About the Center

The Vanderbilt Student Life Center features over 18,000 square feet of event space, the Career Center, Study Abroad offices, International Student and Scholar Services, Office of International Services, Office of Honor Scholarships and ENGAGE, Pre-Health Professions Advisory Office, and a Starbucks.

The $11.4 million project was completed in the spring of 2005. The Grand Opening was March 30-April 2, 2005. See photos of the Grand Opening.

"The project is a direct response to the wishes of our students," said former Chancellor Gordon Gee. "They have told us that their No. 1 priority is the development of a large social space on campus." With adjoining catering space, the hall will be able to accommodate dances, dinners and other large social functions.

The Center is located near 25th Avenue South and Kirkland Place, behind the Schulman Center and to the west of Branscomb Quadrangle. The new building is designed to complement the existing Sarratt Student Center, which contains no large social space.

The Commodore Ballroom comprises nearly all of the first level of the new building, and can be subdivided into three equal spaces. There is also meeting space on the lower level and in the renovated Branscomb South dining hall.

The best part of this project will be the new social space," said Madani Adjali, former Vanderbilt Student Government Association president. "The space can be configured as one large room for concerts or segmented into three separate rooms. This flexibility will help student organizations plan large events without scrambling to find a location."

The second level houses an expanded Career Center, as well as offices for pre-professional advising. "While the centerpiece of this exciting building is the large social space dedicated to student use, what I think is even more significant is that this project represents a partnership of many segments of the University coming together to provide an enhanced level of service to our students," said Steve Caldwell, Associate Vice Chancellor for student life.

Career Center Director Francene Gilmer said the new facility will give a much needed boost to the center's efforts to make students and potential employers aware of "who we are and what we do."

The Study Abroad Program, International Student and Scholar Services, and Office of International Services will all be located on the first floor, allowing for a consolidation of relevant services. "The Student Life Center will become the one-stop shop that caters to students' needs for after-graduation plans or abroad opportunities," said Adjali.