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. I am also a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning. I have been a part of the Vanderbilt community for 13 years, joining as a professor in 2012, and I have been the dean since 2019. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Commodore community.

DEADLINES AND REMINDERS

June 11: Meeting link: Residence Life Revealed: A Conversation with Housing & Dining, 6–7 p.m. CT

June 25: Meeting link: Preparing for International Student Orientation, 8–9 a.m. CT

June 25: Registration link: Parents & Family Insurance Webinar, noon–12:45 p.m. CT

June 30: Academic and religious accommodations due

July 15: Make Commodore Cash selections

July 15: SHIP waiver due

July 16: Fall 2025 open enrollment period begins

July:

Expect International Student Orientation information
Expect VUceptor letters

Learn More

RESOURCES

Visit the Welcome website for incoming students to check out important dates, plan to-do lists, explore pre-arrival programs and more. In addition, your student will receive emails to their Vanderbilt email throughout the summer with important dates and information. 

WEBINARS

Summer Webinars For Students and Their Families

Residence Life Revealed: A Conversation with Housing & Dining | June 11, 6–7 p.m. CT
Director of Housing Assignments Alison Matarese and Director of Culinary Operations for Campus Dining Brian Cochrane

Preparing for International Student Orientation | June 25, 8–9 a.m. CT
Hear from Assistant Director for Student Development Michael Wallace on what to expect during International Student Orientation.

Learn More

Parents & Family Insurance Webinar | June 25, noon–12:45 p.m. CT
Join us for an informative webinar where representatives from Academic HealthPlans and Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network will equip you with essential knowledge on health insurance and renters’ coverage. Discover the benefits of these plans, learn important insurance terms and receive valuable tips to ensure your student’s well-being.

The Vanderbilt Alumni Association invites you and your family to a Commodore Launch

Commodore Launch events are a decades-long tradition for welcoming new students and families to the Vanderbilt community. Join us this summer for a fun and festive celebration—a perfect introduction to the Vanderbilt experience! With more than 40 parties around the globe, we look forward to meeting you at a location near you.

Find Your Party

Prepare for Move-In

First-Year Move-In: Aug. 16
International Move-In: Aug. 13

Housing assignments and move-in instructions will be emailed to students in early August. Assignment information includes the student’s residence hall name and room number, private mailbox address, the name, email address and phone number of your roommate, and complete move-in instructions, including your assigned move-in time. First-year domestic students will also receive move-in documentation in the mail. You can start getting familiar with campus and the current construction using this campus map.

Packages can be sent to campus starting Aug. 1. If packages are on campus before Aug. 7, they will be placed in students’ rooms. Packages arriving from Aug. 8 to Aug. 14 will be available for pickup at various locations on campus. Detailed instructions on sending packages before Move-In are available online.

Meal plans will start on Aug. 13, and more information will be available soon about where to eat on Move-In Day.

Student Health Insurance Plan

All eligible Vanderbilt students are automatically enrolled in the annual Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless you submit a waiver by the deadline communicated to your Vanderbilt email and are approved. For more details about the insurance plan, including waiver criteria and cost information, please visit the Student Care Network website.

Learn More

Important Links

The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons

Parents and Family Programs

Bookstore

Housing and Residential Experience

Project Safe

Student Accounts

Parents and Family Programs
PMB 401627| 2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-1627
Family Information Line: 877-887-2736 | parents@vanderbilt.edu

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