Gustavus Adolphus College

Know the slang, know the school. The following is a list of things you really need to know before coming to Gustavus. The more of these words you know, the better off you’ll be.

The Arboretum, located on the south end of campus, has many trails, a rose garden and nature preserves; an aerial view shows that it is shaped like the state of Minnesota.

Though it actually means Before Christ and Anno Domini, students give the letter cube in front of the library a spin to help determine their grades at midterms and finals.

Your best friends at Gustavus

Campus Activities Board

The Market Place

Short for Collegiate Fellows; this is what other schools commonly refer to as RAs.

Held at 10 a.m. during each class day

It is not just Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the ‘burbs anymore. “The Cities” is the all-encompassing term for the Twin Cities.

More officially referred to as Norelius Hall

What the combination of North, Gibbs, and Sorensen dorms are called

What used to be the old swimming pool on campus has turned into a fun and relaxing place to hang out with friends; located in the Student Union. Look for dances every Friday night.

Right outside the Campus Center, stand in the middle of the Echo Circle and hear anything you say said right back to you.

Econo Foods: the only grocery store in St. Peter

First Term Seminar; every first-year is required to enroll in one during their first semester.

The Gustavus class ring

Think of it as a glorified student directory. Each fall, every student receives a copy of the Grib that lists everyone’s name, year, telephone number, and picture. Besides being a foolproof way to identify that person you see everyday in the Market Place, “Grib Shopping” means picking out the best and worst on campus.

What you become by enrolling at Gustavus

Current students assigned to greet new first-year students as they move in; Gustie Greeters lead an assigned group of first-year students through the five-day orientation period.

Sung during sporting events and any other time that you want to cheer on Gustavus

January term—a month spent taking one class or traveling

Mankato

A very late-night trip to the 24-hour Perkins in Mankato

The north end of campus as divided by the Chapel; primarily dorms, athletic facilities, and the Campus Center

The oldest building on campus; it used to house the entire College back in the late-1800s.

“The Hill” that you must come up to get to campus

President’s Ball; each spring, students head up to the Cities for a formal evening of dinner and swing dancing.

Post office boxes in the Campus Center

The monstrous ice cream sundae at Ruttles. Finish it and you can get your name on the wall.

The main road that runs around all of campus

Safety and Security

Right beside the Fine Arts Building, the Shakespeare Pit is an indented portion of the ground where professors often teach class on nice days.

A physical education class that you take with a friend or that special someone. Learn any kind of dance imaginable and earn one of your two required physical education activity requirements.

Once in the fall and once in the spring, each sorority and fraternity hosts an evening (or weekend) of fun for their members and dates.

The South end of campus, as divided by the Chapel; primarily dorms and academic buildings

Locals from St. Peter

– The campus newspaper