What Is A Rocker?

## Did you know?

Simon's Rock students call themselves "**Rockers**."

**Administrators, Faculty, and Staff are called by their first names here**. Even Provost and Vice President, John Weinstein is called by his first name. So instead of saying “Provost and Vice President Weinstein," you would say “John.” Instead of saying “Professor," or "Dr. O’Dwyer” (to Anne O’Dwyer, Professor of Psychology), you would simply call her “Anne.”

## Your Name

Here at Simon’s Rock you can pick a first name that you want people to call you by. It’s your decision whether you want--in classes and in offices across the campus--to be known and called by your legal name, or choose another name that you are more comfortable with or prefer. If you want to use your legal name, but are concerned that the correct pronunciation may be difficult, please give us a chance. The responsibility for pronouncing your name correctly is up to us; the name you go by is up to you. If you choose to be known by a name other than your legal name (called a “common” name), it will be used in your classes, and on all rosters.

To choose to be called by a common name (or nickname), you need to complete a form called the *Common Use First-Name and Pronoun Form*. It is available on the Academics page on the internal Simon’s Rock website. Search under “Forms and Manuals for Students.” Questions? Email [Use Name|acaffairs@simons-rock.edu].

## Pronouns

Similar to choosing a name, you can choose personal pronouns that  you are comfortable with. Pronouns are used when you are speaking about another person and indicate a person’s gender identification. For instance, if you identify as female, you might choose “she/her" pronouns. If you identify as male, you might choose “he/him" pronouns. Or, if you do not identify as either female or male, you could choose “they/them" pronouns.  The same form linked in the "Your Name" section above, *Common Use First-Name and Pronoun Form*, is used to indicate your gender identity pronouns. You can submit the form at any time during your studies at Simon’s Rock.

**Why this is important:** It’s a sign of respect to another person to use their preferred pronouns.

Often, in a meeting or a class, you might take turns introducing yourselves, and be asked  to say your name and your preferred pronouns. A student might introduce themselves as follows: “Hi, my name is Dana, and I use he/him pronouns.” Then, if someone was interested in a comment that Dana made in class, it would be respectful to say, “I agree with Dana’s comment; his answer was very thorough.” (“His” would be correct to use with he/him pronouns).  Most common pronouns are she/her, he/him, they/them, or no pronouns preferred. Your faculty will see your preferred pronouns on the class rosters, and will try to use them correctly. In time, you and your friends will get used to the correct usage. It takes some practice, and this may be new to many students (both international and domestic). If you want to discuss this further, you can contact the International Peer Mentor Haseeb Hamza, your Residence Director, or any member of the International Student Support Team. Here’s a more detailed explanation of gender pronouns and why they matter.

## What Did You Say??? Common Nicknames You'll Hear around Campus

**Buildings and Offices**

**APC “A-P-C”**: The Alumni Performance Center in the Student Union Building

**The Black Box**: The smaller theater inside the Daniel Arts Center building

**Blodgett**: Blodgett House, the Admissions Building, formerly the residence of Elizabeth Blodgett Hall

**CEI**: Council on Equity and Inclusion

**Clark Auditorium**: The big classroom/lecture hall inside the Fisher Science Building

**DAC (pronounced DAK)**: The Daniel Arts Center Building; sometimes people call it “The Daniel”

**Fisher**: The Fisher Science Building, near the Dining Hall  (where the labs are)

**Formal Lounge**: Study/meeting room across from the Campus Store

**Hall College**: The Hall College Center, named after Elizabeth Blodgett Hall. The Provost’s Office, Campus Life Offices, Academic Affairs Office, CEI Office, and many Faculty Offices are there.

**KAC (pronounced KAK)**: The Kilpatrick Athletic Center; sometimes people call it “The Kilpatrick”

**Kellogg**:  Kellogg Music Center, the white building across from the Dining Hall which looks like a church.

**Lecture Center**: a large lecture room behind the library and main classrooms buildings.

**Liebowitz**: The Liebowitz International Center, across the street. It’s a red building with classrooms.

**The McConnell**: The large auditorium inside the Daniel Arts Center

**The S.U. (pronounced Es-You)**: The Livingston Hall Student Union

**The Terp**: The Interpretive Trail, the hiking trail that runs through campus

**Classes**

**Calc**: Calculus

**El Func (pronounced El Funk)**: Elementary Functions (similar to PreCalculus)

**Orgo**: Organic Chemistry

**Poly-Sci**: Political Science

**Psych (pronounced Syk – rhymes with “hike”)**: Psychology

**Sem**: First Year Seminar

**Sosh**: Sociology