CommonDores

What is CommonDores?

CommonDores is VSG’s new first year program for emerging first-year leaders.

CommonDores is an exciting new VSG program launched in collaboration with The Ingram Commons to align VSG’s residential governance structure with the University’s current movement towards a universal college hall program. This model utilizes the benefits of the thriving living-learning community present on the Ingram Commons by bringing together elected House Advisory Council officers and members of a new programming council twice a month with important decision makers across campus—once for a special dinner with high level university administrators, faculty members, and students leaders and the other a focus group meeting with other first year students involved in the program working to solve real problems on our campus.

What do we do?

As a member of CommonDores, you will serve as a leader BOTH on the Commons as well as in Vanderbilt Student Government. Wearing two hats at the same time will provide a leadership development experience unlike any other.

CommonDores will meet in its entirety once a month for a special dinner in the Student Life Center Board of Trust Room with keynote speakers from Kirkland, a Faculty Head of House, a VSG Executive Board Member, and a prominent Student Organization President. The second meeting of the month will bring together a cross section of this group in a problem-solving think-tank headed by a VSG Executive Board Member and either a Faculty Head of House, a Dean of Students Staff Member, or a Faculty Member.

Why do we do it?

CommonDores is a unique opportunity for first year involvement in university governance and provides an unparalleled experience in leadership development whether your future is in VSG or in any on campus program

This program prepares students for future leadership at Vanderbilt by means of planning and executing large events of its choosing in coordination with other student groups, meeting key university decision makers, and providing real-world applicable opportunities for collaborative gain. Participants form lasting relationships with other student leaders, faculty members, and administrators on their path to becoming a leader at Vanderbilt one day in the future.

What is the CommonDores Programming Council?

CommonDores also incorporates a Programming Council. The CPC brings together twenty members of the first year class who represent its greatest asset, its diversity. They are selected through a competitive application and interview process conducted by VSG with assistance from faculty heads and professional staff. The CPC works with VSG officers and professional staff to advise on the expenditure of a budget supplied by The Ingram Commons to enhance inter-House, Commons-wide, or campus-wide living-learning initiatives.

What is the House Advisory Council?

House Advisory Councils are deliberative bodies empowered to represent the interests of the residents of the House, advise the Faculty Head of House and the House Staff concerning House and Commons-wide events (e.g., opportunities for learning, service, or dialogue, celebrations, presentations, competitions) and articulate to the Faculty Head of House and Head Resident student concerns regarding the community values and standards of the House.

Where do you fit in?

The President

Presides over House Advisory Council meetings
Works alongside Floor Representatives to adequately represent the community standards and values of the House
Conceives, plans, promotes, and effects events in conjunction with the Faculty Head and the House residential staff
Serves on The Commons Presidents Council, advising the dean on the life and well-being of The Commons
Serves as a voting member of VSG in the Senate and as part of the CommonDoresleadership program

The Vice President

Promotes and monitors House participation in inter-House activities—most notably The Commons Cup competition
Explores opportunities for inter-House partnership and collaboration.
Serves—in the President’s absence—as House Representative to Vanderbilt Student Government.
Functions as a part of VSG through the CommonDores leadership program

The Secretary

Records/publishes minutes of House Advisory Council Meetings
Acts as marketing/publicity supervisor for House events; monitor and coordinate all House posting and promotion, with particular emphasis on the CommonPlace website
Coordinates—in concert with House Staff—the assessment of House events and programming
Functions as a part of VSG through the CommonDores leadership program

The House Service Commissioner

Promotes and realizes Commons and Vanderbilt service projects.
Works closely with a designee of the Office of Active Citizenship and Service to provide opportunities for individual, group and floor engagement in service.
Advises the Faculty Head of House of opportunities for relationships between the House and a service partner or project.
Promotes existing service structures, clubs, organizations and opportunities to first-year students of that House and will explore new service opportunities or relationships for the House.

**Application for appointment to this position will be online.**

Floor Representatives

Participate actively in House Advisory Council meetings and initiatives
Researches and voices the community standards and values of the floors to the FHOH and helps build floor and house community
Participates in conceiving, planning, promoting, and executing House events
Works with the Resident Adviser to disseminate information on the floor through organized floor meetings and through day-to-day interactions