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FIU Lingo

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Around FIU, we have a few words or phrases that you’ll hear quite often. You might even hear your student repeating many of them to you. Here are a few used commonly around the campus and brief definitions of each.

TermDefinition
Academic Advisor A faculty or professional staff member assigned to advise students individually in exploring academic options, selecting courses, setting goals, and preparing academically for the semester.
The Beacon The student-run newspaper, distributed three times each week on campus and accessible online at fiusm.com.
BBC Acronym for the Biscayne Bay Campus – often called the South Campus - and located at 3000 N.E. 151st Street North Miami, Florida 33181..
Bright Futures Florida state scholarships given to Florida residents who qualify for the award.
Broward Pines Center One of the four FIU campuses located in Broward.
The Cage The nickname for the football stadium.
Campus Life Campus Life houses much of the information about how students can get involved in a variety of extracurricular activities and organizations, designed to enhance a student’s college experience. Campus Life provides a wide array of services and features of interest, including Academics, Athletics, Entertainment, Student Services, and Clubs & Organizations.
CLAS Acronym for the College-Level Academic Skills - is part of Florida’s system of education accountability that satisfies the mandates of Section 229.551 Florida Statutes. The CLAS is an achievement test that measures students’ attainment of the college-level communication and mathematics skills that were identified by the faculties of community colleges and state universities. Students can find information about how to satisfy the CLAS through the Center for Academic Success.
CLEP Acronym for the College-Level Examination Program® - provides students of any age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. Students may choose to take exams in a variety of subjects through CLEP that would satisfy academic requirements in a number of classes. There are 2,900 colleges, including FIU, that grant credit and/or advanced standing for CLEP exams. More information is available through the Center for Academic Success.
Commencement Official Florida International University graduation ceremony.
Engineering Center College of Engineering and Computing campus located at 10555 West Flagler Street Miami, Florida 33174.
Fall Semester The semester of classes beginning in August and continuing through December.
Freshmen Convocation Freshmen Convocation is the traditional official welcoming ceremony of freshmen to the University Community by the President, Provost and faculty and staff. It is designed as an opportunity to convey to students the significance of their educational endeavor and the commitment of the university to support them in the achievement of this goal - within the classroom and without! It is also a celebration of university life and the traditions of Florida International University.
GA Acronym for Graduate Assistant - is a graduate student at FIU who is working part-time as a professional staff member in a variety of campus offices as a part of their academic program.
GC Acronym for The Graham Center – the hub of student life and activity, located at the Modesto Maidique Campus.
Golden Panthers Pledge of Honor The FIU athletics fan code of conduct, created by the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution to encourage students to promote good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators.
Grade Point Average (GPA) A grading system used to determine a student’s status, based on the grades the students receive in individual courses and calculated with the number of college credits for each individual course. Each letter grade a student can receive is given a preset number of quality points, which are multiplied by the number of credits in each individual course. All of these points are added together and divided by the number of total credits a student has accumulated during a student’s academic progress throughout their time of study, giving them their Cumulative (overall) GPA.
GreenRide Florida International University’s web-based carpool program, designed to link students, faculty, and staff members with others who might be interested in carpooling to and from campus. FIU’s GreenRide Carpool Program is a part of FIU’s Go Green initiatives. It also benefits members of the FIU community by providing close proximity parking for carpoolers. In order to use this privileged parking, a GreenRide decal must be obtained and properly displayed. For more information on Florida International University’s GreenRide Carpool Program, please visit: https://www.fiu.greenride.com
ISSS Acronym for International Student and Scholar Services. The office is located in GC 355, they assist international students with their needs such as insurance, financial aid, etc.
Kissing Bridge The bridge by the turtle lakes at MMC. It is said that when couples kiss on the bridge, they will stay together forever.
MMC Modesto Maidique Campus- often called the South Campus - is the main campus of FIU, located at 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami, Florida 33199.
MyFIU Also called PantherSoft, students use this web site to register for classes, access their financial aid, request for transcripts, apply for graduation, etc., found at: http://my.fiu.edu
Panther Camp A three-day leadership, involvement, and traditions camp for incoming first-year students.
Panther Parent Nickname for a member of the Panther Parents Association – a dues-based organization designed to provide parents and family members with specific resources, and all of the membership benefits of the Alumni Association.
Panther Square The open area by the bookstore in the Wolfe University Center at the BBC campus where activities, events, and campus traditions are often held.
Panthersoft See MyFIU
PA/Peer Advisors A group of students specially selected to help incoming new students adjust to college during Orientation.
PID Acronym for Panther ID number – a seven-digit number assigned to each student that they use to access their records online, register for classes, etc.
The Pit The Pit area by the food court in the Graham Center at the UP campus where activities, events, and campus traditions are often held.
Resource Guide/Panther Preview The guide distributed at Orientation to students, parents, and guests providing great information about the university.
RA Acronym for Resident Assistant – a student who has had special training and lives on a residence hall floor to assist students with anything they may need while also planning events and educational activities for the students on the floor.
Roary FIU’s official mascot, a Golden Panther.
The Seal Official FIU landmark – it is rumored that if students walk across the seal, they will not make it to graduation!
Semester GPA A student’s Grade Point Average of the current semester.
SGA Acronym for Student Government Association – the governing body of the student body at Florida International University.
SLS Common term for SLS 1501: the First-Year Experience – a one-credit First Year Experience course required for incoming freshmen. This course serves as an extension to Orientation. “SLS 1501 introduces students to the university and promotes and supports academic, intellectual, personal, and social growth and success.”
Spring Semester The term of classes beginning in January and continuing through April.
Summer A Semester A shortened version of the Summer C Semester, taking place during the first six weeks of the summer term.
Summer B Semester A shortened version of the Summer C Semester, taking place during the last six weeks of the summer term.
Summer C Semester The entire summer term of classes beginning in May and continuing through August.
Student Handbook Free academic agendas with calendar, information regarding policies, student conducts, phone numbers, etc., distributed to new students at Orientation, and to returning students at the Ask Me tables during the first two days of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters.
TA Acronym for Teacher’s Assistant – a student who assists a faculty member with classroom responsibilities.
Trail of the Torch The annual FIU tradition where students gather at the FIU football stadium and walk together to the center of campus to light the Torch of Knowledge, Service and Understanding.
Transfer Student A student transferring from another university or college to FIU to continue their studies.
UCC Acronym for University Core Curriculum. The UCC encompasses FIU’s general education program. The UCC provides the broad, well-defined curriculum that helps graduates to think, organize, and make decisions.
Week of Welcome The first week of the fall and spring semesters where events and activities are planned to help connect students to the university community.
WUC Acronym for the Wolfe University Center – the hub of student life and activity, located at the Biscayne Bay Campus.
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