Dear Commodore,
On behalf of our entire team of faculty and staff in Residential Colleges, it’s my distinct pleasure to welcome you to Vanderbilt!
Soon you’ll be here at move-in, alongside fellow first-year students, finding your residence and getting settled on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Every first-year student lives in one of ten houses, each led by a faculty head who lives in residence with their family. Life on The Ingram Commons is designed to support and enhance your unique experience at Vanderbilt, providing opportunities for academic and personal growth. From study breaks and faculty dinners to international food festivals and the Commons Ball, moments of connection between students, faculty, and staff are interwoven throughout life on The Ingram Commons.
As a first-year student, you’ll also take part in Vanderbilt Visions, a 9-week program that gives new students the chance to learn about and transition to college life together. Each Visions group is guided by a faculty member and upper-division student, and meets weekly to discuss the transition to life at Vanderbilt, start to build communities, and explore campus resources.
We look forward to supporting your new chapter as a Vanderbilt student and all that is to come. See you soon on campus!
Sincerely,
Melissa Gresalfi
Dean of Residential Colleges and Residential Education
Dean of The Ingram Commons
Vanderbilt University
Please take note of the following upcoming actions items. You can find additional information about each of them online (vanderbilt.edu/welcome).
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Student Organizations Vanderbilt has over 475 registered student organizations to help you connect with our community, from organizations focused on service, culture, arts, and religion, to groups for sports, Greek life, student government, and other special interests. Explore our organization directory on Anchor Link to find the group(s) for you.
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Student Involvement Fair SAVE THE DATE: August 25 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Recreation and Wellness Center. We encourage you to stop by and connect with student organizations and campus departments, receive free items, enjoy games, and meet members of the Vanderbilt community.
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Experience Vanderbilt Experience Vanderbilt (EV) is a student-led, university-supported initiative that provides undergraduate students who qualify for need-based financial aid with funding for extracurricular activities that have fees. Applications will be available online in August. Stay updated with EV on Instagram.
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Identity Centers Vanderbilt's Identity Centers foster community, belonging, and personal growth. These centers provide students with a space to explore and express their identities, including race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious background, and more.
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Vanderbilt Visions Vanderbilt Visions is a required nine-week program designed to aid in your transition to college. All first-year students are automatically assigned to a Visions group of 16-18 other new students. Visions groups are guided by a faculty mentor and an upper-division student (called VUceptors). Through weekly meetings, you and your group will focus on navigating the transition to college, building community, and connecting to campus resources.
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International Student Orientation International Student Orientation (ISO) welcomes new international students to Vanderbilt prior to the start of CommonVU Orientation. Beginning on International Student Move-In Day, August 16, first-year international students are required to participate in a series of sessions designed to support your transition to college and the U.S. ISO will also offer you a chance to settle in and meet new people before the rest of the class arrives. At the conclusion of ISO, you will join your peers and participate in CommonVU Orientation. The 2023 schedule will be available online by August 1.
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CommonVU Orientation CommonVU Orientation is the required weeklong orientation to The Ingram Commons and Vanderbilt, which takes place immediately prior to the start of classes. During CommonVU Orientation, you begin to experience the university by building new communities and engaging in activities with other first-year students. You will also interact with upper-division students, faculty, and staff. Together, you will begin to discover the personal, academic, intellectual, and social opportunities of life at Vanderbilt. The 2023 schedule will be available online by August 1.
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Summer Webinars
Open to incoming international students and their families. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link for each webinar. Webinars will also be recorded and shared online.
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Preparing for ISO
Come learn about what to expect during International Student Orientation (ISO). Hosted by Residential Colleges. Register online.
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Life on The Ingram Commons
Join Dean Gresalfi and multiple campus partners for a discussion about life on campus. Hosted by Residential Colleges. Register online.
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Move-In Day Transportation Transportation assistance is available if you are arriving to the Nashville International Airport on Wednesday, August 16. Vanderbilt staff members will be on hand to greet you and help you travel from the airport to campus. Be sure to complete the pre-arrival form by July 15 to let us know your travel plans. If your travel plans require that you arrive on a different date, please contact commons@vanderbilt.edu for information about alternate travel arrangements to campus.
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Textbooks
Vanderbilt Bookstore makes it easy for students to get the right books for their classes in a wide variety of formats, including new, used, digital (where available), rental and custom books. The bookstore also offers all the technology, school supplies, and Vandy Gear you will need to start the year off right.
Note that used books can save students 25% and textbook rental can save up to 80% off the cost of a new printed textbook.
- Vanderbilt Bookstore, 2525 West End Avenue
- The Commons Center, Room 235/237 (Only available Saturday, August 19 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
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ISSS SEVIS Check-In Info After arrival to the U.S. and to Vanderbilt, all incoming international students entering with an Initial or Transfer Pending I-20 or DS-2019 must complete a mandatory SEVIS Check-in. The check-in process is virtual and collects copies of your F-1 or J-1 status documents and the information ISSS needs to report your arrival in SEVIS. You must also complete the SEVIS check-in process prior to completing your I-9 (for on-campus employment), or before applying for a Social Security Number (SSN), driver’s license, or state ID card. You can find more information about the steps to complete check-in.
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Shipping Packages for Move-In Mail Services processes all incoming mail and packages for students during Move-In Weekend.
Please make every effort to combine items for shipping to campus to limit excessive amounts of packages. More details about shipping packages can be found online.
All packages must have the following info:
- Student Name
- PMB 35XXXX (X= four-digit PMB number provided in August)
- 2301 Vanderbilt Place
- Nashville, TN 37235-XXXX (X=four-digit PMB number provided in August)
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Please make sure that you are checking your Vanderbilt email (VU Gmail) over the summer for important updates and information.
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