Transfer Move-In Guide
A full breakdown of the move-in experience can be found here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/ohare/fall-move-in/.
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 which will discourage the abusive and illegal use of alcohol. The possession, distribution or consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs is prohibited in any common area. 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 committed itself to increasing the number of educational and treatment resources available on campus, including the establishment of a position devoted to alcohol education.
You may wish to purchase a small refrigerator (no larger than 4 cu.ft.) for your room. Microwave ovens having a maximum power of eight hundred (800) watts and an interior capacity of one (1) 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, which 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. 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.
Please follow the instructions on the Card Services Site to activate your mobile Commodore Card. Please ensure that you have your mobile Commodore Card with you at all times.
Please visit Campus Dining or contact Campus Dining at (615)322-2999 for information regarding your meal plan.
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 each residence hall for use by individual students, and a recycling receptacle has been placed in each residential room. Suite and apartment bathrooms are restocked weekly by the Housekeeping Staff.
All 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 of the potential damage to walls, floors, and carpets caused by their use. 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. If you plan on having a mattress topper, please get twin XL sheets. 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.
To help you prepare for the semester ahead, please review the important housing dates here: Important Housing Dates | Housing and Residential Experience | Vanderbilt University.
Wireless internet coverage is available in all residence halls. Details are available at the following website: https://it.vanderbilt.edu//services/network/wireless/.
IPTV is available to all Vanderbilt residential students. For additional information, please visit the following website: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/ohare/xfinity-on-campus-iptv-service/.
Instructions on how to mail things to yourself prior to move-in can be found by visiting Mail Services for more information.
The Noise Abatement Program is a joint project with Housing and Residential Experience and Vanderbilt Student Government. Its 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 earphones for private listening.
Parking space on campus is limited. Motor vehicles operated on campus at any time by students, faculty, or staff must be registered with Parking Services. Please visit the following website for additional information: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/traffic_parking/.
On move-in day, you will meet your Resident Adviser, a student staff member who will live in your residence hall and help you learn how to be successful at Vanderbilt. Every residence hall has a Head Resident who supervises the Resident Adviser staff. The Head Residents for the halls in each residential area are supervised by full‑time Area Coordinators (AC’s). Area Coordinators are live-in, professional staff members who are responsible for the well-being of the residents in their areas. As a result, there will always be a professional staff member available to help you and your family by providing advice, counsel, referral, or assistance in emergencies.
All residence halls include Commodore Card access to the building, central air conditioning, Xfinity On-Campus IPTV Service, wireless connection to the campus network, carpeted corridors, camera surveillance of all exterior doors, and custodial service in common area bath and corridors. Each resident will have a bed, desk, desk chair, chest, closet, towel bar/hook, window blinds, overhead lighting, trash can, and recycling bin. Building specific amenities are located on the building page. *Amenities are subject to change.
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.
Locations of designated smoking areas for campus residents may be found on the map (click map to enlarge). Greek organizations may elect to designate smoking areas on their house grounds.
Locations of additional designated smoking areas for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors may be found at:
www.vanderbilt.edu/info/smokingpolicy/
Designated smoking areas will be marked with signs and include cigarette urns for disposal.
Vanderbilt University is committed to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive environment and offers several resources for smoking cessation.
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. Additional information regarding renter's insurance can be found here: Student Renter’s Insurance Requirement | Housing and Residential Experience | Vanderbilt University.
Fully compliant renters insurance may be obtained from:
Vanderbilt University is a residential campus for undergraduate students, and the residential experience is understood to be an integral part of a Vanderbilt education. This commitment to residential experience is clearly expressed in the University’s 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)
By accepting a room assignment, a student is contractually obligated to occupy that room for the entire academic year, unless the student withdraws from the University, graduates, or participates in a Vanderbilt Overseas Program. Vacant spaces are subject to assignment by Housing and Residential Experience.
VU Emergency Guides
The Emergency Guides are also available on the VandySafe app!
These brief guides provide instructions for some of the emergencies that may occur on the Vanderbilt campus. You may need additional information in the event of an actual emergency.
To contact Vanderbilt Police in an emergency:
- Call 911 from any campus phone.
- Call (615) 421-1911 from any other phone.
- Text chat using the VandySafe App. Select the 'Contact VUPD' button then the 'Chat with VUPD' option.
Vanderbilt University Emergency Contact Numbers
Additional information can be found here: VU-Emergency-Guides | VU | Emergency | Vanderbilt University.