Vanderbilt law students are active, public-minded and diverse - all qualities reflected by a wide variety of thriving student organizations at the law school. Even with little free time, most students find it worthwhile to join one or more organizations for professional advancement, personal enhancement, altruism, and networking - or simply to offer a welcome release from the demands of law study. This section provides brief descriptions of current student organizations and the names of officers to contact for more information.
The Office of Student Affairs serves as the administrative point of contact for Law School student organizations. We are located in Suite 154 of the Vanderbilt Law School Building. For more information please email Chris Meyers or call 615-322-6826 . While we cannot provide personal contact information for our student leaders, each organization can be contacted by clicking on their link below and subsequently clicking on the envelope image next to the name of their Primary Contact.
Student Organization Resources | Funding Requests | Org. Finance Forms | Starting a New Student Organization
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VBA funding is allocated in three ways: Initial budget request, appeals process, and supplemental funding.
The initial budget request is conducted over the summer before each academic year. All student organizations wishing to obtain funding from the VBA must participate. You will be asked for cost estimates such as food, posters, parking, and any other relevant expenses. If you don't know how much items will cost, feel free to contact vendors directly.
After the initial budget process is complete, information about the appeals process will become available. Appeals are only intended to correct clerical errors.
Supplemental Funding is available to any student organization that has submitted an initial budget request, as well as new student organizations that are created during the current academic year. This process is designed to increase the efficiency of the budget process, conserve limited resources, and allow for organizational growth throughout the academic year. Once you decide to hold a meeting or event, submit the relevant form to the VBA treasurer.
All VBA budget information can be found on the Student Organization page in Microsoft Teams.
Each spring, the seven AcFee committees allocate nearly $1.7 million in activity fee funding to every eligible student organization. All student organizations are split into six subcategories: Arts, Cultural, Programming, Religious, Service, and Special Interests (2). Make sure you are registered as an Anchor Link officer to keep up with all the updates during the process. This process generally takes place during February and March during which funding is allocated for the next academic year.
Updated information on AcFee can be found here.
You want to start a new organization - Great! Follow the steps below and get in touch with Chris Meyers if you have questions at any point during the process.
Step One: Gauge Interest, Choose a Name and Register with the Law School Office of Student Affairs
Step Two: Register with Vanderbilt University (once approved by the Law School Office of Student Affairs)
Once your organization is approved by the Office of Student Affairs, you will receive a link to your organization's Anchor Link page. You will then need to go to that page and click Register. Please review the list below for the materials you will need in order to complete the registration process.
Items you will need to complete the Student Organization Registration Process:
1. Name, Vanderbilt Email Address, Cell Phone Number, and VUnetID for the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary;
2. Name, Vanderbilt Email Address and Campus Phone Number for the Faculty or Staff Adviser (you will temporarily use the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs as your adviser);
3. Electronic Version of the Organization’s Constitution to upload;
4. Electronic Version of the Officer and Adviser Affirmation Form. You will need to print the form, and have it signed by the President and Adviser(s). The Form will then need to be scanned (can be done in Suite 154) and uploaded as a part of the registration process;
5. Electronic profile picture;
6. Vanderbilt.edu email addresses for all members either separated by commas or entered one address per line.
When your organization registration is approved, you will receive an email within the system. You will also receive an email at your Vanderbilt.edu email address if you have “All Notifications” selected on the “Notifications” tab of your profile. This is also how you will receive notification if there is any information missing from your registration. Please be on the lookout for these notifications.
Step Three: Submit a Budget Proposal
Submit a budget proposal to the VBA treasurer by July 15.
Comprehensive information on budget and supplemental requests can be found above.
