Dear Vanderbilt families,
My name is Melissa Gresalfi, and I am the dean of residential colleges and residential education and dean of The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons at Vanderbilt University. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Commodore community. As dean of residential colleges, I oversee academic programming that happens outside of the classroom, with the goals of building inclusive communities among students and faculty from diverse backgrounds and of creating opportunities for students to learn more about themselves, their world and the person they want to become.
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Dates, Deadlines and Reminders
In cased you missed these webinars:
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Prepare for Move-In
First-year student move-in is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17. Students will be provided with a specific move-in time, between 7 a.m. and noon, with their room assignment information. First-year international students should plan to move in on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Housing assignments and move-in instructions are emailed to first-year students around Aug. 1. The Office of Housing and Residential Experience looks forward to welcoming your student to their campus home!
For a hub of all information relating to preparing your student for their first days on campus, visit the new student welcome website.
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The Vanderbilt Alumni Association invites you and your family to a Commodore Launch
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Commodore Launches are a 50-year-plus tradition focused on welcoming incoming students and families to the Vanderbilt community. Join fellow students, families and alumni as we welcome our newest Commodores and launch their Vanderbilt experience!
Celebrations will be held throughout the summer across the country and globe. More parties may be added, so be sure to check back frequently.
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Family Weekend registration opens July 23
Join us for Family Weekend, Sept. 6–8!
We encourage families to arrive early to take advantage of the many activities on Friday—exclusive tours, information sessions, the University Update and the Fall for the Arts festival. Cheer on the Dores Saturday night! Vandy football will host Alcorn State at FirstBank Stadium on Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Accommodations fill up quickly! Find planning resources like hotel discounts and things to do around Nashville on our Visiting Nashville page.
Be on the lookout for more detailed information regarding registration and football tickets.
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The required CommonVU Orientation offers activities and programs for first-year students to introduce them to the living-learning communities of their houses and The Ingram Commons, the faculties and academic classes of their schools, the norms and values of the Vanderbilt community, upper-division students and their organizations, and Nashville. Additionally, students will meet their student and faculty VUceptors, who will serve as guides throughout their first semester at Vanderbilt. The official orientation schedule will be available in early August.
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Parents and Family Orientation and Reception
Parents and families are invited to participate in an orientation session that includes remarks from university leadership, a panel discussion on health, safety and wellness, and a panel discussion on academics, immersion and professional development. The session will be livestreamed and recorded. If you have questions, contact commons@vanderbilt.edu. Following orientation, join university leaders and other families for light refreshments.
Saturday, Aug. 17
Orientation: 5:30–7:30 p.m. in Langford Auditorium
Reception: 7:30–8:30 p.m. in Langford Lobby
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International Parents and Family Reception
Parents and families of new international students are invited to enjoy refreshments while being welcomed by university departments including Residential Colleges, Parents and Family Programs, International Student and Scholar Services and more.
Thursday, Aug. 15, 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m.
Student Life Center Board of Trust Room
RSVP by Aug. 2
Questions can be directed to commons@vanderbilt.edu
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Vanderbilt Visions
Vanderbilt Visions allows groups of new students to discover college life together. All first-year students will be assigned to one of 90-plus Visions groups. These groups—each of which is made up of about 18 first-year students—meet weekly throughout the fall semester. Visions groups help students form strong connections, support networks with classmates across different houses, schools, perspectives and geographical backgrounds, and assist with their transition to becoming successful college students. Vanderbilt Visions also connects students with their VUceptors. Visions encourages students to express their questions, ideas and opinions and learn from and with each other.
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VandySafe app
The VandySafe app, available for iPhone and Android, integrates with the university’s safety and security systems to provide students with added safety on campus. With VandySafe, users can contact VUPD by phone or in a real-time chat, trigger a mobile Bluelight that shares their location instantly with VUPD, initiate a “Virtual Walkhome” through which VUPD can monitor their walk, and take advantage of many more features.
Family members can subscribe to the AlertVU public portal for community members who are not students, faculty or staff of the university.
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Eating on campus
Vanderbilt’s dining halls are a key part of campus life, and our meal plans are designed to enhance students’ residential college experience.
Your student’s meal plan can be used in a variety of on-campus locations, including residential dining halls, retail locations, cafes and our popular Munchie Marts.
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Transportation around campus and Nashville
Vanderbilt offers a variety of transportation options for students, including bike racks around campus for personal use, free rides on Nashville’s bus system, VandyRide nighttime shuttle service around campus, designated ride-hail pickup and drop-off locations and more.
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Join our Facebook group for Parents and Families
The Vanderbilt Parents and Families Facebook Group is private and solely for parents and guardians of current Vanderbilt University students. It was created to engage, inform and connect members of this community. It is a great place to ask questions of families who have been in your position and to be updated about new ways to get involved with Vanderbilt.
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