Academic calendar
Fall 2026 Regular Session 1 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 14, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall 2026 Session 2
- Fall 2026 Session 3
- Fall 2026 Regular Session 1Relevant now
- Fall 2026 Session 4
- Fall 2026 Session 5
- Fall 2026 Session 6
- Spring 2027 Winter MiniSpring 2027 Winter Mini SessionWinter Mini 2027
- Spring 2027 Session 2
- Spring 2027 Session 3
- Spring 2027 Regular Session 1
- Spring 2027 Session 4
- Spring 2027 Session 5
- Spring 2027 Session 6
- Summer 2027 Summer MiniSummer 2027 Summer Mini Session
- Summer 2027
- Summer 2027 Session 2
- Summer 2027 Session 3
- Summer 2027 Session 1
- Summer 2027 Session 5
- 6-Week Session
- Summer 2027 Session 4
- Fall 2027 Session 2
- Fall 2027 Session 3
- Fall 2027 Regular Session 1
- Fall 2027 Session 4
- Fall 2027 Session 5
- Fall 2027 Session 6
- Spring 2028 Winter MiniSpring 2028 Winter Mini SessionWinter Mini 2028
- Spring 2028 Session 2
- Spring 2028 Session 3
- Spring 2028 Regular Session 1
- Spring 2028 Session 4
- Spring 2028 Session 5
- Spring 2028 Session 6
- Summer 2028 Summer MiniSummer 2028 Summer Mini Session
- Summer 2028 Session 2
- Summer 2028
- Summer 2028 Session 1
- Summer 2028 Session 5
- Summer 2028 Session 4
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 47 of 47 terms
A
- AB
- Activities Board, often referring to the various programming boards under the Center for Student Involvement.
B
- Bayou
- Bayou Oaks, a townhouse-style residential community often housing Greek Life members.
C
- C-Woods
- Cougar Woods Dining Commons, the second major dining hall located near the stadium.
- Cage Rage
- A major pep rally held at the beginning of the football season.
- CCA
- Council for Cultural Activities, an umbrella org that supports and funds cultural student groups.
- CEO
- Council of Ethnic Organizations, which promotes cultural awareness through campus programming.
- Coog
- A student, alumnus, or fan of the University of Houston.
- Coogs
- The universal nickname for University of Houston students, alumni, and sports teams.
- Coogs House
- Part of the 'Whose House? Coogs House!' chant used at sporting events and rallies.
- Cougar Cash
- A declining balance account on the Cougar Card used for tax-free food purchases on campus.
- Cougar High
- A derogatory or self-deprecating nickname referencing the school's history as a commuter-heavy institution.
- Cougar Paw
- The official hand sign of UH, made by folding the ring finger of the right hand.
- Cougar Woods
- The second main dining hall, often referred to as 'Woods' or 'Coog Woods.'
- CP
- Cougar Place, a residential suite-style hall for sophomores and upperclassmen.
- CSI
- Center for Student Involvement, the primary office for managing student organizations.
- CV1
- Cougar Village I, a freshman-only residential hall.
- CV2
- Cougar Village II, a freshman-only residential hall located next to CV1.
F
- Frontier Fiesta
- The university's long-standing spring festival and cook-off tradition.
G
- Go Coogs
- The universal greeting and cheer for the university community.
M
- Market
- The Market at University Center, a convenience store and quick-service hub
- Meal Exchange
- A meal plan feature allowing students to use a dining hall swipe for a set meal at retail locations.
- Moody
- Moody Towers, the high-rise residential halls known for housing the main dining commons.
- Moody
- Moody Towers Dining Commons, one of the two main all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
- MVP
- Metropolitan Volunteer Program, a student-led service organization.
R
- RHA
- Residence Halls Association, the representative body for students living on campus.
S
- SC
- The Student Center, referring to the food court area containing various retail dining options like Chick-fil-A.
- SGA
- Student Government Association, the primary representative body for the student voice.
- Shasta
- The name of the university's mascot, which exists as both a costumed character and a live cougar at the Houston Zoo.
- Shasta Bucks
- A declining balance account on the Cougar Card that can be used at both on-campus and select off-campus merchants.
- Shasta's
- Shasta's Cones & Cream, the student-run ice cream parlor in the Student Center.
- SPB
- Student Program Board, the organization that plans major campus events like concerts and cinema nights.
T
- The Cage
- The dedicated student section at TDECU Stadium during football games.
- The Den
- The Den Campus Pub, a popular on-campus restaurant and bar located near the Student Center.
- The Fountain
- The Cullen Family Plaza Fountain, a central campus landmark and site of student traditions.
- The Fountains
- The Cullen Family Plaza Fountains, a central landmark used for traditions and graduation photos.
- The Lofts
- University Lofts, an apartment-style residence for upperclassmen and graduate students.
- The Market
- Convenience stores located across campus for snacks and quick meals.
- The Nook
- A popular off-campus coffee shop frequently used by students for late-night studying.
- The Paw
- The official hand sign made by folding the ring finger toward the palm to resemble a cougar's ear.
- The Quads
- The Quadrangle, a modern residential complex that replaced the older 'Quads' buildings.
- The SC
- The Student Center (North and South), the primary hub for retail dining like Chick-fil-A and Panda Express.
- The Shasta
- The official hand sign made by folding the ring finger to the palm to mimic a cougar's paw.
- The UC
- The Student Center (formerly University Center), the main hub for retail food chains like Chick-fil-A and Panda Express.
- Third Ward
- The historic neighborhood surrounding the UH campus.
- Third Ward High
- A slang term (sometimes derogatory, sometimes reclaimed) referring to the university's location in Houston's Third Ward.
W
- Whose House?
- The first half of the campus chant; students respond with 'Coogs' House!'
- Woods
- Cougar Woods Dining Commons, the second major dining hall located near the stadium.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- AAH
- Agnes Arnold Hall, a major academic building known for its distinct brutalist architecture.
- AccessUH
- The central web portal used to reach Blackboard, email, and enrollment services.
- Agnes
- Agnes Arnold Hall, a prominent classroom building known for its open-air corridors.
- Agnes Arnold
- Agnes Arnold Hall, a prominent liberal arts building known for its distinct 'open-air' architecture.
- AH
- Agnes Arnold Hall, a major classroom building known for its open-air corridors and 'brutalist' architecture.
- CAPS
- Counseling and Psychological Services, the campus resource for mental health support and clinical services.
- CASA
- The Center for Academic Support and Assessment, primarily used by students for proctored math and science testing.
- CASA
- The Center for Academic Support and Assessment, where students must go to take proctored math and science exams.
- CBB
- Classroom and Business Building, a major academic building near the Bauer College of Business.
- COAST
- Coogs on Alternative Sustainable Transportation, a program providing incentives for carpooling or using public transit.
- Coog Ride
- The campus shuttle service that provides transportation between various campus buildings and parking lots.
- CoogNews
- The official weekly email newsletter sent to all students regarding campus updates and events.
- Coogs on Wheels
- A student-run golf cart service providing rides to students with mobility needs.
- CoogTV
- The student-run television station and media production group.
- Cougar Card
- The official multi-purpose photo ID card for all UH students.
- Cougar Cash
- A declining balance account on the Cougar Card used specifically for tax-free food purchases on campus.
- Cougar Line
- The free campus shuttle bus system that connects various campus points and remote lots.
- Cougar Ride
- A late-night shuttle service that provides safe transport across campus after hours.
- cougar_woods_dining_commons
- Cougar Woods Dining Commons
- Cullen
- Refers to Cullen Performance Hall or the main campus thoroughfare, Cullen Boulevard.
- Cullen
- Cullen Boulevard, the main thoroughfare that bisects the campus and serves as a primary navigation landmark.
- Fertitta
- Fertitta Center, the arena for basketball and volleyball games.
- LAUNCH
- The campus tutoring and academic success center located in Cougar Village 1.
- MD Anderson
- The M.D. Anderson Library, the primary campus library and study hub.
- Melcher
- Melcher Hall, the primary building for the C.T. Bauer College of Business.
- METRO
- The city's light rail system; the Purple Line runs directly through campus, connecting students to downtown.
- METRO Q-Card
- A discounted transit card provided to students for use on Houston's bus and light rail systems.
- METRORail
- The city light rail system (Purple Line) that has multiple stops directly on the UH campus.
- moody_towers_dining_commons
- Moody Towers Dining Commons
- Navigate
- The mobile app and web platform used by students to schedule advising appointments and view schedules.
- ORD
- Official Reporting Day, the 12th class day when enrollment is finalized for aid
- PGH
- Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall, a prominent academic building housing many liberal arts and social sciences departments.
- Purple Line
- The METRORail light rail line that runs through the UH campus, connecting it to Downtown Houston.
- Q-Card
- The METRO fare card that allows students to ride Houston's light rail and buses at a discounted rate.
- SC
- The Student Center (formerly the UC), the central hub for student services and dining.
- SEC
- Science and Engineering Classroom Building, a central location for STEM lectures.
- Shasta
- The name of the university's live cougar mascot and costumed mascot
- SR
- Science and Research Building (SR1 or SR2), housing laboratories and science departments.
- SR1
- Science and Research Building 1, a primary hub for laboratory and science research.
- Student Center
- The central hub for student life, split into Student Center North and Student Center South (formerly the UC).
- TDECU
- TDECU Stadium, the home field for the Houston Cougars football team.
- The Den
- The Den Campus Pub, a popular on-campus bar and restaurant located near the Lofts.
- The Fountains
- The Cullen Family Plaza Fountains, a central meeting spot and the site of the 'fountain jump' tradition for graduates.
- The Lib
- M.D. Anderson Library, the main university library and primary study hub.
- The Loop
- The primary campus shuttle route that circles the perimeter of the university.
- The Metro
- The METRORail Purple Line, which has two stops on campus and connects students to Downtown Houston.
- The METRORail
- The city light rail system (Purple Line) that runs directly through the campus.
- The Purple Line
- The METRORail light rail line that connects the UH campus directly to Downtown Houston.
- The Rec
- The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, the main gym and pool facility.
- The SC
- The Student Center (formerly the UC), the central hub for student organizations, dining, and the bookstore.
- The UC
- The Student Center (formerly University Center), the hub for student life and dining.
- The UC
- A legacy term still used by students to refer to the Student Center (formerly the University Center).
- UH Go
- The official mobile app used for checking grades, campus maps, and real-time shuttle tracking.
- Zone Parking
- The campus parking system where permits are tied to specific designated lots.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall 2026 Regular Session 1 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 14, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 47 approved campus terms and 54 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.