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More colorful than computer language, and infinitely more practical, Georgia Tech’s special social vocabulary is yet another tradition that unifies the Tech family and sets Tech apart from other schools. Study this glossary, and after a few days, you will be able to understand Tech upperclassmen and all their buzzwords.
B - D
BRIDGE, The
The 5th Street Bridge that extends the Tech campus into Midtown Atlanta; the bridge is mostly used to walk to and from Technology Square.
BURGER BOWL
The grassy area behind West Campus dorms and opposite the Tech police station where Greek Week events take place and rugby games are played. It is the former site of a Burger King.
CA
Community advisor; student staff member on each floor of non-Freshman Experience residence halls.
CAMPANILE
The Kessler Campanile is located near the center of Georgia Tech's campus, in front of its student center and directly down Tech Walkway.
CRC
The Campus Recreation Center; sometimes refers to Stamps Field behind the CRC where intramural sports are played.
CHAPTER
Meeting held once a week (usually on Wednesday) by all campus sororities and fraternities; also refers to the Tech branch of a national organization.
CLICKERS
The devices or apps used in lectures and Q&A sessions that instantly transmit students’ answers to the Classroom Response Systems (CRS), also termed Audience Response Systems or Student Response Systems. They can be used for in-class polls, attendance checks, discussions, and quizzes.
COMMONS, The
Refers to the collective areas of the Student Center in which students hang out, study, shop, and eat.
D-DAY or DROP DAY
The last day to drop a course without penalty.
DEAD WEEK
Last week of classes before final exams.
E - J
D-DAY or DROP DAY
The last day to drop a course without penalty.
DEAD WEEK
Last week of classes before final exams.
EAST
Refers to the east side of campus, which is home to seven traditional residence halls, the Brittain Recreation Center, North Avenue Dining Hall, and the East Campus Quad.
THE FLAG BUILDING
The Charles A. Smithgall Student Services Building. The lobby contains flags of at least one currently enrolled Georgia Tech student from that country
FLUSH LETTERS
The dreaded letters of rejection from prospective employers. Rejection may also be referred to as “getting flushed,” as in “I just got flushed!”
GPA, OVERALL
Cumulative grade-point average. “My overall is 3.4. I’ll do better next year.”
GOING GREEK
Used to describe anyone who is pledging a campus fraternity or sorority.
THE GOOD WORD
To Hell with Georgia!
THE HILL
Refers to the area around Cherry Street, near the Tech Tower and the Carnegie Building. Also used as a general term for members of the administration. “Wonder what the Hill thought about this year’s Ramblin’ Wreck parade!”
HOME PARK
A neighborhood off 10th Street where many Tech students reside.
HOUSE, The
The living or meeting quarters of a fraternity or sorority. “We have a meeting at the house tonight.”
JUNIOR’S
A popular, on-campus dining spot that was part of the Tech tradition for forty years; it closed in 2011.
K - S
KEEP THE “T” IN TECH
A campaign started by the Student Government Association in 2011 to discourage students from stealing the “T” off Tech signs and property.
MA TECH
The cherished name used by Tech students and alumni as the personification of Georgia Tech.
NASA, SST, or THE DISH
The Space Science and Technology Building. A huge satellite dish is propped in front of it. SST is the more popular reference.
’NIQUE, The
Nickname for the Technique, the student newspaper.
NORTH AVE.
Refers to the residence hall community located on the south side of campus on North Avenue; also could refer to the North Avenue Dining Hall, which opened in 2011.
OSCAR
Online Student Computer Assisted Registration. An online listing of courses offered each semester.
PL
Peer leader. A student staff member for each unit in First-Year Experience residence halls.
THE P.O. or BOX
The campus post office in the Student Center. “I’m on my way to check my box.”
PETERS PARK
Parking deck on Bobby Dodd Way that has tennis and basketball courts on top of it.
THE QUAD
The academic quad located on West Campus where the Instructional Center is located.
RATS
The traditional term used for first-year students.
STINGER
A bus that runs throughout campus and surrounding areas.
STINGERETTE
A shuttle that provides on-campus transportation by reservation.
T - W
TECH WALKWAY
The walking path next to the Skiles Building, formerly known as Skiles Walkway.
THE THRILLERDOME
The Hank McCamish Pavilion, formerly known as the Alexander Memorial Coliseum, is Tech’s basketball complex. The complex is currently undergoing renovation. It is also referred to as “the Coliseum.”
TL
Team Leaders serve as resources to GT 1000/2000 instructors.
THE TOWER
The Administration Building tower embellished with “TECH” in gold and white neon letters.
THE V
The Varsity drive-in restaurant on North Avenue. Home of the “naked dog” and F.O. (frosted orange). Also known as “The Greasy V.”
WEST
Refers to the west side of campus, home to five co-ed freshman residence halls, Woodruff Dining Hall, the Campus Recreation Center, and the Burger Bowl.
WHAT YEAR ARE YOU?
The length of time a student has attended Tech; “I’m a third-year” (instead of traditional academic years such as freshman, sophomore, etc.).
THE WHISTLE
The steam whistle that blows to signal class changes at five minutes before each hour. It also blows whenever Tech wins a home football game.
WORD
A general term for any type of information, such as old quizzes or finals that may be helpful for surviving any professor’s course. All students can ask their professors for word.