Academic calendar
Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Summer 2026Summer 2026 Twelve WeekSummer 2026 Twelve Week Session
- Summer 2026 Six Week - Second
- Summer 2026 Four Week - Third
- Fall Semester 2026Relevant now
- Winter Session 2027
- Spring Semester 2027
- Summer 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 63 of 63 terms
A
- Amond
- The local pronunciation of 'almond' (dropping the 'l'), a point of pride and frequent debate among students and locals.
- AS
- Associated Students, the student-owned corporation that runs the union, gym, and dining services.
B
- Bidwell
- Bidwell Park, the massive 3,600-acre park used by students for hiking, swimming, and socializing.
- Butte Station
- A popular grab-and-go cafe and convenience store located in Butte Hall.
C
- CADEC
- Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center; provides prevention education and recovery support services.
- CatsConnect
- The online portal used by students to find and join campus organizations and events.
- CAVE
- Community Action Volunteers in Education, the campus-based volunteer organization.
- CCLC
- Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, an organization focused on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- Chico State of Mind
- A common phrase used to describe the unique, laid-back, and community-oriented culture of the university.
- CLIC
- Community Legal Information Center, a student-run clinic providing free legal information.
- Common Grounds
- The coffee shop located inside the Bell Memorial Union.
- Craig
- Craig Hall, a popular privately-owned off-campus dormitory frequently used by freshmen.
E
- EJ
- Shorthand for Éstom Jámani, the main residential dining center on campus.
- Esken
- Esken Hall, one of the newer residential halls located on the north side of campus.
- Esken/Mechoopda/Konkow
- Commonly used shorthand for the North Campus residence halls: Esken Hall, Mechoopda Hall, and Konkow Hall.
#
- Éstom Jámani
- The main residential dining hall on campus (formerly known as Sutter Dining).
G
- GSEC
- Gender & Sexuality Equity Center, a student-run program providing advocacy and resources.
H
- Hella
- A common Northern California slang term for 'very' or 'a lot,' ubiquitous in student speech.
- Holt Station
- A satellite cafe and snack shop located in Holt Hall.
K
- KCSC
- The student-run internet radio station based in the BMU.
- Konkow
- Konkow Hall, a residential community often housing themed living programs.
L
- Lassen
- Lassen Hall, one of the traditional-style residence halls located near the creek.
- Lassen and Shasta
- Two nearly identical residence halls often referred to as a pair due to their proximity and shared layout.
M
- Main Stage
- The primary hot food station in the Éstom Jámani Dining Center featuring rotating global menus.
- Marketplace
- The food court located in the Bell Memorial Union (BMU) featuring various retail food brands.
- Mechoopda
- Mechoopda Hall, a residential hall named after the local indigenous tribe.
O
- One-Mile
- Sycamore Pool in Lower Bidwell Park, a popular natural swimming area within walking distance of campus.
R
- Riley's
- Riley’s Bar & Grill, a popular student bar known for its proximity to campus.
- RSO
- Recognized Student Organization, the official designation for campus-approved clubs.
S
- Selvester's
- Selvester's Cafe-by-the-Creek, a dining spot often used for faculty lunches and student meetings near the water.
- Shasta
- Shasta Hall, a traditional-style dorm often paired with Lassen Hall in student references.
- SLC
- Student Learning Center, the primary hub for tutoring, writing assistance, and study groups.
- SLL
- Student Life and Leadership; the department responsible for campus involvement and student activities.
- SOLE
- Student Organizations and Leadership Education; the office that oversees all recognized student clubs.
- STAR
- Student Transition and Retention, a program focused on helping first-generation and underrepresented students.
- Sutter
- The former name of Éstom Jámani Hall; many returning students and locals still use this name for the dorm and its dining center.
- Sutter
- Sutter Dining Center, the main all-you-care-to-eat residential dining hall.
T
- The Avenues
- The residential neighborhood north of campus where a large portion of the student population lives.
- The Bear
- Madison Bear Garden, an iconic restaurant and bar adjacent to campus that is a staple of student life.
- The Brickyard
- The paved area near the BMU and Meriam Library where students often congregate.
- The Chico Experience
- A term used by students and admin to describe the unique social and academic culture of the university.
- The Creek
- Big Chico Creek, the natural waterway that runs directly through the center of campus.
- The Creekside Woods
- A collective term for the Esken, Konkow, and Mechoopda halls, which are situated near Big Chico Creek.
- The Dirty 530
- A regional nickname for the Chico area (530 area code) often used by students to describe the local party scene.
- The Dirty Whit
- A common student nickname for Whitney Hall, referencing its reputation for rowdy behavior.
- The Hub
- The central residential dining area located within Éstom Jámani Hall.
- The Marketplace
- The retail food court located on the first floor of the Bell Memorial Union (BMU).
- The Orion
- The award-winning, student-run independent campus newspaper.
- The Riley
- Riley's Bar & Grill, a popular student-frequented establishment near campus.
- The Social
- A popular off-campus student housing complex that is integrated into the campus culture via a dedicated university shuttle.
- The WREC
- The Wildcat Recreation Center, the campus gym and fitness facility.
- The Zoo
- A nickname for the high-density student apartment area near Nord Avenue known for its social scene.
- The Zoo
- Whitney Hall, a high-rise freshman dorm known for its high-density social atmosphere.
U
- Upper Park
- Refers to the northern section of Bidwell Park, a popular spot for swimming and hiking.
- Urban Roots
- The campus natural food store located in the BMU, specializing in organic and dietary-restricted options.
- UV
- University Village, the university-owned apartment complex located about a mile from the main campus.
W
- Whitney
- Whitney Hall, the tallest residence hall on campus and a central landmark for freshmen.
- Wildcat
- The official mascot and the term used to refer to any Chico State student.
- Wildcat Den
- A cafe located within the Éstom Jámani Hall serving coffee, smoothies, and snacks.
- Wildcat Dollars
- Campus currency loaded onto the student ID for use at all campus dining locations.
- Wildcat Store
- The main campus bookstore which also houses a convenience store and snack area.
- Wildcat Way
- The campus ethos of being respectful and community-oriented.
- WREC
- Wildcat Recreation Center, the campus gym and fitness facility.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Add/Drop
- The first two weeks of the semester when students can change their course schedules without penalty.
- B-Line
- The Butte Regional Transit bus system, which is free for students to ride with their Wildcat Card.
- BMU
- Bell Memorial Union, the central student union building.
- Butte
- Butte Hall, a major classroom building housing social science departments.
- butte_station
- Butte Station
- Canvas
- The Learning Management System (LMS) where professors post course materials and assignments.
- CatCash
- A declining balance account linked to the Wildcat ID that can be used at various campus vendors.
- CatsConnect
- The online platform used to find and join student organizations and track campus events.
- Dead Week
- The week immediately preceding final exams, typically characterized by late-night library sessions and a lack of major campus events.
- Flex Cash
- Dining currency included in meal plans that can be used at retail dining locations like the Marketplace.
- GET
- The mobile app and website used by students to manage their meal plan swipes and Wildcat Dollars.
- Glenn
- Glenn Hall, the primary building for the College of Business.
- Holt
- Holt Hall, the main building for the College of Natural Sciences.
- Kendall
- Kendall Hall; the main administration building where the President's office and admissions are located.
- Laxson
- Laxson Auditorium; the historic performing arts venue on the edge of campus.
- marketplace_caf
- Marketplace Café
- Meriam
- Meriam Library, the primary academic library on campus.
- MLIB
- Meriam Library; the main campus library and primary study hub.
- O'Connell
- O'Connell Technology Center; the primary building for engineering and computer science classes.
- OCNL
- O'Connell Technology Center; the primary building for computer science and engineering classes.
- Ozzi
- The campus reusable container system used in the dining hall to reduce waste; requires a token or credit.
- PAC
- Performing Arts Center; the building housing the Harlen Adams and Rowland Taylor theatres.
- Portal
- The online Student Center where students register for classes, check grades, and pay tuition.
- Redd$
- A specific type of campus currency used for dining services.
- Safe Place
- A campus resource providing confidential advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
- SafePlace
- A campus resource providing support and advocacy for students dealing with interpersonal violence.
- SELV
- Selvester's Cafe; a building used for meetings, events, and a small cafe space.
- SSC
- Student Services Center; the administrative hub for financial aid, admissions, and the registrar.
- stom_j_mani_dining
- Éstom Jámani Dining
- stom_j_mani_residential_dining_center
- Éstom Jámani Residential Dining Center
- The Bike Bridge
- The bridge over Big Chico Creek near the library, a major thoroughfare for student commuters.
- The PAC
- The Performing Arts Center, home to Laxson Auditorium and various theaters.
- The Portal
- The online student dashboard used for registration, checking grades, and financial aid.
- The WREC
- Wildcat Recreation Center, the campus gym and fitness facility.
- urban_roots
- Urban Roots
- Wildcat Card
- The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library checkouts.
- Wildcat Dollars
- Campus currency loaded onto the Wildcat ID card that can be used at all campus dining and retail locations.
- Wildcat ID
- The official student identification card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- Wildcat Shuttle
- A free transportation service for students connecting the main campus to University Village and The Social.
- Wildcat Sync
- The online platform for joining student organizations and tracking campus events.
- wildcat_den
- Wildcat Den
- WREC
- Wildcat Recreation Center, the campus gym and fitness facility (pronounced 'the wreck').
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 63 approved campus terms and 42 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.