Residential Living at Vanderbilt: Vitally Important Topics
We are delighted that you and your family will be joining the Vanderbilt community this fall. Please read this site in its entirety; it addresses important topics relevant to move-in and residential living at Vanderbilt. Additional helpful information can be found here.
The Undergraduate Residential Requirement
“All unmarried undergraduate students are required to live in residence halls on campus during the academic year, May session, and Summer sessions. Authorization to live elsewhere is granted at the discretion of the Director of Housing Assignments in special situations or when space is unavailable on campus.” (Student Handbook)
Staff
Once you move in, you will meet your Resident Adviser, a student staff member who lives on your floor and helps you learn how to be successful at Vanderbilt. Every residence hall has a Head Resident, an upper-division student who manages the Resident Adviser staff. The Head Residents and Resident Advisers for the halls in each residential area are supervised by a full-time Residential Experience Area Coordinator (AC). The ACs are live-in, professional staff members who are responsible for the well-being of the residents in their areas. The professional Residential Experience staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven days per week. There will always be a professional staff member available to help you and your family by providing advice, counsel, referral, and assistance in emergencies.
Suggested Packing List
- Non-Disposable Straws, Dishware, and Cutlery
- Hand Sanitizer/Clorox Wipes/Cleaning Supplies
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Twin sheets (Twin XL if you plan to use a mattress topper), blankets, mattress cover or pad, bed topper, pillows,
and pillowcases - Shower caddy, towels, bathrobe, shower shoes, and personal items
- Apparel that is appropriate for the season
- Rain Gear/Umbrella
- Laundry basket, detergent, and fabric softener
- Computer and associated cables (Wireless routers, wireless printers, and Google Chromecast are prohibited.)
- Headphones
- Refrigerator that is less than six years old with no more than 4.0 cubic feet capacity
- Microwave that is 800-watt with an interior capacity of no more than one cubic foot
- TV (Wall mounting is not permitted.)
- Removable, putty adhesive for mounting posters, etc.
- Tension rods and curtains to hang at windows and closet openings
- Multi-outlet strips with surge protection and minimum ratings of 115 amps and 1800 watts
- Bicycle and “u-lock” (Chain and cable locks are easily cut and do not prevent theft.)
- Cleaning supplies, cloths, air freshener, broom, dust pan
- Snacks and beverages, air-tight food storage containers to keep food fresh and avoid attracting pests
- Small First Aid Kit
- Prescriptions: Minimum 30-day supply- including prescription bottles and any medical records and reports for new providers
- Hangers
- Rubber Mallet for lofting/unlofting your bed
Noise Abatement
The Noise Abatement Program is a joint project of Housing and Residential Experience and Vanderbilt Student Government. The goal is to encourage residents to participate in maintaining a residential atmosphere conducive to study and sleep. With this in mind, you should note that powerful sound systems that produce loud music are unwelcome in our residence halls. Students who choose to bring stereos or other sound amplification devices or instruments should also bring headphones for private listening.
Smoking
Vanderbilt University is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings on campus, including university residence halls and Greek chapter houses, and on the grounds of the campus with the exception of designated outdoor smoking areas.
Alcohol and Drugs
The university expects all students to comply with federal, state, and local laws relating to alcoholic beverages, drugs, and narcotics. Students are prohibited from the illegal possession, distribution, sale, use, or abuse of drugs, including alcohol. The Vanderbilt community is deeply concerned about underage drinking and the abuse of alcohol and is seeking to work with students to create an environment that will discourage the abusive and illegal use of alcohol. The university has declared all first-year halls to be substance-free. The possession, distribution, or consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs is prohibited in any common-use area or private residence of any first-year residence hall. Students violating these policies will be subject to disciplinary action. Please note that an inebriated or overdosed student seeking medical attention will not be charged with violation of university policy for prohibited use of alcoholic beverages or other drugs, provided that the sole reason the student’s inebriation or overdose was discovered by university officials arose from the seeking of medical care. Further, the university has a number of educational and treatment resources available on campus, including a professional position devoted to alcohol education.
Facilities
All student rooms in all Vanderbilt residence halls are equipped with sprinklers and smoke detectors. First-year residence hall rooms vary in size. Given the number of rooms and the various color schemes used, it is impossible to inform you of the particular colors used in decorating your room. However, colors in student rooms tend to be neutral tones. Additional facilities information can be found here.
Housekeeping and Furnishings
You are responsible for cleaning your room and carrying your trash and recyclables outside to the appropriate receptacle. On the recommendation of Vanderbilt Student Government, exterior recycling bins have been placed in close proximity to first-year residence halls for use by students, and a recycling receptacle has been placed in each residential room.
All first-year rooms are furnished. University furniture is supplied and must not be removed from your assigned room. University furniture is made from flame-retardant materials. For reasons of fire safety and space, it is inadvisable to bring any furniture from home with the exception of a study lamp. Halogen lamps are prohibited.
Concrete blocks and bricks are prohibited from university residence halls, because their use causes damage to walls, floors, and carpets. Plastic crates are acceptable substitutes as long as their use does not cause damage.
Please bring linens, pillows, and mattress pads with you or plan to purchase them when you arrive. The mattresses provided in university residence halls measure 36″ in width and 78″ in length, and standard twin fitted sheets fit the 36″ x 78″ mattresses.
All beds are lofted to the maximum height of 59″ to the top of the springs, and beds can be lowered as far as desired. Bed risers are not permitted. Non-university bunk beds, lofts, and waterbeds are prohibited.
The construction of walls and partitions in university housing is prohibited. Over-the-door hangers are not permitted as they damage the doorframes. Students may not use any adhesives on their furniture, doors, walls, ceilings, or floors. Approved white putty such as “Hold It,” which does not stain or remove the surface finish, is available at the university bookstore and is the only approved adhesive material.
Appliances
You may purchase a small refrigerator (no larger than 4 cu. ft.) for your room. Microwave ovens having a maximum power of 800 watts and an interior capacity of one cubic foot are permitted. Small items such as radios, sound systems, electric blankets, clocks, desk lamps, and coffee makers with enclosed heating elements are permitted in rooms. For safety reasons, no appliances with exposed heating elements are allowed; neither are appliances that draw a large amount of current from each circuit such as grills, hot plates, air conditioners, electric heaters, and instant water heating elements. Halogen lamps are prohibited. Washers, dryers, and dishwashers are not permitted.
All appliances used in the residence halls must be in good condition, with special attention given to seals and electrical cords and plugs. Power strips with circuit breakers are the only extension cords permitted.
The Housing and Residential Experience reserves the right to revoke authorization for the use of any of these items in individual buildings throughout the residential campus.
Dining Services
All first-year residents are required to participate in the First-Year Meal Plan. Students are automatically signed up for this plan. You should have already received information regarding the dining programs and meal plans. If you have not received it or would like more information, please visit the Campus Dining website or contact Vanderbilt Dining at (615) 322-2999.
Parking and Vehicle Registration
Parking space on campus is limited. First-year students may not purchase parking permits or park on campus at any time. Motor vehicles operated on campus at any time by students, faculty, or staff must be registered with the Office of Traffic and Parking, located at 2800 Vanderbilt Place, near the Vanderbilt Stadium. A fee is charged for a permit. Parking regulations are published annually and are strictly enforced. More information about parking and alternate transportation options are available here. Information regarding electric scooter policies can be found here. Bicycles must be registered with the Vanderbilt University Police Department. For more information on bike registration as well as a complete list of services provided by Vanderbilt police, visit the VUPD website.
Damages
Residents assume individual responsibility for the condition of their rooms and furnishings. Residents are also responsible for any damage that may occur in residence hall common areas and may be charged on a pro-rated basis for student damage in those areas. For reasons of maintenance, sanitation, and health, pets are strictly prohibited.
Student Renter’s Insurance Requirement
As noted in the Housing Contract, the University is not liable for damage to property or injuries arising out of a resident’s occupancy of their assigned rooms, except if such damage or injury results from negligent acts or omissions by the University.
As a resident, you are liable to the University and others for loss or damage caused by your actions or those of your guests. You are required to maintain adequate property and liability insurance that includes the following:
- Personal Property Insurance: covering the students belongings while on campus, with a limit adequate to repair or replace the student’s personal property in the event of loss, damage, or theft.
- Personal Liability Insurance: with a limit no less than $100,000 and include coverage for student caused water damage or fire damage to adjacent spaces.
These insurance requirements are minimum requirements only. The university does not warrant or represent that this coverage will be adequate or sufficient to protect you or your guests from liability. We recommend that you discuss your specific insurance needs with an authorized insurance agent. Required insurance may be provided by a standalone Renter’s Insurance Policy or by endorsement or extension from a Homeowners Insurance Policy maintained by you or by a Parent/Guardian/Family Member.
Fully compliant renters’ insurance may be obtained from: