Coming to a new school can be nerve wracking, and the reason is because you are entering into a circle that already has developed traditions and relationships that you have no ties to. That means you don't have roots in this new place. I know that's how I felt right before I stepped onto the fresh cut grass of the University of Tulsa. One of the most difficult adjustments I had to make wasn't the new living situation, different city, or finding buildings on campus (although that one was a struggle). It was actually learning what the heck everyone was talking about. Yes, that's right, I mean the slang of TU. So, for the sake of everyone else that was in my shoes, or maybe for the confused parents and friends that don't understand, here's the
Ultimate Guide to University of Tulsa Slang
Caf: Otherwise known as the Pat Case Dining Center, this is the nickname for the dining hall on campus.
ACAC/ACSU: Stands for Allen Chapman Activities Center, now named Allen Chapman Student Union (but everyone still calls it ACAC). This is where all the 3rd party food is along with several offices and meeting centers.
Old U: Formally known as Dietler Commons, this is the giant stretch of grass that is in front of the library and has the infamous flower bed.
New U: Formally known as Chapman Commons, this is the giant stretch of grass that greets you when you pull into the campus. It's off of 11th street and lined with trees.
SA: Student Assocation= the association on campus that litigates and coordinates students events and activities as well as voices the opinions of students on campus.
The Bell: Refers to Bayless Plaza.
Great Hall A/B/C: Great Hall A & B are meeting areas on the second floor of the Student Union. Great Hall C is them combined.
The Fishbowl: The little eating area directly outside of the caf with a tv that's always playing. It's nicknamed the fishbowl because it has these funky windows that make you feel like you're a fish (it also is in between Fisher South & West).
Engineering Nicknames: When you go to TU, you will understand just how many engineers there are and how many types there are. PE= Petroleum Engineer; MechE= Mechanical Engineer; ChemE= Chemical Engineer (there are more programs but these are the ones with nicknames).
Harwell: The athletic field in between sorority and fraternity row.
Lottie Lot: The parking lot across Delaware street from Lottie Jane Hall. Formally known as one of the West Residential lots, but no one calls it that.
The John: A nickname for John Mabee Hall.
Fish: What people refer to Fisher South, the coed freshman dorm, as.
Sorority Nicknames: Chi O= Chi Omega; Tri Delt= Delta Delta Delta; DG= Delta Gamma; Theta= Kappa Alpha Theta; KD= Kappa Delta; Kappa= Kappa Kappa Gamma
Fraternity Nicknames: Pike= Pi Kappa Alpha; KSig= Kappa Sigma; KA= Kappa Alpha; Lambda= Lambda Chi Alpha; Sigmachi= Sigma Chi
ENS: Refers to the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences.
Lobby Rats: The term for those who frequent their dorm lobby, whether that be to watch movies, talk with friends, or do homework.
LPC: Stands for the Lorton Performance Center, this is the main facility for concerts. It's the big, gorgeous building with multiple arches.
Kep: Commonly used by those in the ENS college because this building holds a lot of labs and classrooms used for teaching the sciences. The full name is Keplinger Hall, and this place has their own set of lobby rats thanks to the study area downstairs.
TT: Tulsa Timers, the high school seniors that come shadow TU and spend a night with a current student
OL: Stands for Orientation Leader. These are the people on campus that make the transition for freshmen easy and volunteer all around the rest of the year to help out the new kids.
UA: Stands for University Ambassador. These are the people that give tours of campus and are the face of TU.
Harvey: The online site that gives you acces to your grades, but teachers also usually use this to distribute paperwork and give out quizzes. Harvey will become your best friend.
Intramural: Refers to the sports teams that clubs and Greek life assemble throughout the year.
RHA: Stands for Residents Hall Association. These people help make the home away from home the best it can be.
CSAS: Center for Student Academic Services- they provide tutors, workshops for better learning habits, and more. Go to them for anything regarding academics.
PC: Stands for pledge class, and it refers to each individual class in a sorority or fraternity. It doesn't go by grade level, although coined in such a way (like PC '16), but by what group of people go through bid day/initiation together.
Well, there you have it folks! You can now say you are well-versed in The University of Tulsa lingo. Try it out for size and hopefully now you can keep up with your friends stories...
