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The McGill Project
| How to Apply | How Participants are Selected | How Rooms are Assigned | McGill Awards | See Photos! |
In 1972, the Office of Housing and Residential Education and the Department of
Philosophy undertook the creation of a unique living and learning environment in
McGill Hall. In 1987, the Department of Fine Arts
joined the endeavor. As a result, the McGill Project became a living-learning
project for Philosophy and Fine Arts.
The active involvement of the Department of Philosophy, the special arrangements
by the Office of Housing and Residential Education, and the commitment on the
part of McGill residents to their community have all contributed to a long history
of diverse social and educational activities.
McGill Hall is a co-residential hall with a strong sense of community, and
members of the Project consider themselves to be part of an ongoing tradition.
The McGill Project provides a home for students with a wide variety of majors
and interests and this diversity is represented in the Project's programs and
activities. McGill residents undertake a yearly project, assisted by the
Project Coordinator and residential staff. For the past
two years, the project has been an Arts Fair for the local community and the
residents to present not only their visual art, but also poetry and performance
art. It is held on the same day as the last Coffeehouse of the year.
The McGill Hour provides students with the opportunity to interact with faculty members outside
of the classroom on topics not usually covered in their classes. Dr. John Lachs, Centennial Professor of Philosophy and one of the most
popular teachers on campus, is a frequent guest. Fun, interactive programs have
included making slime with a chemistry professor and learning how musical instruments from
Africa are used to convey feeling and emotion.
The McGill Project Coordinator, usually a graduate student nominated by the
Philosophy department, coordinates the McGill Projects's educational
programming by organizing McGill Hours and advertising them to the McGill and
campus community. The Philosophy department also assigns a faculty advisor to the
Project. Other members of the faculty visit regularly, taking an active part in both
social and educational programs. The McGill Project Council, consisting of eight
elected residents and the Residence Life Coordinator, meet weekly to plan and coordinate
residence hall programs, such as theme parties and McGill Coffeehouses, which are
held twice a semester.
How to Apply
You may get an application by visiting the Office of Housing and Residential Education,
or you may download a printable version here:
 McGill Application.pdf
Applications are available in early January,
and are due back to the office in early February. Interested students should complete the
application and sign up for an interview with two or more Advisory Board members.
Informational Meetings: Throughout the application period, there will be several
opportunities to learn more about the McGill Project. All interested students
are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings.
How Participants are Selected
Admission to the Project entails being an active participant in McGill life by
attending activities planned by the Project Coordinator and Project Council, and
paying Project dues. The Selections Commitee, consisting of residents, faculty and
administrators will interview and review the applications and then will recommend
applicants for admission to the McGill project. Occasionally, applicants will be
placed on a ranked waiting list until a space becomes available.
During spring break, Letters of notification will be sent to all applicants indicating whether or not
they have been accepted into the program. Students who are
admitted will not be eligible for participation in the regular housing lottery,
but will be required to execute the standard Vanderbilt Housing contract for
their space in McGill.
How Rooms are Assigned
The McGill room selection is held in late March, just prior to the General Random
Selection Process for Housing Assignments. McGill room assignments
are made on the basis of seniority, with preference given to returning McGill Project
members. The second floor of McGill is male, the third floor has male and female wings
and the fourth floor is female. Students are housed in single and double rooms. Details
of the assignment process are explained each spring.
McGill Awards
The McGill Award was established in 1960 by Lizzie McGill
in memory of her husband, John T. McGill, who spent his life in service to Vanderbilt,
first as a student in the class of 1879, and then as professor and historian of the
University. The award is presented each spring to a resident of the McGill Project
who, in the eyes of their fellow McGill residents, "has best established qualities of
leadership, as well as being a good student of gentle bearing." Each year, the residents
of McGill vote for a student to receive this award. The award is accompanied by a $750
cash stipend and is presented annually at the end-of-year Magnolia Awards .
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