Special Information for the Class of 2026

SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2025

Bookmark the Class of 2026 website and visit often for updates you may need in order to prepare for your arrival. This electronic version of The Road to Vanderbilt will contain the most up-to-date information available regarding fall programming. You should check this website frequently, in addition to referencing The Road.

THE INGRAM COMMONS WEBSITE

The Ingram Commons website is the news, events, and information hub for all first-year students. Here you will find information about Commons programs, the houses, and the faculty heads.

THE INGRAM COMMONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Residential Colleges on Instagram and The Ingram Commons on Facebook. You will receive frequent updates about what is happening on The Ingram Commons to prepare for your arrival, and you will become part of the digital community that connects us all. Be on the lookout for #VU2026! Finally, we encourage you to join the Vanderbilt Admitted Student Community to start making friends before the fall semester begins. Find your personalized invitation link on your MyAppVU portal.

To hear from current VUceptors about the transition to Vanderbilt and your first semester on The Ingram Commons, check out VUcept on Instagram.

Mandatory Immunization and Tuberculosis Compliance

For the most up-to-date information and updates, please call the New Student Hotline at (615) 322-4948 or visit vu.edu/classof2026 and the Welcome Week webpage.

RECOMMENDED BY MAY 15

MANDATORY IMMUNIZATION AND TUBERCULOSIS COMPLIANCE:

The Student Health Center maintains a website that outlines the immunizations that you are required to receive before arriving on campus. Tennessee state law and Vanderbilt University regulations dictate that all students comply with the immunization requirements. In addition, students are required to submit a tuberculosis screening survey and testing (if applicable). 

Students will not be able to register for classes until their immunization and tuberculosis documents have been received, reviewed, and approved for compliance by Student Health. 

IMMUNIZATION COMPLIANCE AND HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE FORMS:

Information regarding the compliance process can be found at the Student Health Center website. All necessary Health Questionnaire forms can be downloaded from the site, completed, and uploaded to the secure Vanderbilt Student Health portal.

The comprehensive Health Questionnaire form contains demographic information, emergency contact information, detailed required and recommended vaccinations, and a brief health history documentation so that Student Health Center providers can provide you with the appropriate care when you arrive on campus. 

We recommend you follow the “New Student Checklist” on the website and complete this upload by May 15 so that the staff at the Student Health Center can review, approve, and communicate that all requirements have been met before the registration period begins. This health form review process may take up to seven business days and undergraduate students typically register for classes in early June. 

If you are unable to schedule an appointment with your provider for a pre-college physical exam to have the Student Health Center form completed, you may also submit other official immunization records (those including a physician signature or from a state, county, or previous undergraduate institution). Please follow the New Student Checklist on the Student Health Center website for steps on uploading your records and tuberculosis screening survey documents. 

If you have questions regarding immunizations, please contact us at studenthealth@vumc.org or review the Frequently Asked Questions. 

If you have ongoing health problems or chronic health conditions, you should contact the Student Health Center (SHC) at (615) 322-2427 or the University Counseling Center (UCC) at (615) 322-2571 prior to your arrival on campus to assure the continuity of your care. 

Immunization documents and tuberculosis screening must be submitted, be verified, and meet requirements in order to register for classes. 

Forms will not be sent to you. 

For the most up-to-date information and updates, please call the New Student Hotline at (615) 322-4948 or visit vu.edu/classof2026 and the Welcome Week webpage.

Student Health Insurance

DUE BY AUG 1

STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE AND INSURANCE WAIVER:

All students who have paid the Student Health Fee have access to the Student Health Center. While office visits are free and other services at the Student Health Center have minimal charges, all students are required to have health insurance coverage in the event that hospitalization or care outside the Student Health Center is required. 

To ensure that all students have adequate coverage, there is a Vanderbilt-sponsored health insurance plan (SHIP) available to eligible students*. The plan is underwritten by Aetna and administered by Academic HealthPlans (AHP). The cost of the policy is automatically billed to your student account unless you submit an approved online waiver by August 1. The online waiver process requires that you submit documentation of other comparable insurance coverage.

Upon waiver submission, you will receive a reference number that the waiver request has been received. Each waiver is verified for comparable coverage outlined by Vanderbilt University. You will then receive a confirmation email to your Vanderbilt email account of whether your waiver request has been approved. Once it is approved, the charge for the policy will be removed from your student account. 

By mid-May, the website for the Student Health Insurance Plan will be live. AHP will email students directly with comprehensive information about the waiver process. You can also visit the Student Health Center website to learn more about the plan and the waiver criteria. If you need additional assistance, for the quickest solution visit vanderbilt.myahpcare.com, where you may chat live with a representative or review details regarding your school’s Student Health Insurance Plan and waiver requirements. Representatives are also available by phone at 855-855-2486 or by emailing SHIP@vanderbilt.edu.

Insurance waivers must be completed by August 1, if you do NOT wish to enroll in (and be billed for) the Student Health Insurance Plan. It is your responsibility to follow up on your waiver status, and to ensure that all information is received by AHP by the deadline. The waiver may be completed online at vanderbilt.myahpcare.com/waiver. Forms will not be sent to you. 

*Degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students (excluding DUS and Consortium students) enrolled in 4+ credit hours, a 0-credit research/dissertation course, or any other course that is considered to equate to full-time enrollment are automatically enrolled in SHIP.

Be Smart-Be Safe Online Education

BE SMART–BE SAFE MANDATORY ONLINE EDUCATION:

Vanderbilt devotes considerable resources to assisting students in making intelligent choices regarding their own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of other students and the larger Vanderbilt community. Among these resources are online education programs designed to provide crucial information about our community’s expectations around topics such as campus safety, preventing sexual assault, making safer and healthier choices about alcohol use, and protecting vulnerable populations. The Office of the Dean of Students will contact you via your Vanderbilt email address with information about the program requirements, access information, and deadlines when the modules are available.

For more information about these requirements, visit the Student Accountability, Community Standards & Academic Integrity website or contact doscompliance@vanderbilt.edu.

WELCOME TO VANDERBILT’S COMMUNITY OF HONOR: REQUIRED VIDEO AND TRAINING

For more than 140 years, Vanderbilt students and faculty have worked diligently to cultivate an outstanding academic reputation for the University, an effort made possible by our Honor System. The Vanderbilt Honor Code is one of the school’s oldest and revered traditions, and it governs all academic work completed by students within the University’s ten schools. As a Vanderbilt student, you are expected to uphold your commitment to this standard of honor at all times.

To learn more about the expectations of the Honor System and orient you to Vanderbilt’s academic community, all new students are required to watch Welcome to Vanderbilt’s Community of Honor online training before the first day of classes and log their name at the completion of the training.

For more information about this requirement, contact honor.council@vanderbilt.edu.

The Student Care Network

We understand that the transition to college can sometimes be challenging, and our goal is to help you manage this transition well. The following recommendations are designed to help students successfully navigate the college transition process.

We encourage you to explore and proactively discover the resources available for a diversity of needs through the Student Care Network and to identify sources of support. To learn more about resources available to Vanderbilt students, please visit the Student Care Network website. The Office of Student Care Coordination is also available to help students navigate the Student Care Network.

We also encourage all students to arrive to campus with an understanding of their specific health care needs, including any allergies and associated reactions, and medications, including doses. If you are taking medicine, it is important to ensure that you have an adequate supply and/or refills that you can access while on campus. If you are currently seeing a health care professional for medical and/or mental health concerns, consider discussing a plan for ongoing care, which may include short-term services on campus and/or long-term care off campus. Contact the Office of Student Care Coordination before arriving to campus to discuss your existing health care needs and for assistance in developing a plan for ongoing care.

First-Year Student Meal Plan

Campus Dining Meal Plans

The First-Year Meal Plan can be used for dining in The Commons Center and 22 other locations across campus. All first-year students are automatically enrolled in the First-Year Meal Plan, which includes the following:

MEALS

A “meal” is a combination of items from the menu, which may differ from one on-campus dining location to another, depending on the menu and type of service offered. At each location, signs will define the items that compose a meal at that particular venue.

COMMODORE CASH VS. MEAL MONEY

Commodore Cash is the primary spending account used by students. It can be used to make debit purchases at any campus retail location that accepts the Commodore Card as a method of payment.

Meal Money is used as an enhancement to the VU Meal Plan. Meal Money is an additional debit spending account available for isolating funds for food purchases. Meal Money can be used at on-campus dining locations, vending machines, and off-campus participating local Taste of Nashville restaurants.

For more information on the Commodore Card, to make a Commodore Cash selection, or to add funds to your Commodore Card, please visit the Card Services website. Click on “University,” then “First-Year Students” for an overview. 

TASTE OF NASHVILLE

This program allows you to use your Commodore Card at local partner restaurants, just as you would a debit or credit card. Purchases at Taste of Nashville locations are debited from your Meal Money. “Meals” cannot be used off campus. Visit the Campus Dining website for the list of participating restaurants.

SPECIFIC DIETARY ACCOMMODATIONS

Vanderbilt Campus Dining can assist you in making wise choices to meet your nutritional goals and is happy to help you navigate food allergies, health conditions, or other dietary restrictions. Several resources are available, including registered staff dietitian Emily Suttle, an online nutrition calculator, an executive chef, and more.

Attend the Special Dietary Accommodations Meeting in August (date and location TBD) if you have specific needs. Visit the Campus Dining website for more details.

Housing Application

DUE BY JUNE 1

HOUSING APPLICATIONS:

Applying for housing is easy. The First-Year Housing Application will be available in early April and is due by June 1. After you obtain your VUnetID and password, please visit the Office of Housing and Residential Experience (OHARE) website and log in to the Housing Portal. Once logged in, please click on the Applications menu and complete the First-Year Housing Application. Please see below and visit the 2022-2023 First-Year Student Housing webpage for detailed information about first-year student housing.

First-year students are assigned to double rooms whenever possible. Vanderbilt matches first-year students with consideration of their responses to a short list of questions included on the first-year housing application. We believe an assignment process that facilitates diverse roommate pairings, rather than one in which students select their own roommates based on preexisting relationships, has important education benefits and is consistent with the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive campus community.

First-year students are permitted to submit roommate requests. Prior to requesting a specific roommate, students are encouraged to have open and frank conversations regarding living habits and preferences. Each student in the pair must request the other in order for the request to be considered. Please note we cannot guarantee that roommate requests will be honored.

The deadline to submit roommate requests is June 15, 2022.

Requests for Reasonable Housing Accommodation

DUE BY JUNE 30

REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS:

First-year students seeking accessible housing accommodations for the 2022-23 academic year due to a physical , psychological, or other disability-related limitation should contact Student Access (SA) prior to June 30.

The SA website provides information for students regarding reasonable accommodations, documentation guidelines, and other information about the office. All students who request an accessible housing accommodation due to a disability-related limitation must submit documentation from their diagnosing physician to SA. If SA determines that a housing accommodation is needed for access, they will notify the Office of Housing Assignments, who will contact you about your assignment.

Please note that the Office of Housing Assignments will not accept directly any documentation or housing requests related to the student’s disability. The office will make every effort to find an appropriate and reasonable assignment as recommended by SA.

Course Registration and Reasonable Academic Accommodations

SUMMER

COURSE REGISTRATION:

After you have applied for housing you can begin to focus on course registration. YES (Your Enrollment Services) allows you to see the class schedule for fall 2022 and to store your class selections in a shopping cart. 

You will receive a registration packet from your school in late May or early June that will include the exact dates of your registration windows, information on how to match your class choices to requirements in your school, and how to contact an adviser for assistance in choosing your courses. Please read your registration packet carefully when it arrives and follow the directions and timeline provided. Your packet will either be mailed to your home address or emailed to your VU Gmail address. 

Tutorials, printed instructions, and online help will be accessible from YES to assist you in using the registration system.

LATE SUMMER – EARLY FALL

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD:

The registration system typically opens late in July so you can make adjustments to your schedule, if necessary. Open enrollment will end two weeks after classes start. More details about the exact timing of the open enrollment period will be available this summer. 

DUE BY JUNE 30

REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS:

First-year students seeking academic, dining, transportation, or housing accommodations for the 2022-23 academic year due to limitations related to disability should contact Student Access (SA) as early as possible, or prior to June 30; however, Student Access reviews requests throughout the semester. All students who request reasonable accommodations should complete a connection form through the Commodore Access Portal. 

The SA website provides information for students regarding reasonable accommodations, documentation guidelines, and other information about making the transition to Vanderbilt.

Commodore Card

The Commodore Card is your official Vanderbilt ID. It is used for identification, for access to residence halls, academic buildings, and campus events, and as a debit card for meal plans and other purchases on and off campus. You will receive a digital Commodore Card on your iOS or Android device which you can pre-load with funds prior to arriving at Vanderbilt, so you are all set the moment you step foot on campus. You will also receive a plastic card for some activities such as using Nashville public transit.

DUE BY JULY 15

PHOTO SUBMISSION FOR COMMODORE CARD

Commodore Cards for new students are made in advance of fall move-in. Your photo is needed for the digital and physical Commodore Card.

Photos must include a shoulder pose (no hats or sunglasses) on a neutral background with no other people in the photo. The online submission website will be active on May 15. You will need your VUnetID and password to upload your photo. The photo is used for more than just your Commodore Card so remember that your professors will see it on class rosters.

Simply click on the “Photo Submissions” link on the Card Services website.

ADD COMMODORE CASH FOR IMMEDIATE USE

You must agree to the terms and conditions of the online Student Account Agreement form within the YES portal to be able to add funds.

1. Go to vanderbilt.edu/cardservices and click on “Add Commodore Cash for Immediate Use.”
2. Log on using your VUnetID and password.
3. Select “Add Funds” and follow the prompts.
4. Submit and log off. Funds will be available immediately.

DUE BY JULY 15

COMMODORE CASH SELECTION

Commodore Cash consists of funds added to your Commodore Card for debit purchases at dining locations, Munchie Marts, the Vanderbilt bookstore, mail services, printing and copying, transportation services, off-campus restaurants, sporting venues, and other locations.

Printers that accept the Commodore Card are located in most residence halls and across campus. You can conveniently send print jobs from anywhere on campus and then tap your Commodore Card at the printer to release print jobs.

To ensure that funds are ready for your use when you arrive on campus, the deadline for making a Commodore Cash selection is July 15.

The amount you select will be applied to your Commodore Card for BOTH the fall and spring semesters. Funds are fully refundable if not used and will roll over at the end of every semester. These funds will be billed along with tuition, housing, meal plans, and other university charges.

You also must acknowledge the terms and conditions of the online Student Account Agreement form, which is available when logging into the YES portal. Please note that the acceptance of these terms and conditions is mandatory and will be required on an annual basis.

Office of Student Accounts

(615) 322-6693 or (800) 288-1144 | vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts

STUDENT ACCOUNT AGREEMENT

All Vanderbilt University students are required to acknowledge the terms and conditions of an online Student Account Agreement form when logging into the YES portal. The acceptance of these terms and conditions is mandatory, and it will be required on an annual basis. Failure to agree to these terms will prevent access to the YES landing page. Once the terms have been accepted, a copy of the most recently accepted form will be available for viewing and printing within the YES portal. Please read these terms and conditions carefully. 

GUARANTOR AUTHORIZATION AND DEBT REPAYMENT AGREEMENT

A Guarantor Authorization and Debt Repayment Agreement allows Vanderbilt University to release pertinent financial information to the guarantor(s) listed on the form (usually your parents or guardian). Without proper signatures, no financial information can be disclosed to anyone other than the student. You will receive an email from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions with a link to the Student Accounts website, so you can download and complete the Guarantor Authorization and Debt Repayment Agreement.

DUE BY AUG 31

STUDENT ACCOUNT E-BILLING

Fall Tuition, Fees, and Other Charges:

Vanderbilt student account statements are sent electronically to students’ VU Gmail. You are responsible for granting parents, guardians, or other payers access to e-billing.

ACCESS FOR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS

1. Log into your YES landing page and click “Billing Portal.”

2. Click on “My Account” in the sidebar. 

3. Click on “Send a Payer Invitation” and complete the information. 

Once completed, the username and temporary password will be sent to your additional payer via email. Simply repeat this process to add more than one additional payer to your account.

In each month that items are posted to the account, an email will be sent to your VU Gmail address and other payers’ email addresses with the subject line “Your Vanderbilt e-bill is now available for viewing.”

You and your other payers can view your bill and make payments simply and securely. Each time an online payment is made, a confirmation email will be sent. If you prefer to mail your payment, print your e-bill and remit the top portion with your payment.

For more information, visit the Student Accounts website.

The deadline to enroll in our optional, interest-free, monthly installment plan (VANDY Plan) is August 31 for the fall semester (5 equal installments beginning on May 15) and December 31 for the spring semester (5 equal installments beginning on October 15). For more information, please visit the Student Accounts website.

International First-year Student Move-In Instructions

INTERNATIONAL FIRST-YEAR STUDENT MOVE-IN INSTRUCTIONS

For the most up-to-date information and updates, please call the New Student Hotline at (615) 322-4948 or visit vu.edu/classof2026 and the Welcome Week webpage.

While most information in The Road to Vanderbilt applies to international students, move-in for international students differs from the move-in instructions that domestic students receive. International undergraduate move-in for fall 2022 will be on Wednesday, August 17, 8:00 a.m. CT to midnight, in The Commons Center atrium. International Student Orientation for undergraduates begins on August 18 and is required for all new international first-year undergraduates. At the conclusion of International Student Orientation, you will join your domestic peers to participate in CommonVU Orientation. 

Please make sure to complete the pre-arrival form online before you arrive on campus, so that we can prepare for your arrival. More information about move-in and orientation, including the link to the form, can be found on the International Student Orientation website.

You will also receive communications regarding visa information, immigration regulations, and other support services that pertain to international students from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office. Be sure to check your email frequently throughout the summer for these important updates. 

ILEAD: INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION LEADERS

All new international first-year students will be assigned to an International Orientation Group of eight to 10 students. These groups are led by International Orientation Leaders (IOLs) who are part of the student organization iLEAD. Your IOL will guide your International Orientation Group through several activities and discussions over the course of your first days on campus. Look for an email in July from your IOL. 

CommonVU Orientation and Make a Plan for Voting

COMMONVU ORIENTATION

This weeklong orientation to The Ingram Commons and Vanderbilt takes place immediately prior to the start of classes. During CommonVU Orientation, you begin to experience the university by building new communities – in your house, across The Ingram Commons and the university campus, and in classes. You will engage in activities with other first-year students, peer mentors, upper-division students, faculty heads of house, academic advisers, and other professors. You will begin to discover the personal, academic, intellectual, and social opportunities of life at Vanderbilt—and make your first friends.

MAKE A PLAN FOR VOTING WHILE AT VANDERBILT

Make your voice a part of the political process by creating a plan for voting during your time at Vanderbilt. If you are an out-of-state student, decide if you plan to register in your home state or in Tennessee. If registering in your home state, consider registering in person before Move-In Day. If registering in Tennessee, you may register online at GoVoteTN.com or with a form available on campus. For more information about voting while at Vanderbilt, visit vanderbilt.edu/vote/.

QUESTIONS? CALL THE NEW STUDENT HOTLINE (615) 322-4948.