Shepherd UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Shepherd University. Free for students.

Public Research University in Shepherdstown, WV. Operating on a semester system.

Looking for dorms? Scroll for the dorm and housing breakdown below.

Free for all Shepherd University students. No credit card required.

3K+

Total Enrollment

Research University

Institution Type

12

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall Session A 2026

The semester, explained for Shepherd University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall Session A 2026
Campus terms
17
Local details
16

Academic calendar

Fall Session A 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 9, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

15 entries
  1. Summer Term 2026
  2. Summer Session B 2026
  3. Summer Session B 2026
  4. Fall Session A 2026Relevant now
  5. Fall 2026 Session A
  6. Fall Semester 2026
  7. Fall 2026 Session BFall Session B 2026
  8. Second Semester Spring 2027
  9. Spring Session A 2027
  10. Spring 2027 Session A
  11. Spring Semester 2027
  12. Spring 2027 Session BSpring Session B 2027
  13. Summer 2027 Full Summer

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

17 terms

C

Celebrity Row
The specific parking spaces outside Thacher and Shaw halls reserved for faculty and staff, often used by students for quick drop-offs.

D

Dining Dollars
Virtual currency included in meal plans for use at retail dining locations like Riverside and Fireside.

F

Fireside
Fireside Bistro, the campus coffee shop serving Starbucks products in the Student Center.

G

GA
Graduate Assistant, a student worker completing a graduate degree while working in a campus office.

J

JC
JC the Ram, the university's living mascot who resides at Tabler Farm and attends campus events.

P

PB
Program Board, the student-led organization responsible for planning campus events and entertainment.
Potomac
Potomac Place, the newest and largest residence hall on campus.

R

Ram Fam
The collective term for the Shepherd University community, including students, faculty, and alumni.
Riverside
Riverside Market, a grab-and-go dining location and convenience store in Potomac Place.

S

SGA
Student Government Association, the primary representative body for the student population.
SUPD
Shepherd University Police Department, the campus law enforcement agency.

T

Thacher/Shaw
Thacher Hall and Shaw Hall, two traditional residence halls often grouped together due to their proximity and shared parking area.
The Apartments
The West Woods apartment complex for upperclassmen on West Campus.
The Den
The Ram's Den, the primary all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located in the Student Center.
The Picket
The student-run newspaper that serves as the primary news source for the campus community.
The Suites
The West Woods suite-style residence halls located on West Campus.

W

Wellness Cafe
A dining spot in the Wellness Center offering smoothies and healthy snacks.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

16 details
Butcher
The Butcher Center, the main athletic facility and gymnasium.
Byrd
The Robert C. Byrd Science and Technology Center, where most science classes and labs are held.
CCA
Center for Contemporary Arts, home to the art and theater departments.
EPTA
Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, the local bus service that provides free transportation for students around campus and to Martinsburg.
fireside_bistro
Fireside Bistro
Knutti
Knutti Hall, a historic academic building housing the English and Modern Languages departments.
RAIL
Remote Access Information Line; the online portal where students register for classes, check grades, and view financial aid.
Ram Force One
One of the two EPTA circulator buses specifically serving the Shepherd University campus routes.
Rambler
The official Shepherd University student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
RamPulse
The online platform used to manage student organizations, track involvement, and find campus events.
rams_den
Rams Den
riverside_market
Riverside Market
Sakai
The learning management system used by professors to post course materials, assignments, and grades.
Scarborough
The Ruth Scarborough Library, the main campus library.
wellness_cafe
Wellness Cafe
White Hall
A primary academic building on East Campus housing classrooms and faculty offices.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Session A 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 9, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
17 approved campus terms and 16 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.

Get to know your university

Assisted

Find a few communities to try at Shepherd University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed
Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

DormWay is still mapping student communities at this campus.

We only show recommendations once we have enough public sources for Shepherd University.

These are things we discovered. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

Recommendations are based on public campus sources. We do not endorse student organizations.

Using DormWay at Shepherd University

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Shepherd University on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

9

Active Students

13

Syllabi Analyzed

11

Courses on DormWay

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Popular Courses

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Advanced CompositionFundamentals of SpeechGenetics and Genomics in NursingPatient-Centered Care: Adult Health IPerformance Outcomes IIPracticum in English ISocial Foundations of American EducationSpecial Methods of Teaching English Education

Life in Shepherdstown for Shepherd University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Shepherdstown.

Timezone

Eastern Time (ET)

Median Rent

$1,100

Cost of Living Index

170

Student Population

3,500

City Transportation

Walkability

75

Bikeability

50

Public Transit

Local and regional bus service within Jefferson County, Regional access to MARC commuter rail via nearby Harpers Ferry

Nearest Airports

Regional access via Hagerstown Regional Airport (MD), Washington Dulles International Airport (VA), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DC)

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid subtropical

Avg Annual Temp

52.9°F

Avg Snowfall

20 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

G-Lot

garage

Located behind the Frank Arts Center; features 3 levels of parking.

A-Lot

surface_lot

Commuter lot behind Byrd Science Center.

H-Lot

surface_lot • High

Largest lot on campus, located on the west side between West Woods and the Apartments.

Campus News

Latest updates from Shepherd University

Shepherd University Selected to Host Ronald Reagan Debate Series

Shepherd University has been chosen as a host site for the prestigious Ronald Reagan Debate Series.

Aug 28, 2026

Read More

Explore Economic Development, Local History, and New Ideas with Shepherd Lifelong Learning

The Lifelong Learning program at Shepherd announces new sessions focusing on regional history and economic development.

Aug 27, 2026

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Shepherd University President Dr. Cam Wesson Shares Priorities After First 42 Days

The university's 17th president, Dr. Cameron Wesson, outlines his strategic vision and institutional goals following his first weeks in office.

Aug 26, 2026

Read More

Scarborough Society Gala Raises More Than $41,000 for Shepherd University Library

The annual gala successfully raised significant funds to support the Scarborough Library's resources and programs.

Aug 24, 2026

Read More

Shepherd University to Celebrate 30th Appalachian Heritage Festival

The university prepares to host its milestone 30th annual festival celebrating the culture and heritage of the Appalachian region.

Aug 19, 2026

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Shepherd University

Alumni Emeritus Induction Brunch

September 5, 2026

Storer Ballroom, Student Center

Honoring the 50th Anniversary Class of 1976 and welcoming them to the Emeritus Club with a pre-game breakfast and induction ceremony.

2026 FAFSA Forward Workshop

September 10, 2026

Shepherd University

A workshop presented by the WV Higher Education Policy Commission to assist with FAFSA applications.

Common Reading Program Breakfast on the Porch

September 10, 2026

Scarborough Library Porch

A breakfast event as part of the Common Reading Program featuring the 2026-2027 selection, 'The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass'.

Family Day & Military Appreciation Day

September 12, 2026

Ram Stadium / Alumni Welcome Tables

A day for families and military appreciation featuring alumni welcome tables and a free gift for SUAA members.

Common Reading Program Fall Keynote and Performance

September 15, 2026

The Frank Arts Center

A keynote and performance featuring Nathan Richardson as part of the Common Reading Program.

Lectures and Libations Lecture Series

September 17, 2026

Shepherd University

An exploration of the history, memory, and meaning of 250 years of independence.

Shepherd University Hall of Fame Breakfast

September 19, 2026

Storer Ballroom, Student Center

Induction of the Class of 2026 into the Shepherd University Athletic Hall of Fame, including Chris Pratt, Erin Phelan Ziemba, Deante Steele, and Brantley Osborne.

President's Lecture Series: Politics, Trust, and The American Public

September 22, 2026

Shepherd University

A lecture featuring Hoppy Kercheval discussing politics and trust in the American public.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Shepherd University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

12 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

Boteler Hall

Room types: single

Dunlop Hall

Room types: double, triple

Lurry Hall

Room types: single

Martin Hall

Room types: suite

Miller Hall

Room types: suite

Moler Hall

Room types: single

Potomac Place

Room types: single, double

Printz Hall

Room types: double, triple

Shaw Hall

Room types: single

Thacher Hall

Room types: single

West Woods

Room types: suite

Yost Hall

Room types: single

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Public

Email Domain

@shepherdu.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

Plan your semester at Shepherd University

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