GW has its own strange acronyms, nicknames and terms that you should get to know before the fall. Not sure who on Earth Manouch is? Use The Hatchet’s glossary to learn slang you will use throughout your time on campus.

4-RIDE

The University Police Department runs this free shuttle service seven days a week from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as a safe transportation option for students traveling on and near campus. Requests can be placed online or over the phone, and many students request the vehicles to avoid bad weather or to head to off-campus parties.

The Avenue

Located above Whole Foods Market, the luxury Foggy Bottom apartments house mostly working adults, but also some upperclassmen. The complex also includes several eateries with a variety of meals, snacks, sit-down and to-go options.

CDs and CRs

Students are also fans of acronyms, and these refer to the two largest political groups on campus: the College Democrats and the College Republicans. The groups regularly host members of Congress and travel cross-country to campaign during election season.

EMeRG

The student-run Emergency Medical Response Group operates 24 hours, seven days a week, aiding injured students or transporting them to GW Hospital for intoxication. Despite a reputation for being the alcohol police, only 30 percent of the crew’s dispatches are liquor-related.

FIXit

Do you have leaking pipes, mold or a broken air conditioner in your residence hall room? Submit an online repair request with the University’s facilities staff, known as FIXit. Be warned: if your request is not high-priority, it could be weeks until you get a response.

FoBoGro

Located on F Street across from South Hall, Foggy Bottom Grocery holds two floors of college food staples, including a by-the-pound candy station and alcohol sold until midnight. The grocery and deli, founded by an alumnus, also serves up gourmet sandwiches and salads until midnight. They also deliver.

GW Deli

With some of the cheapest eats on campus, it is no surprise the line at the GW Deli is typically out the door. The bagels, breakfast sandwiches and coffee offer an incentive to wake up early for Friday morning classes.

HelWell

The Lerner Health and Wellness Center, on G Street and across from Ivory Tower, has five floors of workout space, including a track, a pool, athletic courts, group fitness rooms and other equipment. For a post-workout food fix, hit up Campus Fresh Café for a smoothie or a veggie-filled panini.

Manouch

The popular hot dog stand, operated by its quirky and nocturnal owner Manouch Java, is open Thursday to Saturday nights starting about 10 p.m. His cart is parked on 21st Street outside the Shops at 2000 Penn and serves up hot dogs and soft pretzels to satisfy late-night cravings. GW Sauce is his signature condiment, though its exact ingredients are unknown.

SA

The Student Association – comprising the top advocates for student issues on campus – oversees funding for student organizations and lobbies administrators on matters like the cost of attendance, on-campus smoking policies and dining.

SEH

The Science and Engineering Hall will sit in the large construction pit at 22nd and H streets near Madison, Munson, JBKO and Fulbright halls. At $275 million, the project is the most expensive in GW history and will open up for use in 2015 – in time for this freshman year’s class to use.

SmarTrip

Become a true D.C. local by purchasing a SmarTrip card at CVS to use on the Metro. This card replaces paper fare cards and allows you to tap to pass through turnstiles. Add more money to your card with credit or cash at machines in any station.

UPD

University Police Department officers patrol campus daily by foot, vehicle and bicycle to keep GW safe. This summer, the unit will shift its headquarters to the basement of the Academic Center, across from Gelman Library – a more central location.

The Vern

Students in the Class of 2016 will take at least one class on this sprawling green campus, which is a 15 minute shuttle ride from Foggy Bottom. Try the coffee and sandwich shop in Ames Hall or the famed grill at Pelham Commons in West Hall.