On-Campus Housing at Vanderbilt
I’m not one to prop up U.S. News & World Report rankings, as I’m sure you know if you’ve read my previous posts on the topic. However, I saw this bit today and thought it was an appropriate time to discuss campus housing. According to the news organization, Vanderbilt is one of the top ten colleges in the US for undergraduate on-campus housing. They defined these top schools by the percentage of undergraduates residing in university-owned housing.
Vanderbilt has a residency requirement for all undergraduate students, meaning they must live in university housing. Seniors may apply for off-campus housing, but most seniors will continue their fourth year of school in campus housing. There are multiple reasons for the residency requirement, but simply put: we believe on-campus living increases academic and social success.
Years of academic research results point to higher retention rates and higher cumulative GPAs for those who choose to live in university housing. Furthermore, academic research suggests that greater social engagement directly ties to academic success. All of this is an authoritative way of saying it is a good idea to live and learn in the same place.
Fall 2008 marked the official opening of The Commons at Vanderbilt: a $150+ million investment in the first-year living-learning experience. All first-year students now live in one of the ten houses of The Commons and grow as ‘Dores together their first two semesters.
Vanderbilt’s Institutional Research Group (VIRG) found that since 2008 Commodore students exhibit significant gains “in the areas of student social network expansion, student engagement in conversations with diverse others, faculty guidance and opportunities for social interaction, faculty mentorship, and satisfaction with both residential and campus environments” (Spring Survey Report 2010). Not only does academic research show it’s beneficial to live on-campus, but our own students are growing from their experiences in our residential community!
After their first year in The Commons students have a multitude of on-campus living arrangements. A large number of students will move into Kissam Quadrangle or Branscomb Quadrangle (where they have either a single or double room). There are also Living-Learning Communities available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors that focus on special academic or social topics. Finally, there are apartment-style accommodations such as the ones in Carmichael Towers and Highland Quadrangle. Students will preference living arrangements along with their friends and Housing and Residential Education makes assignments based predominantly on seniority (although other factors may also play a role).
Choosing Vanderbilt for your undergraduate education means not only choosing a top academic experience, but also choosing to be part of a greater social community.
Check out information on The Commons and read some of the messages on Common Place which gives you a feel for life in one of the ten houses. Also explore upperclass options.
The Commons Layout:
Inside The Commons:
Options for upperclassmen:
January 27th, 2011
How do you get up on the beds? Is there a ladder?
January 27th, 2011
Karen: You can get bunk ladders if you want one. Lots of students climb up the sides of the beds or devise other creative means for leaping into high bunks :-)
PS: If you don’t want the bed up high you don’t have to have it that way! The Commons advertises that the rooms can function in 93 different arrangements (but, no, I don’t know all 93 ways).
January 28th, 2011
OK thanks for the info. It looks like having the bed up high makes the most use of space though. What stores carry bunk ladders? I’ve never seen one. Also does anyone know the measurements of the closets?
January 28th, 2011
Karen: VU has bunk ladders, don’t stress! I haven’t the slightest clue about the dimensions of the closet, but remember students can swap out clothes over the holidays and spring break!
January 29th, 2011
I have heard discussions that Kissam Quad is going away and that new construction will begin on new housing. When are they expected to begin this project and how long will it take to complete?
January 30th, 2011
Dave: While I know there are continuing discussions regarding future campus development, there are no definitive plans at the present time.
January 31st, 2011
Do admitted students pick which building they would like to live in, or is it assigned randomly? Do all the freshman dorms have the same living set up? Bath down the hall?
January 31st, 2011
JD: Incoming first-year students may choose roommates or hallmates, but not the specific building on the Commons. The buildings are incredibly similar in physical structure and amenities and the assignments occur randomly. All houses of the Commons have a community bathroom for the floor.
February 8th, 2011
When is the senior off campus housing drawing?
February 8th, 2011
Dana: I’m not certain. You’ll want to talk with Housing and Residential Education for that answer.
March 21st, 2011
Hey this is kind of late and unrelated, but I couldn’t find another blog that vaguely pertains to this question:
Since I am a rock n’ roll drummer and play drums on a drumset, what will I do about storing/playing my drumset at Vanderbilt? I assume I can’t keep it in the dorms, but I didn’t know if there are accommodations in the school of music for people not in the school of music or anything like that.
Thanks! I hope you actually see this since it’s sooooo late!
March 21st, 2011
Molly: The basement of each house of the Commons has sound proof rooms for music practice and storage space. You’ll need to talk to the Office of Housing and Residential Education to get guidelines and specific information, though.
September 16th, 2011
Are there any single parent dorms available on campus?
September 22nd, 2011
Janell – please contact: resed@vanderbilt.edu
February 3rd, 2014
As a transfer student is it possible to live in a single room my first year?
February 3rd, 2014
Thanks for your question, Scott. I suggest you contact the Office of Housing at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ResEd. They’re the best place for information about housing, and they can answer this question for you. Thanks!
February 3rd, 2014
Thanks Jay! I emailed them prior to posting here, but haven’t gotten reply yet.