By Timmy Wong
Lost in the world of UBC and confused by what AMS, SUB, or CSI all mean? Can’t seem to find what your friend or professor was talking about the other day? Have no fear, we’ve compiled a list of the most common acronyms you’ll encounter at Arts UBC.
Tip: Save yourself some awkwardness and embarrassment. There’s no shame in not knowing an acronym. When you hear an acronym for the first time, ask for clarification right away and avoid having to ask for help later.
AMS – Alma Mater Society
The AMS is the UBC student association and consists of over 48,000 UBC student members. It represents UBC students at various levels of government and UBC administration and is led by an elected student body. The AMS provides a variety of services including tutoring and the Translink U-Pass, and runs the Student Union Building (SUB).
AUS – Arts Undergraduate Society
The AUS is the Arts Undergraduate Society, and is led by a group of students elected to represent Arts undergraduate students on a variety of issues. The AUS also rents out space for your meetings and events, provides lockers, and organizes social events.
BA – Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is the undergraduate degree that you obtain after completing the required credits for your program. A BA can be in the social sciences or humanities, or it can be part of an interdisciplinary program.
BFA – Bachelor of Fine Arts
A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is the undergraduate degree that you obtain after completing the required credits for your program. A BFA is rewarded for students majoring in the creative and performing arts.
BUCH – Buchanan buildings
The Buchanan complex, which includes all five blocks of Buchanan, is where most of your Arts courses will be held. BUCH A, B, and D are mostly lecture halls and classrooms, and BUCH C and E are office spaces.
BUTO – Buchanan Tower
Buchanan Tower is where most of your professors’ offices are.
CAP – Co-ordinated Arts Program
The Co-ordinated Arts Program is a first-year program that groups several courses by a common theme. These classes vary depending on the stream the students pick. This program is team-taught by professors who coordinate coursework and activities so that its 100-student cohort (aka: class) learn to approach problems and solutions from different academic perspectives.
CCEL – Centre for Community Engaged Learning
The Community Learning Initiative collaborates with students, staff, faculty, and community partners to work through local and global community-based issues. Students are able to take their classroom knowledge and apply it through special projects in the local community, and in meaningful volunteer work that achieves community goals. This can be done within a course, or as a side project.
CLASS – Conference for Learning and Academic Student Success
CLASS is an annual conference geared towards first-years to help them achieve academic excellence and personal wellness in their transition into university. CLASS is held every October, so look out for more information soon.
CLC – Chapman Learning Commons
The Chapman Learning Commons, located on the 3rd floor of the Irving K Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC), is a learning space for students to gather and collaborate. The space is home to academic resources such as tutoring, writing support, and peer academic coaches.
CSI&C – Centre for Student Involvement & Careers
The Centre for Student Involvement & Careers, located in Brock Hall, is the hub for student leadership and involvement opportunities on campus. It is the place to find out about opportunities to volunteer, work on campus, and participate in student-driven projects such as the Student Leadership Conference (SLC).
CWL – Campus Wide Login
Your Campus-Wide Login (CWL) is a single username and password that allows you to access many online services at UBC. Upon registering at UBC, you should have signed up for a CWL; if not, the link above will show you how to obtain one.
IKBLC – Irving K Barber Learning Centre
The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre is a facility at UBC that integrates your learning needs under one roof. It is home to the Library Centre, the Chapman Learning Commons, and a range of tutoring resources for first-years. There are a variety of learning spaces as well, including lecture halls and classrooms, group meeting rooms, and informal studying spaces. It is also home to the Co-ordinated Arts Program (CAP) and Arts One offices, as well as a dedicated study space for the two programs in IBLC 380.
MASS – Meekison Arts Student Space
MASS, located in Buchanan D140, is both the home of the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) executive offices, and a social/study space designed for Arts students. Couches and tables inside the space allow MASS to play host to a range of activities, ranging from meetings to special events. Microwaves and hot water are also provided, making it a great place to have your lunch.
MURC – Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference
MURC is a research-based conference that features undergraduate research at UBC. Researchers, presenters, and those interested in seeing what other students in their discipline are researching are encouraged to attend. This annual conference is held in March.
SLC – Student Leadership Conference
The SLC is UBC’s largest student-run conference, providing attendees from UBC with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by participating in engaging workshops and listening to inspiring speakers. The SLC will be held on Jan 12, 2013.
SSC – Student Service Centre
The SSC is an online portal for student services such as course registration, tuition payment, Degree Navigator and your exam schedule. You can also use the SSC to apply for bursaries/scholarships, obtain transcripts, and tax receipts on tuition and the Translink UPass.
SUB – Student Union Building
The SUB is operated by the Alma Mater Society (AMS), which is UBC’s official undergraduate student society. Many shops, eateries, offices, and student resources are run out of the SUB. Room bookings are available for students looking for a meeting place for their clubs. Currently, construction is underway to build a new SUB, which will be completed in 2014.
