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Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Maverick Lingo

Page address: https://web.mnsu.edu/family/resources/lingo.html

In conversations you have with your student they may mention places and events that are common place for most Minnesota State University Mankato students.  Here is some of the lingo your student may use.

 

Use the following links to quickly navigate the lingo for Academics, Student Life, Residential Life, and Around Campus.

Academics

 

College:  Minnesota State University Mankato is divided into six undergraduate academic colleges.  Each major falls into one of the colleges listed below.   

  • College of Allied Health and Nursing
  • College of Arts and Humanities
  • College of Business
  • College of Education
  • College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET)
  • College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

  students socializing in union

Syllabus:  This is the general guidelines and calendar for a course.  Instructors typically include contact information, office hours, TA information and an outline for when major assignments, exams, and research papers are due.

  

GA/TA:  An abbreviation for a graduate assistant or teaching assistant.  Duties of the graduate or teaching assistant vary, but often include teaching a discussion or lab section of a course. 

 

 Grad School:  Graduate school is the period of education following the completion of an undergraduate degree, usually resulting in a master's degree.

  

Office Hours:  A designated time when professors are in their office and available for students to stop by and ask questions or discuss problems.

  

Access Code:  A six digit code needed by all undecided first year students who have less than 24 credit hours completed that allows students for register for courses for the next semester.  Students who have more than 60 credit hours completed and are undecided as well as students majoring in programs housed in the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology also need access codes for registration.  Access codes are given to students who have met with their academic advisor to discuss course selection for the upcoming term.

 

D2L or Desire2Learn: Desire2Learn is a complete web-based suite of teaching and learning tools that provide course development, delivery and management of online courses.

 

Student Life

Greeks:  Students who belong to a fraternity or sorority.  Fraternities and sororities are University recognized student organizations who have a Greek advisor.

 

  

Homecoming: An annual fall celebration that unites the MSU community both past and present.  Common homecoming activities include a lip sync contest, crowning of a homecoming king and queen, a parade and of course Maverick athletic events.

  

Welcome Week:  Activities planned for all students starting on Move-In day through the start of classes.  Students can choose to participate in a welcome barbecue, athletic events, live music events, a hypnotist, and much more.

  

Reporter:  The student run and published college newspaper.

 

MavCARD: The official student identification card.  The MavCARD allows access to Campus Recreation and residence hall buildings (if the student lives there).  It can also be linked to a Wells Fargo bank account and can be used in vending machines.

 

Stomper: The mascot of the Minnesota State University Mavericks. Go Mavs!

 

MSSA: The Minnesota State Student Association.  This is the student government for all students.

 

Residential Life

dorm room

Dorms:  We call them residence halls and they are where the students live on campus.

 

Flex Dollars: This is money typically included in a meal plan that can be used at any dining location on campus at any time of the day.  Students can convert meals from their meal plan to flex dollars and can use flex dollars to pay for meals in the dining centers.  Additional money can be added to a student's flex dollar account.

 

CA:  This is the community advisor.  There is one assigned to each floor in the residence halls.  This person serves as a floor leader to organize events and activities for floor members.  They also serve as a resource for concerns and questions.

 

Quiet Hours:  The time of day when a floor community in the residence halls agrees that noise should be kept to a minimum (contained inside the student's room).  Quiet hours are 10PM-8AM Sunday through Thursday and 11PM-8AM Friday and Saturday.  During peak study periods, before final exams, 24- hour quiet hours are enforced.

 

Around Campus

CSU:  Abbreviation for the Centennial Student Union.  The CSU is the main gathering place for students.  Here students can grab a bite to eat in the Mav Ave Food Court, score a strike or shoot pool in the Maverick Bullpen (game room), or find a comfy sofa to chat with friends or study for a test.

 

Mav Ave:  This is the main campus food court located in the CSU.  Here students have a wide variety of food options including Chick-Fil-A, Taco Bell Express, Stack's Subs, Grill 155, La Vincita, Freshens Smoothies, the Market, and Jazzman's Cafe.

 

The Campus Hub:  One stop shop for student information.  If ever a student has a question and dosen't know who or where to ask, the Campus Hub is a good starting point. Questions about Financial Aid are directed here.

 

Taylor Center:  Built in 2000, this 4,800 seat facility is the home for Maverick men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.  In addition to sporting events, Taylor Center also hosts commencement ceremonies, major concerts, and lectures.

 

Blakeslee Stadium:  With a natural grass field, great sight lines and 7,000 seats, Blakeslee Stadium is the venue for Maverick football.

 

The Rec:  Otto Rec Center was completed in September of 2005 and is free to all current MSU students.  The $8.4 million renovation included a new wood gym floor housing three basketball/volleyball courts, a new three-lane walking/jogging track and "TechRec" cardio area (students can watch tv, read email, or surf the web while on the equipment), a new weight room, a central check in point and equipment checkout desk, remodeled locker rooms and a student lounge. 

 

Verizon Wireless Center:  The home for Maverick men's hockey, Verizon Wireless Center opened in 1995.  Located in the heart of downtown Mankato, the facility often plays hosts to as many as 5,000 Maverick hockey fans.

 

University Square:  A retail center adjacent to campus.  Shops and restaurants include; Chipotle, Insomnia Cookies, Planet Beach, Berry Blendz, Fantastic Sam's, Carmike Cinemas, Stadium Spirits, FedEx Office, Wells Fargo ATM, Cold Stone Creamery, Noodles and Co.,  Sports Bar, Kims Nails and Spa, Jimmy John's, and the Maverick Bookstore.