Graduate Lingo
Learning the longhorn lingo may take a little time, but it's worth the effort.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | W | Z
A
Ad Hoc Interdisciplinary Program
Students may propose to construct an ad hoc
interdisciplinary doctoral program that draws
on the intellectual resources of several graduate
programs and involves faculty members
from more than one school or college, allowing
students who have been admitted to a
graduate program to design a course of study
that does not fit into an existing degree plan.
Adds/Drops
Changes in a student's schedule are accomplished
by adding or dropping courses. The
procedures for adding and dropping courses
can be found in the graduate student catalog.
Admission with Conditions
With the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, a program
may admit a student who does not meet
the Graduate School's minimum standards for
admission. A conditional admission may
require the student to maintain a certain grade
point average (GPA) or take a certain number
of semester hours of coursework or meet
other academic criteria in order to continue on
in the program.
Assistantships
Various teaching, research and academic
assistantships are awarded by academic
departments. The positions are designed for a
specific service determined by the department.
International students and non-resident
students may pay resident tuition and fees if
the assistantship is related to the student's
degree program.
B
Bar
This can be a financial (i.e. a library fine) or a
non-financial (i.e. advising) restriction that prohibits
a student from registering until it has
been cleared.
BEVO
The university's official mascot, a longhorn
steer, accompanies the Longhorn football team
to all home and many out-of-town games.
Big 12
UT Austin is a part of the southern division of
the Big 12 athletic conference with Baylor
University, Oklahoma State University, Texas
A&M University, Texas Tech University and
University of Oklahoma. Schools in the northern
division include Kansas State University,
University of Colorado, Iowa State University,
University of Kansas, University of Missouri
and University of Nebraska.
Bursar's Office
Also known as the Cashier's Office or Student
Accounts Receivable, this is where students
may pay their fee bills or pick up student
employment checks.
C
Cancellation
If registration is withdrawn, or cancelled, by a
student before the first class day of any
semester, a full refund of tuition and required
fees minus a $15 matriculation fee is issued.
A student may initiate a cancellation of registration
by contacting the Graduate School.
Cashier's Office
The Cashier's Office is also known as the
Student Accounts Receivable and the Bursar's
Office, where students may pay their fee bills,
clear bars or pick up student employment
checks.
Confirming Registration
Students who have a "zero amount due reflected
on their fee bill due to financial assistance
they are receiving must complete, or confirm,
their registration via the Web or by submitting
their fee bill showing a "zero amount due to the
cashier's office by 5 p.m. on the day their registration
is processed to avoid a cancellation of
registration for nonpayment.
Course Schedule
The course schedule lists the courses to be
offered each semester, including time, location,
unique number and instructor, as well as other
essential registration information and instructions.
It is currently available online
through the registrar's Web site. Printed course schedules are no longer available
for purchase.
Co-op
The University Co-Op has several locations in
Austin. The main location is at 2246 Guadalupe
St., directly across from the West Mall. Partially
owned and operated by students, faculty and
staff of the university, the Co-op sells UT Austin
clothing, textbooks, magazines and has a camera
department, as well as a service center for
paying bills, shipping packages and more.
D
The Daily Texan
The award-winning student-run newspaper
on campus.
Dean
Each college and school is headed by a dean.
The academic dean for all graduate students is
Judith H. Langlois, Vice Provost and Dean of
Graduate Studies ad interim.
The Drag
This refers to Guadalupe Street, in general, and
the portion of Guadalupe running between
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (MLK
Boulevard) and West Dean Keeton Street, in particular.
The University Co-op, fast food establishments,
clothing stores and more are located on
the drag.
Dual Degree Programs
Dual degree programs are structured so that a
student can pursue graduate work in two fields
and fulfill the requirements of two degrees; in
programs leading to two master's degrees, the
degrees are awarded simultaneously.
E
East Mall
The area east of the Main Building between
Speedway Avenue and the bus circle on East
23rd Street.
EID (Electronic Identity)
The UT EID and password enable students to use
secure UT Austin Web services such as
Registrar's Online Services (ROSE) registration,
tuition and fee bill calculation, student address
update and ticket draws for intercollegiate athletic
events. Students can activate their UT EID and password
online or when they get their student ID.
Explore UT
Each March the university hosts the biggest
open house in Texas. Students, faculty and staff
showcase UT Austin's literary and art collections;
dance, music and theater talents; and cutting edge
scientific research for Texans of all ages.
F
FAC
Abbreviation for the Peter T. Flawn Academic
Center located on the West Mall next to the
Main (MAI) Building. The FAC offers a student
lounge, the University ID Center and the
Campus Computer Store.
Fellowships
University fellowships, which are administered
through the Graduate School, are administered
to new and continuing graduate students in
most academic areas.
Forty Acres
The original UT Austin campus was on 40 Acres
surrounding what is now the Tower. This is the
area framed by 24th Street, Speedway Avenue,
21st Street and Guadalupe Street.
G
General Information Catalog
This refers to the booklet published by the
Official Publications Division of the Registrar's
Office. It provides information regarding general
admission requirements, registration and fees,
academic policies and procedures, student
affairs, libraries and other academic resources. It
can be purchased at campus area bookstores or
viewed online.
Gone To Texas
This celebration takes place on the Main Mall
the night before classes start each fall. It serves
as the official welcome to The University of Texas
at Austin.
Grade Status
Graduate courses may be offered on a letter
grade basis or on a credit/no credit (CR/NC)
basis. Students may verify the grade status of a
course offering in the course schedule. With the
graduate adviser's consent, a student may
change his or her grade status in a course
through the deadline published in the course
schedule.
Grade Reports
Students can view final grades through UT
Direct using their EID or request that a printed
grade report be sent at the end of the semester.
Printed grade reports are mailed to the student
at the address the student requests.
Graduate Adviser
Each graduate program has a faculty member
designated to advise students and represent
the Graduate School in matters pertaining to
graduate study. The graduate adviser makes
administrative decisions at the departmental
level that pertain to university policy and
serves as a liaison to the Graduate School.
Graduate Assembly
This group is comprised of 31 faculty members elected by Committees on Graduate
Studies, six student members, and 17 ex officio members, including the president,
the executive vice president and provost, the dean of the Graduate School,
and others. The Graduate Assembly can legislate on all matters having
to do with the academic character of the graduate program of The University
of Texas at Austin. It is primarily involved with determining minimum
criteria for graduate admission and continuation, approving new graduate programs,
evaluating existing graduate programs, recommending the abolition or substantial
modification of existing graduate programs, setting policy concerning graduate
student programs and student welfare, and setting policy concerning graduate
student support.
Graduate Catalog
This refers to the book published by the
Official Publications Division of the Registrar's
Office that lists many requirements and policies
of the Graduate School, as well as specific
information about each degree program.
The Graduate Catalog is the authoritative
source of information regarding graduate
study at the university. It contains degree
requirements for all graduate fields of study,
rules that affect graduate students, description
of graduate courses and a list of graduate faculty
members.
Graduate Coordinator
The graduate coordinator is a staff member
who assists the graduate adviser and other
faculty members in the administration of the
program, as well as provides student services
to graduate students in the department. This is
the staff member most graduate students get
to know best because they are the first
departmental contact on many issues.
Graduate and International Admissions Center
The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) is the part of the Office
of Admissions that processes all the applications, transcripts and various
other credentials for all graduate and international students. The GIAC
staff works with universities from all over the world to evaluate student transcripts
and collect the necessary paperwork to make sure a student's admission to
UT is as smooth as possible.
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
A graduate research assistant is a student academic
employment appointment held by a
graduate student to assist a faculty member
with research related to the student's field
of study.
Graduate Student Assembly
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) has
been the official representative body for graduate
students since 1994. GSA addresses
issues that are important to graduate students
and reports administratively to the Vice
Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Studies Committee
Each department has a committee made up of
primarily tenured and tenure-track faculty who
make decisions about the coursework students
must complete. The Graduate Studies
Committee (GSC) also approves the qualifying
examinations students must pass and determines
general academic policy pertaining to
earning a graduate degree.
H
Hook 'em / Hook 'em Horns
The hand symbol, resembling the head of a
longhorn, UT Austin fans use to show their
school spirit. Introduced in 1955 by Harley
Clark, the hand signal was an instant hit.
I
IF Account
An individually funded computer account
allows you to access campus computer labs
and printers and obtain other computer services.
In Absentia Registration
Students must be registered for the semester
in which they graduate and must apply for
graduation by the deadline published in the
academic calendar. An exception is made for
students who apply to graduate in the summer
session and miss the deadline for acceptance
of the thesis, report, recital, dissertation
or treatise, but complete degree requirements
prior to the fall semester. In this case, the student
may be registered in absentia for the fall
semester by degree evaluators in the
Graduate School. The fee for in absentia registration
is $25.
International office
The International Office coordinates and administers
programs that serve international students,
faculty members, staff members and
visitors to the university community, as well
as university students going abroad.
K
KVR-TV
Broadcasting from atop the UT Tower, KVR-TV
is a completely student-run low-power commercial
television station. KVR's over-the-air
signal reaches homes in central and east
Austin over VHF channel 9. In addition, KVR is
available 24 hours a day in on-campus dormitories
and is simulcast over Time Warner Cable
during certain hours of the day.
KUT Radio
KUT Austin is licensed by the FCC to the Board of Regents of The University of
Texas and operates as a department within the College of Communication at The
University of Texas at Austin. The local station offers national public
radio and local news and music. For a schedule of programming go to http://kut.org/.
L
Late Registration
The period of late registration is given in the
course schedule. During this period, a student
may register with the consent of the graduate
adviser. Late fees are assessed during late
registration periods. Students must pay their
fee bills or confirm their zero bills by 5 p.m. on
the day their late registration is processed or
their registration will be cancelled. Signatures
required for late registration vary based on the
timing of the request.
Leave of Absence
Graduate students may request a leave of
absence from their degree program for up to
two long semesters. A student on approved
leave must apply for readmission in order to
return to the university, but readmission during
the approved period is automatic and the
application fee is waived. Requests for leaves
of absence require the approval of the graduate
adviser and, in the case of doctoral candidates,
the graduate dean.
M
Minority Liaison Officers
Minority liaison officers are faculty members
who have been appointed by their departments
or programs to act as a resource for
enrolled and prospective minority students. In
addition they act as advisers and advocates for
enrolled minority students.
O
Optional Fees
These fees are charges for programs and services
not included when a student pays tuition
and required fees. Optional fees include
Longhorn All-Sports Package, Department of
Theatre and Dance tickets, Cactus yearbook,
parking permits, Performing Arts Center/Tix for
Six and the Analecta literary journal.
Office of the Ombudsperson
The ombudsperson serves as a neutral third
party providing assistance to students who
have university-related complaints of a non legal
nature. The ombudsperson is authorized
to investigate grievances involving both academic
and nonacademic concerns and to recommend
corrective measures. All assistance
provided by the office is confidential and is
available by phone or in person.
P
Personal Computer Account
This computer account, also known as an IF
account, allows you to access campus computer
labs and printers and subscribe to many
computer services.
Portfolio Programs
Portfolio programs are opportunities for students
to obtain certification in a cross-disciplinary
academic area of inquiry while they are
completing the requirements for a master's or
doctoral degree in a particular discipline. A
portfolio program usually consists of four thematically
related graduate courses and a
research presentation. For master's portfolio
programs, a practical experience related to the
portfolio program may replace the presentation.
Q
"Q" Drop
A notation appearing on a students' transcript
when they drop a class after the 12th class
day. Refunds are not issued for courses that
are Q-dropped.
R
Registrar's Office
This office oversees registration; maintains and
certifies student records; issues diplomas and
transcripts; and publishes catalogs, course
schedules and final exam schedules.
Required Fees
Students enrolled at UT Austin are automatically
assessed certain fees including but not limited to
library fee, student services fee, Texas Union fee,
information technology fee, recreational sports
fee, student health fee and general purpose fee.
Additionally, newly admitted students must pay
the one-time general property deposit that is
assessed upon entry to the university.
Restricted Directory Information
Currently enrolled students may request that
their directory information, including information
such as name, address, phone number
and enrollment information not be made available
to the public by contacting the Office of
the Registrar during the first 12 days of any
long semester or the first 4 days of any summer
semester.
ROSE (Registrar's Online Services)
This Web site allows students to access course
schedules, class availability, class listings, final
exam schedules and grade reports. Students also can update their addresses,
view an interactive degree audit and register for classes.
S
Short-Term Loan
The university provides short-term emergency
or tuition loans to students. Emergency loans
are cash loans, normally for one month, and
are designed to be repaid in full on or before
the due date. Tuition loans, which have a one to
three month repayment period, must be
applied to a student's fee bill. Any subsequent
refund or tuition and/or fee payment must be
applied to a cash or tuition loan regardless of
the due date of the loan.
The Six-Pack
A group of six buildings on the South Mall:
Parlin, Batts, Benedict, Mezes, Calhoun
and Rainey.
South Mall
The area directly south of the Tower,
surrounded by Parlin, Batts, Mezes,
Calhoun, Benedict and Rainey. Students are
often found here studying, playing frisbee
or relaxing with friends.
Speedway Mall
This section of Speedway Avenue is closed to
traffic between 24th Street and Inner Campus
Drive. Student organizations and university
departments set up tables and hold special
events in this central-campus alternative to the West Mall.
Student Health Insurance Program
Administered by University Health Services (UHS), this program provides optional
low-cost group health insurance to students at UT Austin who are not covered
through other insurance programs. Additional information is available
at University Health Services.
Student Identification Card
Every student is required to have a university identification card (student
ID). The card may be obtained after the student's first registration or
at summer orientation. The student ID card is required for many purposes,
including use of the libraries and University Health Services; it also may be
used to draw tickets for or to be admitted to intercollegiate athletic events
as well as other special events. The cost of a UT ID is $10. This one-time
fee must be paid in addition to tuition and fees. Lost UT ID cards may be replaced
for an additional $10 charge.
Student Liability Insurance
Students must show evidence of student liability insurance when enrolled in
field experience courses that use off-campus facilities, if such facilities
require the insurance.
T
Teaching Assistant (TA)
A teaching assistant is a graduate student academic
employment appointment which allows
a graduate student to work within a specific
academic department to assist a faculty member
with teaching courses related to the graduate
student's field of study.
Texas Union
Known as the "living room" of the university,
the Texas Union offers lounges, meeting
rooms, student organizational offices, fast
food services, a large ballroom and an art
gallery. The Texas Union also houses the
famous Cactus Cafe, plus an underground billiards
and bowling hall.
The Tower
Also known as the Main Building, the Tower
stands 307 feet tall. It houses the Graduate
School, the President's Office, the Registrar's
Office, the Cashier's office, an information
desk and other administrative offices. The
Tower remains one of the best-known symbols
of the university.
U
UT Direct
This is a personal Web interface for each student to conduct university
business and view online course sites.
Students can customize their own personal page, access
e-mail and schedules, pay fee bills, renew
library books and track news and events.
UT EID
The UT EID is a student's personal electronic identifier
used to access many computer
services at UT. The UT EID provides
convenience and security for online university
transactions. Students also can use their UT EID to
register online, claim a university e-mail
address and much more.
W
Warning Status
A graduate student who is in "Warning Status"
has failed to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative
grade point average (GPA), make satisfactory
progress in fulfilling any admission conditions,
or meet any requirement outlined by the
Graduate Studies Committee. Once on Warning
Status, a graduate student will have one
semester or summer session to raise his or
her GPA to a 3.0, the minimum GPA for all
graduate students, or the student is dismissed
from the Graduate School.
WebSpace
A file storage system that provides
up to 150 megabytes of disk space to
store copies of important documents, to publish
a personal home page or to share files.
The service is available to all UT students,
faculty and staff.
West Mall
This is the open area surrounded by the Flawn
Academic Center, the Texas Union, the West
Mall Building and the Architecture Building.
Student organizations set up tables to recruit
new members, and rallies are often held in the
rally space on the steps of the Tower from
noon to 1 p.m. on weekdays.
Wireless and Wired Network Access
Many buildings and public areas on campus
have publicly accessible wired (Ethernet) and
wireless access points installed. Students with a
wireless compatible or Ethernet-equipped
device can access the Internet from
many campus hot spots simply by logging in
with their UT EID.
Withdrawal
Dropping an entire course load constitutes a
withdrawal from the university for that semester.
Graduate students can withdraw through
the last day of class for the current semester.
Z
Zapped
When your current or future semester enrollment
is cancelled or zapped when tuition and fees are not paid by the posted deadline.
