Decoding the Pride

A

• A&S. The College of Arts & Sciences.

• Academic Quad. Located in the center of campus, this a spacious crossroad between the main academic buildings. Not only is this the most walked upon path at Widener, but multiple events take place here, including the Involvement Fair and Homecoming Block Party.

• ASD. Admitted Students Day. A day for admitted students to visit campus, meet with faculty, staff, and current students, and learn more about their upcoming Widener experience.

• ASC 101. One of the first courses students must take. ACS 101 can be considered a “Thinking Through” course and explores a pressing question - an important and complex question without a simple answer. In the class, the instructor and students investigate their question from multiple perspectives, discovering as they go the different ways of thinking and knowing that will inform their college experience.

C

• CA. Commuter Assistant. Commuter students who run the Commuter Student Association. These students work in the Office of Student Engagement and are dedicated to commuter student engagement, focusing on programs, accessibility, and access for commuter students.

• The Caf. Short for the Pride Café, our main dining hall on campus. Open continuously from early morning to late at night, the Caf serves a variety of fresh foods, prepared right before your eyes, for all three meals.

• Campus1Card. Your student ID card and your ticket to enter buildings, including your residence hall. This card also carries your meal plan swipes, dining dollars, and Pride Bucks.

• CANVAS. Widener’s learning management software. Any course you are enrolled in will be linked to this site and contains all the important information relating to your classroom experience.

• CAPS. Counseling & Psychological Services. Provides short-term, developmentally appropriate counseling services to Widener students. Treatment is individually tailored to promote the health and well-being of the whole student to foster a sense of belonging and enhance academic success.

• CDD. Career Design & Development. Prepares students to embark on a successful and fulfilling career. Career advisors offer personalized support and empower students to connect their passions with meaningful work that supports their career and personal aspirations.

• Chester, Melrose & Legacy. AKA the Pride, our main symbols and mascots. Situated at the heart of campus in the form of statues, Chester is named after our home city; Melrose is named after the main road that runs through campus; and hiding in the back is Legacy, a baby lion that symbolizes an opportunity to leave your “paw print” at Widener.

• CHHS. The College of Health & Human Services.

• CREW. The Committee Responsible for Enhancing Widener. CREW is a highly-trained group of friendly, enthusiastic, and inspiring student leaders that are here to assist first years as they transition into the Pride community at Widener. First year students see the CREW on campus when they first arrive to campus for Summer Registration, all the way through August Orientation and beyond.

D

• Dining Dollars. The additional money that comes with your chosen meal plan. These funds can only be used at on-campus food service locations.

• Dixon Halls vs. Dixon Field

  a. Dixon Hall North and Dixon Hall South are residence halls located on Walnut Street across from Wolfgram Memorial Library and a short walk from the Kapelski and Kirkbride academic buildings.

  b. Edith R. Dixon Field is home to Widener’s field hockey and women's lacrosse squads. Equipped with artificial turf, lights, and a scoreboard, the field is easily accessible for fans and students.

F

• FSL. Fraternity & Sorority Life. As a section of the Office of Student Engagement (OSE), Fraternity & Sorority Life consists of values-based organizations that promote friendship, leadership, scholarship, and service. It is made up of 4 governing councils, 18 fraternities and sororities, and 1 national honor society.

G

• GET. A mobile app where students (and parents) can manage their campus card accounts, find places to eat and more. GET provides valuable information about account balances and spending history and enables you to report a lost or stolen card at any time.

• GCS. The Center for Graduate & Continuing Studies.

H

• HOCO. Homecoming is the time during the fall semester when we all cheer on the Pride, catch up with old friends, and re-live great memories. This week-long event is a chance to enjoy can't-miss experiences and feel the energy of past, present, and future alumni.

I

• Involvement Fair. Hosted by the Office of Student Engagement, the Involvement Fair occurs at the start of each semester and is one of the first opportunities on campus to learn how to get involved with different clubs and organizations. You can meet student leaders, make new friends, and have fun while doing it.

• ITS. The Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) provides 24/7/365 support for students, faculty, and staff.

K

• KLC vs. Kapelski Residence hall

  a. Kapelski Learning Center (KLC). An academic building on campus that primarily houses the College of Arts & Sciences. There’s a little bit of everything academic-related in this central building.

  b. Kapelski Hall. One of our many residence halls, it typically provides housing for about 100 first-year students on three co-ed floors and is mostly occupied by Nurses Educated Together Living Learning Community (LLC)

L

• Late Night Breakfast. This traditional event, hosted by the Residence Hall Association, happens at the end of every semester, typically on the last day of class. Students come together, eat, laugh, dance, and have a great time with friends in the Pride Cafe.

• The Lions’ Den. A convenience store located on the lower level of the University Center (UC) where you can stock up on snacks, drinks, prepared food items, and more!

• Lipka. Lipka Hall. This building on campus is the source of most, if not all, of your student administrative needs. It’s the place to learn about financial aid packages, enrollment services, and obtain your campus ID card. Lipka Hall is NOT a residence hall.

• LLC. Living Learning Community. These first-year themed residential communities offer students an opportunity to live and learn with peers who share the same passion, academic major, or lived experiences. Residents are provided with opportunities to grow and learn through participation in events, programs, academic study sessions, and networking events with faculty, staff, and invited leaders.

M

• Melrose Lounge. Located on the lower level of the University Center (UC), this space caters to commuter students. Affectionately known as "The Garage,'' Melrose Lounge is equipped with everything to make commuter students feel right at home: bean bag chairs, computers, microwaves, printer, white board, and large group workspaces.

• Memorial Field. Located behind the historic Old Main building, this large, grassy area is perfect for large events and student relaxation.

• Metro. Metropolitan Hall. One of our many residence halls and our largest suit-style residence hall on campus. Living spaces are more aligned with apartments than traditional student housing. Metro Hall also houses Student Health Services (SHS).

• MSA. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. This office is committed to fostering and enriching campus diversity by developing and implementing educational, cultural, and social programs that will assist Widener in the recruitment, orientation, retention, and graduation of multicultural and international students.

• Multicultural Lounge. Located on the lower level of the University Center, this space is open to all students. It’s a multipurpose area that allows for collaborative study and lounging. Various artifacts from multiple cultures from students in the Widener community are on display.

• myWidener. Your go-to website for access to your academics, financial information, and campus life. Got a question about Widener? Start your search there.

O

• ORL. Office of Residence Life. The office is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive residential community. Within Res Life, there are a variety of resources to support residents and address questions and concerns.

• OSE. Office of Student Engagement. This office seeks to empower and develop students through innovative learning opportunities, programs, and services designed to prepare students to lead, serve, and achieve their educational goals and reach their potential. Areas covered by this office include Recognized Student Organizations, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and the Student Government Association.

P

• PMP. The PRIDE Mentoring Program. This program provides ongoing support, mentoring, and guidance through individual and group workshops and personal development activities. The program is administered by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and is designed to improve the retention and graduation rates of students who participate in the program.

• Presence. A one-stop-shop for all things student engagement and involvement at Widener. Through this site, students can easily find information about campus departments and Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs).

• Pride Den. Located on the lower level of the University Center, it’s a hub of campus activity. Students can play billiards, ping pong or foosball, study with friends, or enjoy events. There is always something to do!

• Pride Ride. The Widener bus service operated through the Campus Safety Office.

• Pride Rec. Pride Recreation Center. A full-service fitness center available for all students. The center provides an inviting and motivating atmosphere that promotes better health. It also houses our athletic trainers and provides student-athletes with the opportunity to rehabilitate, condition, and train for competitions.

• PRIDE Bucks. A debit-like account linked to your student ID card. You can use your Pride Bucks to pay for meals at any eatery or food service location on campus, including UNO’s Pizzeria & Grill.

Q

• Quick – Quick Center vs. Quick Stadium

  a. Quick Center. An academic building that primarily houses the School of Business Administration (SBA).

  b. Quick Stadium. This stadium and field are home to Widener football, soccer, track & field & more. It seats more than 4,000 spectators.

• QuickTicket. A form linked to IT Service (ITS) Requests. If your laptop is acting up or if the Wi-Fi on campus isn’t working, you would need to fill out a QuickTicket form for IT Services.

R

• RA. Resident Assistant. A student leader based in Residence Life responsible for creating an inclusive housing environment, enforcing the rules of Widener’s residence halls, mediating conflicts among residential students, and leading residential activities.

• RSO. Recognized Student Organization. All undergraduate groups, clubs, or organizations that maintain recognition through the Office of Student Engagement. Recognized Student Organizations receive funding from the Student Government Association (SGA).

S

• SBA. The School of Business Administration.

• SHS. Student Health Services. This office provides confidential medical services, routine and diagnostic services, and referrals when needed for wellness, illness, and injury. And it’s free to see one of their highly qualified healthcare providers.

• SOE. The School of Engineering.

• SON. The School of Nursing

• Spring Fling. This is one of the last large events at Widener hosted by the Pride Activities Council, along with other clubs and organizations and campus partners. This traditional event ends the semester on a high note with inflatables, food, and a chance to decompress before finals.

• SURCA. Summer Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities. An annual summer program that offers a high-impact experience through faculty-mentored undergraduate research, collaborative engagement, and a student-faculty learning community. SURCA students present their work to the campus each fall.

U

• UC. University Center. The heart of student life at Widener with facilities such as the Pride Café, Post Office, Lion’s Den, food court featuring multiple restaurants, Multicultural Student Lounge, student engagement offices, and more.

W

• Welcome Back Bash. One of the first large events at Widener hosted by the Pride Activities Council, along with other clubs and organizations and campus partners. This traditional event kicks off the semester with inflatables, food, and a chance to mix and mingle for the first time on campus.

• Widener Day. A day for admitted, incoming, and prospective undergraduate students to learn more about Widener through engaging with faculty, staff, and current students in information sessions, campus tours, one-on-one meetings, and academic panels.