New to Penn and don’t have the lingo down yet? Don’t fret. Here’s a comprehensive list of terms and phrases to help you navigate the Penn student vernacular.
Your campus
Compass: The large compass built into Locust Walk at the 37th Street intersection. According to superstition, first years who walk over it will fail their first midterm.
DRL: David Rittenhouse Laboratory, a semi-brutalist math and science building at 33rd and Walnut streets. Notorious among students for its bleak atmosphere and lengthy distance from most other campus buildings.
VP: Van Pelt Library.
Stommons: The Starbucks under 1920 Commons, which is the only Starbucks on campus that takes Dining Dollars.
The Tampons: Large red structure past the bridge on Locust Walk. A popular meeting spot.
The Button: White button sculpture outside of Van Pelt Library.
GSR: Group study rooms. Students must be proactive in claiming one during midterms or final seasons, as they book rather quickly.
Steiny-D: Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, a Wharton building on Locust Walk between 36th and 37th streets.
Grommons: Gourmet Grocer, the on-campus market in 1920 Commons where students can grab quick meals and snacks.
KCECH (pronounced Kay-Check): Kings Court English House, a college house with a dining hall on the first floor.
Fisher: Fisher Fine Arts Library. Not to be confused with Fisher-Bennett Hall.
Your classes
PPE: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
HSOC (pronounced Aitch-SOC): Health and Societies.
BEPP: Business, Economics, and Public Policy.
Orgo: Organic Chemistry.
OIDD: Operations, Informations, and Decisions.
Your social life
BYO: Philadelphia has a plethora of restaurants, including several located in University City, that allow customers to “bring your own” drinks.
MERT(ed): The Medical Emergency Response Team is a group of student EMTs who respond to emergency calls on campus. To be “MERTed” is to require this team to be called for emergency help — many instances of which involve alcohol or other substances.
Homecoming (hoco) weekend: An annual tradition where students attend a Penn football game in November. Famously known as one of the only days during the year where students show school spirit.
Spring Fling: A two-day festival that traditionally takes place the weekend before final exams, featuring parties, student performances, and a nighttime concert.
Darty: Outdoor day parties, many of which are held during Homecoming weekend, St. Patrick’s Day, and Spring Fling.
Late night: A party, typically hosted by a fraternity, around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.
SABS-ing: To “see and be seen.” Some classic spots to SABS are Stommons and the tables outside ARCH.
Apes, Theos, Crows, Fiji, Hall, Elmo’s, Sammy, Pike, Phi, OAX: Greek organizations that aren’t known by Greek letters.
Sceney: A term used to refer to Penn students who are very involved with the social “scene.”
Downtown: A party held in downtown Philadelphia rather than on campus.
Smokes’: Smokey Joe’s, a bar on 40th Street popular with Penn students.
Miscellaneous
OCR: On-campus recruiting. Explains why you might see Wharton students in formal attire running around campus. Often held at the Saxbys Coffee on 40th and Locust streets.
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