Hokie Speak

Beamerball	Successful football strategy using special teams perfected by Frank Beamer and his coaching staff
BT	Blacksburg Transit, the bus system that will get you around campus and around town.
Burruss	Burruss Hall; a building located centrally on the Drillfield characterized by the tall castle-like façade which houses central university administration.  Contrary to popular opinion, it is not necessary to wear a tie (if male) when coming to visit.
Cadets	Members of Virginia Tech’s Corps of Cadets.  Students who join the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech may choose from three ROTC options: Army ROTC, Navy ROTC and Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC.  Cadets are very visible on campus because of the uniforms they wear on a daily basis and their participation as a group in many university events.
The Cage	A parking lot on the outskirts of campus that students have lovingly named “the cage.”
Drillfield	The central point of Tech’s campus, historically tied to drilling practices by the corps of cadets.
Duck Pond	The pond on campus and site of many marriage proposals.
Empo	The Math Emporium at University Mall.  This computer lab contains about 500 computer workstations open 24/7 for the teaching of mathematics.
GLC	The Graduate Life Center
Hokie	Hokie refers to Tech fans, alums, and students – anyone associated with Virginia Tech.  The outpouring of support from universities and individuals around the world following 4/16 has led to many people saying “We are ALL Hokies.”
The HokieBird	The bird is the university’s official mascot.  The "HokieBird" evolved from a turkey. Virginia Tech teams were once called the "gobblers".  The full history of the HokieBird is available at http://www.hokiesports.com/hokiebird/about.html.
Hokey Pokey	A song and dance for all true Hokies.
Hokie Passport	A card with your picture and ID number on it.  A few things that you use this card for are to get on the bus, buy lunch, and get in the gym.
Hokie Poke	A “poke” is a bag; so a Hokie poke is a bag that a Hokie carries.
HokieSPA	The online system where you can access employment and other information and where students access online registration.
Hokie Stone	A type of limestone used on the outside of buildings on campus; quarried locally.  Variations in the color can be identified with different quarries and building eras.
NOVA	Northern Virginia; however, this  is now officially referred to as the National Capital Region when discussing VT facilities
PID	Your personal identifier.  You use your PID to access your email, HokieSPA, and wireless internet.
Pylons	A gift of Tech alumni to their alma mater, the memorial was begun in the spring of 1951 and dedicated in the spring of 1961.  Grouped by class, names of alumni who have died while in military service are carved into the eight Indiana limestone pylons. The four left pylons were designed by Henry Kries; the right pylons were designed by Charles Rudy. The large granite stone in the center is called the cenotaph.  The names of the eight pylons are Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Loyalty, Service, Sacrifice, Duty and Ut Prosim
Skipper	The name of the cannon that is fired outside Lane Stadium when the football team enters the field and when it scores. Trivia tidbit:  The cadets who initiated the cannon tradition named it Skipper to honor John F. Kennedy, who had just been assassinated and was the skipper of a PT-boat.
Ut Prosim	Tech’s motto since 1896:  That I May Serve.  (Also see “Pylons”)
Virginia Tech	Our official name is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, but the name is so cumbersome that using "Virginia Tech" in news releases, feature articles, and publications is preferable (although the official name SHOULD be used in some situations, such as academic publications). Never use an ampersand instead of "and." Never use VPI&SU, VPI and SU, VA Tech, Va. Tech, or Virginia Tech University in printed matter. "Tech" is acceptable after a first reference to "Virginia Tech," but it should not be used repeatedly or solely. "VT" and Va. Tech are acceptable only in limited, informal situations, such as a news headline where space is tight. Refrain from using "VT" in body copy, titles of publications, on signs, or in any "formal" publication. "VPI," which was the university's acronym/nickname from 1896 to 1970, should be used only in historical contexts. The same is true for "VAMC," the university's acronym/nickname before 1896.
Volume Two	The name of the VT bookstore at University Mall.
VT-Engage	The VT-Engage mission is to encourage everyone everywhere to do volunteer work as a way to give back to the community. Tech students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to perform at least 10 hours of service per academic year.  VT-Engage provides resources for you to find a place to volunteer.

                   

         

 

Translating Acronyms and Obscure References

Addison	Electronic system for searching the library’s catalog
AIS	Administrative Information Systems
AREC	Agricultural Research and Extension Center
BANNER	The Banner system is the collection of central administrative systems and data at Virginia Tech. These systems encompass Alumni/Development, Human Resources, Finance, and Student and Financial Aid.
Base Budget	Legislative formula to provide taxpayer funding for all 17 public higher education institutions.
Adequacy	The core of the formula is a calculation of total full-time equivalent faculty needed to deliver annual total credit hours taught by level in one of 5 discipline groups.
BOV	Board of Visitors
CAEE	Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence
CEUT	Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
CNS	Communication Network Services, phones and wireless
	Commissions:
CFA	Commission on Faculty Affairs
CAPFA	Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs
CSPA	Commission on Staff Policies and Affairs
CSA	Commission on Student Affairs
CGS&P	Commission on Graduate Studies and Policies
CUS&P	Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies
	College Abbreviations:
CALS	College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
CAUS	College of Architecture and Urban Studies
CLAHS	College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
PCOB	Pamplin College of Business
COE	College of Engineering
CNR	College of Natural Resources
COS	College of Science
VMRCVM	Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
DDD (or DDDH)	Deans, directors and department heads
E & G	Education and General Funds (Combined general and non-general fund sources for education programs)
FDI	Faculty Development Institute
FTE	Full-time equivalent (student, faculty, etc.)
General funds	State allocations for higher education
HR	Human Resources
HRIS	Human Resources Information Systems
IDDL	Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning
	Institutes:
ICTAS	Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science
IBPHS	Institute for Biomedical & Public Health Science, but now Fralin Biomedical and Life Science Institute
ISCE	Institute of Society, Culture and Environment
VBI	Virginia Bioinformatics Institute
VTTI	Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
IR	Institutional Research
ITSG	International Travel Supplemental Grants
MAOP	Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program
McNair	Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program)
Non-general funds	Tuition, fees and other self-generated revenues
OIRED	Office of International Research, Education, and Development
OSP	Office of Sponsored Programs
PeopleFinder	Electronic directory search system on VT’s main web page
SACS	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, regional accreditation for university as a whole
SCHEV	State Council of Higher Education in Virginia
The Mall	the Alumni Mall, which is the grassy strip between North Main Street and the War Memorial Chapel
UAAC	University Academic Advising Center
VCE	Virginia Cooperative Extension