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The Lingo

As your student becomes immersed in the Northwestern community, you might hear some new words or phrases you don’t recognize. Here is a miniature “cheat sheet” for some of the most common Wildcat lingo.
  • Bienen - Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music
  • CAPS - Counseling and Psychological Services
  • The Daily - The Daily Northwestern, the student newspaper
  • DM - Dance Marathon, the 30-hour dancing extravaganza that raises funds for charity each year, usually held the first weekend in March
  • Dillo Day - Armadillo Day, an all-day event in late May that features live music, games, and other fun on the Lakefill
  • Distro - Distribution requirement, a course mandatory for degree completion
  • FA - Acronym for Family Ambassador, one of 30+ students who assist with the execution of Parent and Family Orientation, Wildcat Welcome, and Family Weekend, and interact with family members throughout these programs
  • The Lakefill - The part of Northwestern's campus that is on a peninsula directly next to Lake Michigan. It is a park-like area, with a path used for running or biking, and a grassy area used for studying, playing frisbee, and other activities. There are also large rocks that separate the land from the water. Following Northwestern tradition, most of these rocks are painted by individual students or student groups with something that is significant to those students.
  • Main -The nickname for the University Library, the largest library on campus.
  • McCormick - McCormick School of Engineering
  • Medill - Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications
  • Norbucks - The Starbucks on the ground floor of Norris University Center
  • North Campus Beach - North Campus beach is a school owned beach next to the Henry CrownSports Pavilion on Lake Michigan. The school requires wildcards for free entry during the year and summer (although you can pay for visitors). The school also hires paid lifeguards to work there.
  • PA - Acronym for Peer Adviser, a student-mentor who supports a group of students within their school (their PA group) throughout their transition to Northwestern
  • Plex - Foster-Walker Complex, the largest student residence
  • Reading week - Week before final exams when Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (WCAS) holds no classes
  • The Rock - Baraboo quartzite boulder near University Hall that students have repainted countless times since the 1950s
  • SoC - School of Communication
  • SESP - The School of Education and Social Policy, pronounced as “SESS-pee,” not “s-e-s-p”
  • South Beach - South beach (Clark Street Beach) is a popular beach south of campus. It is often filled with locals and students alike and is the biggest beach near campus.
  • SPAC - The informal name for the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, the main recreation center on campus. The official name changed many years ago, but many students still call it SPAC
  • Tech - Short for the Technological Institute which is one of the largest academic buildings in the world.
  • Weinberg - Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Fight Song 

Go! U Northwestern!
Break right through that line.
With our colors flying, We will cheer you all the time,
U! Rah! Rah!
Go! U Northwestern!
Fight for victory,
Spread far the fame of our fair name. Go, Northwestern! Win that game!
(Yell) Go, Northwestern, go! (Yell) Go, Northwestern, go! Hit ’em hard! Hit ’em low!
Go, Northwestern, go!
Go! U Northwestern!
Break right through that line.
With our colors flying, We will cheer you all the time,
U! Rah! Rah!
Go! U Northwestern!
Fight for victory,
Spread far the fame of our fair name. Go, Northwestern! Win that game!

Words and music by Theodore Van Etten, class of 1913

Alma Mater

Hail to Alma Mater
We will sing thy praise forever
All thy sons and daughters
Pledge thee victory and honor
Alma Mater Praise be thine
May thy name forever shine
Hail to purple
Hail to white
Hail to thee Northwestern

Words by Thomas Tyra, class of 1954