My Commons Life

News & features about the Vanderbilt Commons from the students who live here

Daniel Sak

Commons Cupdate 2/2

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The Commons Center, location of the Indoor Recreation and Trivia Tournaments

Pull Tab Competition. Indoor Recreation Tournament. An exciting new semester. Here is everything you need to know about upcoming Commons Cup events.

Pull Tab Competition

To kick off the second semester of the Commons Cup, each house will compete to collect as many aluminum pull tabs as possible. Remove the tabs from your cans of soup, soda (or pop for my fellow Midwesterners), and whatever else may have them, and put them in your house’s decorated jar. The competition will run February 3rd-10th, and points will be awarded based on how well the jar has been decorated and how many pull tabs are collected. At the end of the competition, all pull tabs will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

Indoor Recreation Tournament

The first athletic event of the semester will be an Indoor Recreation Tournament. On Sunday February 20, the houses will head to head in pool and table tennis at the Commons Center. As will all athletic events, houses receive points for both gameplay and fan support. If you are interested in competing for your house, contact your house’s vice president for more information.

The Rest of the Semester

Looking forward, there are several more events throughout the semester where you can help the house win the Cup. On February 27th, the second – and final – trivia tournament will take place at the Commons Center. Service Week (more information to be announced at a later time) will take place March 20th-27th. There will also be a Volleyball Tournament on March 27th. Finally, the year-long sustainability competition continues through the end of the semester. Whether your house has yet to win an event or you have won almost every competition, there is still plenty of time for things to change this semester.

Disclaimer: Daniel Sak, the author of this piece, is the Vice President of Hank Ingram House.

MCL Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Residential Colleges

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Nicholas S. Zeppos College, one of five upperclassmen Residential Colleges, pictured above

Although we have only completed one week of the Spring Semester, it is already time to start thinking about housing for next year. One of the most popular options for upperclassman housing is living in one the the Residential Colleges. As you begin to consider where you want to live next year, here are the MCL Top 5 things you should know about the Residential Colleges.

1. The Experience

One of the largest draws to the Residential Colleges is that they offer a unique experience. This includes hosting larger house events and having a faculty head of house. If this sounds familiar, it should. All ten Commons Houses are Residential Colleges (although they function a bit different than the others due to them being Freshmen-centric). Consider how much you have appreciated your Commons experience. If you loved your Commons’ house events and enjoyed getting to know your faculty head, spending another year in a Residential College may be the right fit for you.

2. The Colleges

There are five Residential Colleges for upperclassmen. Warren and Moore Colleges are located near Wilson and connect to Kissam. E. Bronson Ingram College (known to most as EBI) is located near Alumni Lawn. Nicholas S. Zeppos College is close to the bookstore. Finally, Rothschild College (which opens next year) will be near Greek Row. With all colleges located on main campus, most of you will not be far from classes. However, for Peabody students, this housing option may put you far away from your classes.

3. Rooms

All five Residential Colleges have single and double rooms as well as suites. Suites include individual rooms for each resident, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a common living space. All residential colleges offer 4-person suites; Warren and Moore also offer a 5 and 6-person option. Roommates in double rooms must be of the same gender; however, suitemates may be of different genders (if you so choose). The question of whom you would like to live with is another important thing to consider when thinking about housing for next year.

4. Extra Fee

While housing costs are usually consistent regardless of where you reside on campus, there is an exception when it comes to the Residential Colleges. This is because residents are required to pay a Residential College Experience Fee to help fund house event. The fee for next year is expected to be $396.90 per semester. Keep this in mind when you are deciding where you want to live.

5. Food

Unlike most other housing on campus, all five Residential Colleges are connected to some form of dining. EBI and Zeppos both have full dining halls on the ground floor. Warren and Moore are connected to Kissam, which includes the Kitchen at Kissam and a Munchie Mart. Rothschild will have both a full dining hall and a Munchie Mart. If having food nearby is important to you, a Residential College will provide you with that opportunity.

Final Thoughts

The housing process can feel stressful and confusing (I know because I am going through it myself). I hope this has provided a little insight into what life may look like if you opt to live in a Residential College next year. For more information, check out OHARE’s Residential College guide.

MCL Top 5 Best Parts of the Fall Semester

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With almost a full semester completed here at Vanderbilt, it can be easy to forget the things that made our first few months so great. So let’s stop and take a look back at the Top 5 Best Parts of the Fall Semester.

5. Football Games

In spite of the fact that the Commodores went 2-10 this season, going to the football games was a highlight of the semester. Spending a Saturday cheering on my team with my friends was something I thoroughly enjoyed, and I look forward to doing it again for the winter and spring sports.

4. The Scenery

We live on a beautiful campus, and I hope to never stop appreciating it. Whether it was the lush greenery of the summer or the vibrant colors of the fall, I always felt in touch with nature. Even many of the beautiful buildings like the Wyatt Center, Kirkland Hall, and Furman Hall (known by many as “the castle”) further accentuate the visual appeal of campus.

3. $50 Meal Money

Although it may have been a brief six days, we all remember this time well. Receiving $50 per day to buy food was a great way to start off the semester. On top of that, many of us got to know the people who are now our closest friends over those meals which, I think, is even better than the food itself.

2. My Commons Life

This one might be a little specific to me, but I still wanted to put it on the list. It has been an amazing experience working with this amazing staff and writing for you every week. I truly hope the content we publish has been a enjoyable part of your semester, and I look forward to writing more pieces in the spring.

1. New Lives

Whether you just graduated high school or were coming off a gap year, whether you came from across the country or just outside of Nashville, whether you walked in knowing exactly what you wanted to do or you were undecided, we all arrived in August ready to start our new lives. This has been a semester of defining and redefining our identities, our paths, our stories. I love where my journey has taken me in the last four months, and I know that I am nowhere near my final destination. I hope the same is true for you.

MCL Top 5 Worst Parts of the Fall Semester

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These last few months have not always been easy. As we approach the last challenge of our first semester at Vanderbilt – finals week – let’s take a moment to remember all the things that made the transition to college life a bit more difficult. So here are the Top 5 Worst Parts of the Fall Semester: may we leave them in the past where they belong.

5. Campus Dining

You knew this was going to make the list. We were told Vanderbilt had some of the best dinging in the country, but our experience during the first semester did not live up to the hype. Between long lines and limited options, this is a part of my experience I would rather move on from.

4. The T-Shirt Line

I am going all the way back to our first weekend here for this one but, I think it is still worth noting. Waiting in line in the hot, humid air for over an hour on a weekend when we were all extremely busy was not the best use of time. The worst part was that after standing there for that long period of time, all we did was pull some ink across a shirt and watch it dry. Yes, we stood in the heat for hours just so we could literally watch paint dry. It is no wonder why this activity made it on this list.

3. The Squirrels

I do not care how cute you think the squirrels are, they are little monsters. At first I thought they were adorable and harmless, but I was wrong. They are aggressive and vicious and arrogant. Just the other day, one of them looked me dead in the eyes and started yelling at me from inside a recycling bin. They have no fear, and I am confident they are plotting something terrible.

2. Laundry Wars

No matter what side of this conflict you were on, you suffered. Whether someone removed your laundry from the dryer while it was still wet, or you had to wait a half hour to put your clothes in the wash because someone else had not taken them out yet, we all paid the price for a limited number of washers and dryers. Even those of us who washed our clothes at non-peak times still dealt with the weekly passive-aggressive laundry-related messages in the house group chats that defined Sunday afternoons. None of us came out clean on the other side of this one.

1. Allergies

Many of us grew up in a very different climate than that of Tennessee. Combine that with Nashville’s constant oscillation between 40 and 70 degree days and you have a perfect storm for a lot of bad allergies. Many of us spent much of the semester feeling under the weather which detracted from our school and social lives. If feeling a little bit sick is not enough, thanks to COVID there was always an extra moment of panic every time you sneezed with the thought crossing your mind: “Will I be locked in quarantine for two weeks?” It is sad enough when someone gets sick; they should not have to worry about their academic and social lives too.

So here’s to a healthier semester, a semester with more choices and less lines in our dining halls, and a semester without aggressive laundry messages and even more aggressive rodents. So let us celebrate the end of the Fall Semester and the beginning of something better. I look forward to seeing y’all in the new year.

A Letter to the Class of 2025

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Dear Class of 2025,

I cannot believe it is December already. Whether it has felt long or short, our first semester at Vanderbilt is quickly coming to a close. So before you become fixated on your finals and Winter Break and next semester, I challenge you to look back at the past few months and reflect.

Think back to all the people you met. If you were like me, you did not know anyone when you stepped foot on campus in August. What changed? How did you get to know the people you are closest with? Are there people you were close with when the year started that you do not see as often any more? Ask yourself if there is anyone else you would like to get closer with. I assure you it is not too late.

Think about the classes you took. Consider the subjects you enjoyed and even those you disliked. Are you majoring in what is most interesting to you? If not, do not be afraid to adjust or completely change your major. I already have, and I am glad I did it.

Think of how your transition into this phase of your life has gone. What have you done that you enjoyed the most? How about the things you wish you had done? There is still plenty of time to go do those things be it in these next three weeks or in the Spring Semester.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank all of you for making this such an amazing semester. I would be lying if I said that I was not nervous when I moved in. The community here calmed those nerves in no time. I know my and others’ experiences here are due in large part to each and every one of you. So one more time: thank you.

I wish all of you the best of luck these next few weeks and I look forward to spending the next few years with you.

Best wishes,

Daniel Sak

Commons Cupdate 11/17

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Commons Unplugged Victors. Fall Trivia Tournament. The semester nearing its end. Here’s everything you need to know about the Commons Cup as we finish our first semester here at Vanderbilt.

Commons Unplugged Week

October 31st through November 6th, the houses competed against each other to save the most energy. Congratulations to the top three conservationists.

1st Place – Sutherland is in the fight. After a tie with West for the top spot in kickball, Sutherland finally achieved their first solo win. One thing is for sure: this house is not done yet.

2nd Place – Hank is here to stay. This is now the third podium appearance for Common’s largest house – something no other house has yet to do. Hank will be in a great spot going into the latter half of this competition.

3rd Place – Crawford makes their first appearance. After some struggles in the athletic events, Crawford has gotten their name on the board. This should make the the buzz around Commons.

Fall Trivia

On Sunday, all houses met in the Commons Center for a battle of brains. Each house sent two teams (with the exception of East, who only sent one) to compete in a trivia tournament. The following teams placed:

1st Place – East gets a taste of victory. In spite of being the only house to send just one team, East managed to win the whole tournament. While this house is no stranger to the podium, their first gold of the competition should feel nice.

2nd Place – Stambaugh gets in the game. While the beginning of the competition started slow for them, a podium finish in the Trivia event should put Stambaugh back in the game.

3rd Place – Gillette makes a splash. No other house has faced the same set of challenges as this one, yet they have managed to stay afloat. There is just one question moving forward: will they sink or swim?

Final Thoughts

Although there is still some time left in the semester, Trivia was the last fall event for the Commons Cup. Now that we are about half way through the competition, it is a good time to examine how the houses place overall.

First, there appear to be three clear frontrunners: Hank, Sutherland, and East. These are the only three houses to make multiple podium appearances across different categories. However, none of these houses have made every event’s podium (Hank was the longest to hold that title until a loss this past Sunday).

This competition is tight. Eight of the ten houses have at least one podium finish, with a top 3 finish only eluding Murray and Memorial.

Most importantly, much of the information regarding Commons Cup has yet to be released. There is no public information about house performances in the Community Involvement category (making up 20% of the overall scores for the year). There are also ongoing events like the year-long energy conservation which will not be finalized until the end of the year. Finally, there are still plenty of opportunities for the rankings to shift before the end of the year.

So to close my final Commons Cupdate of 2021, I congratulate those who performed well in the first half of this competition and wish the best of luck to every house in the Spring Semester.

*Disclaimer: Daniel Sak, the author of this piece, is the Vice President of Hank Ingram House.

MCL Top 5: Things to do Before the End of the Semester

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As the leaves begin to change color and the air begins to cool off, we are reminded that the Fall Semester is passing quickly. Now is a great time to ask: What do I want to experience before I finish my first semester in college? Well, wonder no longer. Here are the MCL Top 5 things to do before the end of the Fall Semester.

1. Go to a Game

This is a great way to hang out with friends and show your school spirit. There is one more home football game this Saturday, and the basketball season is just getting started. The best part is that tickets are free for all students!

2. See a Show

There are so many performance groups on campus that there is almost always some performance happening. No matter what type of performances you enjoy – plays, concerts, or comedy – you will be able to find them. Even if you don’t typically go to the theater, give it a try. It will be worth your time.

3. Attend a Commons Event

Between weekly house events and Commons-wide activities, there is no shortage of things to do right outside your house. Although many people don’t know this, house events are in fact open to residents of any house, so don’t hesitate to check out an event that seems interesting to you.

4. Explore Nashville

We live in an amazing city with so much to do. Make sure to check it out before you head home for Winter Break. I’m not saying you need to try everything, but at least try to check out a few new places.

5. Use Your Meal Money

If you are anything like me, you probably have not used up all your meal money yet. While it carries over to next semester, it does expire at the end of the school year. You will also have it replenished in January, so don’t be afraid to treat yourself to a few off-campus feasts.

Commons Cupdate 11/3

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Commons Unplugged Week has begun, several houses have their signature events coming up, and the fall trivia tournament is nearing. This is everything you need to know about the latest developments in the Commons Cup.

Commons Unplugged

On Sunday, Commons Unplugged Week began. This portion of the competition, which runs through Saturday, focuses on sustainability. Each house’s goal is to decrease their energy consumption as much as possible during this week in order to score points for their house. There are also two events this week in which house participation will count towards points: Green Forum and Commons Gardening. On Wednesday night from 7-8PM, the Green Forum – which is a lecture about sustainability – will take place in the Commons Center Multipurpose Room. Gardening will take place on the Commons Center South Patio from 11AM-2PM on Saturday.

House Signature Events

For Commons Cup, each house must hold a special signature event in which participation counts towards Commons Cup points. Here are some of the signature events that have been announced:

November 1st – Gillette hosted a Krispy Kreme night with hot chocolate, cider, tea, and special house merch from 9-10PM.

November 7th – Sutherland will host Suthgiving which includes pie and ice cream, hot cocoa and cider, crafts, and special merch giveaways.

November 10th – Hank will host an ice cream sandwich night with special Baked Bear ice cream sandwiches and other fun activities.

Fall Trivia

The fall trivia tournament will take place Sunday, November 14th from 2-4PM in the Commons Center MPR. Along with the tournament results, house attendance will also count towards Commons Cup points. Contact your house’s president for more information about trivia.

MCL Top 5: Things To Do at the Nightmare on the Upper Quad

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This Friday October 29th, Halloweekend at Vanderbilt will begin with a scream. Crawford and Sutherland, with the help of Murray, will be hosting the first Commons Mix-up event of the year: Nightmare on the Upper Quad. This Commons tradition, now over a decade old, will be held on the Upper Quad – the lawn between Sutherland, Crawford, Stambaugh, and Murray – from 8-11PM. With the large variety of activities being offered at this event, deciding what to do may seem scary. Don’t fear: here are the MCL Top 5 things to do at the Nightmare on the Upper Quad.

5. Ghoulish Games

Stop by the Upper Quad for a plethora of games. There will be lawn games like Spikeball and cornhole along with some Halloween-themed games. This is a perfect way to kick off an evening of frightening fun!

4. Murray Mocktails

While Commons Mix-ups are typically between only two houses, Murray’s inclusion in this event is an extra special treat. Stop by Murray for a mocktail to enjoy during your spooktacular evening.

3. Devilish Desserts

For those of you who prefer treats to tricks, this is the activity for you. Stop by for hot chocolate, s’mores, and apple cider. There will also be a cookie decorating station!

2. Costume Contest

It wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes, now would it. Make sure to dress up so you can compete in the Nightmare on the Upper Quad costume contest.

1. Haunted House

The main event of the evening is a tour of one of the most terrifying places on campus: Crawford House. Tours will be running all night, but spaces are limited. Walk ins are welcome, but if you want to make sure you have a spot, register on Anchor Link.

MCL Top 5: Things I Learned Over Fall Break

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Going into Fall Break, I was a little worried. Don’t get me wrong. I was looking forward to the reprieve from my classes, but I knew it would be the loneliest I had been since I arrived on campus in August. Being a highly extroverted person, this thought scared me and even made me start to dread the long weekend. However, in all my worrying I overlooked a fact my introverted counterparts are highly familiar with: solitude can bring about clarity. So to those of you who ask what I did over Fall Break, I respond: I did nothing, but learned a ton. Without further ado, here are the top five lessons I learned spending Fall Break on campus.

1. Make the best out of what you have

Something that was relatively unique to my Fall Break was the fact that I had a 10 page long take home midterm assigned. That – coupled with the fact that most of my friends left – should have made for a pretty miserable weekend, but in a weird twist, these two bad things actually complimented each other surprisingly well. I found that instead of being upset, I appreciated the fact that I had something to do while my friends were gone and that I didn’t feel pressure to finish my essay immediately.

2. Explore your surroundings

Usually when I walk somewhere on campus, I’m heading for a particular location. For the first time, I decided to walk to Main Campus without a particular purpose in mind, and I have to say I enjoyed it. Over break, I felt like I got to acquaint myself with campus a little bit more, and I know I am better off for it.

3. Reconnect with old friends

Our families aren’t the only ones we left back home. Almost all of us have friends we know from high school (or even earlier). Over break, I reached out to some of my own friends back home, and I’m so glad I got a chance to catch up with them. If you have the time, I highly recommend reaching out to some old friends. You’ll be surprised how nice it is to talk to them.

4. Branch out

One thing I quickly learned over break was that I still knew people on campus, even if they weren’t the people I normally spend my time with. I had many great conversations and experiences with those that I don’t normally spend long periods of time with and found it refreshing. I know this is something that would not have happened without my break being the way it was.

5. Focus on you

There’s nothing like everyone else flying across the country to make you focus on your own wellbeing. Over break, I took some time to reset and take care of myself. It was also the first time since arriving on campus that I got well over 8 hours of sleep. If you haven’t done this yet, you need to (and you shouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to give it a try).

Final Thoughts

While I learned these lessons thanks to Fall Break, they shouldn’t be exclusively for that weekend. It was because I paused that I realized how important these things are. However, just because Fall Break is over doesn’t mean these practices should be.