Understanding the Language of Higher Ed
Universities use many different terms that may be new to students and their supporters. Below you will find definitions for commonly used terms at higher ed institution and some that are specific to Stout.
General Terms
Instructor/Professor: Is your main point of contact in class.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): An application that helps determine the amount you receive in grants and scholarships.
First Generation: Your guardian(s) has not earned a bachelor’s degree.
First-year advisor: Is the person who advises you on classes and can direct you to whoever you need during your first year.
Faculty advisor: After your first year you will get a faculty advisor to support you until graduation.
Major: The primary topic you are studying in college and will show on your diploma.
Minor: An additional topic area.
Discipline: Is your area of focus.
Concentration: Is a specific area of concentration within your degree program.
Stout core (general education): Classes outside your major/program designed to build confidence and the collaborative, analytical/quantitative, communication and critical-thinking skills in high demand by employers.
Winterm: 3 weeks in January, where students can take an accelerated class.
Summer Term: Typically May to August with several start date and duration options for classes.
Fall semester: Typically, from September to December.
Spring semester: Typically from late January to early May.
Cohort: This is a group of students within your major that start in the same term and plan to graduate at the same time as you.
College: academic divisions within the university that focus on specific areas of study.
University: The institution at large.
Continuing education: This refers to part-time education for working adults.
Higher education: Refers to any form of schooling after high school.
Orientation: onboarding for new students coming onto campus.
Post-secondary: Any education after high school.
Provost: Is a senior academic administrator who works closely with the deans, department heads, and faculty advisors.
Chancellor: This is the person in charge of the whole university.
Dean of Students: This is the person in charge of the students on campus and connecting with them if they need support.
College Dean: This person is responsible for overseeing a college within the larger university. They are responsible for the staff and faculty within their division.
Department Chair: each department has a chair that oversees the course scheduling and faculty within that department.
Program Director: This is the main point of contact for a program/major. They oversee the program plan and often advise students within the program.
Registrar: oversees logistics within areas of academia. They are in charge of class selection process, student transcripts, and class schedules.
Foundation office: In charge of the relationship with UW-Stout graduates (alumni), fundraising, and scholarships.
Traditional student: This is a student who attends college right after high school and are attending full-time.
Non-traditional students: Is adult students who may work full time, are financially independent, have children, or attend college part-time.
Work study: An award through Financial Aid to fund student employment. Students must go through the process of obtaining a job on campus and will be paid as they earn the money. This is based on financial need as determined by FAFSA.
Add/Drop period: This is a time frame where you can add classes to your schedule and where you can drop classes without seeking special permission.
Audit: This is where students attend a class they are interested in without being required to complete assignments and take classes to learn the material. (you will NOT get credit for auditing)
Stout Terms
Stout Student Association (SSA) Student Government: Students in charge of decision-making on campus.
CAHS: College of Arts and Human Sciences
CSTEMM: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management
Memorial Student Center (MSC): Main student center on campus where you can study, meet for clubs, or hang out.
Commons: Dining hall.
Clock Tower Building: Also known as Bowman Hall is where you can find the Advisement Center, Dean of Students, Registrar, Financial Aid Office, Student Support Services, and Counseling Center.
Student Support Services: This is a program that supports first-generation, low-income, or students with disabilities in navigating the college experience.
Veterans services: This is a program for Veterans or other military-affiliated students.
Disability Services: This is a resource for students To receive support in obtaining equal access in the classroom. If you have an IEP or 504 plan in high school you may qualify for support.
Tutoring labs: Many of the buildings have tutoring labs and programs to best support you in your studies.
Writing Center: This is a great resource if you struggle with writing or just want to make sure you are turning in a well-written paper.
Fashion Labs: These are labs for fashion students to work on their projects.
Green Room: Motion capture studio.
Gaming and digital lab: Find all your video gaming needs in this space.
Library learning labs: These are lab spaces throughout the library that are helpful for quiet studying. There are also spaces you can rent out (for free) to study in by yourself or with a group.
Stellic: This is a planning gateway you will be using to plan and schedule your course path for the next four years.
Involvement Center: Is where you can find clubs to join and they through most of the events on campus.
Career Services: A resource that helps students as well as alumni job search, develop resumes, and work on interviewing.