Academic calendar
Autumn 2026 7-week Session 1 runs Aug 25, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Summer Term 2026
- Summer 2026 8-week Session 2
- Summer 2026 6-week Session 2
- Summer 2026 4-week Session 3
- Autumn 2026 7-week Session 1Relevant now
- Autumn First Session 2026
- Autumn 2026 First Session
- Autumn Semester 2026
- Autumn 2026 7-week Session 2
- Autumn 2026 Second SessionAutumn Second Session 2026
- Academic Winter Recess 2026
- Spring 2027 7-week Session 1
- Spring 2027 First SessionSpring First Session 2027
- Spring Semester 2027
- Spring 2027 7-week Session 2
- Spring 2027 Second SessionSpring Second Session 2027
- Summer 2027 4-week Session 1Summer 4-week Session 1 2027
- Summer 2027 6-week Session 1Summer 6-week Session 1 2027
- Summer 2027 8-week Session 1Summer 8-week Session 1 2027
- Summer Term 2027
- Summer 2027 4-week Session 2Summer 4-week Session 2 2027
- Summer 2027 8-week Session 2Summer 8-week Session 2 2027
- Summer 2027 6-week Session 2Summer 6-week Session 2 2027
- Summer 2027 4-week Session 3Summer 4-week Session 3 2027
- Autumn 2027 7-week Session 1
- Autumn First Session 2027
- Autumn 2027 First Session
- Autumn Semester 2027
- Autumn 2027 7-week Session 2
- Autumn 2027 Second SessionAutumn Second Session 2027
- Academic Winter Recess 2027
- Spring 2028 7-week Session 1
- Spring 2028 First SessionSpring First Session 2028
- Spring Semester 2028
- Spring 2028 7-week Session 2
- Spring 2028 Second SessionSpring Second Session 2028
- Summer 2028 4-week Session 1Summer 4-week Session 1 2028
- Summer 2028 6-week Session 1Summer 6-week Session 1 2028
- Summer 2028 8-week Session 1Summer 8-week Session 1 2028
- Summer Term 2028
- Summer 2028 4-week Session 2Summer 4-week Session 2 2028
- Summer 2028 8-week Session 2Summer 8-week Session 2 2028
- Summer 2028 6-week Session 2Summer 6-week Session 2 2028
- Summer 2028 4-week Session 3Summer 4-week Session 3 2028
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 66 of 66 terms
B
- Baker
- Baker Hall East and West, two connected residence halls on South Campus.
- Baker West
- Baker Hall West, often distinguished from its counterpart Baker Hall East.
- Block
- The tradition of off-campus pre-game parties held on Saturday mornings during football season.
- Block O
- The official student cheering section for Ohio State athletics, known for card stunts in the stadium.
- Buckeye
- The official nickname for Ohio State students, alumni, and the state tree.
- Buckeye Cash
- Funds loaded onto a student ID for use at campus and local vendors.
- BuckeyeID
- The official student identification card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- BuckeyeLink
- The central online portal for managing student finances, class registration, and academic records.
- Buckeyethon
- The university's largest student-run philanthropy, a 24-hour dance marathon for charity.
- BuckID
- The official university identification card used for building access, dining, and payments.
C
- Carmen
- The university's online learning management system (Canvas) used for all course materials.
- CG
- Connecting Grounds, a coffee shop and quick-service cafe located on North Campus.
- Connecting
- Connecting Grounds, a coffee shop and cafe located on North Campus.
- Connecting Grounds
- A popular coffee shop and grab-and-go location in the North Residential District.
- Curl
- Curl Market, a popular food court and marketplace on North Campus.
D
- D-Tix
- The Discount Ticket Program, which provides students with cheap tickets to movies, concerts, and local events.
- Drackett
- Drackett Tower, a prominent high-rise residence hall on North Campus.
- DT
- The Lantern, the student-run newspaper (often referred to by its staff or in historical contexts as the Daily Tower).
H
- High Street
- The main commercial thoroughfare bordering the east side of campus, home to bars and shops.
K
- K-C
- Kennedy Commons, the primary Traditions dining hall serving the South Campus residential area.
- K-Cen
- Kennedy Commons, the primary buffet-style dining hall for students living on South Campus.
- K-Comm
- Kennedy Commons, the main Traditions dining hall on South Campus.
- KComm
- Kennedy Commons, the primary buffet-style dining hall for students on South Campus.
- Kennedy
- Kennedy Commons, the main all-you-care-to-eat dining hall on South Campus.
L
- Lincoln
- Lincoln Tower, the other high-rise dorm on West Campus, often housing honors students.
M
- MCC
- Multicultural Center, located in the Ohio Union, providing programs and support for diverse student groups.
- Mirror Lake
- The historic lake on South Campus, a central landmark and gathering spot.
- Mirror Lake
- Mirror Lake Eatery, a dining location known for its chicken tenders.
- Mirror Lake Eatery
- A dining location near Mirror Lake known primarily for its chicken tenders.
- Mirror Lake Jump
- A former tradition of jumping into Mirror Lake before the Michigan game (now discontinued/modified).
- Morrill
- Morrill Tower, one of the two high-rise dorms known for its suite-style layout.
- MUNDO
- Multicultural Understanding through Non-traditional Discovery Opportunities, a student organization focused on service and diversity.
N
- North Campus
- A general reference to the cluster of newer residence halls located north of Woodruff Avenue.
- Nosker
- Nosker House, a residence hall on North Campus often associated with the nearby dining hall.
O
- O-H
- The first half of the university's signature cheer; the expected response is 'I-O'.
- O-H / I-O
- The traditional call-and-response cheer used by students, faculty, and alumni worldwide.
- OSUMB
- The Ohio State University Marching Band, famously known as 'The Best Damn Band in the Land' (TBDBITL).
- OUAB
- Ohio Union Activities Board, the primary student-led event programming body.
- Oxley's
- Oxley's by the Numbers, a sandwich and salad shop located near the North Oval.
P
- Park-Strad
- Park-Stradley Hall, a large combined residence hall on South Campus.
R
- RHAC
- Residence Halls Advisory Council, the student organization representing students living on campus.
- RPAC
- Recreation and Physical Activity Center, the primary campus gym and fitness facility.
S
- Scott
- Traditions at Scott, the largest buffet-style dining hall located on North Campus.
- Sloopy's
- Sloopy's Diner, a 1950s-style sit-down restaurant located in the Ohio Union.
- Sloopys
- Sloopy's Diner, a 1950s-style sit-down diner located in the Ohio Union.
- Smith-Steeb
- Smith-Steeb Hall, a combined residence hall located on the South Campus.
- South Oval
- The smaller grassy area south of the main Oval, near the Ohio Union.
- STEP
- Second-year Transformational Experience Program, a program for sophomores to receive faculty mentorship and funding.
T
- Taylor
- Taylor Tower, a high-rise residence hall on North Campus often associated with honors housing.
- THE
- The intentional emphasis on the word 'The' in 'The Ohio State University,' often used as a point of school pride.
- The 'Bus
- A common shorthand for Columbus, the city surrounding the university.
- The 'M' word
- Referring to Michigan; students often cross out the letter 'M' during rivalry week.
- The 'O'
- The Block O logo, or the physical gesture of forming an 'O' with arms during university cheers.
- The 'Shoe
- A common shorthand for Ohio Stadium.
- The 'THE'
- The intentional emphasis on the word 'The' in the university's official name.
- The Lantern
- The independent, student-run daily newspaper of The Ohio State University.
- The Long Walk
- The tradition of walking the straight paved path across the Oval from Thompson Library to College Road without stepping on the grass.
- The North End
- The residential and commercial area at the northern edge of campus.
- The Oval
- The large, central green space at the heart of campus used for studying and socializing.
- The Res
- The Res on Tenth, a residence hall located on South Campus near the medical center.
- The Res on 10th
- The Residence on Tenth, a specific dorm building located on 10th Avenue.
- The Seal
- The university seal in the rotunda of University Hall; student legend says walking over it brings bad luck.
- The Towers
- Morrill and Lincoln Towers, the two high-rise residence halls on the west side of campus.
- Traditions
- The three main all-you-care-to-eat dining commons: Scott, Kennedy, and Morrill.
- TTUN
- The Team Up North, a derogatory way to refer to the University of Michigan.
U
- USG
- Undergraduate Student Government, the representative body for the undergraduate student population.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- 18th Ave
- The 18th Avenue Library, a 24/7 study space formerly known as the Science and Engineering Library (SEL).
- 18th Avenue
- The 18th Avenue Library, a 24/7 study space formerly known as the SEL.
- berry_caf
- Berry Café
- Buckeye Alert
- The emergency notification system that sends texts and emails regarding campus safety or weather closures.
- Buckeye Cash
- A prepaid debit account on the BuckID that can be used at various campus locations and participating off-campus vendors.
- Buckeye Link
- The central online portal for financial aid, class registration, and student records.
- BuckeyeCash
- A debit-like account on the BuckID that can be used for laundry, printing, and at various off-campus vendors.
- BuckeyeLink
- The online portal for managing classes, financial aid, and personal records.
- BuckID
- The official student identification card used for building access and campus payments.
- BuckID Cash
- Funds loaded onto a student ID that can be used at various on-campus and participating off-campus vendors.
- CABS
- Campus Area Bus Service, the free shuttle system that transports students around campus.
- Carmen
- The online learning management system (Canvas) used for course materials and grades.
- CarmenCanvas
- The university's learning management system (Canvas) where students access course materials and grades.
- CBEC
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry Building, a modern research and classroom facility.
- COTA
- Central Ohio Transit Authority, the city bus system accessible for free with a BuckID.
- D-Tix
- The Discount Ticket Program, offering students reduced prices for local events, movies, and concerts.
- Dining Dollars
- A currency included in meal plans that can be used at any campus dining location with a discount.
- Dining Swipes
- The currency used in meal plans to access 'Traditions' buffet-style dining halls.
- Duo
- The two-factor authentication app required for logging into university accounts.
- espress_oh
- Espress-OH
- Fisher
- The complex of buildings comprising the Fisher College of Business.
- Grubhub
- The mobile app used for all on-campus dining orders and pick-ups.
- Handshake
- The official university platform for finding student jobs, internships, and career resources.
- Hitchcock
- Hitchcock Hall, the primary building for the College of Engineering administrative offices and classes.
- Lyft Ride Smart
- A university-sponsored program providing discounted Lyft rides to students during late-night hours within the campus area.
- RPAC
- The Recreation and Physical Activity Center, the university's primary fitness and gym facility.
- SafeRide
- A university-provided nighttime transportation service for students traveling on or near campus.
- SEL
- The 18th Avenue Library, still widely called the Science and Engineering Library by students.
- Swipe
- A meal plan credit used primarily for entry into 'Traditions' buffet-style dining halls.
- Swipes
- The currency used in the dining plan to enter buffet-style 'Traditions' locations.
- The MC
- The Student Life Multicultural Center located in the Ohio Union, providing various student support services.
- The RPAC
- Recreation and Physical Activity Center, the university's primary fitness facility.
- The Schott
- The Schottenstein Center, the arena used for basketball, hockey, and major concerts.
- The Shoe
- Ohio Stadium, the iconic horseshoe-shaped home of the Buckeye football team.
- The Union
- The Ohio Union, the central hub for student life, dining, and organizations.
- The Wex
- The Wexner Center for the Arts, the university's contemporary arts center.
- Thompson
- William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library, the main and largest library on campus.
- traditions_at_scott
- Traditions at Scott
- TripShot
- The mobile app used to track CABS bus locations and routes in real-time.
- union_market
- Union Market
- Waitlist
- The automated system for students to join a queue for enrollment in a full class.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Autumn 2026 7-week Session 1 runs Aug 25, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 66 approved campus terms and 41 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.