Vanderbilt UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Vanderbilt University. Free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in Nashville, TN. Operating on a semester system.

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14K+

Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

64

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall 2026

The semester, explained for Vanderbilt University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall 2026
Campus terms
30
Local details
21

Academic calendar

Fall 2026 runs Aug 26, 2026 – Dec 19, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

3 entries
  1. Fall 2026Relevant now
  2. Spring 2027
  3. Summer 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

30 terms

A

AEPi
Alpha Epsilon Pi, one of the many Greek organizations on campus.
Anchor Down
The university's official athletic slogan and common greeting among fans.

B

Blakemore
Blakemore House, a residential hall located slightly further from the main campus center.
Branscomb
Branscomb Quadrangle, a large residential complex typically housing sophomores.

C

Commons Dining
The main dining hall for first-year students located in the Commons Center.

D

Dores
Short for Commodores, the university's mascot and nickname for students.

E

EBI
E. Bronson Ingram College, a high-demand residential college known for its dining hall.

G

Grins
Grins Vegetarian Cafe, a popular kosher vegetarian dining location (pronounced 'greens').

K

Kissam
The area comprising Warren and Moore Colleges, often referred to by the name of the former dorm on that site.
Kissam Kitchen
The dining location within Warren and Moore Colleges known for gluten-free and allergen-friendly options.

M

MLC
Multicultural Leadership Council, an umbrella organization for various cultural and identity-based groups.
Munchie
Munchie Mart, the campus convenience stores where students use meal swipes for snacks and groceries.

R

Rand
Rand Dining Center, the primary central dining hall located in the Sarratt Student Center.
Rites
Rites of Spring, the annual large-scale music festival held on Alumni Lawn every April.
Roth
Rothschild College, a residential college located near the West End neighborhood.
Rothschild
Rothschild College, one of the newest residential colleges on West End.

S

Suzie's
Suzie's Food Court, a local coffee and snack shop with multiple locations across campus buildings.
Suzy's
Suzy's Frozen Treats, a popular dessert stand often found near dining areas.

T

The Bridge
The pedestrian bridge over 21st Avenue that connects the main campus to the Peabody campus.
The Bubble
The feeling of being isolated from the rest of Nashville while on the Vanderbilt campus.
The Commons
The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, the residential campus exclusively for first-year students.
The Pub
The Pub at Overcup Oak, a sit-down dining location in Sarratt known for burgers and pub food.
The Wall
The Rand Wall, a central outdoor area where student organizations post flyers and hold events.

V

Vandy
The ubiquitous shorthand name for Vanderbilt University.
Vandy Bubble
The phenomenon where students rarely leave the campus area to explore the rest of Nashville.
VIBE
Vanderbilt's premier hip-hop dance team.
VPB
Vanderbilt Programming Board, the student-led group that organizes major events like Rites of Spring.
VSC
Vanderbilt Student Communications, the entity overseeing student media like The Hustler and VandyRadio.
VSG
Vanderbilt Student Government, the primary representative body for undergraduate students.

Z

Zeppos
Nicholas S. Zeppos College, one of the newest residential colleges on West End.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

21 details
Alumni
Alumni Hall, a student space featuring study areas, a cafe, and the writing center.
Brightspace
The learning management system where professors post syllabi, assignments, and grades.
Buttrick
Buttrick Hall, a primary classroom building for humanities and social sciences.
Commodore Card
The official student ID used for building access, meal swipes, and campus payments.
Commodore Cash
A debit-like account on the student ID used for laundry and at participating off-campus vendors.
commons_dining_center
Commons Dining Center
e_bronson_ingram_dining_hall
E. Bronson Ingram Dining Hall
Featheringill
Featheringill Hall, the main building for the School of Engineering.
FGH
Featheringill Hall, the main building for the School of Engineering.
Meal Money
Funds on the Commodore Card used for dining at on-campus locations and select off-campus partners.
Meal Swipes
The currency used in the campus dining plan to access dining halls or buy 'Munchie' meals.
nicholas_s_zeppos_dining_hall
Nicholas S. Zeppos Dining Hall
rand_dining_center
Rand Dining Center
rothschild_dining_hall
Rothschild Dining Hall
Sarratt
Sarratt Student Center, the main hub for student activities and the Rand dining hall.
Stevenson
Stevenson Center, a massive complex of seven buildings housing the natural sciences and math.
Vandy Van
The university's shuttle service that provides safe transportation around campus, especially at night.
VandyRide
The university's nighttime shuttle service that provides safe transportation around campus.
VandySafe
The official safety app providing quick access to campus security and emergency services.
Wyatt
Wyatt Center, the iconic domed building on the Peabody College campus.
YES
Your Enrollment Services, the online portal used for class registration, grades, and financial accounts.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall 2026 runs Aug 26, 2026 – Dec 19, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
30 approved campus terms and 21 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Vanderbilt University

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  • Aug 17

    International Student Check-in

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    First-Year Move-In Day

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    CommonVU Orientation Starts

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    Fall Tuition and Fees Payment Due

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Assisted

Find a few communities to try at Vanderbilt University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

40 mapped items from 11 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Alpha Tau Omega

A social fraternity and member of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), focused on leadership, scholarship, and brotherhood.

Invite only

Source: vanderbilt.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Alternative Spring Break (ASB)

Provides students with a substance-free, community service-based alternative to traditional spring break trips.

Regular commitment

Source: vanderbiltasb.org · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Chi Omega

A social sorority and member of the Panhellenic Council, founded on friendship, personal integrity, service, academic excellence, and campus involvement.

Invite only

Source: vanderbilt.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Kappa Sigma

An IFC fraternity focused on the four pillars of Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service.

Invite only

Source: anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Rites of Spring

An annual weekend-long music festival held on campus each spring, featuring major national artists and attracting students and the Nashville community.

Drop in any time

Source: vanderbilt.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

TEDxVanderbiltUniversity

A student-run organization that brings TED-like experiences to the Vanderbilt community by organizing an annual conference with speakers sharing ideas worth spreading.

Source: tedxvanderbiltuniversity.com · Verified 1 month ago

Visit Website

The Melodores

An award-winning, all-male a cappella group known for their innovative arrangements and high-energy performances. Winners of NBC's 'The Sing-Off'.

Tryout required

Undergraduate Honor Council

Responsible for upholding the Vanderbilt Honor Code by educating the community and adjudicating alleged violations.

Source: vanderbilt.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Campus rituals

Commodore Quake

An annual concert and pep rally held in Memorial Gymnasium to kick off the basketball season, often featuring a major musical artist.

Drop in any time

Source: news.vanderbilt.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Resources & spaces

University Counseling Center (UCC)

Provides mental health services including individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, and alcohol and drug counseling to students.

Open to all

Using DormWay at Vanderbilt University

What the product handles for students.

Syllabus to schedule

Upload any Vanderbilt University syllabus and get a complete semester breakdown in seconds

Workload planning

Balance your courseload with helpful workload distribution

Free student access

No premium tiers, no paywalls. Free for all Vanderbilt University students

Vanderbilt University on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

20

Active Students

28

Syllabi Analyzed

23

Courses on DormWay

Browse all courses →

Popular Courses

Browse all →
Asian American History to 1924Biological Sciences LaboratoryBIOLOGICAL SYSTEMSBSCI 1510-02 Molecules and Cells (2026FCalculus 2CHEM 2221 DiscussionCORE 1010-38 Being Human (2026FFOUNDATIONS OF CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Life in Nashville for Vanderbilt University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Nashville.

Timezone

Central Time (CT)

Median Rent

$2,000

Cost of Living Index

105

Student Population

75,000

City Transportation

Walkability

29

Bikeability

30

Public Transit

WeGo Public Transit bus network, Regional bus services

Nearest Airports

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid subtropical

Avg Annual Temp

59.5°F

Avg Snowfall

10.7 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Wesley Place Garage

garage

Designated visitor parking available.

25th Avenue Garage

garage

Designated visitor parking available.

West Garage

garage

Part of the zone-based parking system.

Campus News

Latest updates from Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt leaders and researchers help roll out latest international measure of student achievement

Vanderbilt teamed with the OECD and the U.S. Department of Education to explore the 2025 results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Sep 15, 2026

Read More

Vanderbilt, Whitney Museum of American Art forge landmark partnership

Vanderbilt is deepening its presence in New York City through a multi-year collaboration with the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Sep 14, 2026

Read More

9-11 Moment of Silence 2026

Vanderbilt faculty, staff, and students gathered on Alumni Lawn for a moment of silence to honor those lost in the September 11 attacks.

Sep 11, 2026

Read More

Vanderbilt's Institute for Public Engagement takes scholarship to the city

The Institute for Public Engagement (IPE) held its public launch as part of the Vanderbilt in the City series in New York.

Sep 8, 2026

Read More

Vanderbilt University Public Safety will conduct a full-scale test of the AlertVU emergency notification system on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m.

Vanderbilt University Public Safety will conduct a full-scale test of the AlertVU emergency notification system on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m.

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Vanderbilt University

A Conversation with Judge Vince Chhabria

September 17, 2026

Vanderbilt University Law School, 131 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN

A public conversation presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Law School, and student chapters of the ACS and Federalist Society.

Opening Reception: Land Shapes

September 17, 2026

Vanderbilt University

An opening reception for the 'Land Shapes' exhibition from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Blair Presents: An Evening with Lucía

September 18, 2026

Blair School of Music

A musical performance at the Blair School of Music starting at 7:30pm.

Family Weekend 2026

September 18, 2026

Vanderbilt University Campus

A weekend for families to immerse themselves in campus life, meet other families, and cheer on the Commodores.

Vanderbilt Business Open House

September 18, 2026

Vanderbilt University

An open house event for Vanderbilt Business from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

Nashville Oktoberfest

October 1, 2026

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

A four-day celebration featuring German traditions, live entertainment, and official watch parties for Vanderbilt fans.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Vanderbilt University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

50 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

Barnard Hall

Room types: double, triple, single

Blakemore House

Room types: single, double

Branscomb Quadrangle

Room types: single, double

E. Bronson Ingram College

Capacity: 340

Room types: single, double, suite

Carmichael Towers

Room types: suite

Chaffin House

Room types: studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom

Chaffin Place

Room types: apartment

Chaffins

Room types: apartment

Cole Hall

Capacity: 116

Room types: single

Crawford House

Capacity: 150

Room types: double

East House

Capacity: 100

Room types: double

Gillette House

Capacity: 100

Room types: double

Hank Ingram House

Room types: double

Highland Quadrangle

Lewis House

Room types: apartment

Lupton House

Room types: double, triple, single

Martha Rivers Ingram Commons (10 Houses)

Capacity: 1,800

Room types: single, double, triple

Mayfield Hall

Mayfield Living Learning Lodges

Mayfield Lodge

Room types: single, double, suite

Mayfield Place

Room types: single, double, suite

McGill Hall

Room types: single, double, suite

McGill Project

Room types: single, double, suite

McTyeire Hall

Room types: single, double

Show the remaining 26 housing options

McTyeire International House

Room types: singles, doubles

Memorial House

Capacity: 80

Room types: double

Moore College

Room types: single, double, suite

Morgan House

Room types: apartment

Morgan/Lewis

Room types: apartment

Murray House

Room types: double

Nicholas S. Zeppos College

Room types: single, double, suite

North House

Capacity: 100

Room types: double, triple

Oliver C. Carmichael College

Room types: traditional single, traditional double, suites for 4

Rothschild College

Room types: traditional single, traditional double, suites for 4

Scales House

Room types: double, triple, single

Stambaugh House

Room types: double, triple

Stapleton House

Room types: double, triple, single

Sutherland House

Capacity: 180

Room types: double, triple

Tolman Hall

Capacity: 102

Room types: single, double

Vanderbilt/Barnard

Room types: single, double

Vanderbilt Hall

Room types: double, triple, single

Vaughn House

Room types: double, triple, single

Village at Vanderbilt South Tower

Room types: 1-bedroom apartment, 2-bedroom apartment, townhome

Village at Vanderbilt Townhomes

Room types: townhome

Village at Vanderbilt Townhouses

Room types: townhome

Village South Tower

Room types: apartment

Village Townhouses

Room types: townhouse

Warren College

Room types: singles, doubles, suites

West House

Capacity: 120

Room types: double, triple

Zeppos College

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@vanderbilt.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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