Vanderbilt vs. Michigan

After two years at Vanderbilt I think I can make fair comparisons between Vanderbilt and Michigan. The campus vibe here is nowhere near as cool as at Michigan. In my opinion, this mostly has to due with the fact that the student body is smaller and the undergraduates lack angst. One thing I really liked about UM was walking across the Diag and seeing tons of people I didn't know as well as the occasional buddy (I guess I like the sense of anonymity in crowds). At VU I'll walk across the big lawn in front of the Heard Library and barely see anyone. It's not just that I want to be seeing bodies around me; I want to be seeing what the bodies around me have to say. No one from Jews for Jesus or the Socialist Party has ever stuck a pamphlet in my face, even in front of the Sarratt Student Center where most students congregate. It's not that I ever was an activist as an undergraduate or took to the messages that the activists communicated, but I appreciated the activist element being a part of my community. At least someone cared about something and was raising concern. I guess it was both informative and entertaining for me. I know there are kids who care about stuff here, but their way about it is not as direct and they lose my awareness as a result.

Geography and living situations might contribute to the lack of activism. The University of Michigan is very well integrated with the street grid of Ann Arbor whereas Vanderbilt is more of a manicured country club super block between West End Avenue and 21st Avenue South. UM students who live off campus are within walking distance and make use of the fact, whereas Vanderbilt students who live off campus typically live in the Grove on the other side of Interstate 440--a bit too far to walk (and you cross over an interstate...no fun). I think this causes Vandy students to have to drive to school to go to class, and then they have to turn around and drive home in the opposite direction, effectively limiting the time they spend walking across their campus. This is unfortunate...it separates so much of what goes on outside of class. VU is making efforts to get more kids living on campus with residential college initiatives, but I think more non-university owned residential options close to campus would be boon. Who wants to live under the supervision of a university for four years of undergrad?

The Vanderbilt campus is absolutely beautiful. Between the mostly collegiate gothic buildings are so many trees (a ton of magnolias and lots of rare species) that the entire campus is a registered arboretum. The campus is lighted at night and I've never felt threatened, though I know crimes have been committed here. Maybe the bucolic setting has something to do with the lack of campus activism. Regardless, thanks a lot, Cornelius Vanderbilt, for buying the property and establishing the University in the only philanthropic act of your lifetime.

As far as student newspapers go, the Vanderbilt Hustler has a better name than the Michigan Daily, but the Daily is superior in all other categories. I'm fairly sure the Hustler is under VU's supervision, which leads to watered down coverage of everything and lots of attention to Greek life. Coupled with the lack of angst in the student body, the stories end up being bland. The Daily is outside UM's supervision and students exercise their freedom of speech and create a quality product.

Despite my criticisms of Vanderbilt, I feel very fortunate to be here. I have a gorgeous walk through campus to the Medical Center and then I'm surrounded by people who are a lot smarter than me all day long. I feel like I'm getting something out of my education, too. This is a very good situation. Go 'Dores. Go Blue.