If you feel like your student is speaking an entirely different language at times, this guide can help. Study the lingo and before you know it, you’ll be talking like a Wheatie too!
1–2–1: A network of upperclassmen who serve as guides and friends for incoming
students of color as they transition to Wheaton
#MyWheaton: The hashtag used to share your Wheaton experience
AIT: Academic and Institutional Technology is the department that handles Wheaton’s
tech-related needs
Axis: International student committee designed to identify and meet the needs of
international students while celebrating culture
BAM: BreakAway Ministry provides Spring Break ministry opportunities for students,
faculty, and staff
The Bench: The Senior Bench is one of the oldest and most legendary campus rivalries
BGC: The Billy Graham Center is a major landmark on the south side of campus
named after one of our most famous alums
Canvas: A series of events for sophomores to help understand what God is preparing
you to do in your vocation
CFI: Wheaton Center for Faith & Innovation, with a mission to offer resources and programming that emphasizes how Christian calling is a call to whole-life discipleship.
CLC: Community Life Council is an organization of sophomore floor reps who seek to
facilitate community in the residence halls
CPO: College Post Office (pronounced “sea-po”)
CSC: Christian Service Council provides weekly/monthly ministry opportunities in the
Chicagoland area
CU: College Union is the student organization that plans campus-wide activities like
the Talent Show and concerts
CVC: The Center for Vocation and Career helps students plan and prepare for vocation
after being a student at Wheaton through one-on-one meetings, workshops, events, and
on-line resources
Dekes: (Diakonoi) Sophomore students who work with the Admissions office to host
prospective students
DSG: Discipleship Small Group
DWAM: Dine With A Mind—Enjoy a meal with a faculty or staff member. Pick up a meal
card in the Student Activities Office
Fischer Beach: The lawn and volleyball area south of Fischer Hall
Forum Wall: A sticky board to post thoughts and opinions outside CPO
Go Guides: Upperclass student leaders who support orientation programming and
Community Service Day
GPS: Global Programs and Studies helps support, resource and
encourage students to study outside of Wheaton’s classroom
GRA: Graduate Resident Adviser is a graduate student living in the residence hall who
helps the RD support, serve and train the RAs and care for the students in their building
GUP: Global Urban Perspectives provides opportunities to learn through service during
the summer months in urban settings
HNGR: Human Needs and Global Resources is a certificate and internship program that
equips students to address needs of the Global South
HP: Honduras Project is a Spring Break trip that provides a water system to a rural
village each year
ISP: International Student Programs
Intra: Wheaton’s internal website where you can find helpful information including who’s who
Koinonia: An Asian American student organization which invites all students to
celebrate and explore the uniqueness of the Asian identity in Christ
Low Beams: The lower level of the Beamer Center
Meyer: Refers to the science building next to the Beamer Center
MSC: The building in the middle of campus that houses Wheaton’s center for Political
Science, Economics & Public Policy
OC: Orientation Committee
OCO: Office of Christian Outreach
OMD: Office of Multicultural Development
Perry: An excavated “pet” mastodon on display in the Meyer science building
RA: A Resident Assistant is an upperclass student who lives on each floor and helps to
serve their floormates through leadership, counsel, community-building, and friendship
RD: The Residence Director is a full-time professional who oversees the residence hall
and supports, serves and trains the GRAs, ARDs and RAs and cares for the students
in their building
SAGA: An affectionate, informal term used by students to refer to the Dining Hall
SAGA-O: The turnaround at the Kingdom sign at the south end of the Beamer Center
SAGA Swipes: The balance of meals used or remaining on a block meal plan
Sam’s: The Café in the Beamer Center where you can pick up a drink named after
your favorite Wheaton College icon
SAO: Student Activities Office
SG: Student Government— liaison between administration, faculty, and students
Smaber: Refers to Smith and Traber buildings as one residence hall
SMP: Student Ministry Partners provides opportunities to learn through service
during the summer months in international settings
Solidarity Cabinet: Promotes unity on campus through racial reconciliation
education and conversation
SRC: Sports and Recreation Complex: Gyms and workout facilities
Student Alumni Board (SAB): A student leadership group dedicated to connecting
students and Wheaton alumni with each other
Student Chaplains: Student leaders that care for the spiritual needs of campus
TCKs: Third Culture Kids are students who have spent a significant part of their lives
living cross-culturally
Thunderbucks: 1 Thunderbuck = $1 Available on your ID card for use at the Stupe or
Sam’s (50 Thunderbucks come standard with most meal plans)
ThunderLink: is Wheaton’s on-line job board. From yard work to full-time positions, you
can find them all here
Tor: Wheaton’s mascot seen at a variety of campus events
The Stupe: A hub of social life in the Beamer Center…best place to get a burger
The U: Fischer parking U and driveway
Unidad: A student leadership team that invites all students to come together through
the unity that we all have in Christ to celebrate and explore Latino cultures
Up the Tower: Ringing the Tower Bell in Blanchard is one of Wheaton’s oldest traditions
to announce/celebrate engagements and weddings of students and alumni
Wade Center: The English Tudor museum/house that archives a collection of 7 British
authors’ papers and material including C.S. Lewis paraphernalia (one of his wardrobes)
WCF: World Christian Fellowship is a venue for community worship, prayer, and
teaching that is focused on the global body of Christ (hosted on Sunday nights)
Westgate: Home to the Alumni office on the corner of Union and Washington
Who’s Who: An online directory of students, faculty, and staff, just a click away at
intra.wheaton.edu
Willie–O: A student group that fosters community among Black students as well as
creating opportunities for all students to learn about and experience Black Culture
YHM: Youth Hostel Ministry provides opportunities to learn through service during the
summer months traveling and working as part of the hosteling community in Europe