Residential Resources for Vanderbilt Hall (2024)

Most hallway bathrooms are designated “Women” or “Men." There are four all-gender bathrooms located on 1 per floor, 1st through 4th floors.

If residents leave personal articles in the bathrooms, the cleaning crew will remove them as part of their regular maintenance in order to properly clean the facility. Items stored appropriately in designated cubbyholes or shelves are not subject to removal. The student bathrooms are cleaned once per day by the custodial staff during the week (Monday through Friday), between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. On weekends and University holidays, the custodians only empty the trash and monitor the bathrooms. Because there are extended periods of time between cleanings, residents are asked to please take care to regularly wipe up spills and properly dispose of toilet paper, paper towels, and other trash.

Please email the Vanderbilt Housing Office to report clogged toilets and drains, to clean up spills, or for any other maintenance issues. After-hours and on weekends, please email the Facilities Call Center and CC vanderbilt_hall@hms.harvard.edu

Directions to Bedrooms 451 to 460

1. Take the elevator to the 3^rd floor.
2. Exit the elevator and turn left.
3. Walk down the corridor towards room 350 and take a left.
4. Continue down the corridor (room numbers will descend from 377 to 363).
5. Go through the steel door at the end of the corridor and take the stairs to the 4^th floor.

HMS Dining Website

Please note that all dining outlets are closed on University observed holidays and on weekends.

Aliquots Cafe, 1st Floor NRB

Monday-Friday 7:30am-11:15am and 2:30pm-5pm

Atrium Cafe, 2nd Floor TMEC

Atrium is currently under construction for transition into a 24/7 micromarket, re-opening anticipated in early September 2024

Countway Connections Cafe, 1st Floor Countway Library

Monday-Friday 7:15am-6pm, 24/7 options available at the self-checkout kiosk

Courtyard Cafe, 1st Floor Warren Alpert Building

Monday-Friday 7:30am-3pm

Elements Cafe, 1st Floor NRB

Monday-Friday 11:15am-2:30pm

Follow HMS Dining on Instagram

The heating and cooling system in Vanderbilt Hall can operate in only one mode at any given time.

• During the winter and colder months, only heat is available.
• During the summer and warmer months, only air conditioning is available.

The process to switch between modes (cooling to heating, or heating to cooling) is involved and requires advanced planning and scheduling.

Our Facilities and Energy Management teams review the long-term forecasts and make a best guess to schedule the change. Generally, the transition from cooling to heating occurs in mid to late October and the transition from heating to cooling in mid to late May

Unfortunately, the weather in New England makes scheduling the seasonal changeover a challenge as cold spells in the late spring and heat waves in the late fall are not uncommon.

Instructions:

For Heating:

The building heat is set to activate during the heating season, cooling will no longer be available during this period of time. Notice will be sent to building occupants once the transition has been completed.

To adjust the heat, please follow the instructions below:

1. Adjust the temperature on the wall thermostat. The temperature range is 67 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that the occupant can adjust the setpoint of their room to anywhere between 67°F and 70°F.
2. Turn the switch on the fan coil unit to the desired setting (low, medium, or high). The fan coil unit is located below the window and the switch for the fan coil unit can be found under the small metal door on top of the unit. When the switch is turned on, air will circulate through the radiator panels.
3. Once the room reaches the desired temperature, it is best to set the fan to low.

If you have followed the above instructions and still do not have heat, please call 617-432-1901.

For Cooling:

The building cooling system is set to activate during the cooling season, heating will not longer be available during this period of time. During extreme hot weather the University may be required to reduce the flow of chilled water to the building during the day to conserve energy. Notice will be sent to the building occupants once the transition has been completed and in the instance of chilled water reduction.

For optimal use of the cooling system, please adhere to the following instructions:

1. Adjust the temperature on the wall thermostat within the range of 73 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Set the switch on the fan coil unit to your preferred setting (off, low, medium, or high). The fan coil unit, located beneath the window, features a switch accessible under the small metal door atop the unit. When activated, air will circulate through the radiator panels.
3. Once the room reaches the desired temperature, it is advisable to set the fan coil unit to low for efficient operation.

Additional guidelines:

• To limit condensation, please refrain from turning off your fan coil unit when leaving the room; it should remain at the lowest fan speed setting at all times.
• During periods of high temperature and humidity, kindly keep windows closed.
• For any issues concerning the fan coil unit in your space, please contact the Facilities Call Center at 617-432-1901 for immediate assistance.

Inspections & Maintenance:

• Periodic inspections will be conducted throughout the summer months and early fall to ensure the functionality of all fan coil units
• Annual preventive maintenance of all fans is typically scheduled for July each year.

If you have followed the above instructions and still do not have heat, please call 617-432-1901.

Window Shade Operation

The window shade in your room functions on a spring mechanism. To cover your window, pull the shade down to the desired level and then, without releasing it, let it rise slowly. When you feel that it has caught at the desired position, release it. The shade will recoil about an inch before it secures in place. To lift the shade and uncover your window, pull the shade down a few inches until it releases. DO NOT LET GO OF THE SHADE. Let your hand guide the shade upward. When it reaches the desired position pull the shade down a few inches until it has caught in the desired position, then release it.

Door Closer Operation

The mechanical device attached to the top of your door is a safety feature that is intended to keep your door closed in the event of a fire. IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO DISCONNECT OR TAMPER THIS DEVICE.

There are 14 student kitchens located throughout the building. The responsibility for maintaining safe, clean, and sanitary conditions rests with the residents who use the common kitchens. Resident Advisors oversee the operation of each kitchen area, under the broad guidance of the Residential Life Manager. Procedures for smooth operation and sanitation should be established by the membership of each kitchen unit. Continued operation of the kitchens will be contingent on the respectful use of the space by all residents.

There are Simplex combination locks on all the student kitchen doors. The combination will be issued to students at check-in. For fire safety, the kitchen doors may not be propped open. Each kitchen is equipped with a microwave, oven, stove, refrigerator, and an instant hot water tap. Cabinets are available for students to store personal food and supplies.

Residents may not leave food cooking unattended in the common kitchens at any time. Small appliances that are UL approved and in good repair may be used. Cabinets are available for students to store personal food and supplies. It is recommended that residents place their food items into hard-sided metal, plastic, or glass containers to protect against spills and pests.

The student kitchens are cleaned once per day by the custodial staff during the week (Monday through Friday), between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Students must remove all personal items from the tabletops, stoves, sinks, and countertops during this time to allow the custodians to clean more thoroughly. On weekends and University holidays, the custodians only empty the trash and monitor the kitchens. Because there are extended periods of time between cleanings, we ask that students take care to regularly wipe up spills on the stoves, countertops, and tables, as well as properly dispose of odor-causing garbage.

Please email the Vanderbilt Housing Office to report clogged sinks, to clean up spills, or for any other maintenance issues. For after hours or weekend emergency maintenance issues, please email the Facilities Call Center and CC vanderbilt_hall@hms.harvard.edu

The laundry room is open 24 hours a day. Each laundry load (wash or dry) costs $1.50. Laundry can be paid for using the CSC Go Mobile Laundry App, which can be downloaded on Android and Apple devices using the QR code posted in the Laundry Room.

How CSC Pay App works (General CSC Pay Overview Video)

The laundry room is in the basem*nt in room 044. Take the elevator at E entry to the lower level.

To report issues with any washer or dryer, please submit a request for service via the CSC Go Laundry App. To escalate an issue reported more than 72 weekday hours ago, please email vanderbilt_hall@hms.harvard.edu

Package Room Location & Access:

The Vanderbilt Hall Mail Room is located on the basem*nt level, room 043 across from the laundry room. With your HUID, you can access the mailroom 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Therefore, you can retrieve your package at a time that best accommodates your schedule.

Mail Service:

Mail and parcels may only be received by current residents and must be addressed as follows:

(Resident's Name)
Vanderbilt Hall (Resident's Assigned Mailbox Number)
107 Avenue Louis Pasteur
Boston, MA 02115-5750

The Harvard Longwood Campus Mailroom provides mail service to Vanderbilt Hall residents. It is located at 200 Longwood Avenue. The mail is picked up Monday through Friday from the Fenway Post Office at 1313 Boylston Street (617-375-9666). Mailroom personnel deliver it to the Vanderbilt Hall student mailboxes the same day. Each resident has a locked mailbox in the front lobby of Vanderbilt Hall. Letters sent through the U.S. Postal Service that fit into the Vanderbilt mailbox are delivered weekdays (excluding holidays). There is a U.S. mailbox near the front door for students’ outgoing mail. U.S. Post Offices are located in Coolidge Corner at 1295 Beacon Street (800-275-8777) and Mission Hill at 1575 Tremont Street (800-275-8777).

Package Service:

Packages, large parcels, and deliveries requiring a signature are delivered to the Vanderbilt Hall Mailroom, located on the lower level in room 043 (opposite the laundry room). Package and parcel deliveries are received on weekdays between the hours of 7:00 am and 4:00 pm and are only received for current residents. No package/parcel deliveries are received on weekends or on University holidays.

When your package has been delivered and is available for pick up, you will receive an email from the Vanderbilt Hall Mail Clerk, Patrick Barton. Due to limited space and the large volume of packages received in the mail room daily, we ask that you please retrieve your package within 3 days of receiving the email notifying you of its arrival. If your package is not picked up within 3 days, it may be returned to the sender.

If you are not able to retrieve your package in a timely manner, please email vanderbilt_mail@hms.harvard.edu

Students may authorize another individual to retrieve their delivery by written notice or email. The Vanderbilt Mailroom e-mail is vanderbilt_mail@hms.harvard.edu

Mail Forwarding:

U.S. postal regulations prevent the U.S. Post Office from forwarding mail for university residence halls and dormitories. This includes Vanderbilt Hall. Harvard students who wish to have their mail forwarded after moving out must log on to the Harvard Student Mail Forwarding website (https://www.hums.harvard.edu/mail-delivery/student-mail-forwarding) to update their address. Students may use their Harvard IDs for access to the system. Call the Student Mail Forwarding Office at 617-496-4290 with questions regarding mail forwarding. Forwarding will start on the student’s scheduled move-out date, unless an earlier start date is requested. Harvard Medical and Dental students must provide their registrars with their new address. Students who will be away for several months, but are not moving out, must also notify the Vanderbilt Housing Office (in addition to completing the online form) in order to have their mail forwarded.

The Joseph B. Martin Lounge is furnished with a Steinway baby grand piano for use by Harvard students. This piano is locked and the key may be obtained at the front security desk in exchange for a valid Harvard Student ID. The piano and all other musical instruments may only be played in the JBM Lounge between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. as relates to building-wide quiet hours.

There are two music rooms in the lower level at entry A, which can be used for instrumental or vocal practice 24 hours a day by students and Vanderbilt Hall residents because of their lack of proximity to residential rooms.

Access to the Music Rooms may be arranged by contacting the Vanderbilt Housing Office. If you have your own musical instrument, it is preferable to practice in one of these rooms rather than in your bedroom, particularly after 11:00 p.m. The keys are available at the front security desk for those who have requested access. Pianos are available in each of these music rooms.

For health and safety related information please familiarize yourself with the building policies located within the Terms and Conditions documentation.

Harvard University Police Department

HMS Campus Security

The Student Storage Room is located in the basem*nt in room 040. Only current residents or students who will be returning in the fall may store items in the Student Storage Room. The University assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property stored in the Student Storage Room. Space is limited. Students may use no more than 20 cubic feet (2 x 5 x 2, about 4-5 standard file boxes) of storage space. Storage items must be labeled with the student’s name, room number, cell phone number and the date the item was stored.

All items stored must be packed securely. No furniture may be stored. Items left after students move out will be considered abandoned and donated to charity. Storage tags are available at the Housing Office, within the Student Storage Room, and are required for all articles stored.

A Housing Office staff person will escort students to storage Monday through Friday at the following times: 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Residents should report to the Housing Office at the designated time for access.

The Residential Life Manager is also able to escort residents to storage during evening and weekend hours, or by appointment.

Shuttle Bus:

The Harvard Longwood Campus shuttle (M2) is managed by the Longwood Collective and operated by the Paul Revere Transportation Company. The service runs Monday through Saturday between Vanderbilt Hall and the Lamont Library at the main campus in Harvard Square. Any employee or student of a Longwood Collective member institution can ride the shuttles with a valid ID from their institution. Persons with a non-Harvard ID may purchase single ride tickets in advance. No cash fares are accepted. M2 ticket offices locations can be found here.

Parking for Medical and Dental Students:

Based on availability, parking is available to students living in Vanderbilt Hall.

Students who have been allotted a parking space for a given academic year will have the option to renew that space for the following academic year and annually until the time of graduation.

Students pay the same annual rate as staff and faculty and their parking fee will be charged to fall and spring term bills.

A student can access their assigned garage or space 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. HMS parking facilities are not to be used for vehicle storage. Those interested in monthly parking should contact the parking office to check availability.

HMS Commuter Services and Parking Office - 617-432-1111 or by emailing parking@hms.harvard.edu The Parking Office Web site is http://parking.med.harvard.edu.

Walking Escort Service:

A campus walking escort service is available 24 hours a day. To obtain a walking escort from a member of the Harvard Medical School security staff, call 617-432-1379. A security officer will escort you to your vehicle on campus, to the nearest MBTA stop or to any other destination on the HMS campus. Please call ahead as it may take as long as 15 minutes for your escort to arrive. Please wait for your escort once you have called.

Other Useful Transportation Resources:

Harvard Longwood Campus Maps and Directions

Bicycles at HMS

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

MGH Complimentary Shuttles

Trash closets are located throughout the building for trash, and recycling disposal. There are also recycling, composting, and trash receptacles in all 14 student kitchens.

Residents should dispose of recycling, composting, and trash by putting it in these designated locations. Recycling is single stream, so items may be commingled. Residents may not leave trash in the hallways, elevators, stairways or courtyard.

To prevent pests within the residence hall, residents must not keep food waste within their rooms or in common spaces for more than one day. They are to transport such items to the designated waste rooms within the building. Residents are to properly dispose of recycling, composting, and trash in one of these designated locations following posted waste signage instructions.

Resident's who have an approved emotional support animal are required to store their animal's food in a sealed container, for recommendation of or questions about appropriate containers please reach out to the Vanderbilt Housing Office.

Needles and syringes are to be collected in medical “sharps” boxes as provided by the health care provider. If you need assistance obtaining a sharps box, please contact your health care provider or Harvard University Health Services.

Discarded personal furniture or appliances must be brought directly to the dumpster located in the alleyway adjacent to Vanderbilt Hall with prior permission from the Vanderbilt Housing Office.

The University Health Services (UHS) Clinic for the Longwood Campus is in Vanderbilt Hall and is only accessible via the entrance at 275 Longwood Avenue. All Harvard students are eligible to use the services provided at the UHS clinic. The hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clinic is open until 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year.

The telephone number for appointments and further information is 617-432-1370. For health insurance information, please call Harvard University Health Services at 617-495-2008. After-hours or emergency medical needs can be addressed by calling 617-495-5711.

Complimentary taxi service to the main UHS Urgent Care clinic at the Smith Campus Center on the Cambridge campus is available to students with urgent health-related concerns when the UHS Longwood clinic is closed. UHS taxi vouchers may be obtained at the Vanderbilt security desk. The Smith Campus Center Urgent Care Service then provides taxi vouchers for the return trip to Vanderbilt Hall.