Residential Colleges provides a wide array of programming options for students their first-year through senior year.
Food for Thought
Regularly throughout the school year students are invited to join Dean Gresalfi and a special guest for Food for Thought, a time for a meal and conversation. These events take place both at her residence on The Ingram Commons and at various locations around campus. Each meal will have a limited number for RSVPs and will focus on a topic or area of interest depending on the guest. Students are encouraged to check their emails to see the upcoming dinners.
Residential Colleges Lecture Series
Throughout the school year Residential Colleges hosts two annual lectures, the Murray Lecture, in honor of Rev. Walter Murray; and the Lawson Lecture, in honor of Rev. James Lawson. The Murray Lecture is held in tribute to African American trailblazers and the Lawson Lecture is determined by each year's theme for The Ingram Commons programming.
Holidays and Heritage Months
Each year Residential Colleges celebrates major holidays and heritage months. These events are meant to serve as a recognition and celebration of what is important to individual students and as an opportunity to learn about new cultures and traditions. These events are open to all who are interested in learning more.
Each faculty head of house will host at least one event in their residential community. The rest will be hosted by Residential Colleges.
Feast Fest
Feast Fest is an annual celebration of the many cultures represented in the Vanderbilt Community. Residential Colleges partners with culturally-focused student groups to provide food and entertainment from cultures all around the world.
The Commons Cup
The Commons Cup is a yearlong competition among the houses that promotes community, unity, and partnership. The competition consists of seven categories: Sense of Self, Pursue Integrative Learning, Dialogue Across Difference, Advocacy, Foster Your Leadership Potential, Forge Global Connections, and Commons Community Involvement. Students participate throughout the academic year to earn points within each category for their respective houses while utilizing these opportunities to build relationships and forge lasting memories within each class of undergraduates.
Commons Ball
The Commons Ball takes place on the first Friday in February and is planned in conjunction with the 10 house presidents. Each year the Commons Ball’s theme changes and The Commons Center is transformed into a magical landscape with dancing, activities, photos, and decadent food.
End of Year Block Party
The End of Year Block Party celebrates the end of a successful first year and recognizes the accomplishments of the class. The End of Year Block Party features delicious food, fun, and the announcement of the outcome of The Commons Cup competition.
Upper-Division Welcome Back Parties
Each year, all of the upper-division residential colleges host a Welcome Back Party for their residents. These parties are a time for the college community to come together and celebrate the start of a new year! The Welcome Back Parties include delicious food, fun activities, and college swag to welcome residents back to Vanderbilt.