Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of initials/abbreviations you may come across, along with some helpful definitions and links (in alphabetical order, of course!). No need to sit down and memorize them - they’ll be second nature before long!
8:15: 8:15 at Boatwright is the coffee shop on campus, conveniently located right in the library! They serve Starbucks coffee as well as a wide array of teas, and are open until 1am on all school nights.
A&S: Arts & Sciences, as in School of - the vast majority of departments are in the School of Arts & Sciences, so when you are still ‘undecided’, you are enrolled in the School of Arts & Sciences, and you only change schools if you declare a major in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies or the Robins School of Business
B1, B2: These refer to basement levels 1 and 2 of the library, where most of the books are located and actual studying goes on. B1 is for quiet study, and B2 has some great areas for group study.
Boatwright: Because “Boatwright Memorial Library” is too much to say. This wonderful place is open 24/7 during the school year, and has a coffee shop inside (see 8:15, above)!
Boatwright Beach: The lawn in front of the library is affectionately called Boatwright Beach, because when the weather is good, you will see students all over it with books and laptops, or just enjoying a picnic from the Grill! Also, as we learned this past winter, it makes for some fun sledding!
B-School: Again, The Robins School of Business is far too much of a mouthful.
CAPS: Counseling and Psychological Services - this is a free and confidential resource that you can use at UR for any problems you might have, from home-sickness to stress to depression to grief to eating disorders to relationship problems, and anything in between - no problem you might have is too big or too small!
CDC: Career Development Center - this is a fantastic resource on campus that will help you with your resume, finding a job or internship, connecting you with alumni, or anything else you might need related to your career!
CCE: Center for Civic Engagement - yet another wonderful resource on campus (well, they’re all wonderful or fantastic or fabulous or something along those lines, but what else would you expect?) that will help you find volunteer and civic engagement opportunities both on campus and off
Commons, The: Officially called the Tyler Haynes Commons, this is the large building that spans the lake. Inside, you will find many resources, including the Grill, the CDC, and the newly renovated game room!
D-Hall: Officially called the Heilman Dining Center, this is the main dining spot on campus. And calling it d-hall may seem weird the first few times you try it (I know it did with me), but trust me, no one calls it anything else! It’s usually open from about 7:30am until 8:00pm, 7 days a week. They serve all sorts of yummy foods - and the desserts are amazing!
Game Room, The: The Game Room has just been renovated and is amazing! It is located on the bottom level of the Commons, and is filled with flat-screen TVs, hooked up to gaming systems, such as the Wii, and with available games sich as Guitar Hero and Mario Kart. There is also a pool table, and some other fun things to do.
LAIS: Latin America and Iberian Studies - this department focuses on all studies relating to the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America (you will also find all Spanish classes listed here)
Lodges, The: The “lodges” are the fraternity houses located on campus, behind the Robins Center. If you hear someone mention going to the lodges some weekend night, it means they are headed to the fraternity houses, which often host parties, which are open to all students - not just those involved in Greek life.
LoRo: Lora Robins Court is where the vast majority of female students live during their first year at UR. It is split into 3 sections on each floor, which really helps with bonding and whatnot. I know that I consider the girls I lived with here freshman year some of my best friends still!
MRC: Media Resource Center - this is a part of the library where you can find all sorts of movies and other media items to take out
OA: Orientation Advisor - when you arrive on campus in August, you will be placed in an orientation group with about 10 gals and 10 guys according to where you live. Each orientation group has two OAs - one gal, one guy - who will help you navigate Orientation
PAA: Peer Advising Associate - C’est moi! A fantastic, wonderful, helpful, friendly, student who wants to assist you in any way as you make the transition from high school to college here are Richmond
Pier, The: This is the nickname of Tyler’s Grill, located in the Commons. No idea what the origin of this name (except for its obvious location over the water), but it’s ubiquitous.
RA: Resident Assistant - each floor - or section of a floor in the larger dorms - have one RA assigned, who has keys if you get locked out, organizes activities for your dorm, and is basically a go-to person for any and all problems you might have
RC: Richmond College - the guys’ college.
-> RCSGA: Richmond College Student Government Association
RHA: Residence Hall Association - a group of involved students elected from each dorm that organizes fun events around campus - including the amazing Winter Wonderland, with horse-drawn carriages and Santa and hot chocolate in December!
ROTC: Reserve Officer Training Corps -UR has an Army ROTC program for those interested in being part of the military
UR: University of Richmond - I know you can’t wait to get here and discover the plethora of U-R-____! slogans
WC: Westhampton College - the gals’ college
-> WCGA: Westhampton College Government Association
WGSS: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies - this is an interdisciplinary major or minor that is almost never referred to by its full name, but rather only by its initials
WILL: Women Involved in Living and Learning - in their own words, WILL is “the first university program in the U.S. to combine coursework in women, gender and sexuality studies with leadership training for women students”