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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.