Talk Like a Badger
If you feel like your student is speaking an entirely different language, this UW vocabulary list can help.
TA. Shout-Outs. ASM. Langdon. Huh?
When your student first starts sprinkling these terms — and more
— during conversations, you may find yourself in need of a translator.
Along with other aspects of his or her new environment, your student
has been learning a new vocabulary. And while it’s become second
nature to your student, as a parent, you might need a little help.
The Parent Program asked some students to make a list of commonly used words and phrases, and provide definitions. Now it’s time for you to go into study mode and review the list below.
Before you know it, you’ll be talking Badger, too.
Academically Speaking
Schools and colleges
UW–Madison is divided into schools and colleges that house various
majors and related academic requirements. The largest is the College
of Letters & Science, which encompasses more than 21,000 students
and 3,000 faculty and staff, and provides foundation courses ranging
from math to literature. Visit the UW–Madison website for the full list of schools and colleges.
Syllabus
A document given out by professors at the beginning of each semester,
a syllabus outlines class content, expectations, and grading scale,
and usually contains a detailed lecture, reading, and exam schedule.
It also provides contact information for the professors and teaching
assistants, and office hours.
TA
An abbreviation for teaching assistant. Usually, teaching assistants
lead class discussions and exam reviews outside of the class lectures,
grade exams and papers, and serve as a resource for questions and
class support. They are employed by the university, and are graduate
students who are usually working toward a PhD.
Office hours
Set times when students are able to meet with professors or TAs
outside of class. Typically, office hours are available one or two days a
week for walk-in appointments. Many professors also allow students
to schedule appointments outside of office hours.
Course numbers
The number for a course denotes its difficulty level. In general, courses
that end with “100” or “200” are elementary-level classes, although
some 200-level courses are intermediate. Usually, 300-level courses
are intermediate difficulty and courses labeled “400” or above are
advanced.
Midterms and finals
Campus libraries are filled to the brim during these exam times each
semester. For many classes, midterm exams are held one-third and
two-thirds (or five and ten weeks) into the semester. After classes end,
finals week begins.
WiscMail
UW–Madison’s central e-mail system.
Student Center
A section of the UW’s website, which allows students to schedule
classes, check grades and graduation requirements, and pay tuition bills.
Center for Leadership and Involvement
The CFLI offers students a variety of leadership programs, while also
encouraging them to get involved in the campus community through
student organizations, intramural sports, and volunteer activities.
Student Traditions
Homecoming
A week of events — typically in October — that celebrates everything
Badger. A Homecoming Committee, with support from the Wisconsin
Alumni Association, coordinates special events that honor UW traditions;
any proceeds from events benefit the Dean of Students Crisis
Loan fund, which helps students with financial burdens. The week is
capped off by a parade down State Street on Friday afternoon, with
the Homecoming football game on Saturday.
The Badger Herald and the Daily Cardinal
As the only campus in the United States with two student-run, daily
newspapers, the UW offers plenty of opportunities for aspiring
journalists. Founded in 1892, the Daily Cardinal is the sixth-oldest
student paper in the country. The Badger Herald was founded in
1969. The papers print 10,000 to 15,000 copies per day.
Shout-Outs
A popular feature of the Badger Herald, “shout-outs” is a section
of the paper in which students post humorous (usually) quips about
school, sports, events, and everyday life. Students identify things that
are funny, annoying, or upsetting and post an SO (shout-out) if he
or she thinks that the rest of the student body can relate to it. For
example: “SO to Biddy Martin for the snow day — the Bascom Hill
snowball fight was the highlight of my winter.”
WSUM (91.7 FM)
WSUM is the UW’s student radio station. Begun in 1952, the station’s
programming includes a variety of music genres, sports broadcasts,
and talk shows.
Wisconsin Welcome
Designed to welcome new students and welcome back returning
students to campus, Wisconsin Welcome includes the Chancellor’s
Convocation and many activities designed to encourage first-year
students to meet one another, learn about academics, find their away
around campus, and more. Campuswide events begin after the first
day of class and continue through the first weekend of the semester.
ASM (Associated Students of Madison)
Founded in 1994, ASM is the official student government of the UW.
ASM’s initiatives include securing Madison Metro bus passes for students,
posting professor course evaluations online, creating a 24-hour
library, and implementing a textbook swap program.
Badger Football Game Days
Arguably the most exciting Saturdays of the year for students, home
football games at the UW provide an electrifying atmosphere. Around
80,000 people, including 14,000 students, converge on Camp Randall
Stadium to watch the Badgers take the field. Popular tailgating spots
are found near Regent Street, Randall Avenue, and Breese Terrace.
“Jump Around”
Since 1998, UW home football games include a tradition of playing
the hip-hop song “Jump Around” by House of Pain. The entire
student section, joined by others in the stadium, jumps up and down
to the first verse while also chanting out the lyrics. The tradition is one
of the most recognizable in all of college football.
“Varsity”
A song that is played at every home Badger game — and other places
where Badgers gather — it is viewed as one of the UW’s most powerful
traditions. When played, Badger fans stand, wrap their arms around
the people next to them, and sway while singing the lyrics.
Fifth Quarter
An event that takes place after every home football game. The UW
Marching Band takes the field and plays songs such as “On, Wisconsin!”
and “You’ve Said It All,” while students perform choreographed
dances in the stands.
All-Campus Party
A weeklong spring event sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association
and the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board. The celebration includes
free events such as “Wear Red, Get Fed,” “Breakfast with Bucky,”
“All-Campus Idol” (a singing competition), and a kickball tournament.
All-Campus Party is the largest non-alcoholic celebration in the nation.
Student Housing
Southeast Residence Halls
A group of residence halls located in the southeast region of campus,
near the Kohl Center and State Street. The cluster includes Barnard
Hall, Chadbourne Hall, Merit House, Ogg Hall, Sellery Hall, Smith Hall,
Susan B. Davis House, and Witte Hall. MAP
Lakeshore Residence Halls
A group of residence halls located in the northwest region of campus,
along the shores of Lake Mendota and a short walk from the UW Hospital.
The cluster includes Adams Hall, Bradley Hall, Cole Hall, Elizabeth
Waters Hall, Friedrick Hall, Kronshage Hall, Slichter Hall, Sullivan Hall,
and Tripp Hall. MAP
Residence Hall Eating Areas
Both the Southeast and Lakeshore residence halls have their own dining
areas — Gordon Commons in the Southeast and Holt Commons
on the Lakeshore. Both feature a cafeteria-style dining room (Pop’s
Club in Southeast, Frank’s Place in Lakeshore) with a wide selection
of choices, as well as made-to-order items. Students can go online to
check the day’s menu or place an order. Each also features a mini grocery
store (Ed’s Express in Southeast, Carson’s Carryout in Lakeshore). MAP
RLCs and House Fellows
A residence life coordinator (RLC) is a full-time university staff member
who lives and works in a residence hall and helps with academic and
personal concerns. A house fellow is an older (junior or senior) student
who lives in a residence hall and offers information and experience.
Wiscard
The UW’s student identification card that acts as a campus dining
debit card, library card, workout facility membership card, and more.
Popular Places
Library Mall
Located at the beginning of State Street, Library Mall encompasses
Memorial Library, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and Memorial
Union. It is often the site of large campus gatherings and events. MAP
Bascom Hill
Perhaps the most recognizable area on campus, Bascom Hill is also
one of the most traversed stretches of sidewalk at the UW. Flanked by
the Law School, the School of Education, and other buildings, the hill
is a mecca for sunbathers and flying Frisbees on warm days. MAP
East Campus Mall
One of the newer areas on campus, East Campus Mall begins at
the Kohl Center, runs by the Southeast dining halls, continues past
the University Square and Lucky apartment building before ending
at Library Mall. East Campus Mall is also home to University Health
Services, ASM student government, and a number of other UW-sponsored
services.
The Rathskeller
A popular gathering spot for students and faculty, Der Rathskeller is
a German-themed, pub-style bar and restaurant located in Memorial
Union. Featuring a fifteen-foot television screen, the location attracts
a crowd for viewing big sporting events and on occasion is a venue
for live bands.
Lakeshore Path
Running from Memorial Union to the Lakeshore Residence Halls, and
continuing on to Picnic Point, the Lakeshore Path is one of the more
scenic and well-traversed walking paths in all of Madison.
Campus Buildings
Memorial Union and Union Terrace
One of the UW’s two student unions, Memorial Union is located on
the shores of Lake Mendota. It’s home to eating places, a coffee shop,
banquet halls, a theater, and more. Union Terrace, an outdoor gathering
spot along the water, draws crowds enjoying pleasant weather
and live music. MAP
Union South
Opened in April 2011, the new “green” Union South replaced its
predecessor on the same site, and features multiple dining options, a
climbing wall, a bowling alley, a 350-seat cinema, conference rooms,
and a sixty-room hotel. MAP
Grainger Hall
Home to the Wisconsin School of Business, located between Johnson
Street and University Avenue. MAP
College Library
Housed in Helen C. White Hall, College Library is a primary study spot
for many undergraduates. MAP
Memorial Library
The largest library in Wisconsin and the primary research facility for
the humanities and social sciences. It contains more than 3.5 million
volumes and more than 1 million people visit it each year. MAP
Bascom Hall
Located at the top of Bascom Hill, Bascom Hall is one of the oldest
buildings on campus and home to one of the largest lecture halls and
many administrative offices. MAP
Humanities Building
The George L. Mosse Humanities Building, named for a UW scholar of
European history, houses the departments of art, history, and music.
Built during the era of the Vietnam War protests, the building is designed
in the Brutalist style of architecture. MAP
Chazen Museum of Art
Located directly adjacent to the Humanities Building, the Chazen Museum
of Art collects and exhibits works of art and offers educational
programs related to the arts. The Chazen boasts more than 13,400
works of art, some dating back to 2300 B.C. MAP
Student Activity Center (SAC)
Located on the third and fourth floors of the new University Square
building on East Campus Mall, SAC houses ASM’s offices, study
spaces, a computer center, a student art gallery, and meeting rooms
for student organizations.
Campus Neighborhoods
Langdon
This neighborhood on the eastern end of campus, directly adjacent
to State Street and along Lake Mendota, features many of the UW’s
fraternities and sororities. There are 33 fraternities and 20 sororities;
approximately 10 percent of the student body participates in Greek
life. Last year, the Greek community donated $50,000 to local and
national charities and 10,000 services hours to the community.
Regent
One of the busiest drags on the southern end of the campus, the
Regent Street area has seemingly endless amounts of student housing,
while also featuring bars and restaurants. Running past Camp Randall
Stadium, the street really picks up energy on Badger football game days.
State Street
One of the most-traversed and well-known areas near campus, State
Street is a six-block, pedestrian-only mall that features more than
200 shops and stores, and more than 60 restaurants with a range of
cuisine. State Street connects campus to the State Capitol.
Athletics
SERF
The Southeast Recreational Facility, better known as the SERF, is the
primary workout facility for students living on the eastern edge of
campus. It features an indoor track, four multipurpose gymnasiums,
ten racquetball courts, a pool, a weight room, and multiple cardio and
fitness centers. MAP
The Nat
The Nat — or the Natatorium — on the western edge of campus is
home to the UW’s official swimming team racing pool, four multipurpose
gymnasiums, five racquetball courts, a weight room, and
various cardio and fitness centers. MAP
Shell
Located directly next to Camp Randall Stadium, the Shell is the UW’s official
indoor track-and-field facility. It also features four basketball courts,
an exercise area, and an ice rink, which are available for student use. MAP
Camp Randall Stadium
Home to the Badger football team, the stadium is located on the
southern edge of campus and seats just over 80,000 spectators. It is
the oldest and fourth-largest football stadium in the Big Ten. However,
Camp Randall has also been used for concerts and outdoor hockey
games, with both the men’s and women’s teams taking the ice in
2010. MAP
Kohl Center
Built in 1998, the Kohl Center on the southeastern edge of campus is
home to the men’s and women’s basketball and hockey teams, and
seats just over 17,000 and 15,000 for the two sports, respectively. It
is also a popular entertainment venue. MAP
Bucky Badger
The UW’s official mascot, Bucky Badger was first drawn in 1940 by
professional illustrator Art Evans. Bucky’s likeness earned a copyright
on October 2, 1940. The nickname “Badgers” was borrowed from the
state of Wisconsin, which was dubbed the “Badger State.” The name
was associated with lead miners in the 1820s who, without shelter in
the winter, had to “live like Badgers” in tunnels burrowed into hillsides.
Community Events
Dane County Farmers’ Market
Held on the Capitol Square in downtown Madison on Saturdays from
mid-April to early November, it is thought to be the largest producer-only
farmers’ market in the country. About 150 vendors line the
Square, offering fruits and vegetables, flowers, cheese, bakery items,
and specialty products — all produced in Wisconsin.
Maxwell Street Days
Organized by the Greater State Street Business Association, this annual
summer event provides outdoor sidewalk sales, food, and music
to thousands of attendees. Started in 1975 by a State Street clothing
store, the event is named after an outdoor market in Chicago.
Mifflin Street Block Party
First held in 1969 as a street protest about the Vietnam War, this
annual outdoor celebration with live music is typically held on the
first Saturday in May along Mifflin Street. The Division of Student Life
provides safety information for student attendees.
Freakfest
An annual Halloween celebration for which thousands of students
and out-of-towners dress up in costumes and head to State Street
for costume competitions and live music. The Division of Student Life
reminds students about ways to stay safe and make good choices during
the celebration.