Talk Like a Wheatie
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