News for Newcomers: DONA Events Are Back!

As part of the upcoming VMU Orientation Days, we are excited to welcome new international students beginning their studies this Spring semester.

Don’t miss the “Sharing is Caring” event, where you can discover a wide selection of free items generously left by former students – from kitchenware and electronics to study materials and more.

Join us and take what you need to kick-start your life in Kaunas!

Date: January 31, Friday
Time: 17:00-18:00
Venue: orangery, Baltija Dormitory, Vytauto pr. 71, Kaunas

At the entrance of the dormitory, you will see an arrow or meet volunteers who will guide you to the orangery.

Registration is HERE.

By registering, you’ll enter the lottery for a chance to win some exciting prizes!

Why you should come:

Save on essentials for your life in Kaunas
Win unique items in our lottery (at 17:30)
Make new friends and connect with fellow students
Reduce waste and contribute to a greener world

Check out previous events:

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach us: at ganna.tron@vdu.lt

Note: The DON@ project, part of the Erasmus+ KA220-HED program – Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education, ran from September 2022 to October 2024. Following its conclusion, ESN VMU has taken responsibility for continuing the activities.

Collection Days: Donate your unused items to new students!

At the end of each semester, we encourage all VMU students to donate items they no longer need, supporting exchange and full-time students arriving in February.

The DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers project has concluded, but its spirit lives on as we continue fostering this initiative.

The project’s main goal remains to support the integration and living conditions of students with fewer opportunities while promoting mutual support, inclusion, and sustainability.

We invite all VMU students to bring their donations to the dormitory “Baltija” lobby, where our volunteers will collect them on the following dates and times:

December 13, Friday: 11:00–13:00
December 15, Sunday: 17:30–19:00
December 16, Monday: 09:30–11:00
December 17, Tuesday: 09:30–11:00
December 18, Wednesday: 18:00–20:00
December 19, Thursday: 15:00–17:00
December 20, Friday: 09:30–11:00

We accept the following categories of things:

Kitchen stuff (pans or pots – induction cookware, plates, blenders, cups, knives, cutlery, dishes, kettle, dishware, etc.)
Electronics (USBs, fan, table lamps, iron, etc.)
Study and leisure time stuff (umbrella, backpacks, bags, books, sports equipment, hobby stuff for handmade, stationery such as notebooks, paper, pens, holders, etc.)

Household items (cleaning tools such as mops, brooms, washing powder; storage containers or boxes, buckets, mirrors, hangers for clothes; decoration such as candles, flashlights, photo frames, etc.)

Only three rules:

Items must be clean and gently used
Stick to the specified categories above
Pack items in bags

All donated items will be stored in designated rooms in the VMU dormitory until the end of January. Before the new semester begins, we will host a Donation Day to distribute these items among incoming students. Take a look at how it was done previously: DON@: International Students Embrace “Sharing is Caring” Event

Note! We do not accept the following items for storage: clothes and footwear, bedding, food products, ingredients, and medicine. Consider donating them directly to homeless individuals at Partizanu g. 5, Kaunas (Ateik-Caritas). The entrance is located at the back of the building and is open Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:30. There is a Facebook group where you can ask for advice on what items are needed for the homeless: Help The Homeless Kaunas

Please do not leave things on the dormitory premises. Plan ahead and take them to textile sorting bins.

Who can donate items?

All VMU students, whether residing in a dormitory or elsewhere.

How frequently will such events take place?

These Collection Days will be organized according to the abovementioned schedule. If needed, we will host additional collection events in January. You will be informed about the upcoming events later.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us: ganna.tron@vdu.lt

Travel light and embrace the sharing culture!

The application for accommodation for new incoming international students

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) announces that applications for accommodation in VMU dormitories for new incoming international students will be started from December 15, 2024.

Please note that this application is open exclusively to incoming Erasmus+, Bilateral or other international exchange students and newly enrolled full-time students, starting the studies at VMU from Spring semester (1^st February 2025) for accommodation in the Spring semester. Other VMU senior students, who are not currently residing in VMU dormitories or residents wishing to change their current room will be allowed to reserve one of the available rooms only after January 20, 2025.

IMPORTANT: The application is open only to students who have already signed their Learning Agreements (Erasmus+, Bilateral Exchange, or Visiting Students) or Agreement of Studies (newly enrolled full-time students). For more information about signing this agreement, please contact the International Cooperation Department.

PLEASE NOTE: Only exchange students can reserve rooms on the 5th floor of VMU Dormitory No. 5 (located at Universiteto g. 8, Akademija, Kaunas district).

To reserve a place in one of the VMU dormitories, all exchange and newly enrolled full-time students, starting the studies at VMU from Spring semester, must follow this procedure:

VMU DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION PROCEDURE FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Get to know about VMU dormitories (No. 2 “Baltija” in Kaunas, No. 5 in Akademija, Kaunas District, and No. 6 “Vivulskis” in Vilnius), including accommodation prices, living conditions, and more.
Log in to the online accommodation system (VMU Students accommodation) and look for ‘Accommodation in Student Rooms’ using the username and password with the same credentials which students created when they apply for exchange studies at VMU.
Reserve a place from the provided list of Accommodation in Student Rooms (please note that the number of available spots in the dormitories is very limited, however, the list will be updated constantly at 2 PM by the UTC +2 Eastern European Time (EET) zone:
- on Mondays (December 16, 23, and 30, 2024 as well as January 6, and 13, 2025).
- From January 20, 2025 onwards, it will be updated regularly, so it is recommended to check it frequently).
Receive an email confirming your reservation. This email means that the room of your choice will be reserved for your arrival until January 31, 2025.
Receive a second email in mid-January with instructions on how to sign your electronic Agreement for Accommodation, and sign it.
Move into the dormitory (no earlier than January 15 and after signing your Agreement for Accommodation) by January 31, 2025. (IMPORTANT: If you are unable to move in by January 31, you can arrange with the dormitory administration to move in later; however, starting February 1, you will be charged the room fee. In other cases, if you do not move to the dormitory by January 31, 2025, your room reservation will be cancelled. “

ALTERNATIVE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR NEW VMU INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

FOR NON-VMU STUDENTS

Please be informed that, due to high demand from Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) students for accommodation in VMU dormitories in Kaunas, Akademija (Kaunas district), and Vilnius, it will not be possible to reserve a vacant room for non-VMU students until further notice. All existing reservations will be cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please follow the information in the ‘News’ section at http://accommodation.vdu.lt.

For more information please contact:

Winter Hangout brings warmth to VMU dormitory No. 5

On November 24, international students at Vytautas Magnus University’s dormitory No. 5 gathered for a cozy Winter Hangout. The third-floor study area transformed into a festive space filled with games, prizes, and shared laughter.

The event featured a wellness tips presentation, offering practical advice for staying healthy during the winter. Students also enjoyed a potluck of snacks, making the evening warm and friendly.

We inform about the possible noise during the day in VDU dormitory No. 6

We inform you that starting from November 26, with the start of demolition and renovation work on the third floor of VDU dormitory No. 6 ‘Vivulskis’ (located at A. Vivulskio St. 36, Vilnius), noise may occur during the day in the dormitory.

We apologize for the temporary inconvenience.

Room inspections will take place in VMU dormitories in November

We inform you that from November 25 to 29, randomly selected rooms of residents in Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) dormitories will be inspected.

Inspections schedule:

Dormitory	Inspection time
No. 1 “Taika” (Taikos ave. 119, Kaunas)	November 27 (Wednesday) 12:00 PM
No. 2 “Baltija” (Vytauto ave. 71, Kaunas)	November 28 (Thursday) 1:00 PM
No. 4 (Studentų st. 1, Akademija, Kaunas district)	November 25 (Monday) 12:00 PM
No. 5 (Universiteto st. 8, Akademija, Kaunas district)	November 27 (Wednesday) 10:00 AM
No. 6 “Vivulskis” (A. Vivulskio st. 36, Vilnius)	November 29 (Friday) 11:00 AM
No. 7 (Universiteto st. 6, Akademija, Kaunas district)	November 26 (Tuesday) 12:00 PM
No. 8 (Studentų st. 5, Akademija, Kaunas district)	November 28 (Thursday) 11:00 AM
No. 10 (Studentų st. 7, Akademija, Kaunas district)	November 25 (Monday) 11:00 AM

Please note that those who fail to comply with the terms of the Agreement for Accommodation or who violate the Internal Rules of the Dormitories of Vytautas Magnus University are liable to pay the following fees, subject to disciplinary measures:

10 euros if a reprimand is issued;
15 euros if a warning is issued;
20 euros if a severe warning is issued.

The 5th-floor kitchen in VDU Dormitory No. 5 will be closed from October 4th to 8th

We inform you that from October 4th, 12:00 PM, until the morning of October 8th, the kitchen on the 5th floor of VDU Dormitory No. 5 (Universiteto St. 8, Akademija, Kaunas district) will be closed due to furniture replacement in the kitchen.

We apologize for the temporary inconvenience.

Updated: From 09/26 to 10/04, there may be temporary water supply disruptions in VMU dormitory No. 5

We inform you that in VDU dormitory No. 5 (Universiteto g. 8, Akademija, Kaunas district), from September 26 to October 1, due to renovation work, there may be temporary water supply disruptions. New towel radiators will be installed on the first floor of the dormitory, so water will be temporarily shut off in different rooms as the work progresses.

Updated: Due to prolonged work, water supply disruptions may occur until October 4th.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Participate in the elections for the Chairpersons of the VMU Dormitory Councils

Vytautas Magnus University has announced the election to the Dormitory Council, which is organized in accordance with VMU Dormitory Self-Government regulations. If you are living in VMU Dormitory No. 2 at Vytauto pr. 71 (“Baltija”), Kaunas, or No. 6 at A. Vivulskio str. 36, Vilnius, or No. 5 at Universiteto str. 8, Akademija, Kaunas district, and you are interested in becoming the Chairperson of the Dormitory Council, then all you need to do is fill out this electronic application by September 30, 2024, by 11:59 PM and meet the following criteria:

You must be a student at Vytautas Magnus University.
You must be motivated.
You need to create a one-year activity plan for the Council.
You should have experience in social activities.
You must have experience living in the dormitory.
You cannot have penalties for infringements of the University’s internal legal acts.

After becoming a Chairperson, the student will be exempt from paying dormitory accommodation fees for the academic year (starting in October) 2024/2025.

The Chairperson of the Dormitory Council is elected in three stages:

I Stage – Candidates apply for this position by filling out this questionnaire by September 30th (until 11:59 PM) 2024. Selected candidates will be informed of their invitation to run for the election of the Chairperson of the Dormitory Council in the beginning of October.

II Stage – Candidates selected by the Students’ Representative and the Student Affairs Department are invited to attend a meeting of the Selection Committee. The date, time, format, and venue will be communicated to the shortlisted candidates.

III Stage – If necessary, the candidate must participate in the election of the Dormitory Council’s Chairperson, which will be held at the general meeting of dormitory residents.

A person who is interested in becoming the Chairperson of the Dormitory Council must submit the following information along with the electronic application form:

Personal data.
A letter of motivation.
A narrative presentation of the planned annual activities of the Dormitory Council (the Dormitory Council’s activity plan), which should include:
- The problems identified in the dormitory and proposed solutions.
- the objectives, activities, and initiatives for the term of office.
- informal activities to mobilise the community.
A Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Dormitory Council and the Chairperson

We want to remind you that the Chairperson has the right and power to form and manage the Dormitory Council.

The elected Chairperson of the dormitory will be exempt from payment of the accommodation fee for the 2024/2025 academic year (from October 1, 2024 until June 30, 2025)

The main purpose of the Dormitory Council is to assist the Chairperson in implementing the following objectives:

To represent the interests of the dormitory residents in the University ‘s (dormitory‘s) administration.
To communicate University (dormitory) requirements to residents.
To maintain the integrity of the community.
To carry out social and cultural activities.
To mediate in cases of misunderstandings or problems between residents or between residents and the administration.

The Chairperson of the Dormitory Council is elected annually at the beginning of each academic year by the general meeting of dormitory residents, following a selection procedure performed by the Students’ Representative Council and the Student Affairs Department.

More information about Dormitories self-government

Room inspections will take place in VMU dormitories

We inform you that from September 24 to 27, randomly selected rooms of residents in Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) dormitories will be inspected.

Inspections schedule:

Dormitory	Inspection time
No. 1 “Taika” (Taikos ave. 119, Kaunas)	September 27 (Friday) 1:00 PM
No. 2 “Baltija” (Vytauto ave. 71, Kaunas)	September 24 (Tuesday) 12:00 PM
No. 4 (Studentų st. 1, Akademija, Kaunas district)	September 23 (Monday) 12:00 PM
No. 5 (Universiteto st. 8, Akademija, Kaunas district)	September 25 (Wednesday) 1:00 PM
No. 6 “Vivulskis” (A. Vivulskio st. 36, Vilnius)	September 27 (Friday) 1:00 PM
No. 7 (Universiteto st. 6, Akademija, Kaunas district)	September 23 (Monday) 12:00 PM
No. 8 (Studentų st. 5, Akademija, Kaunas district)	September 24 (Tuesday) 2:00 PM
No. 10 (Studentų st. 7, Akademija, Kaunas district)	September 26 (Thursday) 1:00 PM

10 euros if a reprimand is issued;
15 euros if a warning is issued;
20 euros if a severe warning is issued.