Prepare for Arrival

move in 2023

  • First-Year Families Commodore Connection


    First-year families receive dedicated newsletters, each with important information about your student's upcoming arrival on campus. 

    Newsletter Archive

  • Student Communications

     

    After admittance, students will receive emails every month regarding upcoming tasks, reminders, and other helpful information. 

    Student Archive 

  • Update Contact Information

     

    If you are not receiving the monthly Commodore Connection newsletters, we can help you add or change your contact information.

    Update Info

Important Dates & Deadlines

The New Student Welcome site has a comprehensive list of important tasks, dates, and deadlines for students & families to know. 

Residential Colleges

  • The Ingram Commons

    Learn more about this incredible residential campus just for first-year students.

    Learn More

  • Webinars

    Residential Colleges is proud to offer a variety of webinars this summer for all incoming new students and their parents and families.

    Dean Gresalfi of The Ingram Commons and Natalee Erb, Director of First-Year Experience host three webinars to inform the Class of 2028 of important information for Move-In.

    Find out more here

    Watch 2024 recordings of the webinars below:

  • Parents & Family Orientation

    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, there will be Parent and Family Orientation sessions for parents to learn about the intricacies of Vanderbilt University.

    August 17, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.     
    Parents & Family Orientation
    Langford Auditorium
    For parents and family members only. This session will be live-streamed and recorded for those who wish to watch virtually or at an alternate time.

    August 17, 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.     
    Parents & Family Orientation Reception
    Light Hall Lobby and Langford Pavilion
    For parents and family members only.

    2024 ORIENTATION RECORDING

  • First-Year Housing FAQ's

    Housing FAQ's

    Room Measurements
    Room sizes, dimensions, and shapes vary within buildings and among buildings. The measurements provided represent the range of room sizes on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. We recommend that students wait until after move-in to purchase items where exact room dimensions are required. We cannot honor requests to measure specific rooms.

    Learn More

     

Packing List

Elisa Bauman, parent of two VU grads and former Parent Ambassador Council member, created a recommended first-year student packing list that is full of great ideas. 

If planning on mailing items to campus ahead of move-in, follow these instructions.

  • Bedding
    • Sheets (XL if you are using a bed topper)
    • Blanket
    • Mattress protector
    • Mattress topper
    • Bed throw
    • Back rest/husband
    • Pillows
  • Bath
    • Shower towel
    • Hand towel
    • Shower caddy
    • Bathrobe
  • Cosmetics/Health/Beauty
    • Toothbrush 
    • Toothpaste
    • Soap
    • Skin care
    • Shampoo/conditioner
    • Deodorant
    • Medications (including over-the-counter)
    • Makeup
    • Hairdryer
    • First aid kit
  • Closet
    • Shower rod/extension rod
    • Shower curtain
    • Shoe caddy
    • Hanging shelves
    • Hangers
    • Under bed boxes
    • Extra drawers (like a dresser on wheels)
  • Desk
    • Desk supplies (tape, stapler, highlighters, pens, pencils, paper, notebooks)
    • Printer
    • Organizers
    • Chargers
    • Extension cords
    • Batteries
     
  • Laundry
    • Laundry basket (to carry to laundry)
    • Hamper (in room)
    • Vacuum
    • Duster 
    • Laundry pods
  • Room Extras
    • Rolling cart (for coffee maker, microwave, food storage)
    • Floor rug (in room and at foot of bed) 
    • Photos/wall décor
    • Umbrella
    • Step stool 
    • Kitchen-ish area:  (microwave, hot water pot, coffee maker, blender, microwave- safe dishes for in room)
    • Travel cups
    • Paper goods/plastic utensils
    • Food items (snacks, drinks, easy microwave foods)
    • Extra hooks, that hang over bed rail, easy stick on the wall hooks
    • Bed pockets (that either hang from under the mattress or over the bed rail)
  • Touches of Home
    • Gift box
    • Photos of family
    • Fun items for desk
    • Baked goods to share with roommate(s)