51社区

College Knowledge Glossary

View our glossary of commonly used terms to help you learn your way around 51社区.

Academic Achievement Center (AAC)

The office on campus that provides free academic coaching, peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, and writing tutoring (via the Writing Commons). There is no charge for any service offered by the Academic Achievement Center. It is located in Alden Library 230. Additional Information About the AAC

Academic Calendar

The provides a listing of all important dates, events, and deadlines for each semester.

Academic Coaching

One-on-one, personalized help with time management/avoiding procrastination, getting motivated to complete assignments and attend classes, becoming organized, taking good class notes, dealing with test anxiety, communicating with professors, and more. Free Academic coaching is provided by the Academic Achievement Center.

Academic Probation

When a student鈥檚 accumulative GPA (see below) falls below a 2.0, they are placed on academic probation. They must raise their accumulative GPA to at least a 2.0 to be removed from probation. Until they reach a 2.0, they will be either continued on probation (if they meet the GPA requirements based on the number of credit hours they have earned) or academically dismissed. Additional information is available on the Turning Points webpage. Questions about academic probation can be directed to a student鈥檚 advisor and/or Dr. Kristin Distel, the Coordinator of Academic Coaching.

Academic Year

The period of time in which the university provides academic courses is typically from August through May. Summer courses are categorized as 鈥渟ummer sessions.鈥

Accessibility Services

Accessibility Services coordinates accommodations and connects students with disabilities to the most relevant campus resources. Accessibility coordinators review documentation and determine eligibility according to the framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Formerly called Student Accessibility Services, this office is located in Alden Library 230.

Accumulative GPA

The average of a student鈥檚 grades in all the courses they have taken thus far. In a student鈥檚 first semester, the accumulative GPA and semester GPA will be the same number. Both the semester and accumulative GPAs are listed in a student鈥檚 MyOHIO Student Center and DARS. A GPA calculator, where students can estimate what their GPA will be and what grades they need to earn to achieve a specific GPA, is available on our website.

Advising Season

The time in the semester when you need to make an appointment with your advisor, determine which classes you鈥檒l take in the next semester, determine your registration window, and register for classes. Advising season takes place in Weeks 6-7 of the fall and spring semesters.

Advisor

A faculty or staff member within your College who will help you choose courses to take each semester and help ensure that you graduate on time. Your academic advisor is listed on the homepage of your .

Advising Drop-in Hours

Drop in hours are dedicated time available in the student services office of all colleges when you can meet with a Success Advisor for any questions that you may have. No appointment needed. Contact your student services office to find the drop in hours - /registrar/student-services-contact-information

Add/Drop Period

A grace period at the beginning of each semester when a student can decide to add or drop a course with no penalty. The last days to add or drop a course are listed on the 51社区 academic calendar. Students should talk with their advisor about adding or dropping courses.

Alden Library

At Alden Library, located at 30 Park Place on the Athens campus, students can use printers, borrow books and other materials, reserve study rooms, request research help from Subject Librarians, and more.

Allen Advising

We help students find the best path for themselves and make strategic decisions that guide them to graduation. If you would like to talk with an advisor about your academic options at 51社区, please contact us!  

Allen Advising

Asynchronous Online Class (see also Synchronous Online Class)

A class that does not meet 鈥渓ive鈥 at a specific day/time. Students log into a website (such as Blackboard) to view readings, assignments, recorded lectures, and other materials each week at any time they choose, rather than participating in classes in real time. If a class鈥檚 day and time are listed as 鈥渁rranged,鈥 it may be an asynchronous online class.

Audit

Sitting in on a class without earning credit or a grade. Students ask a faculty member鈥檚 permission to audit a class if the student wants to learn the material but does not need the course for their major(s), certificates, or graduation plan.

Blackboard

A web-based learning management tool that provides a website for most or all of the classes you are taking. On Blackboard, you can usually obtain a copy of the class syllabus, the assignment schedule, readings, handouts, and other materials. Your instructor may also ask you to submit assignments on Blackboard. .

Blue Book

A small booklet that instructors sometimes request students purchase for exams. They are most often used when students must write in-class essay exams. Blue books are available for purchase at the Bobcat Depot (in Baker University Center) and at the College Bookstore (located uptown, at the corner of Court and Union Streets).

Bobcat Cash (see also Flex Meal Plans)

Bobcat Cash is money put on deposit with the University (similar to a prepaid debit card) that can be used at the Dining Courts, campus markets, vending machines, laundry centers, and various on-campus food-service, retail, and public printing operations. Simply add money to this account and then use the 51社区-issued ID card to access this service. Additional deposits can be added as needed throughout the academic year. Bobcat Cash cannot currently be used off-campus, does not allow for cash withdrawals, cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, and cannot be used to purchase textbooks.

BRICKS Program (see also Course Levels):

The name for the series of courses students take as part of their liberal arts education at OHIO. The BRICKS program blends distribution and integration requirements while emphasizing a liberal arts education. BRICKS includes a minimum of 38 credit hours across five categories. Combined, BRICKS offers six high-impact educational practices: common intellectual experience, writing-intensive courses, collaborative assignments, diversity learning, experiential learning, and capstone courses.

Bursar鈥檚 Office

Located in Chubb Hall, the Bursar鈥檚 Office accepts payments for tuition and other fees.

College of Arts and Sciences

Canvas

A web-based learning management tool that provides a website for most or all of the classes you are taking. On Blackboard, you can usually obtain a copy of the class syllabus, the assignment schedule, readings, handouts, and other materials. Your instructor may also ask you to submit assignments on Blackboard.

Catalog number (see also Class Number and Section Number)

The unique identifier, usually four digits long, differentiates one course from another within a specific program/department. The English department, for example, offers ENG 1510, ENG 2010, ENG 2020, etc. The numbers 1510, 2010, and 2020 in this example are catalog numbers.

Catmail

Catmail is 51社区鈥檚 email system.

Certificate

Additional coursework that a student can complete in a secondary area of interest. .

Class number (see also Catalog Number and Section Number)

A unique class identifier, usually four digits long, used when registering for courses. To add a course to your registration 鈥渟hopping cart,鈥 enter the class number. It is available when you look up a class鈥檚 day and time on .

COB

An abbreviation for 51社区鈥檚 College of Business.

Co-requisite (鈥渃o-req鈥)

A class that must be taken simultaneously with another class. The student must enroll in both courses in the same semester.

Course levels

See 鈥淏RICKS Program鈥 above

CPS

An abbreviation for 51社区鈥檚 Counseling and Psychological Services office, which provides mental health support via individual appointments, workshops, clinics, and support groups.

Credit Hours/Course Load

Each course you take at 51社区 is assigned a certain number of credit hours, which is often nearly equal to the number of hours per week you will be in that class. (For example, a three-credit-hour course may meet for two weekly class sessions of an hour and twenty minutes.) Undergraduate students usually carry 15-20 credit hours per semester for all four years of attendance. Twelve credit hours is considered by the University to be the minimum number for full-time attendance, which is necessary for financial aid purposes. Many scholarships require students to be enrolled for at least 15 hours per semester, though. Full details about credit hours and course load are provided in the .

DARS

An acronym for Degree Audit Reporting System, DARS reports list the classes you鈥檝e taken (and how they count toward your degree) and the courses from which you can choose for the remainder of your degree requirements based on your year of enrollment at OHIO. Your DARS will also list your grades, semester GPA, and accumulative GPA. You should review your DARS with your advisor when choosing classes for an upcoming semester. More information about DARS is available on the Registrar鈥檚 website.

ECRC

An acronym for the University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance office, the ECRC helps ensure the equal and respectful treatment of all members of the 51社区 community. Complaints of discrimination or unfair treatment, including Title IX complaints, can be registered with the ECRC. Additional information about this office is available on their website.

FERPA

An acronym for the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. FERPA protects students鈥 privacy and ensures that the details of their enrollment will not be shared without students鈥 written permission. A Frequently Asked Questions list about FERPA is available on the Registrar's website.

Finals Week

The last week of a semester, wherein students will take exams or submit other work to conclude each of their courses. It is very important to note that during finals week, your classes may meet at days/times other than the regular meeting time. A detailed final exam schedule and a list of policies regarding finals week are available online.

First-Generation (first gen)

At 51社区, we consider students with no parent or guardian who has completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree to be first-generation. Our first-generation students may be the very first people in their families to attend a four-year university, or they may have older siblings who have attended college. First-generation students are eligible to join OHIO鈥檚 First-Generation Student Success program.

Flex Meal Plans (see also Bobcat Cash)

The same as a traditional meal plan, but Flex allows you to use your meals/points at markets and cafes on campus, and to use multiple meals per meal period (i.e. to treat a guest to a meal). More information about Flex Meal Plans is available on the Culinary Services website.

Gen Eds

An abbreviation for general education requirements, which are classes students must take that may not directly pertain to their major(s). Gen eds help ensure that a student鈥檚 liberal arts education is well-rounded. The courses a student has taken and those they must yet take are listed in the DARS report, defined above.

GPA (semester GPA vs. accumulative GPA): An acronym for Grade Point Average. A student鈥檚 semester GPA reflects their grades for a specific semester, while a student鈥檚 accumulative GPA reflects their grades in all the courses they have taken thus far. Both the semester and accumulative GPAs are listed in a student鈥檚 MyOHIO Student Center and DARS. A student whose accumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation (see definition above). Additional information about GPAs and how they are calculated is . Calculate your GPA with this GPA Calculator.

Hold

A hold is a block placed on a student鈥檚 account that can prevent the student from registering for classes, accessing transcripts, or conducting other university business. Holds can stem from a variety of offices and departments, including but not limited to financial aid, community standards, etc. Many students are assigned a Priority Registration Advising hold, which is meant to ensure that the student meets with their advisor to select classes before registering for an upcoming semester. Priority Registration Advising holds are removed after a student has met with their advisor. Holds are listed in a student鈥檚 MyOHIO Student Center.

HR (Human Resources)

Students who obtain employment on campus must submit paperwork, including an I-9, and identity identification, such as a driver鈥檚 license and social security card, to the Human Resources office prior to their first day of campus employment. Additional information is available via on the Human Resources website.

HSP

An acronym for 51社区鈥檚 College of Health Sciences and Professions.

Hybrid Class

A class that meets partly in-person and partly online. Whether a class is fully in-person, fully online, or hybrid will be listed on the , as well as the syllabus for the class. Students who are unsure whether their class is hybrid should ask their instructor for clarification.

Incomplete

A student may request from their instructor a grade of 鈥淚,鈥 or 鈥淚ncomplete,鈥 if an unusual circumstance or emergency arises that prevents the student from completing the work for that course. An instructor is not obligated to grant the student鈥檚 request. If an 鈥淚ncomplete鈥 grade is granted, the student must complete all remaining coursework by the date stated on the 51社区 Academic Calendar. Otherwise, the grade of 鈥淚鈥 converts to an 鈥淔.鈥 鈥淚ncomplete鈥 grades do not affect a student鈥檚 grades/GPA unless they do not submit the remaining work by the University鈥檚 deadline.

Interlibrary Loan

A nationwide borrowing system to which 51社区 Libraries subscribe. If materials such as books, book chapters, articles, or videos you need for your classes are not available in 51社区鈥檚 library, you can submit a request online, and librarians will attempt to locate your requested material from other libraries across the country at no charge to you. Electronic documents, such as articles and book chapters, can be emailed to students, while materials such as books and videos can be retrieved from Alden Library.

Internship

The opportunity for students to work in a professional setting prior to graduation. Some but not all majors/degree programs require internships. Internships offer practical training and skill development in a student鈥檚 chosen field. Internships may be paid or unpaid and can last the length of a term or academic year. Speak with your advisor and Experiential Learning staff to discuss internship opportunities.

Learning Community

A group of students who often share your major/degree program, and with whom you will take a first-year seminar class and two general education courses. Find more information on the Learning Communities website.

Mem Aud

Memorial Auditorium, located on College Green. Many events and performances take place in this building.

Minor

An academic subject area that a student chooses to have a secondary focus on during their undergraduate studies. Unlike a major, a minor is typically not required, but it allows a student to take a few additional courses (usually approximately 15 credit hours) in a subject different from his or her major. Students who are interested in declaring a minor should speak with their advisor.

MyOHIO Student Center

A platform where 51社区 students can register for classes, pay tuition/fees, check their grades and GPAs, obtain the name of their advisor, update their contact information, and more. Students can log into their MyOHIO Student Center via 51社区鈥檚 homepage using their OHIO ID and password (also used for their campus email, Blackboard, etc.). See the 鈥淟og In鈥 dropdown menu at the top of the OHIO homepage.

Office Hours

Time during which an instructor is available, usually in their campus office but sometimes also on Microsoft Teams, during which students can meet with the instructor to ask questions and obtain extra help. Each instructor sets their own office hours, which will be listed on the syllabus.

Ohio ID

The two letters and six digits (such as 鈥渕w519117鈥) that begin a student鈥檚 51社区 email address. The two letters correspond with the initials of a student鈥檚 first and last name, while the final two digits refer to the year in which a student was admitted to OHIO. The OHIO ID differs from a student鈥檚 PID (defined below).

OhioLink

A statewide borrowing system to which 51社区 Libraries subscribe. If materials such as books, book chapters, articles, or videos you need for your classes are not available in 51社区鈥檚 library, you can submit a request online, and librarians will attempt to locate your requested material from other libraries across the state at no charge to you. Electronic documents, such as articles and book chapters, can be emailed to students, while materials such as books and videos can be retrieved from Alden Library.

OIT

An acronym for 51社区鈥檚 Office of Information Technology, which provides support and troubleshooting assistance for a variety of technology needs, including issues pertaining to Catmail, Blackboard, Microsoft Teams, and more. Students in need of assistance can submit a ticket on OIT鈥檚 website, and a reply will be sent to the student鈥檚 OHIO email. Students may also visit the Bobcat Depot, engage in a live chat, email OIT directly, or call the OIT office, .

Ombuds

Provides confidential, impartial, and informal assistance to individuals and groups to help prevent problems from arising and to facilitate fair and respectful resolutions to problems. 鈥淭he Office of the Ombudsperson is a confidential service open to all students, employees, alumni, parents, and community members at 51社区. The overarching mission of the Office of the Ombudsperson is twofold: to ensure that every member of the university community receives equitable and fair treatment and due process, and to support and facilitate a positive working and learning environment.鈥 More information about the 51社区 Ombuds is available on their website.

OneDrive

A secure file storage system available to all OHIO students, faculty, and staff. OneDrive features sharing options and collaborative editing capabilities using Microsoft Office Online. Students can access OneDrive through a menu on their campus email (Catmail).

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Taking a class for a grade of 鈥減ass鈥 or 鈥渇ail,鈥 rather than a letter grade. Taking a course pass/fail is an option designed to encourage you to explore areas of study in a way that will not negatively affect your GPA. To be eligible, the student must have a GPA of 2.5 or better for his or her latest term of full鈥搕ime enrollment, or have an accumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. First鈥搕erm freshmen automatically qualify. Additional restrictions are detailed in the .

Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL)

A series of weekly review sessions for large classes that are historically difficult. Free PAL sessions are facilitated by PAL leaders鈥攕tudents who have already taken and done well in the course. Supplemental Instruction is provided by the Academic Achievement Center. Find out if PAL is offered for your classes by checking the PAL schedule.

Peer Tutoring

51社区鈥檚 Academic Achievement Center offers free peer tutoring for approximately 200 OHIO classes. Find mor info and schedule tutoring via our website.

PID

Your PID (the letter 鈥淧鈥 followed by nine digits) was sent to the email address you provided on your 51社区 application. It is also available via your DARS report (see definition above). A PID differs from an OHIO ID (see definition above).

Pre-requisite (pre-req)

A required course that must be completed before a student is allowed to enroll in a more advanced one. Any prerequisites will be listed under a course鈥檚 information on the 

Registration Window

The specific day and time assigned to each student, detailing when they can register for an upcoming semester鈥檚 classes. A student鈥檚 registration window will be listed on their MyOhio Student Center (see definition above).

Registrar

The campus office responsible for many administrative academic tasks, such as registering students for classes, preparing student transcripts and DARS documents, creating course offering schedules, and more, 51社区鈥檚 Registrar is located in Chubb Hall.

Section Number (see also Class Number and Catalog Number)

The unique identifier, usually three digits long, that differentiates one section of a course from another. Classes with different section numbers may meet in different locations and at different days/times, in addition to sometimes having different instructors. The English department, for example, offers several sections of ENG 1510, such as ENG 1510-100, ENG 1510-101, ENG 1510-102, etc. In this example, the numbers 100, 101, and 102 are section numbers. Section numbers will be listed under a course鈥檚 information on

Semester GPA

The average of a student鈥檚 grades in one specific semester, rather than an average of their grades in all the classes they have taken. In a student鈥檚 first semester, the accumulative GPA and semester GPA will be the same number. Both the semester and accumulative GPAs are listed in a student鈥檚 MyOHIO Student Center and DARS. Additional information about GPAs and how they are calculated is in the . Students can estimate what their GPA will be and what grades they need to earn to achieve a specific GPA, using this GPA calculator.

Student Standing

Your year in college. This is determined by your total number of semester hours earned. (Freshman = Completed 0-29.99 hours. Sophomore = Completed 30 to 59.9 hours. Junior = Completed 60-89.9 hours. Senior = Completed 90 or more hours.) Your total number of semester hours earned is available on your DARS (see above).

Subject Librarians

51社区鈥檚 subject librarians are library employees who are research experts in specific areas and can help students locate research materials for essays, projects, and more. A complete list of OHIO鈥檚 subject librarians and their contact information is available on the library website.

Subsidized loan

A student loan that does not accrue interest while a student is enrolled in classes. 51社区鈥檚 Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Services, located in Chubb Hall, can provide assistance and guidance regarding subsidized loans.

Survivor Advocacy Program (SAP)

An 51社区 office that provides confidential services such as crisis intervention, an after-hours hotline, medical advocacy, Title IX advocacy, and more to all student survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. Additional information about SAP, which is located in Lindley Hall, is available on their website.

Syllabus

A document provided by your instructor that outlines key information about the course, including class policies, assignments, deadlines, textbook lists, and other details, such as your instructor鈥檚 contact information and office hours (see 鈥淥ffice Hours鈥 above). Some instructors provide a printed version of the syllabus, while others post their syllabus on a website such as Blackboard (see 鈥淏lackboard鈥 above).

Synchronous Online Class

A class that meets 鈥渓ive鈥 at a specific day/time. This could be in-person (on-campus) or online, depending on the class. Check with your instructor if you are unsure. In a synchronous class, students participate in classes in real time. Class meeting days/times are listed on the .

Teaching Assistant (TA)

Many classes, especially large classes, employ teaching assistants to help the professor grade assignments, meet with students, and occasionally teach. A TA might also hold office hours during which students can meet with the TA and ask questions. TAs are usually graduate students studying/working in the subject of the class for which they are assisting.

Teams (Microsoft Teams)

Teams is an online platform, similar to Zoom, where an instructor can hold online classes and/or meet with students. 51社区 students can access and download Microsoft Teams via the .

Transcript

A detailed listing of all the courses a student has taken at a university. Students must often request transcripts when transferring to/from another institution, applying for graduate school, etc. Transcripts are generated by the 51社区 Registrar鈥檚 Office, located in Chubb Hall. Additional information about transcripts is available on the Registrar's website.

Unsubsidized Loan

In contrast with a subsidized loan, an unsubsidized student loan does accrue interest while a student is enrolled in classes. 51社区鈥檚 Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Services, located in Chubb Hall, can provide assistance and guidance regarding unsubsidized loans.

Waitlist

Students can join a waitlist for a class that is full; this is not the same as officially registering for or joining the course. Waitlists are available for some (but not all) 51社区 classes. Being on a waitlist means that you are on a list of students who will be enrolled automatically in a class if seats become available and you meet all other requirements, i.e., not enrolled in another section of the same course that does not allow multiple enrollments in the same semester; do not have a time conflict with a class you are enrolled in; instructor permission is not required. You can determine whether a class is full by looking up the class on the . Additional information about waitlists, including a video showing how to join a waitlist for a full class, is available on the Registrar's website.

Work Study Program

A federal program that provides universities with funding to hire students for part-time jobs while they attend school. 51社区鈥檚 Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Services, located in Chubb Hall, can help you determine whether you qualify for work study.

Writing Commons

The Writing Commons provides free writing assistance to all 51社区 students. Writing tutors can help at any stage of the writing process, from discussing and organizing ideas to polishing a final draft. More information about the Writing Commons is available on the Academic Achievement Center website.