U-M Lingo | Parents & Families

How would you respond if your student told you, “After my EECS class, I went to the CCRB then headed over to the Diag to meet my GSI.” Understanding young adults is often challenging—especially once they go off to college and are surrounded with a new world and a whole new vocabulary! Here’s a translation guide to help you communicate with your U-M student.

A2 = 
Nickname for Ann Arbor, pronounced “A squared”

AATA = 
Ann Arbor Transit Authority (city buses), also known as “The Ride”

APA = 
Academic Peer Advisor

Arb = 
The Arboretum. A large, wooded area east of campus, accessible from Geddes Ave. or from Washington Hts. Popular spot for picnics, jogging, and romantic dates!

The Arcade = 
Glass-roofed pedestrian walkway of small shops that runs from the intersection of State St. and N. University Ave. to Maynard St.

The [Engin] Arch = 
The archway through West Hall at the southeast corner of the Diag. Opens onto South and East University streets.

ATO = 
Athletic Ticket Office

B-School = 
The Business School, also known as “Ross”

Big House = 
One of many terms for the Michigan Football Stadium. Also known as “the house that Bo built” or simply “the Stadium”

CAEN = 
Computer Aided Engineering Network. Handles all aspects of computing for the College of Engineering

CAPS = 
Counseling and Psychological Services

CCI = 
Center for Campus Involvement

CCRB = 
Central Campus Recreation Building

CEW = 
Center for the Education of Women

CIC = 
Campus Information Centers, located in the Michigan Union and the Pierpont Commons

CSG = 
Central Student Government, the student governing council

Cube = 
The large, black metal sculpture in Regents Plaza near the Fleming Administration Building

Diag = 
The large grassy area located in the center of Central Campus. A central meeting place, useful for relaxing in the sun, studying outside, playing Frisbee and watching the famous Diag squirrels. 

DOS =
Dean of Students

DPSS =
Department of Public Safety & Security

EECS =
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science—a building and an academic concentration. Pronounced “eeks”

Fishbowl =
Large glassed-in ITS computing site where Angell, Haven, and Mason Halls meet (located on the “Diag” side of Angell Hall)

the Grad =
Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library

Grove = 
The large grassy area located in the center of North Campus; useful for relaxing in the sun, studying outside, and playing sand volleyball. 

GSI =
Graduate Student Instructor—a graduate student who teaches or assists in a classroom

the Hill =
The area of residence halls on and near Observatory Street, east of the walking bridge

IM =
Intramural, as in IM sports or IM building

ITS =
Information Technology Services. Handles all aspects of computing on campus

LSA =
Literature, Science, and the Arts. The name of the largest undergraduate college and of the orange-colored brick building on State Street

the League =
The Michigan League on North University Avenue

the ‘M’ =
There are many Ms on the U-M campus, but THE “M” is the bronze one inlaid at the center of the Diag

MESA =
Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs

MLB =
Modern Languages Building

MLC =
Michigan Learning Community

MRADS = 
Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars

MUG =
The restaurant and seating area on the ground floor of the Michigan Union

MUTO =
Michigan Union Ticket Office

NCRB =
North Campus Recreation Building

OAMI =
Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives

OSCR =
Office of Student Conflict Resolution

ONSP =
The Office of New Student Programs

PAAO =
LSA’s Peer Academic Advising Office

Pierpont =
Pierpont Commons, one of several campus unions. Located on North Campus. 

RA =
Resident Advisor; an upper-level student living in a residence hall as a peer counselor and floor supervisor

RC =
Residential College

RHA =
Residence Halls Association—the student voice in the residence halls

the Rock =
Large frequently painted rock covered with graffiti on the corner of Washtenaw Avenue and Hill Street

SAB =
Student Activities Building

SAPAC =
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center

UAC =
University Activities Center. The student organization that sponsors entertainment and mini-courses on campus

UGLi =
The Shapiro Undergraduate and Science Library, pronounced “ugly”

UHS =
University Health Service

UMMA =
University of Michigan Museum of Art, pronounced “ooma”

UMS =
University Musical Society

Union =
The Michigan Union, the oldest of the three student unions, located on State Street

uniqname =
Your computing ID. Pronounced “u-neek-name”

UPROD =
University Productions

Wolverine Access =
The secure online website where students can register for classes, view grades, print unofficial transcripts, and view financial records