Academic calendar
Primer Semestre 2026 runs Aug 3, 2026 – Dec 22, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Primer Semestre 2026Relevant now
- Segundo Semestre 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 27 of 27 terms
A
- AA
- Associação Atlética, the student-run sports organization for a specific department or institute.
- Alojamento
- A general term for student housing or dormitories provided by the university.
- Atlética
- The student-run athletic association for a specific department, responsible for sports and parties.
B
- Bandejão
- Literally 'big tray'; the most common slang for the university dining hall across Brazil.
- Bateria
- The student percussion group associated with an Atlética, often performing at games and events.
- Beijódromo
- The nickname for the Memorial Darcy Ribeiro, which often hosts food stalls and social gatherings.
- Bixo
- A freshman student; derived from 'bicho' (animal), referring to the 'wild' nature of new students.
C
- CA
- Centro Acadêmico; the student organization representing a specific major or department (e.g., CA de Direito).
- Casa do Estudante
- The official university-run student residence, typically reserved for students with socio-economic needs.
- CEU
- Common shorthand for 'Casa do Estudante Universitário' (University Student House).
D
- DCE
- Diretório Central dos Estudantes; the university-wide student union that represents the entire student body.
- DP
- Dependência; a course that a student failed and must retake in a subsequent semester.
F
- Federal
- A student-run housing unit owned and maintained by the university, common in Ouro Preto (UFOP).
J
- Jubilar
- To be expelled or forced to leave the university for failing too many classes or exceeding the time limit for a degree.
M
- Mencao
- The grade or 'mention' received in a course (e.g., SS, MS, MM).
- Migué
- To fake an excuse or skip a class/commitment (e.g., 'dar um migué').
- Moradia
- Official university-managed dormitories (Moradia Universitária) provided for low-income students.
P
- Particular
- A privately owned and student-managed 'República' (fraternity/sorority-style house).
- Peneira
- A 'sieve' or filter course, known for high failure rates and difficulty.
Q
- Quentinha
- A packed lunch or takeout container often sold near campus as an alternative to the RU.
R
- Rep
- Short for 'República', the traditional communal student housing system in Brazil.
- República
- The primary form of student housing in Brazil, consisting of student-run communal houses or apartments, often with specific names and traditions.
- RU
- Restaurante Universitário; the subsidized campus dining hall where most students eat.
S
- SS
- Superior Superior, the highest grade in the UnB system (equivalent to an A).
T
- Ticket
- The physical or digital voucher used to pay for meals at the RU.
- Trote
- The hazing or initiation rituals performed by veteranos on bixos during the first weeks of class.
V
- Veterano
- A senior or returning student who has completed at least one semester.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- BCE
- Biblioteca Central de Brasília, the main university library.
- Beijódromo
- The 'Kissing-place'; the nickname for the Darcy Ribeiro Memorial at UnB, a popular student meeting spot.
- Bloco
- The standard designation for campus buildings, usually followed by a letter or number (e.g., Bloco A).
- BUSP
- The free circular shuttle bus system used by students to navigate large campuses like USP.
- Carteirinha
- The essential student ID card used for the RU, library access, and half-price tickets (meia-entrada).
- ECA
- The School of Communications and Arts (Escola de Comunicações e Artes) building complex.
- Fluxo
- The recommended sequence of subjects (curriculum) for a specific degree program.
- ICC
- Instituto Central de Ciências; the iconic main building at the University of Brasília (UnB), known for its massive length.
- Intercampi
- The free shuttle bus service that transports students between different campus locations.
- Jubilar
- To be academically dismissed because the student exceeded the maximum time allowed to complete their degree.
- L2
- A major avenue in Brasília frequently used by students to catch buses to and from the UnB campus.
- Matrícula Web
- The online system used by students to register for classes and check grades.
- Minhocão
- The 'Big Earthworm'; the universal nickname for the ICC building due to its long, winding shape.
- PAT
- Pavilhão de Aulas Teóricas, a common building for general education lectures.
- PJC
- Pavilhão João Calmon, another major building for theoretical classes.
- Pode
- Short for 'Posto de Gasolina'; refers to the gas station area near campus where students gather to socialize and drink.
- Poli
- The Polytechnic School (Engineering department) campus or building complex.
- SG
- Serviços Gerais, the area housing engineering labs and workshops.
- SIGAA
- The Integrated System for Academic Activity Management, the primary platform for grades and administrative tasks.
- Trancar
- The administrative process of 'locking' or suspending one's enrollment for a semester without losing the spot.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Primer Semestre 2026 runs Aug 3, 2026 – Dec 22, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 27 approved campus terms and 20 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.