Community Messages

Mar. 16, 2020 – Open Mind: Living, learning and working while implementing social distancing

Mar. 16, 2020—

Mar. 15, 2020 – On-campus research laboratories ramping down

Mar. 15, 2020—Update: Phase II of Remote Work in place until April 11 Dear colleagues, The rapid evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic requires Vanderbilt University to accelerate its response to this unprecedented challenge. In order to protect the health and safety of our community, all on-campus research laboratories will be restricted to only essential activities by close...

Mar. 15, 2020 – VandyRides services suspended; on-call medical transportation service continues

Mar. 15, 2020—Due to the current status of the University concerning the COVID-19 virus, the VandyRides service is suspended as of March 14, 2020. The health and safety of our students is our top priority; therefore, VUPS will continue to provide an on-call medical transportation service. If you are feeling ill, contact Student Health at (615) 322-2427. If...

Mar. 15, 2020 – Recommending study abroad students return home

Mar. 15, 2020—We are recommending students return to their homes. This recommendation is based on the unpredictable nature of the global COVID-19 pandemic, where cases can spike quickly in any region, as described by the World Health Organization and within the CDC Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice. This unpredictability also puts stress on existing health systems in regions...

Mar. 14, 2020 – Update re: campus services

Mar. 14, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt Students, Below we are sharing information on remote access to campus services for the remainder of the semester. As you may know, many of our campus support staff will be working remotely for the next couple of weeks, which necessitates changes in how we will work to meet the needs of students. Student...

Mar. 14, 2020 – Update re: Parties and Gatherings

Mar. 14, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt Students, I am following up with a health and safety reminder in light of the news today that an non-residential, undergraduate Vanderbilt student has tested positive for COVID-19. The Tennessee Department of Health recommends that in order to decrease the spread of COVID-19, students should avoid sharing drinks, cups or utensils. Students should also avoid...

Mar. 14, 2020 – New Campus Dining safety protocols

Mar. 14, 2020—The Division of Administration announced new safety protocols to promote social distancing for all dining facilities on campus. Campus Dining has implemented the following changes: Campus Dining facilities are open only to current Vanderbilt students, essential campus staff, residential faculty and the immediate family of residential faculty. All dining facilities have moved to boxed meals...

Mar. 14, 2020 – Positive COVID-19 case on campus

Mar. 14, 2020—A non-residential undergraduate student who has been on campus during the past week has tested positive for coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and is currently self-isolating off campus. The university is working with public health officials to follow up with those who have been potentially exposed. If a member of the Vanderbilt community is on campus and...

Mar. 14, 2020 – Changes to VandyRide

Mar. 14, 2020—Beginning Monday, March 16, VandyRide will move to using small, open-air vehicles to provide safety escorts for students, faculty and staff. This is a temporary measure that will provide social distancing for both our riders and drivers and reduce potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. This service will be available 24/7 and will provide transport...

Mar. 13, 2020 – Remote work for staff March 16-March 27

Mar. 13, 2020—IMPORTANT UPDATE: On March 20, the university extended the remote work period through April 11. Read more. Dear colleagues, In order to protect the health and safety of our community during this unprecedented public health challenge, Vanderbilt University is instituting an initial remote work period beginning Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27. Individual remote work decisions...

Mar. 13, 2020 – Information on Zoom conferencing software for online and alternative education

Mar. 13, 2020—As Vanderbilt transitions to online and alternative education for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester, the university has made Zoom online conferencing software available for all students, faculty and staff. Zoom may be used by Vanderbilt faculty and students for participating in classes, video conferencing, web conferencing, virtual meetings and more. Students can access...

Mar. 12, 2020 – A message to graduating students

Mar. 12, 2020—Dear graduating students, the Class of 2020, This spring, your last semester on our campus, is a time I know you and your families have been anticipating for many years. For some, you will be earning your undergraduate degrees; for others, this will mark the culmination of your graduate and professional degrees. For all of...

Mar. 12, 2020 – Further information about move out

Mar. 12, 2020—As Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente shared on Wednesday, Vanderbilt is moving fully to online and alternative learning for the remainder of the semester starting Monday, March 16. Given that, along with university efforts to decrease density in student housing, all undergraduate residential students should make plans to move out of on-campus housing...

Mar. 12, 2020 – Athletics competition suspended

Mar. 12, 2020—Update: All Athletics events are suspended for the remainder of the spring season. Dear Vanderbilt Community, Due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Southeastern Conference today canceled the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. In addition, and effective immediately, regular season competition for teams in all sports on SEC campuses, as well as...

Mar. 12, 2020 – Updates on travel policies for Faculty, Staff, Graduate and Professional Students and Postdocs

Mar. 12, 2020—Due to the recent Presidential Proclamation on international travel, we are reminding you of our existing policies and also providing some updates to continue being pro-active in our COVID-19 prevention measures for our community. All university-sponsored international travel, including travel to Canada and Mexico, is restricted (effective March 10). Travel to State Department Level 4 countries...

Mar. 11, 2020 – Message to study abroad participants regarding presidential proclamation

Mar. 12, 2020—You are likely aware of this evening’s announcement that the federal government is restricting travel from Europe to the United States for the foreseeable future, starting Friday, March 13. Like you, we are also working to understand the details of the announcement. It appears this development does not apply to United States citizens or legal permanent...

Mar. 11, 2020 – Message to undergraduate campus residents

Mar. 11, 2020—Dear Undergraduate Campus Resident, As Chancellor Wente announced earlier today, we will move fully to online and alternative learning for the remainder of the semester. All undergraduate campus residents should make plans to move out no later than Sunday, March 15. Classes will resume using online and alternative learning March 16. We are asking all campus residents to complete...

Mar. 11, 2020 – Message to staff about alternative education for remainder of semester

Mar. 11, 2020—Dear colleagues, As Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente shared today, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has informed us that a VUMC health care worker has tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution and based on public health recommendations and best practices, we are moving fully to online and alternative learning for...

Mar. 11, 2020 – Message to faculty about alternative education for remainder of semester

Mar. 11, 2020—Dear colleagues, I am following up on the message Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente sent earlier today about the university’s decision to move fully to online and alternative learning for the remainder of the semester. I fully appreciate what this decision means for all of you, and I thank you in advance for...

Mar. 11, 2020 – Message to community about alternative education for remainder of semester

Mar. 11, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt community, Today, we received notice from Vanderbilt University Medical Center that a VUMC health care worker has tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution and based on public health recommendations and best practices, we will move fully to online and alternative learning for the remainder of the semester. Given that,...

Mar. 11, 2020 – Resources for students, others on campus through March 30

Mar. 11, 2020—Per Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente’s March 9 message about the suspension of in-person classes, all university-sponsored, non-Athletics events and gatherings are suspended through April 30, including events sponsored by registered student organizations. Students are asked to avoid informal gatherings on or off campus. The actions that each of us takes to minimize the spread...

Mar. 10, 2020 – Important information about university’s response to COVID-19

Mar. 10, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt Community, Much has happened in the last 24 hours regarding the preventive measures we are taking on Vanderbilt’s campus to limit any potential impact of COVID-19. I want you to know that my top priority as the university’s leader is to ensure the well-being of all members of our community. We are rapidly...

Mar. 9, 2020 – Update for staff

Mar. 9, 2020—Dear colleagues, As you may be aware and will read below, Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente shared tonight that classes are cancelled for the remainder of this week, and students will be moving to alternative learning options from March 16 through March 30. This is based on the university’s desire to protect the...

Mar. 9, 2020 – International Travel Restrictions Update

Mar. 9, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt colleagues, We write to alert you to a change in Vanderbilt’s travel policy in response to concerns around the spread of COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution and to protect the health and safety of our community and the most vulnerable among us, Vanderbilt is restricting university-sponsored international travel to any country...

Mar. 9, 2020 – Classes suspended and new guidelines

Mar. 9, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt University community, Due to new information received today, and based on our desire to protect the health and safety of our community from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), I am cancelling all university classes for the remainder of this week. In addition, beginning Monday, March 16 and through at least March 30, the...

Mar. 9, 2020 – Open Mind: Our united community and responsibilities

Mar. 9, 2020—

Mar. 8, 2020 – Message to students about reporting

Mar. 9, 2020—

Mar. 7, 2020 – Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs message about continuity planning for teaching

Mar. 7, 2020—Dear faculty colleagues, As we prepare for our students to return from Spring Break on Monday, the university will resume its normal schedule. That’s something we’re very grateful we can say—between the recent tornado and the recent diagnoses of COVID-19 in a Middle Tennessean and in a student studying abroad, we know that many of...

Mar. 7, 2020 – Message to parents regarding students’ return from Spring Break

Mar. 7, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt parents, With students returning from spring break, the following email was sent to your student as a reminder of the travel restrictions and protocols. For the latest information regarding the coronavirus, please visit the vu.edu/coronavirus website. Dear Vanderbilt Students,Please know that the health and safety of all Vanderbilt community members remains the top priority of...

Mar. 5, 2020 – Campus Update

Mar. 5, 2020—

Mar. 2, 2020 – Information on CDC statement for Vanderbilt students studying abroad

Mar. 2, 2020—

Mar. 2, 2020 – Travel Updates for International Students and Scholars

Mar. 2, 2020—Dear International Students and Scholars We want to make sure that you have the appropriate emergency contact information should you experience difficulties while traveling internationally. Please note that with the jump in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea the CDC and Department of State travel advisory warnings have changed. It is...

Feb. 29, 2020 – Travel Update re: Italy and Iran for Parents

Feb. 29, 2020—

Feb. 28, 2020 – Travel Update re: Italy and Iran for faculty, staff and postdocs

Feb. 28, 2020—

Feb. 28, 2020 – Travel Update re: Italy and Iran for all students

Feb. 28, 2020—

Feb. 25, 2020 – Travel Update

Feb. 25, 2020—

Feb. 25, 2020 – Message for International Students & Scholars

Feb. 25, 2020—Dear International Students and Scholars: As we approach Spring Break 2020, we would like to restate cautions that we have provided you in previous communications regarding travel restrictions. The COVID-19 outbreak has presented many challenges for international students and scholars, and for the institutions that they attend. We want to make sure you have the...

Feb. 14, 2020 – Message to faculty, staff and postdocs re: University Travel

Feb. 14, 2020—

Feb. 14, 2020 – Message to all students re: Student Travel

Feb. 14, 2020—

Feb. 14, 2020 – Message for International Students & Scholars

Feb. 14, 2020—Dear International Students and Scholars at Vanderbilt: Today, Interim Chancellor Susan R. Wente shared information about the implications of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus with all Vanderbilt faculty, staff, and postdocs. A similar message was sent by Dean of Students Mark Bandas to all Vanderbilt students. This message provides additional information of special importance...

Feb. 13, 2020 – Information for Postdocs from China

Feb. 13, 2020—Dear Vanderbilt postdoc, I am writing to update you on the Vanderbilt response to the Coronavirus outbreak. We recognize that this may be a particularly difficult time for many of you and you may be feeling anxious and concerned about the well-being of family and friends in China. Vanderbilt is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of...