Navigating The University of Alabama (UA) can feel like decoding a secret language, especially for new students and their parents. From administrative offices to student life, the university is filled with acronyms that express its rich traditions, diverse departments, and essential services. Understanding these acronyms is crucial for both supporting your student’s transition to university life and engaging with the campus community.
In this guide, we’ll show the most common and important acronyms you’ll encounter within the University of Alabama.
Here are the social media Acronyms used at The University of Alabama.
BB – Bama Bound (new student orientation), also Blackboard
DD / DS – Dear Daughter / Dear Son
Big Al – School Mascot
CBH – Computer Based Honors program
CKD – Coach Kalen DeBoer (formerly CNS or GOAT – Coach Nick Saban)
CWID – Campus Wide Identification – Student ID Number
DW – DegreeWorks – online schedule planning system used by UA
MDB – Million Dollar Band, Bama’s awesome student band
MSC – Mailstop Code – the mail address assigned to your student
PNM – Potential New Member – a young lady going through Sorority Recruitment
RTR – Roll Tide, Roll!
UA – The University of Alabama
Here are Abbreviations for Locations at the University of Alabama.
The UA Student Center/STU
The UA Student Center is the student union and hub of student life on campus. It houses The UA Student Center Food Court, the SUPe Store, Alabama Credit Union, the UA Student Center Art Gallery, the UA Student Center Theater, and many student-related offices.
The Quad
The Quad is the heart of the UA campus. Most students enjoy its beauty everyday due to its central location. Students use it for activities from Frisbee or football to finding a quiet place to study.
Denny Chimes
The bell tower located on the Quad named after former President George H. Denny. Students enjoy its chiming and music daily as they travel from class to class.
The Rec/SRC/UREC
The Student Recreation Center is a 180,000 square-foot facility serving current students and the greater University of Alabama community by providing opportunities to foster health and well-being, learning, leadership, and inclusion.
The Witt
The Witt Student Activity Center at Presidential Village is a 133,000 square-foot complex located in the north end of campus. The facility currently contains offices for Housing and Residential Communities, First Year Experience, Parent & Family Programs, Women’s Rowing, and an 85,000 square-foot recreation center. The facility also has a convenience store and various food service options operated by BAMA dining. The lower level also contains a dedicated storm shelter that may be used as a safe haven during a severe weather event.
The SUPe Store
The University’s Supply Store is the place to go for official UA textbooks, apparel, and gifts. You can shop with them online at superstore.ua.edu.
Sorority Row
The location of the majority of sorority houses on UAs campus. Sorority Row is on the south end of campus behind the Presidents Mansion.
Fraternity Row
The location of the majority of fraternity houses here on UAs campus. Fraternity Row is located on the eastern end of campus near the Rec.
Pres
Presidential Village is on the north end of campus along Jack Warner. It is home to Presidential Village I & II which are 7 story suite style residence halls as well as the SACPV.
TUT
Tutwiler Hall located on the south end of campus near sorority row and Bryant-Denny Stadium. This is a traditional style all female residence hall housing 840 women.
RCS
Ridgecrest South is a suite style residence hall here on campus and is home to the Honors College Living-Learning Community.
Engineering Quad
The Shelby Quadrangle located near the northern end of campus. It is home to several engineering buildings including Shelby Hall, the SEC, SERC, NERC, and Rodgers Library.
The Bus Hub
This is the University’s transportation hub where all campus buses begin and end their routes. It is also home to the ACTion card office.
Here are also some Building Abbreviations used at The University of Alabama.
| Abbreviation | Designation |
|---|---|
| AB | Alston Hall |
| AD | Adams Hall |
| AIME | Alabama Institute Manufacturing Excellence |
| ALH | Autherine Lucy Hall |
| BC | B. B. Comer Hall |
| BCDC | Judy Bonner Child Development Center |
| BD | Bidgood Hall |
| BE | Bevill |
| BL | Bruno Library/Bashinsky Computer Center |
| BOM | Bureau of Mines |
| BR | Oliver – Barnard Hall |
| BRYH | Bryant Hall |
| BW | Barnwell Hall |
| CA | Carmichael Hall |
| CCN | Capstone College of Nursing Building |
| CL | Clark Hall |
| CM | 700 Building |
| DI | Dauphin Island |
| DO | Doster Hall |
| EA | East Annex |
| EB | English Building |
| FA | Farrah Hall |
| FO | Foster Auditorium |
| GA | Garland Hall |
| GL | Gallalee Hall |
| GP | Gordon Palmer Hall |
| HC | H. M. Comer (Mineral Industries Building) |
| HN | Honors Hall |
| HO | Houser Hall |
| HR | Hardaway Hall |
| HW | Hewson Hall |
| JENG | John England Jr. Hall |
| LB | Gorgas Library |
| LI | Little Hall |
| LW | Law Center |
| LY | Lloyd Hall |
| MC | Coleman Coliseum |
| ML | McClure Library |
| MM | Moody Music Building |
| MP | Martha Parham Hall (Continuing Education) |
| MSB | Math & Science Education Building |
| NA | Natatorium |
| NERC | North Engineering Research Center |
| NL | North Lawn Hall |
| OS | Osband |
| PATY | Paty Hall |
| PH | Reese Phifer Hall |
| PRH | Presidents Hall |
| RH | Russell Hall |
| RJ | Rowand-Johnson Building |
| RL | Rodgers’ Library for Science and Engineering |
| RS | Rose Administration Building |
| SC | The Stallings Center |
| SEC | Science and Engineering Complex |
| SERC | South Engineering Research Center |
| SCF | Scientific Collections Facility |
| SHLB | Shelby Hall |
| SM | Smith Hall |
| SR | Student Recreation Center |
| SS | Student Services Center |
| TB | To Be Announced |
| TH | Ten Hoor Hall |
| TT | Temple Tutwiler (Old Alumni) |
| TN | Tennis Courts |
| TU | Tuomey Hall |
| TW | Julia Tutwiler Hall |
| WD | Wade Hall |
| WI | Wilson Hall |
| WO | Woods Hall |
