A Weekend in Charlottesville

Visiting Charlottesville sometime soon? Check out our curated weekend itinerary!

For more Charlottesville recommendations, check out our Instagram page @uva_summer!

Good morning! It’s your first day visiting Charlottesville and you're getting an early start around 9 AM. Bodo's Bagels is an absolute Charlottesville staple. It is a tradition that before you graduate from UVA, you have to be the number one ticket when they open at 5 am! But you have a long day ahead of you and so much to see here, so let’s take it slow. At Bodo’s, you can get whatever you like on many different types of bagels. A favorite is the deli egg, which is basically like a mini omelette, on an everything bagel!

The sun is shining, and after eating a hearty breakfast, you walk to UVA’s Rotunda. The Rotunda is located on the Lawn, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can go inside the Rotunda to see the Dome Room, the pinnacle of Jefferson’s architecture, as well as other historical rooms and features. Free historical tours led by student members of the University Guide Service are typically offered at 10, 11 and 2 every day!

Your tour may end at the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, located between the Lawn and the Corner. The Memorial seeks to formally acknowledge and remember the names, lives and experiences of the African American enslaved laborers who worked to build and sustain the University. Its circular design represents the “Ring Shout,” a dance performed by African Americans to celebrate spiritual liberation as well as a broken shackle. Etched into the walls are documented names of enslaved peoples; this list continues to grow as more names and stories are uncovered. The memorial began as a student effort in 2010 and was finished earlier this year. A place for reflection and remembrance, the memorial welcomes visitors and acts as a landmark displaying UVA’s troubled history, while also its capacity for change and growth.

After exploring UVA’s grounds, you may want to get out and about. Vineyards are a great place to spend a weekend afternoon in Charlottesville. Once you are of drinking age you can take your parents to Pippin or King Family Vineyards and spend an afternoon sipping on delicious wine with a beautiful view of the mountains. Sometimes King Family Vineyards will even have polo matches to watch or pop up restaurants with amazing cuisine. Many students will also celebrate their 21st birthdays at one of the local vineyards. 

After a walking tour in the morning and afternoon in the sun, it’s time for dinner! As we’ve mentioned in some of our previous posts, Lampo is the ultimate “my parents are in town” spot. They have a variety of delicious pizzas and appetizers, but the catch is that they don’t take reservations, so sometimes the wait can get pretty long. However, this summer they announced their plans to open an additional takeout location, so there’s no excuse for it to not make your itinerary!

Before you head back home or to wherever you’re staying for the night, you should catch a Charlottesville sunset. Whether you make your way a little outside of town to visit Humpback Rock and hike to get a spectacular mountain view or you stay a little more local to watch from the top of Culbreth parking garage, you won’t want to miss it.

Meet Blair Smith, the President of the Queer Student Union!

Student Spotlight: Blair Smith, UVA ‘21

 

Happy Pride Month to all of our prospective LGBTQ+ students and allies! We recently caught up with Blair Smith, the current president of the Queer Student Union, to chat about resources for Queer students on grounds.

 

Getting to Know Blair

Blair is a fourth-year student studying Spanish and Political & Social Thought. He got involved with LGBTQ+ advocacy during his senior year of high school, when he founded a gender-sexuality alliance. During his second year, he was the Operations Intern for UVA’s LGBTQ Center and became involved in organizing efforts through his work coordinating the Center’s volunteers. Blair joined the executive board of the Queer Student Union at UVA during his third year, when he served as the Union’s Vice President of Education. He is excited to welcome incoming students into the QSU chosen family this coming year, when he will serve as the group’s president. His favorite LGBTQ+ focused events at UVA include Drag Bingo (which is exactly what it sounds like), and a twice-monthly “Queer Brunch” series that the LGBTQ Center hosts.

 

Blair also enjoys choral singing, and is a member of the UVA University Singers and Chamber Singers ensembles. He is a zealous tea drinker, tiny house fan, and owner of two beautiful dachshunds. If you’d like to chat about anything related to LGBTQ student life, cozy study spots, or life generally, feel free to email him at bas6hc@virginia.edu.

LGBTQ+ Life on Grounds

Blair recently led a session for prospective and incoming students about LGBTQ+ life on grounds. Here are some commonly asked questions, with links to resources embedded in Blair’s answers.

 

Q: Do you feel like the student body is inclusive towards queer individuals?

A: Generally yes! Most of us have found affirming friends and communities, through our roommates, classes, extracurricular activities, and from various LGBTQ+ centered programming. UVA is a pretty big school, so there are affirming spaces all around.

 

Q: How do you meet other LGBTQ+ students, and are there spaces where LGBTQ+ student frequently hang out?

A: There are tons of opportunities to meet other queer and trans folx. The LGBTQ Center (located on central grounds) is the main hub for LGBTQ+ student connections. People go there to study, attend fun events like the twice-monthly Queer Brunch, and get connected to resources across grounds. There are several LGBTQ+ focused organizations, like the Queer Student Union, oSTEM (Out in STEM), SOR (queer and gender-inclusive fraternity), qRN (the LGBTQ+ affinity group for nurses), HISE (Hoos for Inclusive Sexual Education), Plus at UVA (a Christian bible study group for LGBTQ+ folx), and Q* Anthology (the LGBTQ+ literature magazine). You'll also meet plenty of LGBTQ+ folx in residence halls, classes, and most organizations that you join.

 

Q: Are there opportunities to get involved in activism or volunteer with LGBTQ+ affirming efforts?

A: Several student groups lead activist efforts. QSU typically coordinates 1 to 2 activist initiatives a semester, including gender-inclusive housing for first year students and reduced costs for STI testing in Student Health. Three of the larger activist organizations on grounds are UVA Students United, the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition, and the Living Wage Campaign at UVA. The LGBTQ Center also has a volunteer program, where students sit at the front desk for one hour a week to answer questions and connect people to resources. Volunteers also participate in larger initiatives within the Center, and participate in educational in-services. You can also apply to intern in the UVA LGBTQ Center and coordinate programs and initiatives with all of the Multicultural Student Service interns and professional staff members.

 

Q: How are professors and other students about respecting pronouns?

A: It depends on the professor / the student. Generally people are good about using correct pronouns, and there is a growing trend in organizations encouraging members to introduce themselves with their pronouns. The Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) organizes campaigns every year on International Pronouns Awareness Day, and recently added information about pronouns on their website. Staff members in the EOCR and the LGBTQ Center can support students in approaching professors about incorrect pronoun use.

 

Q: What are housing options for first years?

A: Incoming first year students can work with Housing and Residence Life to arrange affirming housing accommodations on a case-by-case basis the blurb on the LGBTQ Center's webpage reads: "Students with unique concerns, or first year students interested in Open Housing, who would like to receive information about all options available in on-grounds housing, should contact the Assistant Director of Assignments, Countess Hughes, at cmh8sc@virginia.edu or 434-924-3314 for support and assistance." Often, students can request to live in a single room with a private restroom if desired. You do not need to disclose your gender identity, seuxual orientation, or romantic orientation to receive these accommodations. There are also a number of residential colleges, including the International Residential College, Hereford, and Brown College. Many queer students live in these residential colleges, as well as traditional housing options.

 

Q: What kinds of LGBTQ+ specific events happen on grounds?

A: Every year, the LGBTQ Center hosts workshops, social events, and large campaigns. Some of the larger events include the National Coming Out Day Celebration in October, the Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil in November, the "Love is..." Valentine's Day t-shirt campaign. The QCenter also coordinates weekly dialogues for ace and aro folx, trans* and GNC folx, and Queer and Trans People of Color. The Queer Student Union organizes Drag Bingo events, and Hoos for Inclusive Sexual Education organizes a "Sex-Ed Progressive" on the lawn once a semester. There are also a number of queer parties that happen every semester, including "Hallowqueer" on the lawn, GLOzet at Crozet (a bar on the corner), and parties hosted by various students.

 

Q: What is like to be a queer person who holds intersecting identities? What does diversity look like within the LGBTQ+ community at UVA?

A: Some organizations inadvertently emphasize one facet of social identity, and folx who hold intersecting identities sometimes bear the burden of representation. Queer organizations often have a majority white membership, and cultural organizations often have majority straight memberships. That being said, there are still several events that center intersecting identities, including QSU's "Multicultural Dinner Dialogues," and collaborations that happen between cultural organizations. The LGBTQ Center introduced a Queer and Trans People of Color twice-monthly dialogue, and there are often social events specifically for QTPOC. 

 

Q: What are some mental health resources at UVA?

A: Counseling and Psychological Services is the counseling service offered through Student Health. Students can receive multiple sessions of counseling, and there are also walk-in hours for brief counseling throughout the week. The Women's Center also provides counseling services for people of all identities, as well as wellness-centered programs and events. The Contemplative Sciences Center offers free yoga, meditations, and t'ai-chi throughout the week. 

 

One additional resource that presents information relevant to trans and gender-diverse students is the LGBTQ center’s FAQ page: https://lgbtq.virginia.edu/faq. In addition, feel free to follow QSU on Instagram and Facebook, the LGBTQ Center on Instagram and Facebook, and Multicultural Student Services on Instagram and Facebook. You can also check out the Q* Anthology's recently released edition here!

Again, Blair’s email is bas6hc@virginia.edu. You can also find him at qsu-exec@virginia.edu. We encourage you all to reach out anytime to learn more about LGBTQ life at UVA!

Dining Out in Charlottesville

The Charlottesville Food Scene

Part I: The Corner

The Corner, located conveniently next to UVA’s grounds, is home to many restaurants and retail shops frequented by students and visitors! Many upperclassmen students live right behind The Corner, making it an easy place to stop for lunch or dinner with friends. There is even an off-grounds “Corner” meal plan called Elevate that many 2nd through 4th year students purchase for good deals on delicious meals!

Bodo’s Bagels

If you are in Charlottesville, you CANNOT miss out on the classic Bodo’s Bagels, which has three locations in Charlottesville. What makes its bagels special is that it offers fresh-baked products all day long. This means that their last bagels come out of the oven about a half hour before closing, so customers can enjoy bagels fresh from the oven at any time of day.

Due to its freshness, Bodo’s bagels are soft enough to stand in for sandwich bread. The main reason for its popularity to the college students is because it is quick and inexpensive. 

The Juice Laundry

If you like smoothies, this place is for YOU. Juice laundry was founded with the purpose of fueling bodies with clean and healthy raw organic fruits and veggies. Inside the restaurant there is a whole wall of  different cold-pressed juices, nut milks, and wellness shots with different health benefits. Behind the counter they make organic and vegan smoothies, smoothie bowls, chili, and chia pudding. I live off-grounds now (still only like a 10 minute walk to central grounds), and Juice Laundry was always on my way to class and I loved stopping there to grab some breakfast and start my morning off right. If you ever try it, you have to get the Bradley’s CB&J bowl!!! 

Roots Natural Kitchen

Roots is the undisputed Queen of dining on the Corner. This unique restaurant was founded in 2015 by a group of UVA graduates from the McIntire School of Commerce with the mission to sell delicious, affordable, and, most importantly, healthy food. Customers can choose either a grain bowl or a salad, which they can then customize from a long list of ingredients. On the other hand, customers also have the option to choose from one of their “Signature” bowls, which are also totally customizable. I love stopping at Roots to grab their signature “El Jefe” bowl. You can take it to another level by adding their amazing broccoli to the bowl. This may make it more expensive, but it will make a great treat!

Corner Juice

Aptly located on The Corner, Corner Juice is a healthy, European-inspired cafe that serves a variety of juices, smoothies, toasts and sandwiches. Started by UVA alum Julie Nolet ‘17, the establishment is known for its popularity among students, both for it’s delicious, nutritious eats and sleek environment. On a typical day, you’ll see students studying at tables inside while enjoying avocado toast, or grabbing a smoothie to-go before class. My personal favorite lunch is the Parisian sandwich with a Corner Colada smoothie! It can be on the more expensive side, but it's a great treat that you can feel good about.

Pigeon Hole

Charlottesville is home to many amazing brunch places, but my favorite by far is Pigeon Hole. Located conveniently on the corner, Pigeon Hole is a UVA staple. The restaurant is a quaint little wooden house, making it a cute and charming hangout for friends. The food is amazing - try the french toast and thank me later - and the prices are hard to beat. Many lazy weekend mornings have been spent grabbing brunch at pigeon hole with my friends.

Take it Away

Located on Elliewood Avenue, Take it Away is a fantastic sandwich shop that serves up lunchtime eats and is a favorite spot for many UVA students. Customization is key at Take it Away: from simple deli meats to more artisanal products like sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll build your perfect sandwich in no time at all. Fresh french bread and their famous “house dressing” - which they sell by the jar - keep students and faculty coming back for more! They also sell “bread ends,” leftover pieces of day-old bread, which are perfect snacks to bring to an afternoon picnic on the Lawn with friends.

Part II: Downtown, JPA, and Beyond

Fun fact: Charlottesville has some of the most restaurants per capita in the entire United States. Basically, this means that there are hundreds of places with incredible food to try, ranging from Southern to Italian to Thai cuisines! By no means is this an exhaustive list - but here are some of our favorite restaurants “beyond the corner.”

Silk Thai

Silk Thai is a great Thai restaurant located on JPA, which is a street that basically runs right beside first year dorms. This means that Silk Thai is totally within walking distance for you as a first year (or a short trolley ride away any other time). They have a great range of delicious food options-- I definitely recommend trying their pad thai and their spring rolls! It’s a great way to sit down and enjoy a meal with friends, or to grab takeout and have a nice night in your dorm.

Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar

The Tea Bazaar is located in the Downtown Mall. They have a great selection of small Mediterranean-style plates, but the real star is the tea. You can order pots of many different types of tea to share and to taste. It’s a really fun and unique experience that I haven’t found at other place. You can gather with friends and share a pot of tea, which feels so much fancier than grabbing coffee. Overall, its a really unique and interesting place that you have to visit while in Charlottesville. 

Lampo

The ultimate “my parents are in town” restaurant, Lampo is a neapolitan pizza joint located just past the downtown mall. Although it’s a bit pricey, Lampo has the best pizza in town. My favorite pizza of theirs has arugula, prosciutto, and sea salt. It should also be noted that Lampo is a pretty small establishment with only about 10 tables, and you can’t call ahead for a reservation. This means that you need to get there pretty early to not have a significant wait, but I promise you it’s worth it. 

The Nook

The Nook is an old-school diner located on the downtown mall that specializes in mac n’ cheese. I first discovered this place when I was on the mall one weekend waiting for a concert to start at the Jefferson Theatre. The Nook is right across from the venue, which makes it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before a show. I recommend “The Eastern Shore,” which is mac n’ cheese with tomatoes and crab -- I think it’s the best mac n’ cheese I’ve ever had! 

Citizen Burger

After enjoying a concert at the Downtown Jefferson or Paramount Theaters, locals and college students alike are usually searching for some comfort food. Luckily, Citizen Burger is located right in the middle of the Mall, with plenty of booth seating inside and a comfortable outdoor patio. Citizen focuses on crafting speciality burgers, with meat from local farms, as well as craft beers from all along the famed “Brew Ridge Trail.” Not a fan of meat-based burgers? No problem - Citizen has a wide array of sides, like onion rings and truffle fries, as well as a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, including a burger with a patty made from beats. The atmosphere at Citizen is joyful and laid-back - the perfect spot for a night out with friends or to watch a UVA game on screen with your visiting parents!

We hope you get to check out some of these restaurants the next time you're in Charlottesville. Follow us on Instagram (@uva_summer) to learn more about the Charlottesville and UVA food scene all week!

Sports Memories

Happy Monday everyone! This week, the summer interns are back to tell you about our favorite memories of sports at UVa. 

Natty Champs:.

Watching UVA make it through round after round of March Madness in the Spring of 2019  is easily one of my favorite college memories. I will never forget the night that we won. A bunch of people were selected through a lottery and got to actually attend the game in Minneapolis. A lot of people also watched the game live in JPA and all around grounds students hung up sheets and projected the game for crowds to gather and watch together. I was watching the game at a fraternity house on madbowl. I will never forget how tense everyone was throughout the entire game. As we reached the end of the game it became clear that we won, everyone started crying, hugging strangers, and throwing their belongings in the air. Suddenly there was a huge wave of students SPRINTING to get to the corner. I remember running and screaming with my friends and reaching the huge crowd of students singing and jumping around. Students ran to join the crowd from all different directions and finally it seemed like the entirety of UVA was screaming we are the champions at the top of our lungs then linking arms to sing the good ol song. This took place during my first year and it was as I was surrounded by all of my amazing friends, peers, professors, and Charlottesville locals, that I realized UVA was my home. 

Our national championship winning team!

Soccer Game:

Sports games are a great opportunity to get something that every college student loves: free stuff. During one of the first weeks of my first year, I saw a Facebook event that said if students came to the men’s soccer game, they would receive a free piece of pizza and a free t-shirt from the Hoo Crew, UVA’s club dedicated to cheering on our sports teams and incentivizing student attendance. It was so hot, but my friends and I braved the walk from first year dorms to Klockner Stadium, and finally at halftime we got that long awaited bite of free pizza-- plus a cute UVA t-shirt to take home!

Singing the National Anthem

Before each basketball game, a UVA choral or a cappella group walks onto the court to sing the national anthem. During my first year, the University Singers were asked to sing for the Duke game, and we got to bypass the typical Sabre Points rules and stay to watch the game despite not having tickets. Although the Hoos ended up losing, I absolutely loved the rush of walking out on the court and singing to honor our basketball team before watching a riveting two halves of competition! This past January, I got to sing again with my a cappella group, the Academical Village People, before a UVA-Virginia Tech game. Before heading out to the court, we warmed up by the back entrance, where we watched the cheer and dance teams practicing before the game. It was so exciting to experience such a strong UVA spirit before running out to sing the anthem with good friends. Afterwards, we sat courtside and watched the Cavaliers seal the deal with a win!

Ben and the Academical Village People performing at JPJ!

Football tailgates:

Before, during and after football games, friends and families host tailgates on-grounds with food and drinks to get excited to cheer on the Hoos! I came from out of state, so especially at the first few games, I didn’t know anyone hosting these events. Thankfully, everyone was so welcoming: friends on my hall invited me to their families’ tailgates, and the First Year Council put on a tailgate for first years at O’hill field, which is very close to Scott Stadium. My favorite part about tailgating is the  huge containers of Raising Cane’s chicken that people bring. I think it speaks to the UVA community that people love to share delicious food while making spirited memories together!

VT vs. UVA Game:

UVa and Virginia Tech face off on the football field every year in the annual Commonwealth Clash. This year, fans gathered in Scott Stadium at UVa to cheer on the Hoos. We had a higher chance of winning than we’d seen in a long time. A VERY long time: we had not won the Commonwealth Clash in 17 years. It was cold outside, being the day after Thanksgiving, and I was working the game behind the scenes as an intern for Fan Engagement and Strategic Marketing for UVa Athletics. I was running from the field all around the stadium, handing out pizzas and coupons, using the t-shirt cannons, and grabbing anything and everything we needed to make the game run smoothly. At the end of the game, when our tasks were almost complete, I stood behind the end zone and watched the final touchdown, which won the game for UVa. We stormed the field as soon as the game ended, everyone singing the Good Old Song and running to congratulate the players. The best part was driving back home with my dad, a VA Tech Alum and long-time fan. I got him a “Beat Tech” button we were handing out at the game. For some reason, I can’t get him to wear it. 

An extra-point kick flying through the goalposts after a Virginia touchdown!

Being Drenched During Game (Pittsburgh vs. UVA):

Football games are exciting opportunities to make memories while cheering on the Hoos. One of my favorite football memories happened two years ago, on a cold and rainy November evening. It had been raining all day, but as the weather began to improve, people began streaming into Scott Stadium. Soon enough, the rain started again - it was a full-on DOWNPOUR. My friends and I were soaked, but because everyone wanted to support the football team, we decided to just embrace the weather.
There is no feeling like screaming the Good Old Song with your friends in the pouring rain. Even though it rained throughout the entire first half, the stadium was packed, some people holding towels over their heads to shield themselves from the rain, some people giving up and sliding down the hill in the mud as the stadium cheered them on. The energy inside Scott Stadium that night was unexplainable - we were all there together, getting drenched together, cheering on our team together. Even though we lost the game (bummer!) that night became one of my fondest college memories. Win or lose, football games are so much fun.

Behind the Scenes: Concession Stands

While you are at a game, you cannot forget about heading over the concession stands and getting munchies to recharge your energy so that you can cheer on. However, have you ever wondered if you could work behind the counter at a concession stand and get some inside scoops about how each food can possibly be made in that small area? Well, you can definitely get that type of opportunity at UVA. By signing up to volunteer at a concession stand, your CIO (club) can get 10% of the money earned for that day. Although working and standing for seven hours straight was hard, it was an exciting opportunity to get close with my other club members. I even got to learn how to use the cash register for the first time. The most worthwhile part about volunteering was learning that the popcorn in the popcorn machines were all pre-cooked versions poured into the machine for display. 

Selfies from BTS at the basketball stadium: JPJ!

IM Ultimate Frisbee

When you begin your first year at UVA, some of the people you will undoubtedly see the most are those on your hall. During the second week of school, some of the guys on my hall decided they wanted to form an IM ultimate frisbee team … even though none of us had any experience with ultimate frisbee. We decided to go for it, and we quickly started practicing out front of our dorm. I still remember our first game, we were bushy tailed and bright eyed, we had drawn up plays and practiced for hours. We got there half an hour early to practice and warm up. Our optimism quickly faded when we saw our opponent: graduate students. Yes, we would be facing bearded grad students in the Darden MBA program that looked like they had seen a few winters to say the least. The final score of the game was 0-11, but I’m proud to report that we didn’t let the defeat break our spirits, and we ended up finishing the season. Although we weren’t too great at ultimate frisbee, I still see my old hallmates from time to time and it’s something we can look back on and laugh about. 


Sports are a great way to get involved and show your UVa spirit. Keep an eye out on our Instagram (@uva_summer), TikTok, and YouTube channel for more info. on sports at UVa all week!

Learn the Lingo + UVA Crossword Puzzle!

UVA, like many other schools, has some unique lingo and terms we use to refer to different places and things around our campus (which we call Grounds). In this post, we break down some of this lingo so that you don’t seem like such a first year when you arrive in August. We even made a crossword puzzle so that you can practice some of your new vocabulary and hopefully learn a little bit more UVA trivia! If you’re interested in learning more, there’s another blog post with even more terms linked here.

Grounds

At most colleges in the United States, students and faculty refer to the area that makes up the university as a “campus.” Here at UVA, we don’t use the term campus, but rather “Grounds!” So if you’re on the Lawn, in one of our academic buildings like Gilmer Hall, or watching a basketball game at John Paul Jones arena, you’re on our beloved Grounds!

Students walking around grounds between the amphitheater and Maury Hall

First year, etc. 

Instead of saying “freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors,” UVA students consider themselves to be “first-years, second-years,” and so on. If you are staying for your masters you can even become a “fifth year.” The reason for this terminology stems from the ideology of UVA’s founder, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson believed that learning was a lifelong process, and calling yourself a senior implies there is an end. Another more logistical and less lofty reason for this lingo is that in the early days of the University, students did not earn degrees but rather medals, books, or diplomas to mark their graduation.

One of the University's early alumni (though not a graduate!) was Edgar Allan Poe. Poe enrolled at the University in February 1826 and left in December that year when his foster father refused to continue paying his tuition. This statue of him resides in Alderman library.

-OTL

At UVa, you’ll be invited to participate in many events with seemingly strange names: DOTL, LOTL, TOTOTL, what are these? OTL means “on the Lawn” - meaning the event will take place right on the Lawn at UVa! Your first event on the Lawn will be Days on the Lawn, our admitted students day in April. Some more memorable events are Lighting on the Lawn (LOTL) in December and Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn (TOTOTL) in October!

Lighting of the Lawn (LOTL), an annual festivity that occurs in December before fall semester finals.

At Trick or Treating on the Lawn (TOTL), Lawnies open up their doors to local Charlottesville families to celebrate Halloween! Many students also dress up and help hand out candy.

Wahoowa (Hoos)

The chant that all UVA faithful shout at UVA athletic events. Allegedly, the chant was given to UVA players by Washington and Lee baseball fans during a fiercely contested rivalry in the 1890s as a reference to Virginia’s alma mater song “Auld Lang Syne,” which we call “the Good Old Song.” After the turn of the century, the nicknames “wahoos” or “Hoos,” for short, grew in popularity amongst UVA fans and rivals. 

Hoo Crew, UVA's official student fan group, loves cheering on the Hoos!

The Corner

This is the most common hangout hotspot for UVA students that is off-Grounds but is considerably close to the Grounds (right behind the Rotunda). The area contains a strip of restaurants and shops on University Avenue, so one will see a lot of students spending their time outside of class to meet up with friends.

Students storm The Corner after the men's basketball team won the 2019 national championship.

Lawnies

“Lawnies” is our affectionate term that refers to the fourth year students who live on the Lawn. Lawn rooms were UVA’s original dorms, but given that there are only 54 rooms, as the school grew UVA had to expand residence halls. Rising fourth-years can apply to live on the lawn; the student-run selection committee chooses students who have excelled in their scholastic, extracurricular, and service endeavors. The Lawn is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so being chosen to reside there is an honor. A lot of them keep their doors open, so next time you’re on Grounds pop your head in and say hello!

Come on in!

Old/New dorms

This one is somewhat outdated, because all first-year dorms have been renovated with air conditioning and other amenities! The main difference between the two areas of dormitories is their location. “Old dorms” refer to the hall-style dorms located on McCormick Road, whereas “new dorms” are also hall-style located on Alderman Road. In addition to these two residence areas, there are suite-style dorms including Gooch/Dillard, as well as Dunglison and Fitzhugh on Alderman Road. To learn more about the different living styles and dorms, visit Housing and Residence Life’s page for incoming undergraduates!

Bird's-eye view of the Alderman Road hall-style dorms