involving a processional and the burning of a log in the courtyard.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- CarolinaCard
- The multi-purpose student ID card required for building entry and meal swipes at Preston Dining.
- Community Dinners
- Regularly scheduled shared meals where residents are encouraged or required to dine together to foster community.
- Mail ID
- A specific number assigned to residents for picking up packages at the Russell House or Blatt PE Center.
- Preston Associates
- Faculty and staff members from across the university who are formally affiliated with the college as mentors.
- The Business Office
- The administrative office located within the college that handles housing contracts and fees.
- The Courtyard
- The central outdoor social space enclosed by the Preston building wings.
- The Front Desk
- The 24-hour service point for security, lockouts, and general resident assistance.
- The Great Hall
- The large central room used for communal meals, formal ceremonies, and large-scale social events.
- The Library
- A quiet study area located within the Preston Residential College building.
- The Lodge
- A central social and meeting room within Preston used for community gatherings and events.
- The Mailroom
- The internal desk where residents pick up packages, separate from the main campus mail center.
- The Seminar Room
- A dedicated academic space inside the residence hall for classes and study sessions.
- The Swipe
- The requirement to use a CarolinaCard to gain access to the secure residential wings of the building.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Autumn Term 2026 runs Aug 13, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 24 approved campus terms and 13 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.