coronavirus
VandyRide begins limited service; enhanced safety protocols for other vehicles
Aug. 24, 2020—VandyRide will begin operating limited service with two shuttles, one on the Gold Route and one on the Black Route, today, Aug. 24. There will be longer wait times due to capacity restrictions related to COVID-19. Increased service and more on-demand options will be introduced later this semester.
Campus surveillance testing launches this week
Aug. 24, 2020—Vanderbilt's COVID-19 surveillance testing program will begin this week to ensure as much as possible the safety and well-being of the university community.This program is based on analysis of COVID-19 test outcomes and other factors to ensure a representative, meaningful and targeted sampling of the VU community.
Tips for talking about wearing masks, physical distancing
Aug. 24, 2020—Both mask wearing and physical distancing are required on Vanderbilt's campus, and it can be uncomfortable to ask a fellow Commodore to put on their mask or to move 6 feet away. Here are some proven techniques for encouraging compliance by others.
Voluntary Faculty COVID-19 Surveillance Program available
Aug. 24, 2020—Vanderbilt's campus surveillance testing program—mandatory for students, staff and postdocs who come to campus and required for faculty engaged in specific in-person teaching activities with students—will launch this week. Other faculty may opt to participate in the program on a voluntary basis.
VUMC awarded $34 million to lead nationwide convalescent plasma study
Aug. 21, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been awarded a one-year, $34-million grant by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, to conduct a nationwide study of “convalescent plasma” as a treatment for COVID-19.
Urgent message about the start of classes
Aug. 19, 2020—As the headlines fill with stories of universities forced to suspend in-person classes after reopening due to outbreaks on campus, we write to reiterate the utmost seriousness with which you—and every member of the Vanderbilt community—must take our public health and safety requirements, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost Susan R. Wente said in an Aug. 19 message to undergraduate students.
Vanderbilt historian explores impact of racism, classism on understanding diabetes
Aug. 19, 2020—Research by Vanderbilt history professor Arleen Tuchman on the cultural history of diabetes offers important lessons for other public health challenges, including COVID-19.
Public Health AmbassaDores prepare for community’s return to campus with new hotline
Aug. 16, 2020—When you return to Vanderbilt this week, you may notice some community members decked out in Public Health AmbassaDore shirts or buttons. These PHAs help educate the community on the new Return to Campus protocols and provide resources that help create a safe environment. If you notice COVID-19 protocols are not being followed, report it by calling the PHA hotline at 615-343-1352. The hotline is run by the VUPS Dispatch Center and should be used to report an active concern on campus regarding protocols not being followed.
A message to faculty on fulfilling our mission as we return to campus
Aug. 12, 2020—The Vanderbilt community will come together, continue to make adjustments, embrace debate and discussion, and focus on how best to ensure we take care of one another while fulfilling our scholarly missions as a residential research university, write Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente in a message to faculty.
Vanderbilt announces new digital tools to support adaptive teaching
Aug. 12, 2020—Vanderbilt University has secured licensing for new digital tools to support hybrid and online instruction for the 2020-21 academic year. The new tools and platforms will help meet the acute needs of faculty and students and will complement existing campus-wide technologies.
Return to Campus Update for Aug. 10
Aug. 10, 2020—The university is on track to continue welcoming students back to campus over the next two weeks. In-person classes for several professional degree programs have already launched, and undergraduate, graduate and many professional programs will begin in-person classes on Aug. 24.
Vanderbilt implements emergency relief fund, extended sick leave to help employees manage challenges related to COVID-19
Aug. 10, 2020—Vanderbilt University has established the Employee COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to assist employees with financial burdens that have been incurred as a result of COVID-19. In addition, Vanderbilt will provide eligible staff members who are required to work on campus access to a one-time bank of up to two weeks of pay to recover from a diagnosed COVID-19 illness or to stay home for required quarantine or isolation periods.