Insider's Tips

TU Talk

Here's some TU-specific vocab you'll hear all over campus.

collins fitness snack barACAC - Pronounced "ack-ack," this is the acronym for the Allen Chapman Activity Center, which is also known as the activity center, the student union, or the student center. ACAC is the University's hub of activity and is a great place to meet friends, study, play chess or just hang out! It houses a tutoring center, food court, the Hurricane Hut Grill, mail service and full service post office, the bookstore and gift shop, several student organization offices, meeting rooms, and the Great Hall.

CAF - No we don't mean a baby cow. It's slang for the Twin Towers Cafeteria.

CAMP - Overnight orientation trip to Camp Heart of the Hills! Although we say camp, it really is more of a resort. All air conditioned cabins, pool with high dive and slide, sand volleyball, miniature golf, and more!

CAPTAIN CANE - Our beloved Hurricane Mascot since 1994, Captain Cane rallies TU fans to voice their enthusiastic support of all teams 'TU'. His blue-haired supporters wear their wayfarer sunglasses to show our opponents that TU's athletes are not only talented, but bright!

CHAPMAN - A popular name on this campus! Used to refer to Allen Chapman Activity Center, Champman Commons, Chapman Hall, the Mary K. Chapman Center for Communication Disorders, and the Chapman Theatre in Kendall Hall. Thus, it is not a good idea to tell a person that you will meet them at "Chapman" unless they know exactly where you're going!

DONALD W. REYNOLDS CENTER – Also referred to as the "Reynolds Center" or DWRC, it is the University's beautiful multi-purpose facility used for basketball games, commencement, concerts, and other large events.

DROP/ADD – Students may add a course through the third week of classes during a regular semester but are responsible for class work up to that time. Classes may be dropped without a grade through the third week; however a grade of "W" or "WF" is recorded from the third week to the twelfth week. Drop- add forms are available in the Collegiate Advising Offices.

ELEVENTH STREET – Main street south of Skelly Stadium that is home to numerous fast food and convenience store establishments, and is part of historic Route 66.

FISH BOWL, The – Glassed-in annex of Twin Towers dinning hall where the Big Screen television is located. Lots of awesome student events are held in The Fishbowl!

FITNESS CENTER - The Fulton and Susie Collins Fitness Center is located on the west side of Delaware Ave. across from John Mabee Hall. The center has workout facilities, fitness classes, basketball courts, and an indoor jogging track.

GREEK – Any person affiliated as a pledge or member of a fraternity or sorority.

HARWELL – Large field between the back of fraternity and sorority rows. Used for campus intramurals and other major events.

HELM – Helmerich Hall,  home to Collins College of Business. Abbreviated on your schedule as HELM, formerly known as BAH (Business Administration Hall).

HURRICANE FLAGS – Two pieces of red cloth with black squares in the middle. Used by nautical types to warn of a hurricane approaching. Used by Hurricane fans to cheer on their team.

HURRICANE GOLD ACCOUNT – A feature of the campus ID card that allows you to use the debit aspect of the card instead of cash for purchases on campus. Accepted in the bookstore, library, vending, dining services locations, laundries, etc. Place money on deposit via Housing and Dining Services or the ID/Parking Center.

HUT, The – Located in the lower level of ACAC, The Hurricane Hut features burgers, chicken, hot specialty sandwiches, nachos, fries, blizzards, soft drinks, smoothies and much more. Watch for the daily specials or drop by to listen to the live bands, play a game of pool, or watch your favorite team on the big screen.

INNER-ROOM - Recreation/meeting room located off the Twin Towers Lobby complete with a big screen TV with DVD and surround sound system, arcade games, and a ping pong table.

JOHN, The – Refers to John Mabee Hall, the all-male residence hall. These men host the annual Toilet Bowl football game.

KEP - Short for Keplinger Hall, which houses the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

KWGS - KWGS public radio 89.5 (PBS) began broadcasting on October 19,1947. It was the first FM station in Oklahoma and one of the first educational stations in the country. Along with Classical 88.7 KWTU, KWGS is broadcast from Kendall Hall on the TU campus.

LAFORTUNE - Lafortune Hall, co-ed residence hall.

LOTTIE - Refers to Lottie Jane Hall, the all-female residence hall.

MATRICULATION - Formal academic welcome ceremony for new students.

R.A. – Resident Assistant/Administrative Coordinator. A member of the residence life staff team who lives on the residence hall floor and assists with the residential administrative aspects of community living.

RESIDENCE HALLS – On campus living options which feature living/learning environments while fostering a sense of community and an environment for developing friendships.

RESIDENCE LIFE – Residence life staff are student staff members and full-time professional employees who are responsible for enhancing the quality of living in on-campus residential facilities. Get to know these valuable resources!

RD – Residence Directors are the full-time administrators for each residence hall, responsible for all of its social, educational, and operational functions.

RHA – Residence Hall Association is the organization for all students living in residence halls. This group strives to improve residence life by providing both informative and fun programming. It also recommends policy and procedure changes affecting on-campus living. TU's RHA is well-known for its award-winning representation at state, regional and national conferences!

SA – You are SA! The Student Association includes all TU students. It is our student government body, with legislative and executive branches. SA is the organization that programs social and educational activities and serves as a forum for addressing student concerns. If you see the SA logo, you know you're invited to share in the fun.

SURVIVAL - All college students hope to 'survive' their sometimes grueling schedules.  And, you will!  Many others have done it before you, and their advice: learn to balance your academic workload with your social life.  This will reduce the inevitable stress that comes with report deadlines and exams!

CHAPMAN STADIUM AND SKELLY FIELD – The blue and gold stadium, home of TU football.

TURC -  The Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge is an advanced research program for undergraduates and high school students that also concentrates on involvement in community service and prepares students to contend for nationally competitive scholarships such as the Goldwater, Marshall, Truman, and Rhodes, as well as the National Science Foundation graduate fellowships.

TWIN SOUTH – Refers to the Twin South residence hall. "Twin South" is not to be confused with Twin Towers, which is a separate building.

TWIN TOWERS LOUNGE (The Fish Bowl) - Newly refurbished glassed in area of Twin Towers lobby with couches, tables and a large fireplace. Often used for meetings by various campus organizations.

U, The – Grassy area off Delaware bounded by academic buildings and McFarlin Library. It's the center of campus and a great place for tanning, Frisbee, or snowball fights!

WEB CT (Blackboard Vista) – Many faculty use online course tools through WebCT to provide you internet access to many of your course materials such as notes, handouts, and grades. They may use tools such as quizzing, assignment submissions, discussions and journaling to enhance the teaching and learning environment.