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CommonVU Orientation

What to Expect

The required CommonVU Orientation offers roughly a week of activities and events 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, upperclass students and their organizations, and Nashville. 
  • CommonVU begins on Saturday with Move-In Day, House Dinners, and the first floor meetings in the houses - all to help you begin to get to know your Faculty Head of House, Resident Advisers, and other residents of your community.  
  • On Sunday, you will meet your faculty and student VUceptors and your Visions group, and your  network  will expand a  little  further.  You will then go back to your house for the Community Creed event and Founders Walk where you will start to understand more of Vanderbilt's prestigious tradition of honor and integrity. 
  • On Monday, you meet with the academic deans of your specific school - again your network grows.  You finish the evening with your Visions group, discussing intentionally how you can be a part of building a community of academic integrity at Vanderbilt. 
  • On Tuesday, you will start the day as a class, coming together for a group photo.   In the afternoon, you will cover key resources at the university with which you should be familiar from the beginning of your time on campus.  You finish the  evening  by speaking with university faculty on what to expect from your Vanderbilt education, inside  and  outside of the classroom.
  • The rest of the week continues this trajectory - encouraging you to broaden your networks and engage with one another, with  faculty and staff, and with upperclass students. 

2016 Schedule

For the complete CommonVU 2016 schedule, click here.  Listed below you will find a general outline of the CommonVU 2017 schedule. 

 Tuesday, August 15- Friday, August 18:

 International Student Pre-Orientation

Saturday, August 19

Move-In Day

  • Receive Commodore Card and room key

  • Move into house

  • Meet Faculty Head of House and House residential staff 

  • University Resource and Services Fair

  • Parent and family member/student meetings with school deans 

  • Various information sessions

  • House dinners

  • Mandatory floor and house meetings with resident advisers and Faculty Heads (students only)

 

 Sunday, August 20

Dean's Reception and Farewell Breakfast

Parents and Family Orientation (for parents and family members only)

  • Orientation to The Ingram Commons

  • Health, Safety and Wellness: Communicating with VU and your student

All events from here on are for students only

  • Vanderbilt Visions group meetings 

  • House community building activities 

  • Founders Walk and picnic

  • Floor meetings (mandatory)

 Monday, August 21

Introduction to Academic Life at Vanderbilt 

  • Academic adviser meetings 

  • Information, testing, and introductory sessions with colleges and schools 

  • Honor Code signing 

 Tuesday, August 22

The Ingram Commons and Our Community

  • Academic adviser meetings

  • Solar eclipse viewing

  • Class Photo

  • True Life Performance & Discussion

  • Profs in the House

 

Wednesday, August 23

In the Classroom and Beyond

  • First Day of classes

Friday, August 24

In the Classroom and Beyond

  • Student Involvement Fair 

  • Spotlight Showcase

  • Dean of Students Special Event 

Saturday, August 26

Practicing Social Responsibility 

  • Alcohol Awareness and Community Responsibility

  • Class of 2021 Celebration

 Sunday, August 27

Taking Care of One Another

  • The Commons Addresses Sexual Violence

With additional questions about CommonVU Orientation, please contact the Office of the Dean of The Ingram Commons at commons@vanderbilt.edu or call the New Student Hotline at (615) 322 - 4948.  Parents can also find support by calling the Parent Helpline at (877) 887 - 2736 or emailing parents@vanderbilt.edu.