Vanderbilt University Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Vanderbilt University student portal serves as a central hub for various academic, administrative, and student life resources. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the portal's functionalities and how students can effectively utilize them throughout their academic journey.

Accessing the Portal

Activating the VUnetID sets up the username and password required to access a number of network services, including the student portal.

Key Features and Functionalities

The student portal offers a wide array of tools and information for students, including:

Academic Resources

YES (Your Enrollment Services): This is a crucial tool for course management. After logging in to YES, students can search for courses, view course information, and utilize the online grading tool.
Brightspace: This is a learning management system where students can access course materials, submit assignments, and engage with instructors and classmates. Includes site for Divinity/GDR Faculty Documents (Search information, GDR / Theology and Practice admissions, etc.).
Registration: Students can register for classes through the portal. Detailed information about registration at Vanderbilt, along with user guides for specific features, is available on the Registration Information page. YES Mobile allows students to register for classes and view their course schedules and grades.
Degree Audit: The Degree Audit application allows students and advisers to track students' progress toward their degree.
Course Eval Results: The Course Eval Results application allows students to view course and teaching evaluations.
Transcript Ordering: Currently enrolled students can order transcripts via YES.
Transfer Credit Evaluation: Currently enrolled students can submit external courses for evaluation by Vanderbilt faculty for transfer credit.

Health and Wellbeing

Student Health Immunization Form: Incoming students must submit this form.
TB Assessment Survey: A link to the TB Assessment Survey is provided on the portal.
Student Care Coordination (SCC): Students can schedule appointments with Student Care Coordination (SCC) through the portal. SCC is located in Rand Hall, Suite 305. If you have not visited the UCC in the last 6 months or you are a new client, you must first schedule an appointment with Student Care Coordination (SCC). To schedule:
1. Select Appt. Scheduling and select Schedule Appt.
2. Choose the SCC Initial Appointment option, and choose a date range to search available appointment slots.
Counseling Center Appointments: Students can also schedule individual therapy, psychiatric medication follow-up, or mind-body lab sessions through the portal. To schedule:
1. Select Appt. Scheduling and select Schedule Appt.
2. Choose the appropriate appointment type option and choose a date range to search the available appointments slots.
3. Select your appointment; make sure to confirm your appointment date, time, & provider when prompted.
Appointment Management: The portal allows students to view previous and upcoming appointments, as well as cancel appointments. To view your previous appointments, select the Previous tab. To view future appointments, select Upcoming. To cancel your appointment, click the cancel option under the cancel column. You may not cancel an appointment on the portal if it is within 8 hours of your appointment.
Messaging: Students can send secure messages to their providers through the portal. To do so, select the tab at the top of the page titled My Forms. Please choose the name of your provider, add a title to your message, and add the contents of your message.
Health Insurance: Information regarding the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and the waiver process is available on the portal. All degree and non-degree-seeking students enrolled in 4+ credit hours, a 0-credit research/dissertation course, or any other course that is considered to equate to full-time enrollment are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students must be covered by either (a) the Vanderbilt Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan or (b) a policy of the student’s choice that provides comparable coverage. It is your responsibility to follow up on your waiver status and to ensure that all information is received by AHP by the August 1, 2024 waiver deadline. If you successfully waive coverage, the fee for SHIP will be removed from your student account.

Financial Matters

Student Account Agreement: All Vanderbilt University students are required to acknowledge the terms and conditions of an online Student Account Agreement form when logging into the YES portal. Failure to agree to these terms will prevent access to the YES landing page. Once the terms have been accepted, a copy of the most recently accepted form will be available for viewing and printing with the YES portal.
Guarantor Authorization and Debt Repayment Agreement: The Guarantor Authorization and Debt Repayment Agreement form can be downloaded from the portal.
Third-Party Billing: Information regarding third-party billing arrangements is available.
Direct Deposit: Direct deposit functionality allows the Office of Student Accounts to deposit refunds into your personal banking account.
E-Bill Notification: You will receive an e-bill notification on the first of August for any charges posted by that time. Payment is due by August 31, 2024, for any charges that will not be covered by departmental grants or awards and/or financial aid. Any balance not paid by the end of the calendar month in which the statement was issued will be assessed a late fee of one and one-half (1.5%) percent per month (minimum $5.00).

Personal Information and Communication

Personal Information Updates: The Personal Information application allows students to update contact information including home address, local address, phone numbers, and emergency contact. In addition, students can select a pronoun for use on class rolls and residence hall rosters.
Message Center: The Message Center is an online application that allows university officials and students to communicate in a secure environment.

Campus Life and Activities

Event Registration: The event registration process is managed online in Anchor Link. A new event must be created in Anchor Link in the appropriate organization’s Anchor Link site. Details about the event must be provided during the new event creation process. Changes in plans, if any, must be made in the Anchor Link event should they occur after the original registration process has been completed, and appropriate offices-including Student Centers-notified. The Event Review Committee will convene to review and approve events, as needed. This committee will have representatives from the following offices: Center for Student Wellbeing, Parking Services, Risk Management, Student Centers, VUMO and Vanderbilt Police Department. Other offices may be invited to participate if necessary.
Student Tickets: All Vanderbilt students (enrolled undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral) have access to a free student ticket account and free tickets for athletic events. Students will need to claim a ticket for every home game. Students will have the opportunity to claim a ticket the Sunday before each home game!
Parking Application: Students interested in daily parking must complete the Parking Application in the MoveVU Commute Hub by noon on Wednesdays in order to gain access to the daily parking garages by the end of the week. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, you do not need to reapply once enrolled.
Parking Permit: Please request your virtual permit online. If you would like to set up monthly recurring charges, please go to the VUPS Parking Services office located at 111 28th Avenue South, Nashville. The annual permit is valid from the date of issue to August 31, 2025.

Graduation

Graduation Confirmation Form: The Graduation Confirmation Form gives candidates for the degree the opportunity to review and/or request updates to information listed on the diploma and in the Commencement program. The form is only available in YES for a specific period of time each term, and is only available to degree candidates in that term.

Important Information for Graduate Students

Admitted Student Resources: Newly admitted students are encouraged to participate in admitted student resource sessions to learn more about living in Nashville, resources to support health and wellbeing, and international student services and student support.
Orientation Events: Several virtual events are offered during the summer to prepare students for the transition to campus.
ASAP (Action Steps to Academic Preparation): Completing ASAP is recommended to avoid course registration holds.
Submission of Transcripts and Test Scores: Official transcripts and test scores must be submitted to the University Registrar for prior-degree review. Payment ASAP recommended to allow time for processing and to avoid course registration holds.
Welcome Ceremony: This event introduces students to leadership at the Graduate School, key campus support services, the Graduate Student Council, and other key offices.
Transfer Credit: If you intend to transfer graduate credit from a previously attended institution, your Vanderbilt department or program must submit a formal request to the Graduate School, as described in the Graduate School Catalog.
Registration: You should meet with your program’s Director of Graduate Studies prior to the first day of classes to select your courses and complete your registration.
ID Card: You should obtain a student identification card prior to the first day of classes. Most students use a digital card instead of a plastic ID card - you may also need a magstripe-only card for the transit system and for vending machines.
I-9 Form: Section 1 must be completed prior to your first day of class, teaching, research, training, or work. In order to complete section 2 of the I-9 process, you will utilize a remote agent of your choosing. This person will verify your authorization document on behalf of Vanderbilt University. Only original documents can be accepted, copies of any kind cannot be accepted. Section 2 can now be completed either with a remote agent, in person at the HR Front Desk office, or through Zoom Verification. The I-9 must be completed on or before your first day of class, teaching, research, training, or work/pay.
International Students: If you require an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the US, you will need an I-20 or DS-2019 from Vanderbilt. The virtual mandatory check-in requires you to submit electronic copies of your documents on the ISSS Portal. You are required to attend virtual pre-arrival sessions for new international graduate during the summer. If you are receiving a graduate research or teaching assistantship or a stipend from Vanderbilt you must complete a profile in our nonresident tax compliance system, to create an international tax record. In addition, Graduate Researchers and Teaching Assistants are required to apply for a Social Security Number upon employment.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities should contact Student Access as early as possible to begin the accommodation facilitation process.
Teaching Assistant Orientation: All new graduate student TAs are invited to the Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation held annually by AdvanceED’s Office of Educational Design and Development (OEDD).
Doctoral Workflow Form: The Graduate School has implemented the new Doctoral Workflow form for PhD students. GDR PhD students use this link to Appoint/Modify a PhD Committee, Schedule/Modify a Qualifying Exam, Schedule/Modify a Dissertation Defense, Extend Deadline to Enter Candidacy, Extend Candidacy, Submit the Results of the Qualifying Exam, or Submit the Results of the Dissertation Defense.
Dissertation Proposal: The dissertation proposal is a statement that aims to show the appropriateness, manageability, and significance of the projected research.

Additional Resources and Policies

Student Handbook: The Student Handbook is designed to acquaint students with the specifics of the standards expected of them as members of the University community.
Career Center: Schedule an appointment or simply stop by during drop-in hours. Together you will design an action plan to help you reach your goals.
Center for Student Wellbeing: Ready to polish up your study skills, time management strategies, or test preparation methods? Be sure to check out the academic coaching options provided by the Center for Student Wellbeing.
English Language Center: The English Language Center provides innovative, high quality, individualized English-language instruction, and resources to ensure all students can get the most of their Vanderbilt experience.
Immersion Vanderbilt: Immersion Vanderbilt gives every Vanderbilt student the opportunity to pursue intellectual curiosities through immersive experiences that are as creative and unique as the students themselves. Immersion Vanderbilt is a degree requirement for all undergraduate students.
Study Abroad: Connect with study abroad team to explore the many global opportunities available, how to successfully navigate each step of your planning process, and how you can use your study abroad experience to satisfy the Immersion Vanderbilt degree requirement.
Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries: The Vanderbilt Libraries are a wealth of resources and services for students. Borrow materials, reserve a study space, learn how to research a topic, and attend workshops, all with the help of our highly knowledgeable librarians.
Student Access: To ensure equitable access and the opportunity for all students to achieve academic success, Vanderbilt offers accommodations for students in need.
Tutoring Services: A talented team of tutors are ready to help enhance your academic performance through the power of collaborative learning. Meet individually or in a group setting, it’s up to you.
Vanderbilt Center for Languages: The Center for Languages helps students improve foreign language skills through tutoring, conversation hours, workshops, cultural events, and more.
Writing Studio: At the Writing Studio, you will meet one-on-one with trained consultants to talk about any writing project or concern.
Space Reservation: Registered Student Organizations, administrative offices, or academic departments reserving space on campus should note University-wide events, such as Commencement, Homecoming/Reunion, CommonVU, and Family Weekend have priority over other events.
Notices: (“notices”) that provide information regarding student activities or academic matters, or make announcements pertinent to the business of the University may be placed on campus in authorized locations by Registered Student Organizations, University departments, or current faculty, staff, or student(s).

Read also: Vanderbilt University Alumni

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