Academic calendar
Fall 2026 First 8 Weeks runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 16, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Summer 2026 Full Term
- Summer 2026 Second 5 Weeks
- Fall 2026 First 3 Weeks
- Fall 2026 First 8 WeeksRelevant now
- Fall 2026 Full Term
- Fall 2026 Second 3 Weeks
- Fall 2026 Second 8 Weeks
- Winter 2026-2027 Three Week Mini-Session
- Winter 2026 Three Week Mini-Session
- Winter Intersession 2026-2027 (Three Week Mini-Session)
- Winter 2026-2027 3 Week Intersession
- Winter 2027 Three Week Mini-Session
- Spring 2027 First 3 Weeks
- Spring 2027 First 8 Weeks
- Spring 2027 Full Term
- Spring 2027 Second 3 Weeks
- Spring 2027 Second 8 Weeks
- May 2027 Three Week Mini-SessionSummer 2027 Three Week Mini-Session
- Summer 2027 3-Week Intersession
- Summer 2027 Study Abroad 4 Weeks Early Start
- Summer 2027 Study Abroad 6 Weeks Early Start
- Summer 2027 First 3 Weeks
- Summer 2027 First 4 WeeksSummer 2027 First 4 Weeks (Sum I)Summer 2027 First 4 Weeks (Summer I)Summer 2027 Session I - First 4 Weeks
- Summer 2027 Session I - First 5 Weeks
- Summer 2027 First 5 WeeksSummer 2027 First 5 Weeks (Summer I)
- Summer 2027 First 8 Weeks
- Summer 2027 Ten Week Session
- Summer 2027 10 WeeksSummer 2027 10 Weeks (AOP)Summer 2027 10-Week SessionSummer 2027 Full Term
- Summer 2027 First 4 Weeks (Session I)
- Summer 2027 First 5 Weeks (Session I)Summer 2027 First 5 Weeks (Sum I)
- Summer 2027 Second 4 WeeksSummer 2027 Second 4 Weeks (Session I)Summer 2027 Second 4 Weeks (Summer I)
- Summer 2027 Second 4 Weeks (Sum I)
- Summer 2027 Second 3 Weeks
- Summer 2027 Third 4 Weeks (Summer II)
- Summer 2027 Third 3 Weeks
- Summer 2027 Third 3 Weeks (Summer II)
- Summer 2027 Session II - Third 4 WeeksSummer 2027 Third 4 Weeks
- Summer 2027 Session II - Second 5 Weeks
- Summer 2027 Second 5 Weeks (Session II)
- Summer 2027 Second 5 Weeks (Summer II)
- Summer 2027 Fourth 4 Weeks (Summer II)
- Summer 2027 Second 5 Weeks
- Summer 2027 Second 5 Weeks (Sum II)
- Summer 2027 Third 4 Weeks (Sum II)
- Summer 2027 Fourth 3 Weeks
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 26 of 26 terms
A
- ASG
- Associated Student Government, the official representative body for the Texas State student population.
B
- BV
- Bobcat Village, the university-owned apartment complex located near the athletic fields.
C
- Commons
- Commons Dining Hall, the dining facility located near the center of campus and the LBJ Student Center.
E
- Eat 'em up
- The signature Bobcat hand sign (a claw) and rallying cry used at games and events.
F
- Falls/Sayers
- A common pairing referring to the adjacent Falls Hall and Sayers Hall.
- Fighting Stallions
- The large horse statue in the Quad, frequently used as a landmark for meeting up with friends.
- Frisbee Dan
- A local San Marcos legend frequently seen performing frisbee tricks at Sewell Park.
- FSL
- Fraternity and Sorority Life, the office overseeing Greek letter organizations.
H
- Harris
- Harris Dining Hall, the primary dining facility located on the west side of campus.
J
- Jones
- Jones Dining Center, a food-court style dining facility known for its variety of retail options.
K
- KTSW
- The student-run radio station (89.9 FM) providing music, news, and sports coverage.
M
- Meal Trades
- A dining plan feature allowing students to use a meal swipe for a specific combo meal at retail locations like Chick-fil-A or Panda Express.
R
- RHA
- Residence Hall Association, the organization representing students living in on-campus housing.
S
- SACA
- Student Association for Campus Activities, the primary organization responsible for planning major campus events like concerts and movies.
- San Jac
- San Jacinto Hall, a large residence hall located near the Bobcat Stadium.
- Scary Sterry
- Sterry Hall, a centrally located residence hall often joked about by students for its older architecture and layout.
- Sewell
- Sewell Park, the university-owned park on the San Marcos River where students swim and sunbathe.
- Stairmaster University
- A common student nickname for the campus due to its steep hills and excessive number of stairs.
- Stupid Hill
- The steep incline leading up to the Alkek Library and Old Main that students must climb daily.
T
- The Den
- The Den Food Court, a retail dining location featuring various fast-food brands.
- The Hill
- The residential area on the west side of campus that includes halls like Beretta, Brogdon, and Retama.
- The River
- The San Marcos River, which runs through campus and serves as a major social and recreational spot for students.
- The Square
- The downtown San Marcos area adjacent to campus, famous for its nightlife, bars, and local shops.
- The Stairs
- A general reference to the many steep outdoor staircases required to navigate the hilly campus.
- The Tower
- San Marcos Hall, a high-rise residence hall known for its height and central location.
U
- UPD
- University Police Department, the campus law enforcement agency.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Alkek
- The Albert B. Alkek Library, the main university library and a primary study hub.
- Bobcat Buck$
- A prepaid account on the Bobcat Card used for on-campus purchases and some off-campus vendors.
- Bobcat Card
- The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- Bobcat Shuttle
- The university's bus system that transports students between campus, off-campus apartments, and stadium parking.
- Canvas
- The learning management system where professors post course materials, assignments, and grades.
- CatsWeb
- The online student portal used for registering for classes, checking grades, and managing financial aid.
- JCK
- The J.C. Kellam Administration Building, where financial aid and admissions offices are located.
- LBJ
- The LBJ Student Center, the hub for student organizations, dining, and the campus bookstore.
- Meal Trades
- A feature of meal plans allowing students to use a dining hall swipe for a credit at retail food locations.
- NetID
- The unique username assigned to every student for logging into university computers, email, and Canvas.
- Old Main
- The historic red-roofed building that serves as the iconic symbol of the university.
- The Quad
- The main pedestrian thoroughfare of campus where student organizations table and hold events.
- The Rec
- The Student Recreation Center, featuring gyms, weights, and indoor climbing.
- UAC
- The Undergraduate Academic Center, a major classroom building housing various departments and advising offices.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall 2026 First 8 Weeks runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 16, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 26 approved campus terms and 14 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.