Deciphering UWF Lingo: Your Guide to Campus Speak

July 15, 2025 | Jenny Feysa | jfeysa1@uwf.edu

Deciphering UWF Lingo: Your Guide to Campus Speak

Greetings, Argos! As you embark on and continue your academic journey, you'll quickly discover that every university has its own unique vocabulary – a set of terms, acronyms, and phrases that are part of daily campus life. Understanding this "UWF lingo" is crucial for navigating your academic path smoothly and making the most of your college experience.

This post will help you decode essential UWF terms and answer some common questions, ensuring you're always in the know.

Essential UWF Academic Terms Explained

Let's break down some of the most frequently used academic and administrative terms you'll encounter:

• Academic Standing: This is a formal notification of your academic progress, reviewed each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). It sets the academic expectations you need to meet to remain in good standing.
• Academic Year: At UWF, this refers to the period during which classes are held, encompassing the fall semester, spring semester, and summer semester.
• Accelerated Methods: This includes coursework or credit earned through examinations (like AP, IB, or CLEP) before your first enrollment at UWF, which can accelerate your progress toward a degree.
• Advising PIN: A Personal Identification Number essential for class registration. Your academic advisor will release this PIN to you after you've discussed your upcoming schedule. You can find it in the Advising Status app in MyUWF.
• Argos: You, me, all of us at UWF are argos!
• Canvas: UWF’s Learning Management System - how you access all of your online courses.
• CBA: Refers to the Center for Behavior Analysis.
• Catalog Year: This determines the specific set of general education and major requirements you must fulfill for graduation. It's usually set when you're admitted or change majors.
• Closed Course: A course that has reached its maximum enrollment capacity. You generally cannot register for a closed course without instructor approval, and often, joining a waitlist is the best option.
• CRN (Course Reference Number): This is a unique 5-digit number associated with a specific course offering in a given semester. You can find it in the Registration Menu app (Browse Classes) or your Classmate app in MyUWF.
• Drop/Add Period: Typically the first week of classes, during which you can add or drop courses from your schedule without academic penalty. After this period, dropping a course usually requires an official withdrawal and tuition liability. Dates found in the Academic Calendar.
• IDT: Refers to the Instructional Design and Technology Department
• MyUWF: Your personalized online portal for accessing essential university applications and services (e.g., Navigate app for advising appointments, Classmate for textbook info, Final Grades app).
• MVRC: Refers to the Military and Veterans Resource Center.
• Nautilus Card: Your official UWF student ID. It's used for campus services, dining plans, library access, and more. YES! Students in fully online programs can get one, too, for discounts in their town.
• OUR: Refers to the Office of Undergraduate Research
• Part of Term (POT): This refers to the specific time frame within a semester that a course is taught. Some courses run for the entire semester, while others might be 6 or 8 weeks long. You can view a course's POT in the Classmate app in MyUWF. Click Understanding Parts of Term.
• SAI Hold (Student Assessment of Instruction Hold): This hold is placed on your student record if you haven't submitted the required Student Assessment of Instruction (SAI) for one of your courses. While it will not prevent registration, it will prevent you from viewing your unofficial transcript, DegreeWorks audit, and final grades until removed.
• SAR: Refers to Student Accessibility Resources.
• SOE: Refers to the School of Education.
• TLR: Refers to the Teaching, Leadership, and Research Department.
• Transact: MyUWF app that shows you your tuition and fees information and deadlines.
• Transient Student: A UWF student who is taking coursework at another institution, with UWF remaining their home institution.
• UWF ID: Your 9-digit unique identification number. Your UWF ID should be kept private and secure as it provides access to your applicant and student records.
• Withdrawal: The process of officially dropping a course after the initial Drop/Add period. If done before the tenth week of the Fall or Spring semester, it usually results in a "W" grade, which does not impact your GPA.

Advising FAQs: Getting Your Questions Answered

Your academic advisor is your primary resource for navigating policies and procedures. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions that can help you along the way:

Appointments & Registration

• How do I set up an advising appointment? You can easily schedule advising appointments using the Navigate app in MyUWF. See Schedule an Appointment with your Academic Advisor, an Academic Support office, or Faculty Office Hours.
• What is a PIN, and why do I need one? Your advising PIN is required for class registration. Your advisor will release it to you after you've met to discuss your schedule. You can find your PIN in the Advising Status app in MyUWF.

Grades & Transcripts

• How do I access my grades? You can access your UWF grades via the Student Academic Records Menu app in MyUWF. Remember, you must complete all Student Assessment of Instructor (SAI) forms each semester in the Classmate app to view your grades.
• Why can't I see my grades yet? This is often due to an SAI Hold. If you haven't submitted the required Student Assessment of Instruction (SAI) for one of your courses, a hold will be placed on your record, preventing you from viewing your unofficial transcript, DegreeWorks audit, and final grades. Completing your SAIs will remove this hold.

Campus Logistics & Resources

• How do I get my Nautilus Card? Visit the official Nautilus Card website for detailed information on obtaining your card.
• How do I set up my UWF email? First, activate your ArgoNet account from the MyUWF page. Then, log into Google Apps. Your email address will be your ArgoNet username followed by "@students.uwf.edu."
• How do I find textbook information? Once you've registered for classes, you can find textbook information in the Classmate app in MyUWF.
• How do I find parking information? If you plan to park on campus, you'll need to purchase a parking decal, which can be done through your MyUWF account.
• How do I find information on the financial aid process? Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships website for details. 

Your Academic Advisor: Your Best Resource!

While this blog provides a helpful overview, remember that your academic advisor is your ultimate guide. Don't hesitate to reach out to them for personalized advice, clarification on policies, or assistance with degree planning.

Understanding UWF lingo and knowing where to find answers will empower you to succeed.

Go Argos!

Coming in August: Starting the Semester Strong!