Features

Exercise in the Wake of Construction at the Rec

Exercise in the Wake of Construction at the Rec

Photo taken by Jake Seo In mid-June of 2024, the main courts of the Recreation and Wellness Center were shut down due to new construction efforts underway “for maintenance and repairs to mechanical equipment and the roof of the main gym of the facility,” as stated from Vanderbilt’s official news. Currently, the auxiliary court upstairs and the main fitness area with gym equipment are the only places at the Recreation center open for student use.Many returning students were disappointed to find out the beloved main gymnasium at the rec had been closed for construction, as many had used the area…
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Scooters and Sidewalks: A Look at How Scooters Occupy Space but Save Time

Scooters and Sidewalks: A Look at How Scooters Occupy Space but Save Time

Image generated using Midjourney AI The sidewalks of Nashville are fighting a war for space against the invasive yet beneficial commercial scooters. Legislation against scooter companies continues to be an evolving issue amongst Nashville judges and councils. Issues that people are concerned with the include user age identification, sidewalk riding, sidewalk parking, and so on. Over the last few years, scooter companies have fought hard to dominate the emerging market and expand across as many cities as possible but their battle is far from over. Currently, only three companies are allowed to put out and make business off scooters in…
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Expanding the Vanderbilt Thrift Store: Future Growth through Digital Platforms and Community Partnerships

Expanding the Vanderbilt Thrift Store: Future Growth through Digital Platforms and Community Partnerships

Photo taken by Yixin Qian The Vanderbilt Thrift Store, a Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG) initiative, was launched in November 2021 to offer free clothing to the Vanderbilt community. The store operates on a donation-based model, aiming to promote sustainability and inclusivity on campus. The store, located in Sarratt Student Center, is open to all students, faculty, and staff, providing clothing for all seasons at no cost. The store has two main objectives, which are promoting sustainability by encouraging the reuse of clothing and fostering equity by ensuring that no one has to face financial stress when acquiring clothing items. The…
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Why Vanderbilt Will Play Texas for the First Time in Nearly a Century: A New Era of Commercialized College Sports

Why Vanderbilt Will Play Texas for the First Time in Nearly a Century: A New Era of Commercialized College Sports

Art Wager via iStock In October 1928, the Vanderbilt Commodores football team edged the University of Texas Longhorns 13-12 for what would be the last time they played each other in nearly 100 years. They are finally slated to cross paths again on Oct. 26, 2024. While this matchup may seem strange, there’s a reason why the two teams are now playing again after nearly a century spent apart - money. In 2021, the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma stunned the college sports world by announcing their intentions to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC.…
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Vanderbilt Student Employment: On vs. Off Campus Jobs

Vanderbilt Student Employment: On vs. Off Campus Jobs

vicky_81 via iStockPhoto Vanderbilt is a unique combination of a connected campus community that is still in the heart of Nashville with access to all of its resources and opportunities. This intersection affects many aspects of student life, including student employment. Vanderbilt creates many opportunities for campus employment while also providing easy access to job openings in the greater Nashville area through Vanderbilt’s student employment portal “Hire a Dore.”  With the multitude of possibilities to consider, breaking down the pros and cons of on- and off-campus employment can help prospective student workers navigate the process. Off-Campus Jobs:   When considering off-campus…
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How Do Students Value Vanderbilt Football Tickets?

How Do Students Value Vanderbilt Football Tickets?

Photo taken by Eva Sinelnikov At Vanderbilt, student section tickets for athletic games are free for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students. During the first football game of the season, Vanderbilt's student section was packed. The demand of spirited Commodores greatly exceeded the supply of student seating, therefore sections P and Q had to be closed off. However, as the season goes on, the demand for student seats at football games tends to dwindle. To access student tickets, Vanderbilt students simply go online and download a free ticket to their phone, but what would happen if Vanderbilt began charging for student…
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Crypto at Vanderbilt: The Rise of VandyBlockchain

Crypto at Vanderbilt: The Rise of VandyBlockchain

Image provided by Abhay Khanna for use in this article Whether it’s through Bitcoin’s raging bull markets or through various memecoins like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu, cryptocurrencies have frequently made their way into the headlines  over the last ten years. A key factor in catalyzing this “crypto gold rush” is blockchain  technology: a decentralized public ledger used for transparent information sharing and transaction recording. In simpler terms, a big magic notebook everyone can write in and see, but nobody can edit.  VandyBlockchain Origins The rise of blockchain technology has expanded its impact far beyond just the financial world, reaching academic…
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A Guide to Investment Banking at Vanderbilt University

A Guide to Investment Banking at Vanderbilt University

Photo credit to Patrick Weissenberger on Unsplash The Fast-Paced World of Investment Banking Recruitment at Vanderbilt At Vanderbilt University, the pursuit of a career in investment banking (IB) begins long before graduation. For many ambitious students, the journey starts as early as freshman year, with the recruiting process often kicking off over a year in advance for coveted summer internships. The timeline for investment banking recruitment is notably accelerated. Undergraduates typically find themselves in the thick of recruiting for junior year summer internships during the spring of their sophomore year. This early start can catch many off guard, emphasizing the…
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Cafés: Comparison of Paris and Nashville Coffee Drinking Culture

Cafés: Comparison of Paris and Nashville Coffee Drinking Culture

Photo taken by Anna Song: A café in the Marais in January. (Figure 1) Nashville, as a developing city, is home to various specialty coffee shops such as Crema Coffee Roasters and Barista Parlor. While studying at Vanderbilt and living in the city of Nashville, I started to interact more closely with the Third Wave coffee culture in the city. I visited many local specialty coffee shops and tasted beans from various roasters. I perceived myself as an insider of the coffee world, yet my study abroad experience in Paris brought me new perspectives of coffee drinking culture. Cafés à…
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