Please note: The information below is only applicable through June 30th, 2025. For up-to-date details on residential resources July 1, 2025 onwards, please visit the Harvard University Housing & Real Estate Vanderbilt Hall site.
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Bathrooms
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
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Building Directory
- Athletic Facility
Entry H, (Athletic Director’s Office, 617-432-1942) Room 050A - Business Office
Lobby (617-432-1629 or vanderbilt_hall@hms.harvard.edu) Room 108 - Joseph B. Martin Lounge
Lobby (TV with DIRECTV, Steinway baby grand piano) Room 101 - Computer Room
Entry A Room 302B - Culver Lounge
Entry I, 2nd floor (TV) Room 272 - Deanery
Entry I, (Student lounge and function room) Room 173 - Elevators
Lobby & Entry E - Laundry Room
Entry E, Lower Level Room 044 - Mailroom
Entry E, Lower Level Room 045 - Music Room 1 & 2
Entry A, Lower Level (Steinway upright piano) Rooms 006 & 008 - Multifaith Prayer Room
Entry A, Lower Level Room 010 - Library
Lobby Room 109 - Room 166 Lounge
Entry I Room 166 - Resident Life Manager
Entry J (Residence) Room 152 - Room 402 TV Lounge
Entry A, 4th floor (TV with DIRECTV) Room 402 - Student Storage
Entry A, lower level (See Business Office for access) Room 040 Directions to Bedrooms 451 to 460
- Take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
- Exit the elevator and turn left.
- Walk down the corridor towards room 350 and take a left.
- Continue down the corridor (room numbers will descend from 377 to 363).
- Go through the steel door at the end of the corridor and take the stairs to the 4th floor.
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Campus Dining Outlets
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
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Campus Resources by Phone, Email or Website
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Fire Safety & Evacuation Planning
Fire safety and fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility! Exercising good common sense and observing the University’s fire safety related rules keeps the Vanderbilt Hall community safe.
EVACUATION: KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HEAR THE FIRE ALARM:- Familiarize yourself with your primary and secondary emergency exits from your
room - The location of fire pull stations
- Your central meeting location outside the building. (in front of NRB)
- In order to account for all building occupants during an evacuation – always check-in
with your RA or emergency personnel.
If the fire alarm is activated you must immediately evacuate the building, a delayed evacuation could result in you becoming trapped by smoke or fire or seriously injured. As a reminder, never use an elevator during a fire emergency.
IF THE ALARM SOUNDS:
Do not delay evacuation or assume that this is a false alarm. Immediately begin to exit the building.- Feel the door. If it is hot, DO NOT OPEN it. Stay in your room. Put a towel or blanket (preferably wet) under the door to keep the smoke out. If your telephone works, call the Boston Fire Department at 911. Also, call the Harvard University Police Department at 617-432-1212 to let them know where you are. Attract attention to yourself. Hang a sheet or something out the window.
- If the door is not hot, open it slowly, if smoke and heat fills the hall, close the door, stay in
your room, and call for help. - If you can safely leave your room, take your key and close your door behind you as you exit. Exit by the nearest clear exit stairway. Do not use the elevators - it may fail in a fire or be
automatically recalled to the ground floor. Failure to leave when an alarm sounds, unless there are safety reasons for not doing so, is a punishable offense. - If you encounter smoke on your way out, stay low and crawl if necessary. You are more apt to find breathable air close to the floor. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel or wet handkerchief, if possible.
- So that you may be accounted for, go to the predetermined emergency evacuation meeting location. (in front of NRB)
- Do not attempt to reenter the building until the fire department gives permission to
do so.
IF YOU DISCOVER SMOKE OR A FIRE. REMEMBER - R.A.C.E. :
- RELOCATE - If it is safe to do so, relocate people in immediate danger. Be aware of persons who may need assistance.
- ALARM - Pull the building fire alarm to alert others as you exit. Move to a safe location. Call 911 immediately, then call 2-1379, and report the precise location of the fire.
- CONFINE - Close all doors to confine the fire as you exit if safe to do so.
- EVACUATE - Evacuate building. Do not use elevators.
FIRE FACTS
Fires in dormitories are more common between 5–11 pm, and on weekends.
Roughly, six out of seven fires in dormitories are started by cooking.
Fire spreads fast: The size of a typical fire can double in 30 seconds.IN CASE OF A FIRE CALL – 911 for the Fire Department
Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) (617) 432-1212
Your Room or Suite:
To minimize the risk of fire, the following activities or items are restricted or prohibited in your room or suite:
- All types of smoking are prohibited in all areas of Vanderbilt Hall.
- The use of fireplaces is prohibited in student rooms.
- The use of candles and other sources of open flame are strictly forbidden
- Cooking Equipment is prohibited. The City of Boston forbids cooking in any room or apartment not equipped with permanent cooking facilities.
- Halogen lamps are prohibited. The University has prohibited the use of all halogen lamps in all bedrooms and common areas.
- Your room has a limited electrical capacity. Do not overload the circuits. Refrigerators, stereo systems and other approved appliances should be plugged directly into wall outlets, never connected to light sockets.
- Extension cords must be in good condition and of proper rating. Use only Underwriters Laboratory approved extension cords. Cords should not run through doorways, partitions or covered with rugs.
- Refrigerators require ventilation to operate safely. Do not install them in closets or bathrooms. Do not cover them with blankets, tablecloths or other materials.
- Any electrical appliance declared unsafe, for any reason, must be removed immediately from College housing.
- Fireworks, gasoline, propane and other flammable materials, their containers, motor cycles, mopeds and other fuel powered items are prohibited from bedrooms and common areas.
Fire Safety Equipment:
Smoke detectors are installed in each dormitory room to provide you with an early warning of a developing fire. Do not obstruct smoke detection devices or hang anything on sprinkler heads or sprinkler piping. Any abuse of, or tampering with fire alarm smoke detectors, fire extinguishers or components of the fire protection systems is strictly forbidden.
- Keep Emergency Exit doors within rooms clear at all times. Do not block on either side by furniture or obstructions of any kind.
- Keep hallway corridors and stairwells clear and fire doors closed - fire doors are used to control the spread of fire/smoke.
- Tampering with an alarm or maliciously causing a smoke detector to initiate a general alarm is a violation of Massachusetts law and may be punishable by a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment.
- Report potential fire hazards to your RA, the Residential Life Manager or the Vanderbilt Housing Office .
Fire Drills:
The University holds fire drills periodically – we strongly urge your active participation – it could save your life. Fire drills are intended to teach behavior, which can help you survive a fire emergency, prepare you with alternative escape routes and help you understand your responsibilities in the event of a fire.
In Summary:
Additional fire safety information is available in the Vanderbilt Hall Terms & Conditions and on-line at the Harvard University Environmental Health & Safety website.
You can view the Vanderbilt Hall specific evacuation plan here: Emergency Evacuation Plans
If you have a fire safety concern or question, please speak with your RA, Residence Life Manager or the Vanderbilt Housing Office.
- Familiarize yourself with your primary and secondary emergency exits from your
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Heating & Cooling
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Adjust the temperature on the wall thermostat within the range of 73 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 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.
- 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.
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Kitchens
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
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Laundry
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 basement 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
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Mail & Packages
Package Room Location & Access:
The Vanderbilt Hall Mail Room is located on the basement 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 02115-5750The 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.
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Maintenance & Repair Requests
For general maintenance and repair requests, including heating, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, lighting, custodial, pest control, and other building or room -related issues, please call email the Vanderbilt Hall Housing Office during business hours Monday-Friday. After-hours and on weekends, please email the Facilities Call Center and CC vanderbilt_hall@hms.harvard.edu
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Music Rooms
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.
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Resident Computer Room
The Computer Room is located in Vanderbilt Room 302B. It is equipped with four Windows-based workstations and is available for use 24 hours a day. Black and white printing is available to residents only.
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Safety & Security
For health and safety related information please familiarize yourself with the building policies located within the Terms and Conditions documentation.
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Student Storage
The Student Storage Room is located in the basement 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.
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Telephone Service (3rd Party Option)
Telephone service, provided by MobileSphere Communications, is available for a monthly fee. Each bedroom is equipped with a telephone jack, and students are responsible for providing their own telephones. To activate your dial tone and optional voice mail, go to the MobileSphere Web site http://www2.mobile-sphere.com/ or call MobileSphere at 1-866-456-3176. MobileSphere also administers the billing for telephone service. If you have questions regarding student phone service, please contact MobileSphere Customer Care at 1-866-456-3176 or support@mobile-sphere.com.
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Transportation
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
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
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Trash, Recycling and Composting
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.
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University Health Services
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.
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WiFi
There is full Wi-Fi coverage throughout Vanderbilt Hall. To provide optimal and robust wireless connectivity, HMS-managed wireless access points are spaced in hallways and in every bedroom. The network jack in these rooms is configured to work only with the HMS-managed access points and will not work with any other device (such as your computer, printer, or any other electronic device you may have). For more information or to submit a support ticket please visit: Information Technology website.