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Common SLU Terms

By now, you know what a Billiken is. But from SLUruba to the BSC, SLU has a lot of its own slang that isn’t always easy to figure out. 

Below is a list of common Saint Louis University terms that can help you and your family become more familiar with the campus community.

BAD

Billikens after Dark, housed in the Student Involvement Center, provides late night, alcohol-free alternative programming at SLU. Past events have included pop culture trivia nights, dances and glow-in-the-dark volleyball.

BSC

The Busch Student Center is the home to many offices, eateries and study spaces. The campus bookstore, Student Success Center, Dean of Students Office, Career Services, Events Services, Student Involvement Center and ITS Student Help Center are all located there.

Billiken Bucks

This is a debit account plan. The funds deposited can be used for purchases at the Instructional Media Center or the campus bookstore, copying and printing at the libraries, Information Technology Services software sales and all DineSLU locations.

CA

Commuter assistants are upperclassman students who work with freshman commuter students throughout their first year at SLU.

CCC
The Cross Cultural Center provides co-curricular and educational experiences that engage the SLU community by broadening knowledge of diversity, multiculturalism and social justice.
CGC
The Center for Global Citizenship aims to promote collaboration across the University to educate and engage the SLU community in global awareness, responsibility and participation. The CGC is located on the West Pine Mall and can be recognized by the international flags displayed on its exterior.
DPS
The Department of Public Safety provides a safe campus for SLU students, faculty, staff and visitors. DPS is staffed with well-trained and dedicated officers who patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ensures that, in general, rights belong to the student rather than the parent or guardian. You can learn more FERPA and third-party access to academic records at SLU through the Office of the University Registrar.
Flex Points
These come from DineSLU meal plans and can be used to purchase food at on campus eateries such as P.O.D., Qdoba Mexican Grill, Panda Express, Subway and Jamba Juice. You can also use your Flex Dollars at SLU's on-campus Starbucks.
FYE
The First-Year Experience initiative facilitates students' transition to SLU from high school or another college/university. FYE begins the process of engaging students in the University mission and the SLU experience.
GIC
Great Issues Committee: This group brings speakers to campus and strives to stimulate insightful, provocative debate on current issues that will inform and educate.
Greek
This refers to SLU students who are members of a social, values-based fraternity or sorority on campus. 
ITS
Information Technology Services is the primary provider of technology support and services at Saint Louis University. 
Lecture Halls

The Baer-Fuller, Kelley and Lee auditoriums are located just west of Busch Student Center and are situated underground beneath a glass enclosed pavilion.

Mission
SLU’s mission is the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity. See the full mission.
LC
A learning community houses a group of students on one or more floors of a residence hall with an academic unit tie or a common interest such as faith and service. They all share the common goal of creating intentional educational environments that bring educators and students together to enhance student learning. All LCs are open to first-year students and offer a variety of special features or programs such as study groups, associated courses and resources.
The Rec
Simon Recreation Center is the main recreation facility on campus, located between the Griesedieck Complex and the CGC. The Rec offers workout spaces and fitness classes.
RA
Resident advisers are upperclassmen who provide immediate support and guidance for students in the residence halls and apartments. RAs can assist with many areas, including personal development, community building, programming, academic support and referrals to campus resources. 
Registrar
The Office of the Registrar is responsible for course registration, changes of course registration, the online update and production of the schedule of classes, maintenance of academic records and transcripts, enrollment verifications, graduation, academic room scheduling, criminal background checks, external testing services, academic catalogs and the academic calendar.
RHA
The Residence Hall Association is a student-run and led organization comprised of representatives from each residence hall that provides programming throughout the year.
RHC
Residence hall coordinators are professional staff members who live in the residence halls. They supervise student staff and oversee community building and the administrative aspects of their building.
SAB
The Student Activities Board provides special event programming and entertainment to Saint Louis University. Events include entertainers, concerts and other programming.
SGA
The Student Government Association oversees the chartering and funding of all of the student organizations on campus and serves as the voice of the student body to the University.
SIC
The Student Involvement Center, located in Busch Student Center, is committed to creating educational experiences that engage students through their campus involvement, leadership development and college transitions. It organizes events and late-night activities, oversees more than 150 student organizations, fraternities and sororities, and offers plenty of servant leadership opportunities.
SLUruba
Simon Recreation Center's outdoor swimming facility and sand volleyball court.
U101
University 101 is a fall semester 1-credit-hour course that supports students in their transition to college and orients them to campus resources. First-year students will meet other students who are also new to SLU, and have the opportunity to talk with them about the new college experiences that they are all facing together.