Members of the Calvin community often make use of acronyms, phrases, and other references that first-year students or parents might not be familiar with. Here are a few "glossary” definitions to help you translate what you might be hearing Calvin students and staff members talk about.

AC: Activity Coordinator, a student volunteer who assists the RA in planning social activities for the residents

Academic Advising Days: Two days each semester (during October and April) are set aside for academic advising. Classes do not meet on these days. (Some mistakenly refer to advising days as Reading Recess, a day which is set aside for reading and study on the day prior to exams).

BB: Boer-Bennink residence hall

BHT: Bolt-Heyns-Timmer residence hall

Bluebook: A blank booklet (with a blue cover) often used for exams; these can be purchased in the Campus Store at a nominal cost

BV: Beets-Veenstra residence hall

Campus Safety Report: A Web resource that keeps the Calvin community informed of recent safety-related incidents occurring on campus.

CLC: Community Life Council, the entire student leadership within the residence halls.

CD: Cultural Discerner, a student volunteer within the dorms who plans student activities in cooperation with Ken Heffner in the Student Activities Office.

CJ: Community "John." In addition to the bathrooms located in each residence hall suite, each dorm floor also features a community bathroom which is located next to the coffee kitchen.

Core Curriculum: Classes that each student takes while at Calvin, regardless of his/her major

Course Catalog: A booklet that lists the classes offered by each department and outlines the requirements for all the available majors/minors at Calvin. The Calvin College catalog is also available online.

CPC: Community Partnership Coordinator, a student within the dorms who plans service projects in cooperation with the SLC

CRC: Common abbreviation for the Christian Reformed Church, the evangelical denomination that founded and owns Calvin College

Credit Hour: An hour of class; for example, a class that meets three times a week for an hour will earn three credit hours for that semester

CTC: Calvin Theatre Company

DCM: Developing a Christian Mind, a first-year core course, typically taken during the January Interim, that introduces students to the central intellectual project of Calvin College, the development of a Christian worldview, and a faith-based engagement with culture.

Dormulator: The Dormulator is an interactive Web resource that allows students to configure various furniture arrangements for their residence hall room BEFORE they move into their room in September.

FAC: Fine Arts Center building

Facebook: Facebook.com is an online database that connects students through social networks and allows members to create a personalized, online profile which can be viewed by friends and others who have access to the site. For more information click here.

FEN: The FEN document, From Every Nation, was formally adopted by the faculty in 2004 and is the revised comprehensive plan for racial justice, reconciliation, and cross-cultural engagement at Calvin College.

Interim: During January, students take up to 4 credit hours only, focusing on one course and also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of off-campus programs as well.

ITC: Information Technology Center, a computer lab located on the lower level of the Hekman Library.

JobShop: The old name for the student employment resource, which is now available through CalvinLink.

KE: Knollcrest East, an on-campus residence community for upperclassmen.

KH: Kalsbeek-Huizenga-van Reken residence hall

KnightVision: KnightVision, Calvin's eCommunity, brings together students, faculty & staff, admitted students, alumni, support services, social activities, calendar events, and organizations in an easy-to-use, customizable, online environment. KnightVision provides a secure, password protected site for sharing information with Calvin faculty, staff, students and alumni.

LOFT: Living Our Faith Together, a Sunday night student-led worship service on campus

Major: Primary area of study

MAC: Multicultural Activities Coordinator, a student volunteer within the residence halls who plans activities in cooperation with the Multicultural Development Office.

Minor: Secondary area of study (often not required)

NVW: Noordewier-Vander Werp residence hall

Prelude: a first year core course that introduces students to Calvin College as a Christian community of inquiry.

RA: Resident Assistant, an upper-class student, selected, trained and supervised by RDs and residence life staff, to assist residence hall and Knollcrest East residents

RD: Resident Director, a fulltime Calvin professional who serves as the live-in administrator of a residence hall

Reading Recess: A day at the end of the semester during which classes are not scheduled, allowing students an opportunity to complete reading and assignments

Ride Board: The Ride Board is a bulletin board where students can post their need for a ride or the availability of a ride in their car or van. The Ride Board is located under the Community Tab in the student's KnightVision account.

RVD: Rooks-Van Dellen residence hall

SAO: The Student Activities Office. (View this 60 second video)

SAS: Student Academic Services offers services and support for students with physical or learning disabilities, who are in need of a tutor, or encounter a rough spot in a class.

SE: Schultze-Eldersveld residence hall

SLC: Service-Learning Center

Syllabus: A course outline presented to class by the professor at the beginning of the semester which outlines all policies, important dates/deadlines.

The Rivalry: The Rivalry refers to the classic, long-standing basketball rivalry between Calvin and Hope College

Traditions (here's just a few):
   . Airband
   . Cold Knight Club
   . Rangeela
   . Moses
   . Why the Knights?

Tuition Certificates: a program which allows parents, grandparents to purchase tuition certificates at current tuition rates which may be redeemed at any time in the future.

WA: Worship Apprentice. A student team of Worship Apprentices are involved in planning and leading Chapel services, LOFT and more.