Advising (Undergraduate) – Center for Academic Success and Advising (CASA). Information on registration and advising for first-year, sophomore, and undeclared transfer students. Capital Honors Scholars (CAP) program advises first-year and sophomore CAP students.
BC or HCOM – Homer Butler Commons. Where the Residence Life Office is located.
BRK – Brookens houses the Library; classrooms; the Center for Student Success, The Learning Hub, Advising Services & Information Support, Internships & Prior Learning, and International Programs; ITs; COLRs; and Brookens Auditorium. There are two main entrances to the building—one takes you into the library, and the other to the academic side of the building.
BSB – Business Services Building houses Facilities & Services and Parking Services.
Brookens Auditorium – An auditorium and large lecture hall that is easily accessible from the Tunnels that connect PAC, Brookens Library, and HSB. Lots of campus events are held in Brookens. Located on the 1st floor of Brookens Library.
Canvas – Online learning management system with course materials, tests, quizzes, discussion boards, and grades.
CAP – Capital Scholars Honors Program. The CAP Honors Program brings together intellectually strong students with talented, dedicated faculty to create a unique academic environment within the greater UIS community. Offices are located on the 1st Floor of LRH.
COLRS (Center for Online Learning, Research and Service) – Manages online learning courses and majors at UIS. Located in the Brookens Library.
Commuter Student – A student who lives at home and commutes to campus, aka Off-Campus Living Student.
East – East Campus Apartments are for upperclassmen, graduate students, and students with families.
ECCE – pronounced êh-chay (Engaged Citizenship Common Experience) is part of the General Education Requirement and is designed to help students become aware of their roles in a complex, inter-dependent set of communities. ECCE categories promote cultural awareness and engagement experiences.
Esports – Short for electronic sports, is a form of competitive, organized video gaming. The UIS Esports Arena, located in Founders Residence Hall, boasts a remarkable setup where students can game recreationally or competitively as members of the UIS Esports team.
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, and work-study.
FRH – Founders Residence Hall. Housing first-years, including the STARS, Necessary Steps, Leadership for Life, pre-Nursing, and CAP living learning communities, UIS Esports Arena and the Offices of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Dean of Students, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Engagement and New Student Orientation & Parent Relations.
FYS – First-Year Seminar or Freshman Seminar is a student’s introduction to college and provides a crucial vehicle through which students will develop strong academic skills and habits.
FERPA – The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the accessibility and privacy of student records. For more information about FERPA regulations, contact the Office of Records and Registration and view the Student Record Policy.
Food Studio – The main dining venue for campus. Meal plans, Campus Cash, major credit cards and cash are accepted to purchase a la carte items from breakfast to burgers and sandwiches, salads, stir fry, hot entrees, desserts and beverages. Located on the 1st Floor of the Union.
GER – General Education Requirement. General education is based on two main principles: life-long learning and engaged citizenship. The UIS General Education Curriculum helps students gain skills and knowledge needed for the twenty-first century and complements all of our degree programs. Courses in the program are divided into two categories:
- Lower division courses in written communication, oral communication, science, math, humanities, and social sciences. These courses provide a foundation of knowledge and skills that are crucial for a broad liberal arts education.
- Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE)
Gen Ed – General Education course
GPA – Grade Point Average
IT Help Desk (ITS) – For help with computers, Wi-Fi, UIS apps, viruses, training, laptop loan, and more. The ITS Help Desk is located on the lower level of Brookens Library. Email: techsupport@uis.edu; phone: 6TECH (217-206-8324).
HRB – In addition to UIS Human Resources, the Career Development Center, UIS Cares Food Pantry, the Counseling Center, Disability Services, Testing Services, and Health Services are all located in HRB.
HSB – Health & Sciences Building is home to the offices of Astronomy, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Medical Lab Science, Natural Sciences, classrooms, labs, the Orion Lab and the Visual Arts Gallery.
i-card –Student Identification Card. Carry it with you at all times. You will need it to access into halls, library card, ECCE attendance swiping, meal plans/campus cash, etc.
Learning Hub or The Hub – Offers one-on-one tutoring in math, writing, reading, computer science, science, and study skills. Hosts student workshops on study skills.
Lost & Found – Looking for something you misplaced or found something that you want to turn in? Try the Parking Services office in BSB 43 or the Student Union desk. Found a lost i-card? Turn it in to the i-Card Office UHB 1004 or Campus Police (after business hours).
LRH – Lincoln Residence Hall. Residence for sophomores.
NESSIE – Human Resources website for new hire forms (Nessie New Hire) and updating of employment information.
On-Campus Living Student – A student who lives on campus in university housing: residence halls, townhomes, or apartments. Also known as Residential students.
PAC – Public Affairs Center. In addition to the College of Public Affairs and Education, classrooms, administrative offices and The Performing Arts Center (which includes Sangamon Auditorium and the Studio Theatre), the PAC houses the Sangamon Experience.
PDB – Police Department Building. The PDB is located in a white house at 2285 Eliza Farnham Drive across from Brookens Library near the pond.
Quad or The Quad – A quadrangular space or rectangle of lawn that is surrounded by four current buildings: The Public Affairs Center (PAC), University Hall Building (UHB), the Health & Sciences Building (HSB), and the Student Union. Library Commons opening planned for fall 2027. Many events are held on the Quad through the early fall and late spring semesters.
RA – Resident Assistant. RAs work for Residence Life. RAs are available to students for questions about on-campus housing, Residence Life, living on campus, academic and campus resources, and roommate relationships.
RHB – Rehearsal Hall, Room B. In the Visual & Performing Arts Building (VPA).
Ring Road – The road that goes around the University on the east side.
SAB – Student Affairs Building. Home to the UIC College of Nursing Program at UIS, classrooms and administrative offices.
SAC – Student Activities Committee. A student organization that coordinates activities on campus. Located in the Student Leadership Center in the Student Union.
SGA – Student Government Association. Located in the Student Leadership Center in the Student Union.
SLB – Student Life Building. Home to the Diversity Center, Gender & Sexuality Student Services, The Women’s Center, the Offices and classrooms for the Department of Exercise Science, and the SLB Gym.
SOFA – Student Organization Funding Association. A student association that allocates University funds to student organizations. Located in the Student Leadership Center in the Student Union.
Sangamon Auditorium – A 1,500-seat venue that has live concerts, Broadway shows, and entertainment throughout the year. Students receive discounted tickets to events. Tickets available at the Performing Arts Center Ticket Office in the Public Affairs Center lobby. Note: Sangamon Auditorium is closed until Spring 2027 due to building infrastructure updates.
Student Union – Home to the Offices of Student Life and Volunteer & Civic Engagement, Dining Services, the Food Studio, Starbucks, conference rooms, a multipurpose ballroom, gaming consoles, and spaces to relax, socialize, or do homework.
Tear Drop – Tear-shaped road/parking area north along PAC. If you enter campus from 11th Street, take Ernest Hemingway Drive, and it will lead you directly into the Tear Drop. Note: As part of PAC’s infrastructure upgrades, this area of campus will be closed part of the 2026-27 academic year.
TEP – Teacher Education Program
TRAC – The Recreation and Athletics Center (see information under An Overview of UIS Student Services & Resources).
UHB (or UHall) – University Hall is home to the College of Business and Management, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, classrooms, computer labs, Sean and Taryn Grant/Landmark Auto Trading Lab, University Bursar, International Student Services, Military and Veteran Student Services, i-card Center, and the Enrollment Management Offices: Financial Assistance, Admission and Records & Registration.
UIN – University Identification Number. This 9-digit number is a student’s unique identifier and is used on many university documents. The UIN is needed to generate the student’s NetID and webmail account.
UNI – University Course
University Bursar – Handles general student account information. Located on the 1st Floor of UHB.
VPA – Visual & Performing Arts building. Home to the Departments of Art, Theatre, and Music, art studios, music practice rooms, Rehearsal Hall, Room B, and classrooms.
West or The Townhouses – West Campus Townhouses are for upperclassmen, graduate students and international students.
