Academic calendar
Fall 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 17, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall 2026Relevant now
- Spring 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 69 of 69 terms
A
- A-Mountain
- Sentinel Peak, the mountain west of campus featuring a large 'A' that is lit for special events.
- Arbol
- Short for Árbol de la Vida, a large honors dorm on the north side of campus.
- ASUA
- Associated Students of the University of Arizona, the primary student government body.
- AZ-SO
- The Arizona-Sonora residence hall, known for its twin-tower layout.
B
- Bear Down
- The university's motto and rallying cry, used as a greeting or cheer.
C
- C-Park
- Coronado Hall, known for its social atmosphere and high-rise structure.
- Cactus
- Cactus Grill, a popular food court located on the third floor of the Student Union.
- Cactus Grill
- A large food court located on the third floor of the Student Union.
- CAPS
- Counseling & Psych Services, the university's mental health and wellness department.
- CatCash
- A stored-value account on the CatCard used for dining, printing, and at the bookstore.
- Cienega
- Pueblo de la Cienega, a residence hall located near the Sixth Street parking garage.
- Core
- Core Plus, a healthy-option dining spot located in the Student Union.
- Coro
- Coronado Hall, a large high-rise dorm known for its social atmosphere.
D
- DCS
- Dean of Students Office, often cited in the context of student conduct or support services.
- Dining Dollars
- The currency included in meal plans used specifically for food at campus retailers.
- Dirty Nado
- A common student nickname for Coronado Hall, referencing its reputation as a large, high-energy social hub.
- Dirty T
- A common nickname for the city of Tucson used by students.
F
- FORGE
- Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs, a campus innovation hub.
- Fourth
- Fourth Avenue, a popular district near campus known for its bars, shops, and nightlife.
- Fourth Ave
- A historic street near campus popular with students for its bars, restaurants, and shops.
- FSL
- Fraternity and Sorority Programs, overseeing Greek life on campus.
G
- Global
- The Global Center, a dining and resource hub formerly known as the Park Avenue Garage dining area.
- GPSC
- Graduate and Professional Student Council, the governing body for post-undergraduate students.
H
- Highland
- Highland Market, a popular late-night campus grocery and eatery known for its burritos.
- Highland Market
- A 24-hour convenience store and grill located in the Highland dorm district.
- HV
- The Honors Village, the residential complex dedicated to students in the W.A. Franke Honors College.
L
- Likins
- Likins Hall, often referred to by its name alone, located near the stadium.
M
- Meal Plan
- Pre-paid dining funds (Swipes or Dining Dollars) used at campus eateries.
- Meal Plan Dollars
- The specific currency included in student meal plans, used primarily at campus dining locations.
- Meal Swipes
- Credits used specifically for entry into the 'all-you-care-to-eat' dining hall at 85 North.
N
- Nado
- Coronado Hall, known for its high-rise social scene and large freshman population.
O
- OSL
- Office of Student Life, the department overseeing clubs and student organizations.
P
- P-Cienega
- Pueblo de la Cienega residence hall.
- Park
- Park Student Union, the secondary dining hub located on the east side of campus.
- PDC
- Pueblo de la Cienega, a residence hall in the Highland District.
- PDLC
- Pueblo de la Cienega, a dorm located near the Highland Market.
- PSP
- Posada San Pedro, a residence hall located in the Highland district.
- PSU
- Park Student Union, the smaller dining and service hub located on the west side of campus.
- Pueblo
- Short for Pueblo de la Cienega, a residence hall located in the Highland district.
S
- SALT
- Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center, a nationally recognized program for students with learning disabilities.
- SHAC
- Student Health Advisory Committee, which liaises between students and Campus Health.
- SHS
- Student Health Services, the primary campus medical clinic.
- SUMC
- The Student Union Memorial Center, the main hub for dining and student services.
T
- The 'A'
- The literal letter 'A' on Sentinel Peak or the 'A' logo used throughout campus.
- The Cellar
- The lower level of the Student Union featuring a burger restaurant, games, and a stage.
- The Den
- The campus Denny's located within the Student Union Memorial Center.
- The Dirty Nado
- A common student nickname for Coronado Hall, referencing its reputation as a high-energy party dorm.
- The Dirty T
- A common student nickname for the city of Tucson.
- The Fourth
- Fourth Avenue, a popular street near campus known for its bars, shops, and nightlife.
- The Gila
- Gila Hall, a historic residence hall located in the Park District.
- The Global
- The Global Center, a hub for international students that includes several dining options.
- The Honors Village
- The dedicated residential community for Honors College students, often just called 'Honors'.
- The Mall
- The long, grassy central area of campus where events and tailgating occur.
- The Market
- Convenience stores located across campus, such as 'Market on 4th' or 'Highland Market'.
- The Nado
- A nickname for Coronado Hall, historically known for its social atmosphere and high-rise structure.
- The Red Zone
- The period at the beginning of the fall semester when campus safety awareness is heightened.
- The Red-Blue Game
- The annual intra-squad basketball scrimmage that kicks off the season.
- The Union
- The Student Union Memorial Center (SUMC), the main hub for food and services.
- The Village
- The Honors Village, the primary residential complex for students in the W.A. Franke Honors College.
U
- UAB
- University Activities Board, the student-led group that plans campus events like concerts and movies.
- University
- University Boulevard, the street bordering campus filled with shops and bars.
V
- V-Dub
- Villa del Puente, a residence hall located near the Highland district.
- VDP
- Villa del Puente, a popular residence hall located near the Highland Market.
- Villa
- Villa del Puente, a residence hall often abbreviated by students.
W
- Wildcat
- The official mascot and the term used to refer to any UA student or alumni.
- Wildcat Country
- The general term for the Tucson area and campus dominated by U of A fans.
Z
- Zona
- A common shorthand for Arizona or the Wildcats community.
- ZonaZoo
- The official student section and booster club for Arizona Athletics.
- ZonaZoo
- The official student section and spirit organization for Arizona Athletics.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- 85_north
- 85 North
- Bear Down
- The Bear Down Building, a former gym converted into a student success and study hub.
- cactus_grill
- Cactus Grill
- CatCard
- The official university identification card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- CatCash
- A debit-like system where funds are loaded onto the CatCard for use at campus vendors.
- CatTran
- The free campus shuttle system that runs various routes around the university and nearby areas.
- chick_fil_a
- Chick-fil-A
- D2L
- Desire2Learn, the learning management system where professors post course materials and grades.
- ENR2
- The Environment and Natural Resources 2 building, famous for its canyon-like architecture.
- global_market
- Global Market
- highland_market
- Highland Market
- IACC
- Integrated Learning Center, the underground classroom complex located beneath the Mall.
- Main
- The Main Library, the largest library on campus.
- Main Lib
- The University of Arizona Main Library.
- McKale
- McKale Memorial Center, the primary arena for Arizona Basketball.
- Meal Plan
- A prepaid account on the CatCard; students often distinguish between 'Swipes' and 'Dining Dollars'.
- Meal Plan Dollars
- The currency loaded onto a CatCard used specifically for tax-free food purchases on campus.
- Old Main
- The oldest building on campus, serving as a central landmark and administrative hub.
- SafeRide
- A free transportation service provided by ASUA to give students safe rides home at night.
- Sci-Eng
- The Science-Engineering Library.
- SEL
- The Science-Engineering Library.
- SUMC
- Student Union Memorial Center, the official name for the main campus union building.
- Sun Link
- The Tucson modern streetcar that connects the campus to 4th Avenue and Downtown.
- The Lib
- General shorthand for the Main Library, the largest study space on campus.
- The Main
- The University of Arizona Main Library.
- The Rec
- The South Campus Recreation Center, the main university gym facility.
- The Stadium
- Arizona Stadium, where the football team plays.
- The Weaver
- The Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library.
- UAccess
- The central web portal for student registration, financial aid, and personal records.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 17, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 69 approved campus terms and 29 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.