Academic calendar
Fall 2026 runs Aug 19, 2026 – Dec 11, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- 2025-26 Academic Calendar
- Summer 2026
- Fall 2026Relevant now
- Winter 2027
- Spring 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 36 of 36 terms
A
- ACE
- Asian Coalition for Equality, a student group dedicated to Asian American education and activism.
- ASWU
- Associated Students of Willamette University, the student government body.
B
- Baxter
- Baxter Hall, a residence hall that is part of the 'Westside' housing area.
- Belknap
- Belknap Hall, a residence hall known for its proximity to the science buildings.
- Blitz
- Blitz Market, a convenience store and grab-and-go dining option located in the University Center.
- BSU
- Black Student Union, a student organization focused on supporting Black students and culture.
C
- Cas
- Cascadia House, a smaller residential community on campus.
D
- Doney
- Doney Hall, a historic residence hall located on the north side of campus.
- Duck
- The act of jumping into the Mill Race, often a tradition for birthdays or celebrations.
F
- Flex
- Flex Dollars, the declining balance currency included in student meal plans for use at retail dining locations.
G
- Goudy
- Goudy Commons, the primary all-you-care-to-eat dining hall on campus.
K
- Kaneko
- Kaneko Commons, a residential complex located across 12th Street from the main campus.
L
- Lausanne
- Lausanne Hall, a residence hall primarily housing upperclassmen and some first-year students.
M
- Matthews
- Matthews Hall, a residence hall that also houses the Writing Center and International Education offices.
O
- OAP
- Outdoor Program, which organizes student-led trips and provides outdoor gear rentals.
R
- Rick's
- Rick's Cafe, a dining outlet located within the Willamette University College of Law.
S
- SAR
- Sexual Assault Resources, a student-led advocacy and support group.
- Shep
- Shepard Hall, a smaller residential community on campus.
- SOAR
- Student Organizations and Activities Resources, the hub for campus clubs and leadership.
- SRC
- Sparks Recreation Center, the main campus gym and fitness facility.
- Star Trees
- A grove of giant sequoia trees on the north side of campus planted in the shape of a five-pointed star.
T
- Terra
- Terra House, the university's sustainability-themed co-op housing.
- The Bistro
- The Student-run Bistro, a popular cafe in the University Center known for coffee and cookies.
- The Bistro Cookie
- A specific, locally famous oversized cookie sold at the student-run Bistro.
- The Blitz
- Blitz Market, a convenience store and cafe located in the Kaneko Commons complex.
- The Bubble
- The 'Willamette Bubble,' referring to the feeling of being isolated from the outside world while on campus.
- The Collegian
- The long-running student-operated newspaper of Willamette University.
- The Mill
- The Mill Race, the stream that runs through the center of campus where students often sit or 'duck' (jump in).
- The Mill Stream
- The scenic stream (Mill Race) that runs through the center of campus, often used for relaxation or 'Mill Stream' traditions.
- The Quad
- The central grassy lawn between the library, Eaton Hall, and Smullin Hall.
- The Star
- The Compass Rose mosaic in the center of campus, a common landmark for meeting up.
U
- U-Apts
- The University Apartments, typically housing upperclassmen.
W
- WEB
- Willamette Events Board, the student organization responsible for planning campus-wide social events.
- WEMS
- Willamette Emergency Medical Services, a student-run volunteer first responder group.
- Willamette, dammit!
- A common phrase used by students and alumni to teach the correct pronunciation of the university's name (rhymes with 'it').
- WITS
- Willamette Information Technology Services, the campus IT department and help desk.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- blitz_market
- Blitz Market
- Campus Safety
- The department responsible for 24/7 security, escorts, and emergency response on campus.
- Cherriots
- The Salem area public transit system; students can purchase discounted bus passes at the Campus Safety office.
- Compass Card
- The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library checkout.
- Compass Week
- The specific orientation program for MBA students at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management.
- Eaton
- Eaton Hall, the historic main administrative building housing humanities departments.
- Flex
- Flex Dollars, a declining balance currency included in meal plans for use at the Bistro and Blitz.
- Flex Dollars
- Dining currency included with meal plans that can be used at Goudy, The Bistro, Blitz Market, and Rick's.
- Ford
- Ford Hall, the academic building housing Media Studies, Computer Science, and Rhetoric.
- goudy_commons
- Goudy Commons
- Hatfield
- Mark O. Hatfield Library, the main university library.
- kaneko_commons
- Kaneko Commons
- Meal Points
- The currency used specifically for entry into Goudy Commons dining hall.
- Olin
- Olin Science Center, part of the science complex housing physics and biology labs.
- Opening Days
- The university's multi-day orientation program for incoming first-year and transfer students.
- PNCA Shuttle
- The shuttle service providing transportation between the Salem campus and the Portland campus (PNCA).
- rick_s_cafe
- Rick's Cafe
- Smullin
- Smullin Hall, an academic building primarily used for social science classes.
- Sparks
- Lestle J. Sparks Athletic Center, the main campus gym and athletic facility.
- The 12th Street Crossing
- The designated pedestrian crossing area between the main campus and Kaneko/the Law School.
- The Shuttle
- The inter-campus shuttle providing transportation between the Salem campus and the PNCA campus in Portland.
- The UC
- Putnam University Center, the central hub for student services, the Bistro, and the mailroom.
- the_bistro
- The Bistro
- Waller
- Waller Hall, the oldest building on campus, housing administrative offices and the university chapel.
- WITS
- Willamette Information Technology Services, the campus help desk for all tech and internet issues.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall 2026 runs Aug 19, 2026 – Dec 11, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 36 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.