Hey all!

This section of the website is a list of different words and phrases that will come up during orientation week. Often with our fast-paced lives, and with running to class now and then, we Vic students like to abbreviate certain words, which often results in confusion for newer students. We have made an effort to include all of these abbreviations in the glossary below. Please take a gander and if you have any questions or comments, email them to vic.orientation@utoronto.ca (or ask a leader during orientation week!)

A

Acta Victoriana: Victoria College’s very own literary journal. Submissions from students are taken every year and a book of the chosen submissions is published.

Annesley Hall: Abbreviated “Annesley”. Located on Queen’s Park Crescent, this residence is for girls only. Fun Fact: No two rooms are the same in the residence!

B

Bay Street: The street bordering Victoria College’s east side. Home of the Manulife Centre (includes an Indigo and a Bloor Market Village opening September 2010) and Tim Horton’s (Featuring Coldstone).

BC: See “Birge-Carnegie Building.”

BG: See “Bowles-Gandier House.”

Birge-Carnegie Building: The building found at the south corner of Charles St. W. and Queen’s Park Crescent (where Charles St. W. ends). This building houses the Cat’s Eye(a student lounge and sometimes pub), The VUSAC office, the Wymilwood Café, offices of the student levies, and the offices of the Campus Life Coordinator and the International Student Coordinator.

Bloor Street: The street bordering Victoria College’s north side.

Bowles-Gandier House: A lower Burwash house, found farthest south. Vic One students are given top priority in this hosue.

C

Cat’s Eye: A central hang-out place and event location for many orientation week events. Over the course of the year the good times continue with pin ball or video games in between classes, interesting people, and numerous events. Located in the Birge-Carnegie Building next to Museum Subway station.

Caffiends: Victoria College’s own fair trade cafe. Volunteer run, this is one of Vic’s levies. Pay them a visit in Old Vic, but don’t forget to bring your own mug!

Caven House: A lower Burwash House

Charles Street West: The street cutting through Vic Campus. Years ago this was the dividing line between the men’s and women’s buildings. It is a one-way street moving west, but always look both ways when crossing!

Colleges: A system of organizing students used by the University of Toronto in Canada which is based off of a similar system used at Oxford University in the UK. In this system, students are separated into colleges where they hold residence and also have access to various services (the registrar, VUSAC, tutors, etc.). Colleges are mainly administrative and social as the majority of academic responsibilities rests with the faculties. However, most colleges have programs associated with them which they promote and help fund. The Vic One program is an excellent example of this, but like all college programs admission is not limited to the students of the host college.

College Street: The street bordering the south side of U of T St. George Campus. It features 24-hour street car service.

Commuter: Any student not living in residence is deemed a commuter. Whether you live just off campus or a lengthy TTC ride away, commuters make up the majority of Victoria College so know that you are not alone!

CLC (Campus Life Coordinator): A member of the Dean’s Office that works on all matters related to campus life. This year’s CLC is Kristina Minnella and you can find her using the Contacts Page.

D

Don: Also called RAs, Dons are upper-year students supervising a floor or a house. If you ever have any problems or any questions about anything at all while you are living at residence, your Don is who you should go to! Dons are chosen through a rigorous selection process and are trained to help you out.

E

E. J. Pratt Library: Abbreviated as “Pratt”. One of Victoria University’s libraries. Located at the south end of the quad. Fun Fact: You can see natural light from anywhere inside this building.

Emmanuel College: A graduate theological college that combines with Victoria College to form Victoria University. Located on the southeast side of campus, Emmanuel College is connected to the Birge-Carnegie Building.

F

Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association: The student association involved with all aspects of undergraduate life for students studying music in U of T’s Faculty of Music.

First-Base: Reffers to the first floor and basement of Margaret Addison Hall. This is the Arts and Culture floor and the Don of First-Base produces Vic’s Annual Variety Show.

Floor: A term used to identify the where residence rooms are located in a building (I know, it is pretty obvious!). Depending on the building, there may be one Don for each floor, or for more than one floor.

FMUA: See “Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association.”

G

Gate House: One of the Upper Burwash Houses. Easily recognized as the Burwash “tower”. Until recently this was an all male residence.

H

Houses: A term used to identify the building separations in the Burwash Residences. Each House has one Don supervising. Other residences (Rowell Jackman, Annesley and Margret Addison Halls) are named by floor.

I

Info Hub: Located in the Cat’s Eye, the info hub will be where you can fill up your water bottle, check out what event is going on at that time, and also chat with a few leaders. We will have sports equipment and crafts available for your amusement when you have some downtime as well.

Innis College: A college located on St. George Street on the west side of campus who traditionally collaborates with Vic on a few events. Often Vic students will be heard chanting “Vic loves Innis!” while Innis students reply with “Innis loves Vic!”

L

Lester B. Pearson Garden of Peace and Understanding: A garden located at the south side of Vic Campus, surrounded by the Lower Burwash houses and E. J. Pratt Library. Named after a famous Victoria College alumnus.

Levy Receiver: A student organization that caters to a particular interest. On Vic Campus they receive a levy from VUSAC (much bigger than any club!) . Levy receivers include the VCAA, the Strand, VCDS, The Cat’s Eye, and more.

Lower Burwash: Burwash Residence houses located around the Peace Garden, at the bottom of the stairs, south of Upper Burwash.

M

Marg Ad: See “Margret Addison Hall.”

Margaret Addison Hall: The tall, curved residence building located on the north side of Charles St., beside the Wymilwood Building and the Margret Addison field. Although originally an all girls residence Marg Ad is now proudly co-ed. 

Margaret Addison Hall Front Desk: Victoria College’s 24-hour residence services desk. If you lose a key, have a problem with your room, need to load up your laundry key, or have any questions and concerns, they are the ones to go to! Located on the first floor of Margaret Addison Hall and open to all students (not only those living in Margaret Addison Hall). Special note for commuters: Commuter Meal Plans are purchased here!

Middle House: One of the Upper Burwash houses.

N

Nelles House: One of the Lower Burwash houses. Named after a former influential president of Victoria University.

New College: A college found on the southwest side of U of T campus.

North House: One of the Upper Burwash houses. The one found closest to Charles St. W, joined to Burwash Dining Hall.

O

Old Ontario Strand: Vic’s school song.

Old Vic: See “Victoria College Building.”

P

Peace Garden: See “Lester B. Pearson Garden of Peace and Understanding.”

Penthouse: Reffers to the sixth and top floor of Margaret Addison Hall.

Pratt: See “E. J. Pratt Library.”

Pro Fac: See “Professional Faculty.”

Professional Faculty: Faculties outside of the Faculty of Arts and Science including the faculties of Applied Science and Engineering, Music, and Physical Education and Health.

Q

Quad: See “quadrangle.”

Quadrangle: The eye-catching courtyard surrounded by the Burwash Dining Hall, Burwash Residences and Old Vic, located at the centre of Vic Campus. This is where many Orientation Week events take place in. The Stage, Info Hub and water dispenser will be located here!

Queen’s Park North: The large park located southwest of Vic Campus. Featuring wonderful statues, enormous squirrels, and tons of foliage, it’s a great spot to spend a lazy autumn afternoon. Always be careful crossing the road!

Queen’s Park Crescent: The round road surrounding the Ontario Legislature buildings (Queen’s Park South) and the actual park (Queen’s Park North).

R

Robarts Library: The largest library at the University of Toronto. Located on the corner of St. George St. and Harbord St., this building is where you can get your T-Card. Due to its contoversial appearance as either a turkey peacock it’s fairly hard to miss!

Rowell Jackman Hall: A Victoria College residence building located on the south side of Charles St. W., beside the Burwash Residences. The residences in this building are suite-style.

Ryerson House: One of the Lower Burwash houses.

S

St. Mary Street: The street that ends just behind Rowel Jackman Hall up to Gate House. It is a dividing line between Victoria College and St. Michael’s College.

St. Michael’s College: The only college sharing a border with Victoria College. Located south of Victoria College.

Sid Smith: See “Sidney Smith Hall”.

Sidney Smith Hall: Abbreviated “Sid Smith”, or “SS”. A building located on St. George St., south of Robarts Library. This building in which many students have classes, tutorials or meetings. It houses several students groups, including the History Students Association and Arts and Science Student Union. It is also a great place to hang out and grab a coffee from either the Second Cup in the main lobby or at Sid’s South Side Cafe.

Sid’s South Side Cafe: A great food option in the center of campus, inside Sidney Smith Hall, that offers a Tim Hortons, Pizza Pizza, Grill Works, and more. Food plans are available for this eatery.

South House: One of the Upper Burwash houses.

Spadina Avenue: The street bordering U of T’s west side.

Stevenson House: Student co-operative housing located at the far east side of Vic Campus.

The Strand: The Victoria College newspaper.

Student Number: The number found on your T-Card. Make sure to remember this, since you will be putting it on tests and assignments!

T

T-Card: Your student identification card. Get this from Robarts Library as soon as possible! This piece of idenification id required at every exam you take and to take out books from any of U of T’s libraries.

Trinity College: The college located on Hoskin Avenue in the centre of U of T campus, just north of Hart House.

TTC: See “Toronto Transit Commission.”

Toronto Transit Commission: Toronto’s public transit system offering the subway, street cars, and buses. The TTC can get you anywhere you need to be in Toronto for $3.00.

U

Upper Burwash: The Burwash houses found farthest north, surrounding the quadrangle (the quad), stopping at the staircase leading to the Peace Garden courtyard. Composed of four houses, starting from north: North, Middle, Gate, and South. This was the residence where Lester B. Pearson stay while studying at Victoria College.

University College: The college located on King’s College Circle, in the centre of U of T campus.

University of Toronto Students’ Union: The central union for all students at the University of Toronto. The union organizes various student benefits and also helps with student and university life. You can thank them for our discounted TTC passes!

U.T.S.U.: See “University of Toronto Students’ Union”.

V

The Varsity: U of T’s largest newspaper.

Varsity Stadium: The world-class stadium located on Bloor Street on the north side of campus. Games are held throughout the year so check their schedule out!

VC: Abbreviation for Victoria College Building (Old Vic).

VCAA: See “Victoria College Athletics Association.”

VCDS: See “Victoria College Drama Society.”

Victoria College Athletics Association: The student group at Vic that organizes everything to do with athletics. Sign up for intramurals, or sign out sports equipment at their office in the Birge-Carnegie Building.

Victoria College Building: Abbreviated “VC” on maps. Aptly named “Old Vic” by all the Victoria College students, the Victoria College Building is a Romanesque “revival” building built in 1892. It is at the centre of Vic campus and is complimented nicely the nearby Ontario Legislature buildings which were designed by the same architect. It’s Victoria College’s very own giant pink castle.

Victoria College Drama Society: The student group at Vic that organizes plays, musicals and other dramatic showings throughout the year. Their office is in the Birge-Carnegie building.

Victoria Off-Campus Association: The student group at Vic that organizes events for commuter students. Look out for their once a week free pancake breakfasts.

Victoria University Student Administrative Council: Vic’s student council. VUSAC’s roles include organizing events, providing funding for levies, clubs and other student initiatives, and dealing with questions of relevance to Victoria’s student body. They are there to represent your opinion so feel free to drop by their office in the Birge-Carnegie building to ask a question or share a suggestion. If you are interested in being part of the Council look out for the Member-at-Large elections in September, 2 positions are reserved for first year students.

VOCA: See “Victoria Off-Campus Association”.

VUSAC: See “Victoria University Student Administrative Council”.

W

Woodsworth College: The college located on the northwest corner of campus.

Wymilwood Building: The building found between Margaret Addison Hall and attached to Annesley Hall.

Y

Yorkville: The ultra-chic, super-expensive, high-class neighbourhood on Victoria College’s north border (north of Bloor Street).