The University of AkronStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for The University of Akron. Free for students.

Public Research University in Akron, OH. Operating on a semester system.

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29K+

Total Enrollment

Research University

Institution Type

21

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Summer Semester 2026

The semester, explained for The University of Akron

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Summer Semester 2026
Campus terms
32
Local details
22

Academic calendar

Summer Semester 2026 runs May 18, 2026 – Aug 16, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

28 entries
  1. Summer 2026 1st 8-Week Session
  2. Summer Semester 2026Relevant now
  3. Summer 2026 1st 5-Week Session
  4. Summer 2026 2nd 8-Week Session
  5. Summer 2026 2nd 5-Week Session
  6. Fall 2026 1st 5-Week Session
  7. Fall 2026 1st 8-Week Session
  8. Fall 2026 15-Week SessionFall Semester 2026
  9. Fall 2026 2nd 5-Week Session
  10. Fall 2026 2nd 8-Week Session
  11. Fall 2026 3rd 5-Week Session
  12. Spring 2027 1st 5-Week Session
  13. Spring 2027 1st 8-Week Session
  14. Spring 2027 15-Week SessionSpring Semester 2027
  15. Spring 2027 2nd 5-Week Session
  16. Spring 2027 2nd 8-Week Session
  17. Spring 2027 3rd 5-Week Session
  18. Summer 2027 3-Week Intersession
  19. Summer 2027 1st 7-Week Session
  20. Summer Semester 2027
  21. Summer 2027 1st 5-Week SessionSummer 2027 5-Week I Session
  22. Summer 2027 10-Week Session
  23. Summer 2027 2nd 5-Week SessionSummer 2027 5-Week II Session
  24. Summer 2027 2nd 7-Week Session

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

32 terms

A

AKRowdies
The official student spirit group and cheering section for Akron Zips athletics.

B

Bulger
Bulger Residence Hall, a high-rise dorm on the east side of campus.

D

Dining Dollars
Currency included with meal plans used for tax-free food purchases at campus retail locations.
Dining Dots
The flexible spending currency attached to student meal plans for use at retail dining locations.

E

Exchange
Exchange Street Residential Village, a prominent apartment-style dorm.

F

Fear the Roo
The university's primary athletic slogan and rallying cry.

H

Honors
The Honors Complex, the residence hall specifically for students in the Williams Honors College.

I

IFC
Interfraternity Council, the governing body for social fraternities.

O

Orr
Orr Residence Hall, often paired with Bulger in student conversation.

P

PHC
Panhellenic Council, the governing body for social sororities.

R

RHA
Residence Hall Association, representing the interests of students living on campus.
Rob's
Robertson Dining Hall, the primary buffet-style dining facility on campus.

S

Sisler
Sisler-McFawn Hall, a residence hall located near the center of campus.
SOO
Student Organization Orientation, a mandatory process for campus clubs.
South
South Hall, a residence hall located on the southern end of campus.
Spanton
Spanton Hall, a traditional-style residence hall.
Swipes
Meal credits used to enter the all-you-care-to-eat dining hall (The Rob).

T

The Bubble
The Stile Athletics Field House, named for its distinctive white inflatable roof structure.
The Exchange
Exchange Street Residence Hall, a popular apartment-style dorm.
The Rob
Robertson Dining Hall, the primary residential dining facility on campus.
The Roo
Shortened reference to the mascot or the campus shuttle service.
The Starbucks
The full-service Starbucks located on the first floor of the Student Union.
The Strip
The section of East Exchange Street adjacent to campus featuring popular student bars and eateries.
The Union
The Jean Hower Taber Student Union, which houses the main food court (Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, etc.).

U

Union
The food court area located within the Jean Hower Taber Student Union.
Union Market
The main food court area located within the Jean Hower Taber Student Union.
USG
Undergraduate Student Government, the representative body for students.

Z

Zee's
Zee's Convenience Store, located in the Student Union and other campus spots.
Zip-it
A declining balance account on the Zip Card used for food and services both on and off campus.
Zippy
The university's mascot, a female kangaroo.
Zips
The official nickname for University of Akron students and athletes, derived from 'Zippers'.
ZPN
Zips Programming Network, the student-led group that organizes major campus events and concerts.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

22 details
ASEC
Auburn Science and Engineering Center, a massive, complex building housing STEM departments.
Bierce
Bierce Library, the main university library.
Brightspace
The online learning management system used for course assignments, grades, and syllabi.
Buchtel
Buchtel Hall, the historic administrative building housing the President's office.
CAS
The College of Arts and Sciences building.
CBA
The College of Business Administration building.
Dining Dollars
Funds included with meal plans specifically for use at on-campus retail dining locations.
InfoCision
InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field, the university's football stadium.
Leigh
Leigh Hall, home to many humanities and social science classrooms.
My Akron
The web portal used for class registration, checking financial aid, and viewing transcripts.
MyAkron
The online portal where students access their grades, registration, and financial aid information.
Polsky
The Polsky Building, a large academic building located in downtown Akron, connected to campus.
Roo Express
The free campus shuttle bus system that moves students between campus buildings and parking lots.
Roo-Alert
The emergency notification system that sends texts and emails regarding campus closures or safety.
Starfish
The online platform used for academic advising appointments and success coaching.
The Bubble
The Stile Athletics Field House, nicknamed for its distinctive white inflatable-looking roof.
The JAR
James A. Rhodes Arena, the campus venue for basketball and volleyball.
The Rec
The Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
The Union
The Jean Hower Taber Student Union, the central hub for student life and services.
Zip Balance
A declining balance account on the Zip Card used for printing, laundry, and off-campus partner merchants.
Zip Card
The official university ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
Zip-Assist
The central office for student advocacy and support regarding enrollment, finances, and records.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Summer Semester 2026 runs May 18, 2026 – Aug 16, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
32 approved campus terms and 22 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.

Class of 2030 · The University of Akron

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What we’ll email you about

  • Jul 15

    Final New Student Orientation Deadline

    Required · source

  • Aug 1

    Immunization Records Due

    Required · source

  • Aug 15

    Health Insurance Waiver Deadline

    Recommended · source

  • Aug 20

    Fall Move-In Begins

    Required · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Find a few communities to try at The University of Akron

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

38 mapped items from 12 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Accounting Association

Provides accounting students with opportunities for professional development, networking with firms, and learning more about the accounting profession.

Open to all

Akron Dodgeball Club

A competitive dodgeball team that competes in the National Collegiate Dodgeball Association (NCDA).

Tryout required

Source: uakron.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Akronauts Rocket Design Team

A student design team that designs, builds, and launches high-powered rockets for national competitions like the Spaceport America Cup.

Regular commitment

Alpha Delta Pi

A social sorority and a member of the Panhellenic Council, focused on sisterhood, scholarship, and service.

Regular commitment

Source: uakron.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Easy to try first

AK-ROWDIES

One of the largest student organizations at UA, dedicated to cheering on Zips student-athletes to victory and promoting school spirit at games and community events.

Drop in any time

Environmental Action (EA)

A student organization focused on spreading environmental awareness through education and activism. Offers a space for students to share their love for nature through meetings, hikes, and park clean ups.

Drop in any time

Resources & spaces

Career Services & Student Employment

Offers career advising, resume reviews, mock interviews, internship and co-op support, and job search assistance for students and alumni.

Open to all

Using DormWay at The University of Akron

What the product handles for students.

Syllabus to schedule

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Workload planning

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The University of Akron on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

3

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Life in Akron for The University of Akron Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Akron.

Timezone

Eastern Time (ET)

Median Rent

$950

Cost of Living Index

83

Student Population

45,000

City Transportation

Walkability

57

Bikeability

41

Public Transit

METRO RTA bus system

Nearest Airports

Akron-Canton Airport, Akron Fulton Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid continental

Avg Annual Temp

49°F

Avg Snowfall

47 in

Campus News

Latest updates from The University of Akron

Guest Speaker at CAS

Join us for a guest speaker event in the CAS building at 3 PM.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at The University of Akron

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

21 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

Buchtel Hall

Bulger Hall

Capacity: 120

Room types: double

Exchange Street Residence Hall

Capacity: 475

Room types: shared single, four-person apartment

Grant Hall

Honors Complex

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double

Honors Hall

Orr Residence Hall

Room types: double

Polsky Hall

Quaker Square Hall

Capacity: 400

Room types: double occupancy, triple occupancy

Ritchie Residence Hall

Room types: double

Schrank Hall North

Room types: single, double

Schrank Hall South

Room types: single, double

Simmons Hall

Room types: single, double, suite

Sisler-McFawn Residence Hall

Room types: double

South Residence Hall

Room types: double (in-unit bathroom), shared single (in-unit bathroom)

Spank Hall North

Room types: double

Spank Hall South

Room types: double

Spanton Residence Hall

Capacity: 210

Room types: double (community bathroom), double suite (community bathroom)

Spicer Hall

Capacity: 450

Room types: single, double

Whitby Hall

Room types: single, double

Zook Hall

Room types: single, double

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Public

Email Domain

@theakron.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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