Since Vanderbilt’s founding in 1873, campus traditions have evolved as the university has grown. Here are a few favorites that highlight community, belonging and history at the university.
MOVE-IN WEEKEND AND FOUNDERS WALK
Members of the Vanderbilt community, including students, faculty and staff, lend a helping hand in carrying the first-year students’ belongings to their new rooms on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. At the conclusion of Move-In Weekend, first-year, transfer and Next Steps students participate in Founders Walk, where they form a procession and walk from The Commons Lawn to Alumni Lawn and are formally welcomed by campus leaders.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT SIGNING
Formally known as the Honor Code Signing Ceremony, the Community Commitment signing is hosted by the Undergraduate Honor Council for all incoming students. Students sign the commitment, and the Student Accountability, Community Standards and Academic Integrity office posts the signatures in Sarratt Student Center for the duration of the class members’ time at Vanderbilt.
GRADUATE SCHOOL CONVOCATION
Convocation is the Graduate School’s signature celebration marking the beginning of the academic journey at Vanderbilt. Convocation formally welcomes new students to the Graduate School. Graduate students hear from Vanderbilt’s distinguished leaders and various faculty members and then can attend a resource fair in Alumni Hall.
COMMENCEMENT
After years of hard work and dedication, the student experience comes full circle at Commencement as graduates ceremonially exit the same gates of Vanderbilt that they entered during Founders Walk.
THE COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION
Once all the names have been called and all the degrees have been conferred at Commencement, it’s time to celebrate! Every year, Vanderbilt hosts a party that includes a live band, light refreshments and champagne to toast the graduating class.
VU HAND SIGN
Introduced by Commodore cheerleaders in 2003, the popular “VU” hand sign is formed with the thumb, index finger and middle finger of your right hand, palm out. The index and middle fingers form the “V,” and the “U” is formed by the thumb.
ANCHOR DOWN!
Since 2004, the anchor has been a part of Vanderbilt’s football program and is prominently displayed on game days. During home games, the anchor is carried in the Star Walk procession to the stadium, and a group or an individual is invited to “drop the anchor” at midfield before the game.
CULTURAL DANCE SHOWCASES
Vanderbilt celebrates its community’s rich diversity in many ways, but one of the most entertaining is its cultural dance showcases planned by student organizations. These showcases are open for anyone to join—no dance experience required. There are four annual performances: Diwali, the South Asian Festival of Lights, which is held by the South Asian Cultural Exchange; Harambee, the African Student Union’s cultural showcase; Lunar New Year Festival, which is held by the Asian American Student Association; and Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students’ Café con Leche.
RITES OF SPRING
Vanderbilt couldn’t truly be part of Music City without an awesome musical tradition. Since 1971, Vanderbilt students on the Vanderbilt Programming Board have organized and hosted the music festival Rites of Spring on Alumni Lawn.
IMPACT SYMPOSIUM
Vanderbilt Programming Board’s Impact Symposium is one of the oldest lecture series of its caliber in the nation. The student-led conference was established 60 years ago to bring leaders and intellectuals from around the world to Vanderbilt University to encourage discussion on current issues affecting our world. The symposium has welcomed almost 200 speakers so far, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael; leaders such as Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former secretary of state Gen. Colin Powell; and influencers like Spike Lee, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Anderson Cooper and Common.
You at VU
At Vanderbilt, fostering a deep sense of belonging for every community member is a core value. You at VU encompasses campus resources needed for members of the Vanderbilt community to be well, grow and thrive physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and professionally. The You at VU portal is a one-stop spot where students, staff and faculty can find ways to connect with others, engage across campus and discover well-being support and resources. Each person who is part of our campus shares one commonality: You belong here. For more information, visit vanderbilt.edu/youatvu.
