At a school where students say “IU” more often than “Indiana University,” it’s no surprise most things get abbreviated in passing conversation.
So, if you hear a random string of letters around campus, they probably mean something. Here are a few definitions for the more common abbreviations you will encounter:
IUB is the short way of saying Indiana University Bloomington, the flagship campus of the university. This helps differentiate it from IU’s other campuses such as Indiana University Indianapolis, which is abbreviated as IUI.
IMU is short for the Indiana Memorial Union, which is the massive student union building in the middle of campus. With countless places to study, eat, hang out and even go bowling, the IMU is a popular place for students to meet and one of the most common abbreviations on campus.
The SRSC is short for the Student Recreational Sports Center, which is the on-campus fitness center. This center boasts multiple gyms, racquetball courts, a running track and even an Olympic-size pool that has its own abbreviation: CBAC, the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center.
The MAC is short for IU’s Musical Arts Center, a massive performing venue that can seat over 1,400 people and primarily functions as a space for the Jacobs School of Music. Performers come year-round to show off their musical talent.
GISB is short for the Global and International Studies Building, which is located across from the Herman B Wells Library. This building houses the Hamilton Lugar School of International Studies, often abbreviated as HLS, which specializes in foreign cultures, policy and languages. This building is used as a meeting place for clubs such as the Board Game Engage club.
SPEA is short for the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. This school offers degrees such as public policy, environmental science and even nonprofit management.
UITS stands for University Information Technology Services. They provide IT services of all kinds to students and faculty. This includes things like helping you access Adobe suite for all your creative needs, enrolling or canceling your dining plan or even handling any problems you have with your CrimsonCard.
TA
TAs are the teaching assistants that you can expect to see in large lecture classes. These are normally graduate students or sometimes upperclassmen who help the professor give lectures, grade homework, lead groups and labs and help you with any questions or concerns you have with the class.
Last but not least, if you’re reading this guide, you may already know that IDS stands for Indiana Daily Student. The newspaper publishes student guides such as this one, as well as campus and city news both in print and online at idsnews.com.
If you remember at least a couple of these abbreviations, your first few weeks navigating and engaging in conversation at IU will be a bit easier.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's 2026 International Student Guide.
