Academic calendar
Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 19, 2026 – Jan 29, 2027. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall 2026 Mini 1Mini 1 Fall 2026
- Mini 1 2026
- Fall Semester 2026Relevant now
- Fall 2026 Mini 2Mini 2 Fall 2026
- Mini 2 2026
- Mini 3 Spring 2027Spring 2027 Mini 3
- Mini 3 2027
- Spring Semester 2027
- Mini 4 Spring 2027Spring 2027 Mini 4
- Mini 4 2027
- Summer Session 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 40 of 40 terms
5
- 501
- Shorthand for the 501 Grille, a dining facility located in Ryan Hall.
A
- AIM
- Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst, a nationally recognized program supporting students on the autism spectrum.
- Anchor Express
- A convenience store located in Ryan Hall offering grab-and-go items.
B
- Baldwin
- Baldwin Hall, a centrally located residence hall primarily for female freshmen.
- Bonus Bucks
- Additional dining funds often bundled with specific meal plans for use at campus eateries.
- Briggs
- Shorthand for the Briggs Apartments.
C
- Carpe Diem
- The university motto ('Seize the Day'), frequently cited in campus culture and traditions.
- CIC
- Campus Involvement Center, the administrative office that oversees student organizations and activities.
- CSA
- Commuter Student Association, representing the interests of non-resident students.
D
- Dining Dollars
- Funds included with meal plans specifically for use at on-campus retail dining locations.
- Duval
- Shorthand for the Duval Apartments, typically used for upperclassman housing.
E
- Egan
- The student-preferred name for Grotto Commons, referencing its location in Egan Hall.
F
- Flex Points
- A form of campus currency used for various services, including dining and bookstore purchases.
G
- Grotto
- Shorthand for Grotto Commons, the primary all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located in Egan Hall.
H
- Haunted Hurst
- A popular annual Halloween-themed event and tradition on campus.
- Hurst Day
- A surprise annual tradition where classes are cancelled for a day of campus-wide celebration and activities.
L
- Laker Inn
- The retail food court located in the lower level of the Student Union.
- Laker Launchpad
- The online engagement platform used by students to discover clubs and check into campus events.
- Laker Vapor
- The name of the high-speed wireless internet network provided across the Mercyhurst campus.
- Lakers
- The collective term for Mercyhurst students, alumni, and athletic teams.
- Lewis
- Shorthand for the Lewis Apartments and Townhouses.
- Luke the Laker
- The official university mascot, an Irish-born fisherman.
M
- MAC
- Multicultural Activities Council, a student organization focused on diverse and inclusive programming.
- McAuley
- McAuley Hall, a historic residence hall primarily for male freshmen.
- Mercy
- Common shorthand for the Mercy Apartments housing complex.
- MSG
- Mercyhurst Student Government, the primary representative body for the student population.
- MSGPB
- MSG Programming Board, the student-led group responsible for organizing major campus social events.
- MUber
- A student government-sponsored program providing discounted Uber rides for students to ensure safe transportation.
R
- Roost Express
- A late-night dining option located in the Student Union.
- RSCO
- Registered Student Clubs and Organizations, the collective term for all official campus groups.
- RSCOs
- Recognized Student Clubs/Organizations, the official designation for all registered campus groups.
- Ryan
- Ryan Hall, a residence hall that also houses the 501 Grille and Anchor Express.
S
- SAC
- Student Activities Council, one of the primary student programming organizations on campus.
T
- The Freshmen Area
- The cluster of first-year residence halls including Baldwin, McAuley, and Warde Halls.
- The Grotto
- Grotto Commons, the primary buffet-style dining facility on campus.
- The Hurst
- A common shorthand nickname for Mercyhurst University used by students and alumni.
- The Merciad
- The long-running student-produced newspaper, serving as the voice of the student body since 1929.
- The Roost
- The student pub and restaurant located within the Carolyn Herrmann Student Union.
W
- Warde
- Warde Hall, a large co-ed freshman residence hall.
- Wayne Street
- Shorthand for the Wayne Street Apartments located near the Physician Assistant program building.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- 501_grille
- 501 Grille
- AHAC
- The Audrey Hirt Academic Center, which houses various academic departments and classrooms.
- Blackboard
- The learning management system (LMS) used by faculty and students for course materials and assignments.
- Bonus Bucks
- Declining balance funds pre-loaded onto the OneCard for use at campus dining locations.
- CAE
- The Center for Academic Engagement, an eco-friendly building housing intelligence and hospitality programs.
- Dining Dollars
- Additional funds that can be added to the OneCard for dining, offering a 10% discount at registers.
- grotto_commons
- Grotto Commons
- Hammermill
- The Hammermill Library, the university's primary research and study facility.
- Hirt
- The Audrey Hirt Academic Center, housing various academic departments and The Merciad office.
- Laker Bucks
- A declining balance currency loaded onto the OneCard for use at campus retail and dining locations.
- Laker Launchpad
- The primary tool for tracking student involvement and event attendance via QR code check-ins.
- Laker Vapor
- The campus high-speed wireless internet service available in residence halls.
- MAC
- The Mercyhurst Athletic Center, the main gymnasium complex for basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.
- MIC
- The Mercyhurst Ice Center, the home arena for the university's hockey teams.
- MUber
- Practical local transportation service providing $5-$7 discounts on Uber rides for students during peak times.
- Old Main
- The iconic administrative building and original structure of the university.
- OneCard
- The official student ID card used for building access, meal swipes, and library services.
- PAC
- The Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, a major venue for concerts and theatrical productions.
- Parking Permits
- Required for all student vehicles; color-coded (e.g., orange for commuters) to designate specific parking lots.
- Self-Service
- The online portal where students register for classes, check grades, and view financial info.
- The Hub
- The central online student portal for accessing academic records, schedules, and financial aid information.
- The MAC
- The Mercyhurst Athletic Center, the primary gymnasium and athletic facility.
- The Union
- The Carolyn Herrmann Student Union, the central hub for student services and dining.
- the_roost
- The Roost
- Zurn
- Zurn Hall of Science and Fine Arts, home to the Baltus Observatory and science labs.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 19, 2026 – Jan 29, 2027.
- How much campus context is included?
- 40 approved campus terms and 25 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.