Spending enough time in a certain environment with the same people allows for new words to form, or the meanings of words to change to fit the situation. Centre College is no different. Here, a language exists that can near incomprehensible to anyone not involved with the campus culture. Below are a few of these words that are common to any Centre student, but may cause anyone else to do a double-take.
Centre Bubble
The phrase for the world that encompasses the Centre experience. Since Centre has such a strong community within itself and is located in a small town, there isn’t much of a need to go off campus. Because of this, the Centre Bubble occurs, creating a self-sufficient world within itself, and many slang words only the students and people within this bubble will recognize.
Proush
The legend himself, this is the affectionate term we students use for the President of Centre College John Roush. In the eyes of the students, John Roush and his wife Susie are the closest thing Danville has to local celebrities. Students are always excited when the couple is spotted around campus, and a wave from either of them can change your entire day.
Breck
A truncated form of Breckenridge. Used to describe Breckenridge Hall, the oldest dorm building on campus, which was built in 1892 and housed students of the Danville Theological Society.
Brock
Even though it's only one vowel different from the name above, Brock is another very different building. Shortened name for Brockman Residential Commons, one of Centre’s newest housing options of apartment style living.
Nasty Nev
Another condensed nickname for the typically first year male dominated Nevin Hall dorm. Although the name no longer holds completely true, since the dorm has gone through recent renovations to make it co-ed by floor, it was once considered to be an unpleasant place to live.
Convo
In the world of Centre, convo is short for convocation. Centre students are required to attend 12 of these convos through the school year, which entail either a lecture on all ranges of topics, drama department, or Norton Center performances. These events relate to the liberal arts idea of making a well-rounded student by exposing them to a range of ideas that may or may not pertain to their major or field of interest.
Cowan sitting
When a group of students spend a lengthy amount of time in the dining hall, which is called Cowan, during meals, this is known as “Cowan sitting.” This can last anywhere from one hour to staying the whole time the dining hall is open for a meal.
Sandella’s
The cafe that is one of the dining options located in the building that houses the gyms and athletic equipment, the official name of Sandella’s is the Hall of Fame Café. The brand of food served here is Sandella’s and also includes Starbucks coffee, and Sandella’s is a much shorter name for this dining option.
The Grill
Another dining option with a shortened name. The actual name for the Grill is the Everyday Café, but has received the nickname of the Grill in the way its menu resembles a typical fast food restaurant.
Swipe
Another name for the student ID. In order to use the ID for anything from getting into a dorm, entering the dining hall, and checking out library materials, the ID has to be swiped through a machine, hence the nickname. This term can be confusing to non-Centre students, who call their identification cards either just ID or student cards.
Flex dollars
The amount of extra money that is attached to the students’ meal plans, and is proportionate to the number of meals on the plan. So a student with an unlimited meal plan will only have 75 flex dollars for the school year, but a student with only 7 meals a week will have 945 flex dollars. This money can be used at the other 2 dining options besides Cowan mentioned above, but is not accepted off campus.
C6H0
The score of the famous Centre versus Harvard football game from 1921. Harvard was considered to be one of the best teams in the nation at the time, but Centre was able to beat them, and the legend still lives on today in graffiti, on t-shirts, and water bottles.
CC
An abbreviation for Campus Center, which many students prefer instead of typing out the two words. This building is located near the middle of campus and houses the main dining hall, the Grill, meeting rooms, the Student Life Office, and a game room for student use.
JVAC
The full name for this academic building is the Jones Visual Arts Center, and is also referred to as the art barn. This is where the majority of art classes are held, and where the glass blowing facility is located on campus.
