Academic calendar
Fall 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall 2026Relevant now
Campus language
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Showing 85 of 85 terms
1
- 1886
- The founding year of the university, frequently used in student branding and social media hashtags.
B
- B.R.A.V.E.
- Building Resistance Against Violence Engagement, a campus initiative for violence prevention.
- Bonus Points
- Dining currency included with meal plans that can be spent at on-campus food retail locations.
- BRAVE
- Building Resistance Against Violence Engagement, a project focused on raising awareness about dating and domestic violence.
- BRB
- The 'Be Right Back' food truck, typically found in the parking lot of the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center.
C
- CAAS
- Center for Access and Academic Success, which provides holistic learning support and advising.
- CAB
- Campus Activities Board, the student-led organization responsible for planning major campus events.
- Chick-fil-A
- The express Chick-fil-A location found in the Student Services Center food court.
- City Market
- The City Market Eatery, the primary dining and food court location on campus.
- Court Plaza
- A residence hall primarily for freshman males.
D
- Darty
- A 'Day Party,' frequently held at the UMES Greek Plots during major events like Homecoming.
- Dining Dollars
- Funds included with meal plans specifically for use at on-campus retail dining locations.
F
- Facta, Non Verba
- The university motto, Latin for 'Deeds, Not Words,' frequently cited in official and student contexts.
H
- Harford
- Harford Hall, a campus residence hall.
- Hawk Card
- The official student ID used for meal plans, building access, and 'Dining Dollars'.
- Hawk Express
- A declining balance account on the HawkCard used for dining, vending, and bookstore purchases.
- Hawk Hysteria
- The annual high-energy event marking the start of the basketball season.
- Hawk Pride
- The official motto and expression of school spirit and identity for the UMES community.
- Hawk Run
- An upperclassman housing community (Urban Living).
- Hawk's Landing
- A popular student housing complex often referred to simply as 'The Landing' or 'The Hawks'.
- Hawkcoming
- The university's specific name for its Homecoming week celebrations.
- Hawks
- The official mascot and collective name for UMES students.
- Hawks Landing
- An off-campus apartment complex frequently used by students and often referred to simply as Hawks.
- Hawks Nest
- The food court area in the Student Services Center housing retail options like Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
- Hawkspitality
- A campus-wide initiative and culture focused on hospitality and student success.
- Hawkville
- The student nickname and official name for the online housing portal.
- HBCU
- Historically Black College or University, a term used with pride to describe the institution's heritage.
J
- Jazzman's
- The coffee shop and cafe located within the Frederick Douglass Library.
M
- MANRRS
- Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.
- Meal Exchange
- A meal plan feature allowing students to use a dining hall swipe for a meal at retail locations.
- MEN
- Men of Excellence Network, a student organization focused on male leadership and academic success.
- MENES
- Men of Excellence, Nobility, and Education, a prominent student leadership and service organization.
- Milk & Honey
- A dining location on the second floor of the Student Services Center known for its specialized menu items.
- MSA
- Muslim Student Association.
- Murphy
- Murphy Hall, a campus residence hall.
N
- NABA
- National Association of Black Accountants.
- Nance
- Nance Hall, one of the traditional-style residence halls on campus.
- NCNW
- National Council of Negro Women.
- NPHC
- National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body for the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations.
- NSBE
- National Society of Black Engineers.
O
- OIE
- Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, which handles Title IX and equity issues.
- OSRP
- Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, which assists with grants and research proposals.
P
- Papa Hytche
- An affectionate nickname for former long-time president William P. Hytche.
- Plaza
- University Plaza, an apartment-style residence hall often favored by upperclassmen.
- Plum Blossom
- Plum Blossom Apartments, a specific residential area for upperclassmen.
- Princess Anne
- The local town surrounding the campus, often used to refer to the immediate off-campus environment.
S
- SAB
- Student Activities Board, the group responsible for planning campus events like homecoming and concerts.
- SEAL
- The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, which oversees campus organizations.
- SGA
- Student Government Association, the primary representative body for the student population.
- Somerset
- Somerset Hall, a campus residence hall.
- SRC
- Student Residential Complex, a major on-campus housing suite for upperclassmen.
T
- The Apartments
- The Student Apartments, typically referring to the upperclassman housing units.
- The C-Store
- The on-campus convenience store for snacks, drinks, and basic groceries.
- The Caf
- The main dining hall located in the Student Center, managed by Thompson Hospitality.
- The Clusters
- Cluster Apartments, a specific residential area on the UMES campus.
- The Courtyard
- Commonly used to refer to the outdoor area between the residential halls where students congregate.
- The Courtyards
- University Courtyards, the apartment-style housing complex located on the edge of campus.
- The Den
- The retail food court area in the Student Center featuring quick-service dining options.
- The Dining Experience
- The primary dining hall located within the Student Services Center.
- The Food Court
- The retail dining area located in the Student Services Center (SSC) featuring various fast-food options.
- The Galley
- The campus convenience store and late-night snack spot located in the Student Services Center.
- The Hawk's Nest
- The retail food court area in the Student Services Center featuring various fast-food options.
- The Hawks
- Shorthand for Hawk's Landing, the university's apartment complex for upperclassmen.
- The Henson
- The Richard Henson Center, which contains dining facilities and the hotel/restaurant management program.
- The Hytche
- The common nickname for the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
- The Landing
- Hawk's Landing, a modern apartment-style residential complex for students.
- The Nest
- A nickname for the Hytche Athletic Center or the campus as a whole.
- The Nest
- Hawk's Nest, the retail dining area in the Student Center featuring quick-service food options.
- The Oval
- The Academic Oval, the ancestral heart and central quad of the UMES campus.
- The Oval
- The historic Academic Oval, which serves as the central residential and academic hub of the campus.
- The Plaza
- Plaza Apartments, a residential complex typically housing upperclassmen.
- The Rub
- A retail food outlet located within the Student Services Center.
- The Shore
- The most common shorthand name used by students to refer to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
- The Shore
- A retail dining location situated in the Aviation Building.
- The SSC
- The Student Services Center, which houses the main campus dining facilities.
- The Student Center
- Commonly used to refer to the food court area in the Student Services Center.
- The Terrace
- University Terrace, a student housing complex.
- The Towers
- Harford and Murphy Halls, the high-rise residence buildings that are the tallest on campus.
- The Yard
- The central outdoor gathering space on campus, particularly the area between the Student Center and the Library.
- Thompson
- Thompson Hospitality, the third-party provider that manages all campus dining services.
U
- U.T.
- University Terrace, a suite-style residential community primarily for freshman female students.
- UMES Ambassadors
- Student representatives who provide campus tours and assist with recruitment events.
- University Terrace
- A residential facility located on College Backbone Road.
- UT
- University Terrace, an apartment-style residence hall located on the edge of campus.
W
- Wicomico
- Wicomico Hall, a traditional-style dormitory.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- ATC
- Arts and Technology Center (Thomas/Briggs), used for fine arts and tech classes.
- Backbone
- College Backbone Road, the main thoroughfare and access point for the UMES campus.
- Bonus Points
- Declining balance funds attached to meal plans that can be used at on-campus retail dining locations.
- Canvas
- The digital learning management system where professors post syllabi, assignments, and grades.
- CARV
- Carver Hall, the George Washington Carver Science Building.
- Carver
- The George Washington Carver Science Building.
- Douglass
- Frederick Douglass Library, the primary academic library on campus.
- E-Accounts
- The online management system for adding funds to a Hawk Card or checking meal plan balances.
- EACMS
- The Engineering, Aviation, Computer and Mathematical Sciences Building, a major academic complex opened in 2016.
- EAS
- The Engineering and Aviation Science Complex, housing high-tech labs and flight simulators.
- Ella
- The Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts, used for concerts and major ceremonies.
- EPE
- The English Proficiency Examination, a mandatory written proficiency test required for graduation.
- Facta Non Verba
- The university motto ('Deeds, Not Words'), often cited in formal ceremonies and campus literature.
- Greek Plots
- Designated outdoor areas on campus assigned to specific fraternities and sororities for social gatherings.
- Hawk Alert
- The emergency notification system used to broadcast safety warnings and weather-related closures.
- Hawk Card
- The official multi-purpose student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- Hawk Center
- The service desk located in the Student Services Center that manages ID cards and student accounts.
- Hawk Copy Center
- The campus facility for printing, copying, and document services, accepting only Hawk Card payments.
- Hawk Express
- A debit-based flexible spending account linked to the Hawk Card for making campus purchases.
- Hawk Vending
- Campus vending machines that allow students to pay using their Hawk Card balance.
- Hawk's Nest
- The online student portal used for checking grades, financial aid, and course registration.
- HawkCard
- The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
- Hawkmat
- The card-operated laundry facilities located within campus residential buildings.
- HawkWeb
- The online student portal used for accessing email, class rosters, and attendance tracking.
- Hazel
- Hazel Hall, which houses the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.
- Hazel Hall
- An academic building housing various departments on the south side of campus.
- J.T. Williams
- The J.T. Williams Hall, which houses the university's main administrative and executive offices.
- Kiah
- Kiah Hall, the main building for the School of Education, Social Sciences, and The Arts.
- Kiah Hall
- An academic building located on University Boulevard South.
- Late Shift
- A common term for late-night campus events, such as the 'SSC Takeover' during Homecoming.
- LIBR
- The Frederick Douglass Library.
- milk_honey
- Milk & Honey
- Murphy Hall
- A historic building on the Academic Oval, formerly a women's dormitory.
- MyUMES
- The central online portal for students to access grades, schedules, and financial information.
- OneWeb
- The online management system for HawkCard accounts and photo uploads.
- PaperCut
- The university's student printing management system.
- RHC
- Richard Henson Center, which includes the campus hotel and conference facilities.
- SDC
- Student Development Center, housing various student support offices.
- Shore Transit
- The regional public bus system that connects the UMES campus to the nearby city of Salisbury.
- Somerset Hall
- A historic building on the Academic Oval, formerly a men's dormitory.
- SSC
- Student Services Center, the focal point of student life and administrative services.
- starbucks
- Starbucks
- Tanner
- The Henry Tanner Airway Science Center.
- TANR
- Tanner Airway Science Center, the hub for aviation and airway science programs.
- TAWE
- Tawes Building, which houses the gymnasium and other athletic facilities.
- Tawes
- Tawes Hall, an administrative and academic building.
- The Douglass
- The Frederick Douglass Library, the primary academic research facility on campus.
- The Hawk Center
- The service desk located in the SSC for ID card issues, check cashing, and Greyhound tickets.
- The Henson
- The Richard A. Henson Center, a major academic building and hotel/conference facility.
- The Hytche
- William P. Hytche Athletic Center, the main gymnasium and arena for sports and large assemblies.
- The Lib
- The Frederick Douglass Library, the main academic resource and study building.
- The Library
- The Frederick Douglass Library.
- The Loop
- The primary perimeter road and walking path that circles the core academic and residential campus.
- The PAC
- The Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center.
- The SDC
- Student Development Center, which houses counseling services and career development.
- The Shuttle
- The campus transit service that moves students between residential areas and academic buildings.
- The SSC
- Student Services Center, the central hub for administrative offices, financial aid, and student life.
- the_rub
- The Rub
- the_shore
- The Shore
- Tidewater
- Tidewater Hall, a key academic building housing various departments and classrooms.
- Trigg
- Trigg Hall, the main administrative building housing the Office of the President.
- tropical_smoothie_cafe
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- UMES Alert
- The emergency notification system that sends text and email updates regarding campus safety or closures.
- UMES Alerts
- The emergency notification system that sends texts and emails regarding campus closures or safety.
- Waters
- Waters Hall, the building housing the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences.
- WPHC
- William P. Hytche Athletic Center, the arena for basketball and volleyball games.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 85 approved campus terms and 66 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.