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Four students doing the iconic O-H-I-O in front of University Hall

Speak Like a Buckeye: Ohio State Terms and Abbreviations

New to Ohio State or just need a refresher? This guide translates the terms you will hear around campus. From colleges and buildings to student life departments and Buckeye traditions, you'll be able to speak like a true Buckeye in no time. 

Academic and Administrative Support Offices

These are academic-related offices that students may encounter.  

Colleges and Schools:
  • College of Dentistry
    • Student Information System Abbreviation: DEN
    • Division of Dental Hygiene
      • Student Information Systems Abbreviation: DHY
  • Moritz College of Law
    • Student Information System Abbreviation: LAW
      • Also Known As: Moritz, Moritz Law, The Law School
Ohio State Regional Campuses:
Support Services:

  • DLC – Dennis Learning Center  

  • COAM – Committee on Academic Misconduct  

  • CRCO – Civil Rights Compliance Office  

  • CSTW – Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing (The Writing Center)  

  • FYE – First Year Experience  

    • FYSS – First Year Success Series  

  • CSA – Council on Student Affairs  

  • H&S – Honors and Scholars  

  • OIA – Office of International Affairs  

  • OTDI – Office of Technology and Digital Innovation (a.k.a. IT)  

  • SIS – Student Information System, accessed via Buckeye Link.  

  • SFA – Student Financial Aid  

  • SLS – Student Legal Services  

  • TTM – Transportation and Traffic Management  

  • URCI – Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry 

Campus Buildings  

These are standalone buildings commonly referenced on campus.  

Dining:
Libraries:

  • 18th Ave - The 18th Avenue Library, located on 18th Avenue, is open 24 hours with your student ID

  • Thompson - Thompson Library is located on the West side of the Oval and is the largest library on campus with a variety of study spaces and support services.

Recreational Sports Facilities:

  • ARC – Adventure Recreation Center  

  • JON – Jesse Owens North Recreation Center  

  • JOS – Jesse Owens South Recreation Center  

  • NRC – North Recreation Center  

  • OAC – Outdoor Adventure Center  

  • RPAC – Recreation and Physical Activity Center  

Residence Halls:

  • Baker/Baker Hall - Baker Hall East/West Residence Halls

  • Brad Patt - Bradley/Patterson Residence Halls

  • Park-Strad - Park-Stradley Residence Hall

  • SMEEB - Smith-Steeb Residence Hall

  • The Towers - Morrill and Lincoln Towers located on the West side of campus near Ohio Stadium

  • TROT - The Residence on Tenth; also known as Res on Tenth

Other Campus Locations:

  • The Oval - The large green space in the middle of campus in the shape of an oval.

  • OSUMC/WMC – Ohio State University Medical Center/Wexner Medical Center  

    • The James - The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Sometimes used in reference to the hospital generally
    • Also Known As: Wexner, the hospital

  • The Schott – The Schottenstein Center  

  • The Shoe – Ohio Stadium  

  • The South Oval - The large green space on the south side of campus near the Ohio Union, Hale Hall, and Mirror Lake.

  • St. John's Arena and the French Field House - Multipurpose arenas that also provide practice areas for men's and women's track and field. Also used before home football games for Skull Session, a full music rehearsal for The Ohio State University's Marching Band.

  • The Timmy - Timashev Family Music Building

  • Union – Ohio Union  

  • USN – University Square North, home of the Office of Advancement.  

  • USS – University Square South, home of the Office of the President. 

  • The Wex - Wexner Center for the Arts

  • WOSU - Public media radio and TV station; member station of NPR and PBS. 

Office of  Student Life   

Departments/Units and Programs:

  • BC – Buckeye Commons  

    • SEE – Student Employment Experience  

  • BuckID – Student ID Office  

  • CCS – Counseling and Consultation Services  

  • HRE – Housing and Residence Education  

    • HD/AHD - Hall Director/Assistant Hall Director 

    • RA – Resident Advisor 

    • LLC – Living Learning Community   

    • OWL – Ohio State Welcome Leader  

  • KBK / CSLS – Keith B. Key Center for Student Leadership and Service   

  • LCE – Leadership and Community Engagement  

    • BIS – Buck-I-SERV  

    • BLF – Buckeye Leadership Fellows  

    • PIF – Pay It Forward  

  • OCCSE – Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement  

  • OUSA – Ohio Union and Student Activities  

    • DTIX –  Discount Ticket Program  

    • SIF – Student Involvement Fair  

  • PFR – Parent and Family Relations  

  • SFL – Sorority and Fraternity Life  

    • GPB – Greek Programming Board  

    • IFC – Interfraternity Council  

    • MGC – Multicultural Greek Council  

    • NPHC – National Pan-Hellenic Council  

    • PHA – Panhellenic Association  

  • SHS – Student Health Services  

    • SHI – Student Health Insurance  

  • SL – The Office of Student Life  

  • SLDS – Student Life Disability Services  

  • SLEC – Student Life Events and Conferences  

  • SLTS – Student Life Technology Services  

  • STEP – Second-Year Transformational Experience Program  

    • STEP PDC – Professional Development Co-Curriculars  

  • SWC – Student Wellness Center  

Large Student Organizations:

  • BT – BuckeyeThon  

  • OUAB – Ohio Union Activities Board  

  • RHAC – Residence Hall Advisory Council  

  • USG – Undergraduate Student Government  

  • IPC – Inter-Professional Council  

  • CGS – Council of Graduate Students  

General Know-How

Campus Terms:

These are campus facilities, services, transportation systems, and academic-related resources that students may encounter.  

  • CABS – Campus Area Bus Service  

    • Bus Routes: ACK (Ackerman), BE (Buckeye Express), CC (Campus Connector), CLS (Campus Loop South), MC (Medical Campus)

  • COTA – Central Ohio Transit Authority; Columbus Campus students ride for free with your student ID.

  • GE / GEN ED – General Education requirements  

  • GTA / GRA / GAA – Graduate Teaching/Research/Administrative Associate  

  • OSUPD – Ohio State University Police Division  

  • TA – Teaching Assistant  

  • OA – Office Assistant  

Campus Culture:

These phrases are commonly heard across campus and reflect Ohio State traditions, student culture, and shared language among Buckeyes.  

  • Carmen - our Alma Mater Song, "Carmen Ohio"; may also refer to the Carmen Canvas platform.

  • O-H / I-O – Ohio State call-and-response chant  

  • "On High" - Referring to businesses and events along North High Street, which marks the East side of campus.

  • Oval Beach - Referring to people utilizing the oval to lay out and tan when there is good weather.

    • Similarly, Siebert Beach refers to the large green space between the Siebert and Baker West residence halls along 12th avenue and 11th avenue.

  • "Rivalry Week" - Marks the week of Ohio State traditions and pride leading up to the football game against the University of Michigan. Some events during this week may include Buckeye Nation Week, the annual Blood Battle Competition, and the Student Alumni Council's Rivalry Rally.

  • TBDBITL – The Best Damn Band in the Land (Ohio State marching band)  

  • TTUN/TSUN – “That Team Up North/That State Up North” (University of Michigan/state of Michigan)  

  • "The Game" - Annual football game versus the University of Michigan


Heard something around campus that isn't listed here? Email us at SL-BuckeyeCommons@osu.edu for assistance with decyphering Ohio State terminology and help us keep this guide up to date!