Academic calendar
Fall Semester 2026 runs Sep 3, 2026 – Dec 21, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall Semester 2026Relevant now
- Winter Study 2027
- Spring Semester 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 16 of 16 terms
A
- ACE
- All Campus Entertainment, the student-led board that organizes major social events and concerts.
B
- BSU
- Black Student Union, an organization supporting and advocating for Black students on campus.
D
- Driscoll
- Driscoll Dining Hall, known for its smaller, more intimate atmosphere.
E
- Entry
- A specific residential unit within a dorm that forms a close-knit social community, especially for first-years.
- Eph
- The nickname for a Williams student, derived from the college's founder, Ephraim Williams.
F
- Frosh Quad
- The residential area consisting of Williams and Sage Halls, primarily housing first-year students.
G
- Grab 'n Go
- A quick-service meal option for students to pick up pre-packaged lunches or dinners.
- Greylock
- Greylock Quad, a residential area typically housing sophomores and juniors.
J
- JA
- Junior Advisor, a junior who lives in a first-year entry to provide mentorship and support.
L
- LSB
- Lee Snack Bar, a popular late-night dining and social spot in the Paresky Center.
M
- Mission
- Mission Park, a large residential complex housing both first-year and upperclass students.
- Mountain Day
- A surprise holiday in October when classes are cancelled for a day of hiking and outdoor activities.
T
- The Purple Bubble
- The sense of isolation from the outside world experienced by students in the rural Williamstown environment.
- The Row
- A collection of upperclassman houses located on or near Hoxsey Street.
W
- Whitmans'
- The primary dining hall located on the second floor of the Paresky Center.
- WOC
- Williams Outing Club, the largest student organization, providing outdoor equipment and trips.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- driscoll
- Driscoll
- EphCard
- The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- mission_park
- Mission Park
- Paresky
- The Paresky Center, the main student union and hub for campus life.
- Purple Bike
- The campus bike-share program available to students for local transportation.
- Sawyer
- Sawyer Library, the primary library for humanities and social sciences.
- Schow
- Schow Science Library, located within the Science Center complex.
- The Log
- A historic building on Spring Street used as a social space and restaurant.
- The Motor
- The campus shuttle service that provides transportation around Williamstown and to nearby areas.
- whitmans
- Whitmans'
- Winter Study
- The unique four-week academic term in January where students take only one course.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall Semester 2026 runs Sep 3, 2026 – Dec 21, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 16 approved campus terms and 11 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.