We all need a good place to study for exams, and what better place than Central Library? Or Stevenson? Perhaps Sarratt? This quiz uses your likes and dislikes to predict your go-to study spot. Try it out to see if the algorithm knows you well :0
Archives for February 2022
CommonsCast Episode 96-February 23, 2022
Dean Melissa Gresalfi discusses the importance of sleep, Tait delivers the Commons Calendar of this week’s upcoming events, and Richard sits down for a great interview with Heena Cho, a first year student from Seoul, South Korea likely majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Political Science.
I SURVIVED – Gen Chem Massacre 2.0

It’s that time of year again! We’ve just gotten through our first round of mid-terms, and though it wasn’t easy, we SURVIVED.
Like lambs to the slaughter, the horde of Gen Chem students trekked despondently to the exam. Our execution date was Thursday, February 17th. Even flash floods, tornados, and rainstorms couldn’t delay our inevitable destruction.
We struggled through this whole process last semester as well, but our first-year class remains resilient through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let’s see what they have to say about their second survival against all odds:
THE GOOD
“I’m feeling cautiously optimistic…”
“Tara Todd giving out gum was the highlight of my day.”
“Dr. Todd is my Vandy mom!”
“I don’t care what the Gen Chem exam says… I’m going to be a doctor one day. Period.”
THE BAD
“I’m glad I’m in orgo…”
“I choked on a jolly rancher when I turned it in.”
“When I was walking back from the Chem exam, I called my mom and she asked why I was running. I was only walking uphill…”
“I was literally PRAYING that the tornado would get our exam canceled.”
THE UGLY
“My rate of success in Gen Chem is exponentially decreasing…”
“I don’t have anything positive to say about the Chem department.”
“I felt it was an unnecessary waste of medical students’ time.”
“Vandy’s deliberate effort to stop people from achieving their dreams.”
“Gen Chem — for the heartless, for the weak, for the pauper… weeping, screaming, dying… A test to end it all.”
MORAL OF THE STORY:
“idk which storm was worse… the tornado or the Gen Chem massacre?”
MCL News Minute-February 23, 2022
Cheryl has all of the info you need to find awesome events on campus in the week ahead, including Rhythm & Bounce, a VU Theatre Workshop production, and AASA’s 35th anniversary mixer.
Commons Conversations-Episode 12, “Trust the Algorithm”
The college dating scene can appear intimidating, but there are light-hearted ways to finding your future partner. In this weeks episode, Maria and Stephan review the most prominent match-making sites by college students, for college students.
Commons Cupdate 2/23

Crawford’s first victory. Two more wins for Hank. Spring trivia just days away. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest developments in the Commons Cup.
Pull Tab Week
The first service event of the Commons Cup was held February 3rd through 10th. Each house worked to collect pull tabs to give to the Ronald McDonald House. Points were awarded based on the design of the collection jug and the number of tabs collected by the house. West House won the jug decorating contest. Hank House won the pull tab collection portion of the competition.
Table Tennis Tournament
On Sunday February 20th, the table tennis portion of the Indoor Recreation Tournament was held in the Commons Center MPR. The results were as follows:
First Round
- East defeated West
- Murray defeated Memorial
Second Round
- Sutherland defeated Hank
- Crawford defeated East
- Murray defeated Gillette
- Stambaugh advanced automatically (North did not show and therefor forfeited)
Semifinals
- Crawford defeated Sutherland
- Murray defeated Stambaugh
Championship
- Crawford defeated Murray
The Podium
1st Place – Crawford clenched their first victory. Before Sunday, Crawford had not won a single game in athletics, but this house put in the work to go straight from a string of losses to tournament champions. This victory should feel as sweet as honey.
2nd Place – Murray makes their first podium. Like Crawford, this was a house that just could not seem to find the winning formula last semester, but they may have hit their stride in 2022.
3rd Place – Stambaugh is in the game. Following a podium appearance at the last trivia event, Stambaugh makes it back to the podium thanks to a tight game against Murray. I have a feeling they’ll want to be back for more.
Pool
On Sunday February 20th, the pool portion of the Indoor Recreation Tournament was held on the Commons Center main floor. The results were as follows:
First Round
- East defeated West
- Memorial defeated Murray
Second Round
- Hank defeated Sutherland
- North defeated Stambaugh
- East defeated Crawford
- Gillette defeated Memorial
Semifinals
- Hank defeated East
- North defeated Gillette
Championship
- Hank defeated North
Podium
1st Place – Hank is a podium regular. This is Hank’s third win and fifth time on a Commons Cup podium. This house is a serious contender to win it all.
2nd Place – North is back in the game. When this house shows up, they play to win. In every athletic event they have played in, North made it to at least the semifinals. This is a house to watch out for.
Spring Trivia
This Sunday February 27th is the Spring Trivia Tournament. This is the final event for the Academics portion of the Commons Cup. The tournament will take place in the Commons MPR, and attendance will count for Commons Cup Points. If you are interested in playing, contact your house president.
Disclaimer: Daniel Sak, the author of this piece, is the Vice President of Hank Ingram House and was a member of the Hank Ingram Pool Team
Commons Conversations-Episode 11, “Rushing in the 21st Century”
As the Spring initiation for Greek life nears its end, some may wonder what the process of rushing a fraternity or sorority is actually like. In this episode, Maria and Stephan talk about the culture at large with insights to guide you on your decision to rush (or not to rush).
MCL News Minute-February 16, 2022
Devin has the details you need to know about upcoming events on campus this week, including an improv comedy show from Tongue ’N Cheek and The Black Affair Awards Gala
MCL Quiz: Which of these Vandy Personalities Are You?
CommonsCast Episode 95-February 16, 2022
Dean Gresalfi talks about anxiety in her Dean’s Minute, Elizabeth delivers the Commons Calendar of upcoming events, and Richard sits down for a great interview with Emini Offutt, a first year student at Vanderbilt from Nashville, TN studying Computer Science and HOD.
