Higher Ed 101

Higher Education Terminology

Academic Year

Annual period during which a student attends and receives formal instruction at a college or university. Academic years typically last from August to May. USU's academic year is divided into 3 semesters, Fall (August – December), Spring (January – April), and Summer (May-August).

College/School

A smaller institution within the organization that offers undergraduate degrees. USU has 7 colleges and schools.

Dean

The executive level leader who serves as the head of a college or school. These individuals are responsible for approving faculty, setting academic policies, overseeing the budget, and other administrative duties.

Department Head

A faculty member responsible for overseeing their department. They act as the primary spokesperson of the department's faculty, administration, staff, and students. Department chairs are the essential link between the administration and department members.

Department

A part of a division of the University that is either made up of faculty or support staff that give instruction in a particular field of study, (e.g, the Department of History and Political Science), or oversees a function of the University (e.g. Payroll).

First-Generation (aka First Gen.)

A student whose parents/legal guardians did not finish a bachelor's degree.

Fiscal Year

A year as reckoned for taxing and budgeting purposes. USU's runs from July 1-June 30.

General Counsel

The chief legal officer for the University who provides and oversees the provision of all legal services.

President

The leader of the University whose goal is to advance the University's mission and objectives. The president reports to the Board of Trustees and, on a statewide level, to the Board of Regents. The president collaborates with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to define the vision and set the direction of the institution. Visit here to find out more about our current USU President.

Provost

The senior academic administrator who supervises and oversees all curricular, instructional, and research affairs.

Private University

A postsecondary institution controlled by a private individual or a nongovernmental agency. A private institution is usually not supported primarily by public funds, and its programs are not operated by publicly elected or appointed officials. USU is not a private institution.

Public University

A postsecondary institution that is supported mainly by public funds, and whose programs are operated by publicly elected or appointed officials. USU is a public university.

Semester

Periods of study that divide the academic year into two equal segments of approximately 15-18 weeks each. Some schools also offer a shorter summer semester beyond the traditional academic year. USU offers a summer semester split into two 7-week blocks.

Tenure

A status offered to high-level faculty members at a college or university that allows them to stay permanently in their positions, after demonstrating a strong record of teaching and published research.

Extension

USU Extension provides research-based programs and resources to individuals, families, and communities across Utah. It's part of USU's land-grant mission to serve the entire state and is active in all 29 counties, offering education in areas such as agriculture, youth development (4-H), and community development.

Land-Grant University

A university that has been designated by a state to receive federal funds to support education in agriculture, science, military science, and engineering. USU is Utah's land-grant university, which means we're committed to accessible, practical education and statewide outreach.

Statewide Campuses

In addition to the Logan campus, USU has 30 campuses and centers located throughout Utah. These statewide locations allow students to take courses close to home and offer both in-person and online support services. Employees across the system may work in diverse physical locations but are part of one integrated university system.

Board of Trustees

A governing body at USU that works closely with the President to guide the University's strategy and ensure accountability. Trustees are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Utah Senate.

Utah Board of Higher Education (UBHE)

A statewide governing board that oversees public colleges and universities in Utah. USU's president ultimately reports to this board through the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).

Faculty Senate

A governing body composed of elected faculty representatives that plays a key role in shaping academic policy, curriculum, and other issues related to the faculty experience. USU's Faculty Senate meets regularly and is part of our shared governance model.

Shared Governance

A model of decision-making in higher education in which faculty, administration, staff, and sometimes students collaborate to shape institutional policies and priorities.

PI (Principal Investigator)

A faculty or staff member responsible for leading a research project, especially one funded by an external grant. PIs manage the research, budget, and reporting requirements for their projects. This is a common term in research-focused universities like USU.

R1 Institution

A classification given by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education to universities with the highest level of research activity. USU is designated as an R1 university, reflecting its strong commitment to research and graduate education.

Unit

A general term used to describe a specific office, department, program, or area within the university. For example, HR, Admissions, or the Department of Biology may all be referred to as "units."

Staff Employee

An employee who supports the operations and functions of the university but is not considered faculty. This includes roles in administration, IT, finance, HR, student services, and more.

Faculty Employee

A university employee whose primary responsibilities are teaching, research, and/or service. Faculty may be tenure-track or non-tenure-track (e.g., lecturers or clinical faculty).

Adjunct Faculty

Part-time instructors who teach courses at the university but are not on a full-time or tenure-track faculty appointment.

Aggie

A nickname for anyone affiliated with Utah State University—students, alumni, staff, faculty, and fans. Once you're here, you're an Aggie!

The A

A giant, illuminated "A" on Old Main Tower in Logan. It lights up blue to celebrate special events, like athletic victories, Homecoming, and Commencement. "Lighting the A" is a proud Aggie tradition!

The "Block A"

A concrete or stone monument in the shape of the iconic USU "A" that exists on every USU campus across the state. Originally tied to the Logan campus tradition of becoming a "True Aggie," the Block A is now a unifying symbol for all Aggies, no matter their location. It serves as a photo spot, a place to gather, and a reminder that everyone—from Logan to Blanding to St. George—is part of the same Aggie family.

True Aggie

Someone who has kissed another True Aggie on the "A" block on campus (located just south of Old Main and on each statewide campus) during a sanctioned event—typically under a full moon. It's a fun rite of passage for many students.

Old Main

The iconic building on the Logan campus and the oldest at USU. When people say "meet at Old Main," they usually mean out front by the big "A."

The Quad

A big green lawn at the heart of the Logan campus. It's where you'll find outdoor events, relaxing students, and the occasional campus dog enjoying the sun.

The Spectrum

Short for the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum—USU's basketball arena and home to some of the most passionate fans in college basketball. The "Spectrum Magic" is real.

Aggie Ice Cream

Yes, we make our own ice cream! USU has a rich history in agriculture and dairy science, and Aggie Ice Cream is a beloved campus treat. If you're new here, trying it is basically mandatory.