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Around Campus

Accreditation: A process by which an educational institution is certified by an official agency or association as maintaining acceptable standards or practices.

Academic Advisor: A campus administrator that assists students with academic or personal needs. An academic advisor may also be a professor.

Academic Calendar: The calendar followed by an educational institution that usually outlines the dates that school is in session, when final exams take place, etc.

Academic Honesty and Integrity: A policy adapted by many colleges and universities describing the policies regarding cheating, fabrication, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration,

Academic Term: Time in which a college or university holds classes. Some academic terms may be held in semesters (usually 15 weeks), trimesters (usually 10 weeks) or quarters (usually 10 weeks).

Bachelor Degree: The academic degree awarded for the completion of undergraduate study. The most common bachelor degrees awarded are the B.S. or the Bachelor of Science and the B.A. Bachelor of Arts. Bachelor degrees are usually completed within four years.

Bookstore: Location on campus where students can purchase the required books for their classes and other necessary school supplies.

Bursar (Student Accounts, Student Services, Financial Aid): A bursar is usually the chief financial officer of college or university. Students may be referred to the Bursar’s Office to take care of business related to their student account.

Degree-Seeking Student: A student who is actively enrolled in an academic institution and seeking a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

Degree Requirements: The outline of the required courses needed in order to receive a degree.

Dining Hall: The location on campus where students eat.

Disability Student Services: Office on a college or university campus where students with learning or physical disabilities can receive assistance. The office may be responsible for determining and providing appropriate accommodations for students, such as tutoring, extend time on exams, etc.

ESL (English as a Second Language): Term often used students or courses where English is being learned.

Endowment: The total value of the college or universities investments. The endowment is often used to fund the operations of the college and can determine the amount of financial aid available.

Full Time: A student who is enrolled in a minimum number of academic credits or courses in order to pursue a full course of study. The number of credits needed to maintain “full-time” status will vary from college to college, however full time enrollment is often required to maintain your visa status.

Graduate Work (or graduate study): The time in which students are pursuing a graduate degree (usually a Master’s or Doctorate degree).

International Student: A student or applicant who is not a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States.

On-Campus Housing: Housing accommodations available to student on a college or university campus. Often referred to as dormitories, residence halls or on-campus apartments.

Off-Campus Housing: Housing accommodations available to students off of the college or university campus.

Orientation: Time period before the beginning of an academic semester, trimester or quarter where new students are able to adjust to their new lives on a college or university campus through organized programs. Orientation usually takes place just prior to the beginning of an academic semester, trimester or quarter.

Residence Hall: Also called dorm or dormitory. Physical location of sleeping or living quarters for students on a college or university campus.

Resident Assistant (R.A.): Usually an upper class student (sophomore, junior or senior) who is trained to assist other students with their needs while living in a residence hall.

Resident Director (R.D.): Also called Area Directors or Area Coordinators, are administrators who supervise resident assistants. These administrators often live in the residence halls and are trained to assist students with personal, academic or social needs, including emergency situations.

Student Affairs: Also referred to as Student Life. Is often the office on campus responsible for academic advising and support services for students. This office may also oversee student activities, student government and other campus resources.

Undergraduate Work: Also referred to as undergraduate study. The time in which students are pursuing an undergraduate degree after the completion of secondary school (usually a bachelors degree).

Immigration Terms

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Is a type of work authorization granted to students with an F-1 visa status that want to participate in a program designed to apply and practice the knowledge and skills gained in their academic work.

Declaration of Finances: A form international students are required to submit that shows proof of financial support. You must submit an official bank letter showing that you have enough funds (either from your family or an official sponsor) to pay for the entire cost of your program (tuition, room and board, cost of living expenses, etc.) for one year (the exact amount expected varies from college to college). You may also need to submit a copy of your passport with this form. This form is necessary in order to receive your I-20 form and should be completed by the colleges stated deadlines.

Form I-20: Is issued by the college or university you have officially decided to attend. This is the form issued for students receiving F-1 Visa status and plan to study full-time at the college or university they are attending.

DS-2019 Form: Is issued by the college or university you are authorized to attend as a visiting or exchange students. These students are only studying in the US for a short period of time and will receive the J-1 Visa status.

Sevis Fee: A congressionally mandated fee collected by the US Department of Homeland Security to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Visa: The document that you will receive which will allow you to enter and leave the United States. Most international students will receive F-1 visa status

Form I-94: Is your official “Arrival-Departure Record‘. It is a small white card that is issued when you arrive in the United States. The Form I-94 is an important immigration document as it indicates your immigration status,

Optional Practical Training (OPT): This is a benefit of F-1 non-immigrant visa status that allows students to work off-campus in a field related to their area of study.