Pilot Speak

Now that you are officially a Pilot, you’ll need to know the campus lingo. Here are some words and phrases that every new Pilot should know!

Academic Terms

The Bulletin 

The academic catalog of all of the courses offered and program requirements 

Capstone Project 

This refers broadly to the major-specific senior projects, thesis seminars, and recitals, which many seniors (and a few juniors) complete as a highlight of their academic program(s). In the spring of each year, on Founder’s Day, there are many public presentations and poster displays of such projects, which are open to all students and faculty to attend. 

C.A.S. 

The College of Arts and Sciences; the largest, most populated academic program at the university. 

Clinicals 

All School of Nursing students serve in clinical rotations at local hospitals and health care facilities beginning their sophmore year. 

The Core (or Core Curriculum) 

Courses that every student is required to take and are designed to make sure you receive a well-rounded education. 

Moodle 

Course management software used for online learning.  Moodle gives class groups a secure environment for sharing files, documents, media.  It also allows for students to submit assignments, participate in discussion forums, and more. 

PACE 

Pacific Alliance for Catholic Education.  A program for students to live in community and teach in Catholic schools. 

P4 

Abbreviation of the Pamplin Professional Preparation Program, an experiential learning initiative required of all business students. 

Anchor Workshop 

A group of first-year students who share a seminar-style workshop class together during their first semester at UP. 

Buildings and Geographic Locations

BC 

Buckley Center. This central building on campus contains classrooms, campus departments, and faculty offices. 

BC Aud (pronounced “Odd”) 

Buckley Center Auditorium. Adjacent to BC, this is the largest classroom on the Bluff and is often used for various films and programs. 

The Bluff 

Referring to the geographical feature upon which the campus is built; it is also a general nickname for the entire campus. 

The Commons 

The Bauccio Commons is the primary on-campus dining hall for both students and faculty to enjoy. 

DB 

Dundon-Berchtold. A building containing many classrooms and faculty offices. 

Hag-Ty 

The combined name for Haggerty and Tyson Halls. 

L-P Center 

The Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center. You’ll need reservations if you want to play tennis with friends! 

Mack’s Market 

UP’s version of a grab and go convenience store, located inside the Pilot House. 

Scho 

Schoenfeldt Hall. Formerly nicknamed Padre, Padre was Fr. Schoenfeldt’s nickname; a long-time member of the UP community and to whom the hall is named after. 

The Penthouse 

This is the name given to the 8th floor of Mehling Hall, which is the top floor of the tallest residence hall on campus. 

P House 

Pilot House. A central meeting place located right off the main parking lot, sometimes called the “living room” to the campus. The Pilot House houses the campus bookstore and a pub that hosts Pilots After Dark events.  

Quad(s) 

Grassy areas near a group of buildings. For example, the grass near Shipstad is called the East Quad, while the grass between Franz Hall and the Chapel of Christ the Teacher is called the Academic Quad and the grass near Villa Maria Hall is called the West Quad. 

Quiet Side 

The Bauccio Commons Dining Room.  The room is often used by various students for studying during the day. 

River Campus 

Franz River Campus, the property acquired by the University in 2012 down by the Willamette River where you’ll find Facilities Services’ new headquarters, the Boathouse, walking paths, and practice fields for sports teams. 

Ship 

Shipstad Hall. 

S.L.U.G.  

The Student Led Unity Garden. The garden is located just off-campus behind Field and Schoenfeldt Halls. 

Study Room 

Often a term used to refer to one of the many rooms available in the Clark Library for students to reserve for study groups. 

St. Mary’s 

Often used to describe the lounge in St. Mary’s Student Center that serves as a study space during the day and an event space in the evenings. 

Events and Traditions

Activities Fair 

This event held at the beginning of each semester is an opportunity to learn more about and sign up for different clubs and organizations, as well as faith and service opportunities on campus. 

All Aboard! 

A special orientation event for first year students 

Espresso UP 

A weekly Wednesday night program from 6:30-9:30pm in St. Mary’s Lounge. You can enjoy free espresso drinks, Italian sodas, and the occasional musical performance, all sponsored by Student Activities and ASUP. 

Founder’s Day 

It is when the University pauses to celebrate its rich past and its promising future. In recognition of the importance of both the past and the future, the University holds no classes on a Tuesday in April and instead opens its doors to all to learn from the best and brightest students presenting their capstones and research. 

Green Dot 

UP’s bystander violence prevention program.  A choice to intervene in a situation that is potentially harmful is a Green Dot.  A choice not to response is a Red Dot. 

Immersions 

Experiences offered through the Moreau Center for Service and Justice that offer students a close up understanding of social justice issues a particular local community. 

Pilots 

The nickname of our students, alumni, and sports teams.  Go Pilots! 

Pilots After Dark (or PAD) 

Weekly music and social events every Friday and Saturday night from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. in the Pilot House. 

Riverboat 

A special Labor Day weekend event held on the River Campus property. 

Rock the Bluff 

Campus Program Board’s annual concert held in the Chiles Center each year 

Plunge 

A pre-orientation opportunity for incoming students to volunteer with local service agencies. 

Wally 

Wally Pilot is our campus’s mascot.  He is a very well-respected riverboat captain. 

Weekend on the Bluff 

The big admitted student weekend hosted for current seniors in high school. These events happen on campus in April and are a great way for prospective students to experience what it is like to be an official Pilot! We also love having current students host our visitors in the residence halls. 

Victory Bell 

This bell is rung every time one of our varsity soccer teams scores a goal on Merlo Field! 

WCC 

West Coast Conference.  The Portland Pilots compete in the NCAA Division 1 West Coast Conference (WCC) with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Loyola Marymount Lions, Pacific Tigers, Pepperdine Wave, Saint Mary’s Gaels, San Diego Toreros, San Francisco Dons, and the Santa Clara Broncos. 

Nicknames for Campus Departments

 Nicknames for Campus Departments 

Help Desk 

Located in the second floor of the library, this is where you go for all your technical support needs. 

ISS 

International Student Services, located in Buckley Center. 

Moreau Center 

Moreau Center for Service and Justice, found in St. Mary’s Student Center. 

OSA 

Office of Student Activities, found in St Mary’s Student Center. 

ROTC (Pronounced “Rot-see”)  

The Reserve Officers Training Corps. A branch of the U.S. military. AROTC is Army and AFROTC is Air Force. 

SARC 

The Shepard Academic Resource Center, found in Buckley Center. 

Campus Resources

A.H.D. / H.D. 

Assistant Hall Director / Hall Director. 

ASUP 

Associated Students of the University of Portland, the student government. If you’re a full-time undergraduate student, then you are automatically a member.  Representatives to ASUP are called Senators. 

The Beacon 

The on-campus, award-winning student-led newspaper published every Thursday and online at upbeacon.com. 

BonApp 

The nickname for Bon Appetit, the company in charge of all the food you eat on campus. 

CPB 

Campus Program Board is a major branch of ASUP. This student organization is dedicated to bringing large scale social events to campus. 

C.S.C. 

The abbreviation for Congregatio a Sancta Cruce, the Congregation of Holy Cross, the religious order that has served the University of Portland since it was founded in 1901. Also referred to as “Holy Cross.” 

Engage 

On-line platform for events, clubs, and organizations on campus. 

Holy Cross 

Although we are a Catholic school, we are not Jesuit, Benedictine, Franciscan, or Diocesan. We are Holy Cross! 

KDUP 

The student-run radio internet station found on the web at kdup.up.edu. 

Life on the Bluff 

Your official student handbook. 

The Log 

Much like how river pilots keep a log of their daily activities, we keep track of what happens each year. The yearbook comes out early in the fall of every year, and is compiled and edited by students. 

PilotsUP 

The intranet portal for students, faculty and staff.  Log in to get your e-mail, announcements and access lots of useful information 

Points 

When you purchase a meal plan, Bon Appetit will add “Meal Points” to your ID card so you can eat anywhere on campus. 

PORTLAND Magazine 

The University’s quarterly magazine published by the Office of Marketing and Communications in Waldschimdt Hall. 

R.A. 

Resident Assistant. They’re available to assist students with any issues they may have with life in the halls. 

Regents 

Members of the UP’s Board of Regents, the men and women legally responsible for the University’s operation and mission. 

S.J.C. 

Service and Justice Coordinators. Students who coordinate direct service opportunities within the resident halls. 

Self Serve 

One of the main websites used by students for everything from managing Financial Aid and registering for classes. Access it through PilotsUP! 

Handshake 

Website used by the Career Center to make appointments and allow companies to see UP’s student qualifications.