If you haven't already noticed, we here at Harvard Griffin G-S-A-S love ourselves a good acronym! That said, it can be challenging to know just which office folks are referring to when they say "Make an appointment with X-Y-Z!" Below is a list of acronyms and other terms that you will hear often. This list is by no means exhaustive, so don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you hear a term you aren't familiar with.
Offices and Locations
MCS: Mignone Center for Career Success
Bok: The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
FAO: Financial Aid Office
HIO: Harvard International Office
HUDS: Harvard University Dining Services
HUMS: Harvard University Mail Services
SFS: Student Financial Services
SEO: Student Employment Office
EDIB: Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
FWC: Fellowships and Writing Center
Academic Programs: Office of Academic Programs
ResLife: Office of Residential Life
Commons at Lehman Hall: Dining Hall in the Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS
HUH: Harvard University Housing
SHARE: Sexual Harassment Assault Response Education.
Academics
Ad Board: Administrative Board
G-year: Graduate-Year
FAS: Faculty of Arts and Sciences
DGS: Director of Graduate Studies
TF: Teaching Fellow
MCS: Mignone Center for Career Success
RA: Research Assistant or Resident Advisor
LOA: Leave of Absence
DAC: Dissertation Advisory Committee or Dissertation Acceptance Certificate or Diploma Awarding Ceremony (for when you graduate!)
DCF: Dissertation Completion Fellowship
SEC: Science and Engineering Complex
HUID: Harvard University Identification (ID number and ID card)
HUIT: Harvard University Information Technology, the group that manages student internet access
HOLLIS: Harvard Online Library Information System, an online catalog and suite of electronic resources
Dazzler: A formal letter of introduction from the Office of Student Affairs, which may help traveling scholars with access to libraries, archives, and other resources
NORA: Non-resident application system (for Leaves of Absence or Traveling Scholar status)
DA: Department administrators are administrative staff that work at the departmental level and support students. DAs and graduate program coordinators are your go-to in the department.
Health, Wellness, and Safety
HUHS: Harvard University Health Services
CAMHS: Counseling and Mental Health Services
HUPD: Harvard University Police Department
HUCEP: Harvard University Campus Escort Program
SHIP: Student Health Insurance Program
Title IX: Connecting with a Title IX Resource Coordinator
Student Organizations and Extracurriculars
Engage: Harvard Griffin GSAS student activities platform
The Center: Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS
GSC: Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Council, the student government for Harvard Griffin GSAS students
GRHC: Graduate Residence Hall Council
GSG: GSAS Student Groups
DGSO: Departmental Graduate Student Organizations