Dear Vanderbilt Students,

We are writing to share more updates with you on campus services as the winter weather continues in Nashville this week.

Dining Services Updates

While some modifications have been made to dining operation as a result of limited staffing, Rand and Commons Dining Centers have been and will continue to be open from 7:30am until 7:30pm daily, offering continuous uninterrupted meal service.

Based on this week’s traffic patterns, it appears as though demand is high during peak times (11:45pm – 12:30pm, and 5pm – 7pm).  To minimize trips and reduce potential wait times, Campus Dining has provided recommendations to promote hassle-free dining.

For tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 17, the following locations will be open:

• Branscomb, Highland, and Kissam Munchie Marts are open 7:30am – 10pm
• Commons Munchie Mart is open 7:30pm – 10pm
• Rand and Commons will open for continuous service from 7:30am until 7:30pm
• Both Suzie’s Alumni Hall and Stevenson Library locations, along with Holy Smokes Kosher food truck, will be open.

To cater to diners who eat during non-peak times, Rand Dining is offering a ‘Happy Hour’ between 3pm and 5pm, featuring burgers (regular and vegan) and fries, and a walk-up pasta station will open at 4:30pm. In addition, Rand will feature Pho alongside Fresh Mex and Chef’s Table as walk-up lunch options. At Commons, popular Magnolia & Co. sandwiches will be available for walk-up customers from 3pm – 5pm, in addition to other dinner options.

As a reminder, Rand Express and Commons Express GET pre-ordering is not available until normal service is resumed. Allergen OrderIT meal service and Quarantine/Isolation Meal delivery will continue to operate Wednesday. ⁠⁠

Read more about campus dining operations and locations that will be closed tomorrow here.

Campus Snow Removal Updates

The Facilities department continues to clear sidewalks, pathways and roads on campus. Despite significant staffing shortages, they are working 12 to 16 hours a day to keep campus as safe as possible and traversable.

The Facilities team is aware there is still a lot of work to do and campus conditions are far from ideal, but they will continue to work until they have completed the campus snow removal plan. Please note that their goal is to not to completely clear the sidewalks but to have at least one travelable pathway on all primary sidewalks. To see the primary and secondary routes, please review the snow removal plan.

I want to commend both the Dining Services and Facilities teams, who are working very diligently under harsh winter weather conditions to support the university’s academic mission of teaching and learning.

Please continue to check Vanderbilt News for updates to campus operations.

Stay warm and safe,

Mark Bandas
Associate Provost and Dean of Students