My Commons Life

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

Features

I SURVIVED – A First-Person Account of the 2021 Gen Chem Massacre

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September 23rd, 2021. The time was 7:00PM. Over half of the freshman class shuffled into the exam room in a crowd of palpable anxiety. Students were crying, dying, trying to remember every single polyatomic ion.

No matter who you were or how much/little you had studied, we were all scared to death. It was an uphill battle, but we SURVIVED.

…and we lived to tell the tale.

Here’s what some of our fellow first-years have to say about their survival stories:

BEFORE

“I was so anxious on my walk to the exam that I crapped my pants. No, actually. We’re talking full on bowel incontinence.”

“I seriously almost threw up when they handed me the exam.”

“I couldn’t even fit all my papers on my desk…”

DURING

“I had to swallow my gum and take it like a pill. At that point, it tasted disgusting and I couldn’t focus on my exam.”

“I dropped my hairclip during the exam and it went CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK…”

“I FORGOT THE DE BROGLIE EQUATION! HOW DID I FORGET THE DE BROGLIE EQUATION?”

AFTER

“I considered jumping off the Vanderbilt bridge on the walk back. Into oncoming traffic.”

“The studying was far from worthwhile…”

“I WAS Pre-Med, but I’m definitely not anymore!”

OVERALL THOUGHTS?

“I’m [screwed].”

(edited due to expletives)

“I’m as uncertain as Heisenberg was.”

“That really sucks, but don’t beat yourself up too hard here. First exam, and now you know what to expect. There’ll be plenty more chances. (…that’s what I’m telling myself lol)”

With all that said, the professors have revealed that this has been the highest Exam1 average in Gen Chem for 3 years. Maybe we didn’t do so badly after all?

Nonetheless, Vandy Class of 2025, I’m proud of you. We did it – we survived.

MCL Top 5: Ways YOU Can Affect Change in Campus Dining

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If you were to ask me what my largest qualm with Vanderbilt Campus Dining was, I would not say the lines or the constant closures or even the lack of choices. While I believe all of these are areas the administration needs to address, there is something I am even more disappointed to have witnessed:

Vanderbilt Campus Dining made us – the student body – feel ignored.

We can feel demoralized when the booming calls to improve our dining experience seemingly continue to go unheard. In spite of this feeling, we do have power. Still, it can be difficult and nerve racking to take a stand, so listed below are the MCL Top 5 Tips on how you can bring about change in Vanderbilt Campus Dining.

1. Identify Where Your Message is Going

Knowing whom you want to receive your message is vital to success. In most cases, you typically want you message to reach those who have the ability to make changes. It can be easy to see Campus Dining as a singular entity, but it is a organization of people with all different types of jobs. The dining staff we interact with every day is a very different group than those who are actually making the decisions. Complaining to those who are subject to Vanderbilt Campus Dining’s administrative decisions, like students and much of the dining staff, will have little effect. You have to direct your message to the administration itself.

2. Know What You Want

This seems like such a simple idea, but many of us forget to consider the end goal. Almost all of us want Vanderbilt’s dining experience to be better, but “making something better” is not a substantive policy change. Do you want shorter lines? More choices? Longer hours? Whatever it is that you want changed, be clear about it. If you are worried about a number of issues, state each one explicitly. Furthermore, offer suggestions when possible. Even if a solution to one of the dining problems seems obvious to you, tell them anyways. There is always a chance they have yet to think of that fix.

3. Assume Campus Dining is Acting Rationally

For my fellow social science majors out there, you have probably heard this one before. Vanderbilt Campus Dining is not operating with evil intent; they simply have an approach moving forward that many of us find detrimental. Always remember that there is a reason they are making these changes. We may think it is a poor reason, but it is a reason nonetheless. If you cannot figure out the rationale (or even if you believe you have figured it out), the best way to begin a conversation with them is to ask “why”. I know it may seem a little odd, but in most cases you get one of two types of responses:

  1. You get a reasonable response that makes sense. If what they say is reasonable, feel free to ask follow up questions and offer suggestions, but I would avoid being overly combative. It is also okay to let an issue go and move on to something else. Some fight are not worth having, and there are plenty of other issues that need addressing.
  2. You get a poorly developed response. This is the time explain you position. If you notice a flaw in their response, cordially bring it to light. In most scenarios, I would pose it in the form of another question, but it is up to your judgement call. However you choose to respond, proceed respectfully.

4. Acknowledge When They do Something Good

Not everything Campus Dining has done in the past few months has been bad. We can sometimes get into a mindset of constant combat and rebuttal, but sometimes one of the most effective strategies to affect change is through positive reinforcement. It is often easier for an organization to do more of something that they are already doing than to develop a whole new system. A compliment is also more likely to be stand out in the barrage of critiques Campus Dining is receiving.

5. Publicize Your Opinion

This is the key to any successful movement. No matter how upset we are, nothing will change if we fail to share our thoughts. Every email written, every post made, every petition signed brings us a step closer to the version of Campus Dining we want to see. The best part of this strategy is that everyone can participate to their own comfort level. It does not matter if you create a petition or just sign it, every little bit helps.

Final Thoughts

After writing this piece, I hope not to leave anyone with the wrong impression. I am proud to be a Vanderbilt student. It is exactly because of this pride I want to see this school become the best it can. Over the summer, Vanderbilt University required the Class of 2025 to read the book When Breath Becomes Air, in which it is stated “You can’t ever reach perfection, but you can believe in an asymptote toward which you are ceaselessly striving.” Although I have not been on campus for a full month yet, it is clear Vanderbilt is pushing us to hold ourselves to this standard. We should ask the same of them.

MCL Top 5: Apps You Should Have By Now As a VU Student

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If you haven’t already pulled out your App Stores or your Google Plays by now, hurry it up, chop chop, get to steppin’, because every app on this list is essential. Why play yourself? Make your life easier right now with 5 easy downloads.

1. DoubleMap

DoubleMap Bus Tracker - Apps on Google Play
Image from the Google Play Store

If you’ve ever been a bit afraid walking back from main campus to commons when it’s dark, or are just plain tired after a long day – you NEED the app DoubleMap. DoubleMap is the app that tracks VandyRides arrival times and locations (aka VandyVans or Vandy Campus Busses). There are 2 main routes, the Gold Route and the Black Route that make circles around campus from 6 pm – 1 am. The stops include but are not limited to: Rand/Sarratt, Hank Ingram, The Rec Center, Zeppos, Blair School of Music, and the School of Nursing (which is right beside the main campus library!) 

There is no need to make an account, just open the menu, go to “Select Routes” and tap “Show All”.  (Note – the busses or their routes will not show up on the map until after 6 pm) Happy Riding! 

(Reminder: Masks are required the entire duration of the bus ride!)

2. Google Calendar

By now you have probably seen people using this app, but I’m going to make the case for why you should too! 1. You can connect it to your Brightspace, and 2. It makes saving events from AnchorLink super easy. 

If you connect Google Calendar to your Brightspace, you can see your class schedule, get notified before class starts or assignments are due, and check when office hours are. Here are the steps to add Brightspace to your Google Calendar. (It is much easier to do this on a computer!)

Step 3. Under “Calendar Feeds,” check the box for “Enable Calendar Feeds” and click save
Step 6. Open Google Calendar – Under “Other Calendars,” Select “Add New Calendar from URL”
  1. Go to the “Calendar” tab in your navigation bar
  2. Click on “Settings”
  3. Under “Calendar Feeds,” check the box for “Enable Calendar Feeds” and click save
  4. You should now have a tab named “Subscribe” beside the “Settings” tab, click that (if the “Subscribe” button doesn’t appear, refresh the page)
  5. Copy the URL found in the “Subscriptions” Tab, make sure to include “All Calendars and Tasks from the Dropdown Window.
  6. Open Google Calendar – Under “Other Calendars,” Click the “+” to add new calendar and click “from URL”
  7. Paste the Brightspace URL into the box, and select “Add Calendar”
  8. Your Brightspace and Google Calendar are now linked! If everything doesn’t show up make sure you refresh the page and check the box under “Other Calendars” that should be called “All Courses – Vanderbilt University”

3. Venmo (Or Alternatives like Cashapp and Zelle)

Images from Google Play Store

When people are out doing a Target run asking if you want something, if you shared an Uber, if someone purchased anything on your behalf – it is so much simpler to pay them back using a mobile app, – and it takes 10 seconds. (Just take the time to at least set it up).

I find that most people that I talk to have Venmo, so start with that. But it’s always good to have options like Cashapp. It’s personally not my thing, but you can even quickly trade stocks and bitcoin in these apps. Read more about the safety of these apps here: 

Cashapp – https://cash.app/help/us/en-us/3127-keeping-your-cash-app-secure

Venmo – https://venmo.com/about/security/

If you don’t feel safe putting bank information into another app even after reading those safety policies, try Zelle. A lot of bank apps such as First Bank, Bank of America, and literally hundreds more have Zelle embedded right into their bank apps that you likely already have.

Uber (Or its Alernative, Lyft)

Uber - Request a ride - Apps on Google Play
Taken from the Google Play Store
Taken from the Google Play Store

Have you explored downtown yet? The Gulch maybe? Needed to buy specific products or get your hair done off-campus. Well, Uber, the ride-sharing app is a great way to do that. Not only can you use it to get places, but you can also use the app to ride scooters (VU Scooter Policy – https://www.vanderbilt.edu/movevu/scooter-and-bike-share-faq/), order food delivery, and most importantly, split the uber-bill in-app when you ride together. To read more about Uber’s safety, you can check out this website – https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/safety/.

Lyft also works the same way minus food and scooters, however, prices can sometimes vary, so it is good practice to check both apps. Create an account and get exploring!

5. Headspace

Headspace: Meditation & Sleep - Apps on Google Play
Taken from Google Play Store

Are you stressed (Why did I ask, you go to Vanderbilt, there’s a very high chance you are!) Well, if you feel like you need to take a break to breathe, the app Headspace can help! It has meditation, daily inspirational videos, sleep background noise, peaceful stress release workouts, and more.

Here’s the kicker though, IT’S FREE. Vanderbilt has a partnership with Headspace, and all VU students have access to more of the premium content. Read more about it here: https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2020/08/21/student-care-network-launches-headspace-for-2020-21-academic-year/ and Sign Up here: https://work.headspace.com/vanderbilt/member-enroll

Note: The number of accounts may be limited.

Final Words and Honorable Mentions

If you made it this far, you should have all these apps on your phone right now! Although they didn’t make the top 5, here are some honorable mentions you may already have: 1. the VandySafe App (great for checking dining hall menus), 2. The Vanderbilt App (great for checking events), and 3. GroupMe (no description needed – if you don’t have this what are you even doing!)

Stay Updated on the MCL Instagram!

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Throughout the month of September, we’ll be posting updates, mini features, and interactive stories! Make sure to keep up with My Commons Life by following us on Instagram @mycommonslife to find content for first years, by first years.

Which MCL Staff Member Should You Be Friends With

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Get to know your MCL Staff a little more!

Need a friend? Take this quiz to figure out which staff member you would be best friends with! All our Instagrams are in the quiz results, so feel free to reach out to us and let’s be friends! 🙂 

[viralQuiz id=30]

Bonus Meal Money: A First Year Perspective

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  • Ashton Helveston
  • Maya Anderson
  • Jonathan Wilson

After a rocky start to the new school year, Vanderbilt Campus Dining announced a fifty dollar Meal Money credit for students that would reset daily August 24th through 29th. While this may have been nothing more than a policy decision for Campus Dining, one could not help but notice a change in the atmosphere among the student body. This change was especially significant for first-year students who were still adjusting to campus life.

At a time when their schedules were packed with mandatory orientation events and new classes, the Class of 2025 received some freedom and flexibility from the bonus Meal Money. While most first-years would typically eat a majority of their meals at Munchie Marts, the Commons Center, and Rand, this policy opened up opportunities for these new students to try restaurants around the city they just moved to. In their first week on campus, first-years were granted a risk-free opportunity to try everything from Taco Mama’s to the Grilled Cheeserie.

The additional funds worked to shorten waits in the dining halls as well. Prospective Biology major Ashton Helveston noted, “I actually went to Rand for breakfast one day when we still had the fifty dollars and I got through the line super quick and got to my class with no worries or stress.”

Many students worked to optimize this opportunity. Helveston was one of these students: “I made sure I spent every penny every single day.” However, not everyone felt the same way.

Jonathan Wilson, a first-year Mechanical Engineering major, pointed out that the daily expiration of the Meal Money “provided this incentive to spend all $50.” In spite of this, Wilson only spent all fifty dollars once in the six day period, stating, “I don’t really need all that extra food anyways.”

Some students went even further, noting it caused them some minor stress. “I felt more of a pressure to spend [the money],” shared Maya Anderson, a first-year studying Neuroscience and Asain Studies. Anderson further explained her feelings, saying she felt that she was “letting all this money go to waste.” Her feeling towards this did change as the week progressed: “Towards the end, I realized it’s not like I have to use it.”

Even though some students may have felt obliged to use this money, those feelings were only a small portion of this story. Some would argue that the money and what it was spent on were overshadowed by something far more important: community.

Anderson also shared about how the bonus Meal Money served as a basis for establishing connections on campus: “[My friends and I] ordered a bunch of food. We ended up sitting with our RA and my roommates and we played card games.” She accredits the bonus Meal Money as the cause for this fun evening with her friends on her floor.

While not perfect, these six days of fifty dollars of bonus meal money offered unique opportunities for the Class of 2025 to adjust to campus life by providing them with a sense of security in their ability to get food, encouraging them to try different cuisines around Nashville, and allowing them to form memories with their new classmates.

The Newest Additions to the Taste of Nashville

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Let’s face it: as good as Rand bowls are, we’re going to need a break from dining hall food at some point throughout college. Thank goodness for Meal Money, which can be used to purchase food from multiple restaurants around Nashville through the Taste of Nashville Program. This school year, Vanderbilt has added a couple of new additions to the program:

Flatiron

1929 Broadway

Nashville, TN 37203

If you’re looking for a twist on American cuisine, this is the place to go! Their best-selling Nashville Hot Oysters hits a home run for those looking for an alternative to Nashville Hot Chicken. Just outside Vanderbilt’s campus, Flatiron is only a short walk for students to get homey meals with Meal Money. 

Central BBQ

408 11th Ave N

Nashville, TN 37203

What’s Tennessee without barbecue?!? Central BBQ provides quick service for a hearty, filling meal with home-cooked sides and entrees like pork barbecue and mac and cheese. It’s a further walk from campus, but this Southern-style restaurant will definitely hit the spot after a long day.

Grain & Berry Cafe 

1806 20th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37212

Avocado toasts and açai bowls have taken over social media, and they’ve made their way to Nashville! Grain & Berry Cafe is perfect for anyone hungry for something simple, refreshing, and healthier than your average fast-food restaurant. Locals recommend the “Relax, Eat, Repeat” Superfood Bowl to cool off during humid days in Nashville.

Which Lawn Am I On?

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Vanderbilt’s campus has so many lawns it can be hard to keep track. With many events taking place on these various patches of green, it is important to know where you are. Since all of these lawns are mostly grass, they can all start to blend together pretty quickly. With that in mind, here are some landmarks to help you identify which lawn you are on.

Peabody Lawn/Esplanade

This lawn is massive, but there’s only one thing to look for: Peabody College. The domed building, one of the most beautiful on campus, sits atop this long stretch of grass. With something this unique and prominent, you’ll never be lost on Peabody Esplanade.

Commons Lawn

Between Peabody Esplanade and the Commons Center sits Commons lawn. When standing on this lawn, try to spot these statues. If you can see these people dancing (left) or this anchor (right), you will know you are in the right place.

Lower Quad

If you stand on the front porch of the Commons Center (left), you’ll find yourself gazing upon the Lower Quad. This multi-tiered lawn is surrounded by Hank, Stambaugh, and Memorial Houses. Also bordering the lawn is the Dean of the Ingram Commons Residence (center). Finally, make sure to look for the statue of Martha Rivers Ingram (right), namesake of the Ingram Commons, in the center of this lawn.

Upper Quad

On the other side of Stambaugh, sits the Upper Quad. While it may be much smaller than Lower Quad, one thing about this lawn is striking: its symmetry. There may not be any statues, but the way the paths lead from the front of each house to form perfect right angles in the center of the lawn serves as a landmark on its own. Along with Stambaugh, Upper Quad is enclosed by Murray, Sutherland, and Crawford Houses.

East Lawn

Like the Upper Quad, East Lawn lacks identifying statues, but the charm of the historic Gillette, Memorial, and East Halls distinguishes this patch of grass. An easy way to figure out if you are standing on East Lawn is to look for this grand staircase to Gillette.

West Lawn

Across Peabody Esplanade from East Lawn is the aptly named West Lawn. Resting between the final two Commons Houses, North and West Halls, West Lawn is the last spot on Peabody Campus that will be covered in this series. The best way to see if you are standing on West is to look for this solitary lamppost in the center of the lawn.

Bridge Between Main Campus and Peabody (Honorable Mention)

While this may not be a lawn, this bridge is one of the most important walkways on Campus. The bridge, which passes behind the medical research building, can be difficult to find at first. If you are coming from main campus back to Peabody, look for this marble statue (center) and follow the sidewalk around the Medical Research Building.

Library Lawn

This is the lawn you will pass through to get from the bridge to the Sarratt Student Center/Rand. Filled with paths heading in every different direction (center), it can be easy to get confused. To orient yourself, use these two statues: Harold Stirling Vanderbilt (left) in front of Buttrick Hall and these blocks (right) which are on the path to Sarratt/Rand.

Alumni Lawn

The final location in this series is Alumni Lawn. This famous lawn home to many ceremonies on campus is located behind the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The best way to tell see if you are standing on Alumni is to look for the massive flagpole standing atop the lawn.