Resources for Current Students

Current Students - Student Affairs - Resources - Everyday Needs at Darden and in Charlottesville

Everyday Needs at Darden and in Charlottesville

Day to Day Resources at Darden

  • Communicating within the Darden Community

    There are numerous ways to interact with your Darden classmates and within the Darden community. Please note that your class will have the following communication channels/pathways
    •    Class of 2025 Instagram
    •    Class of 2025 LinkedIn Group
    •    Class of 2025 WhatsApp Group** 
    Of note – as you know, with the creation of WhatsApp communities, you’ll be able to view more organized communication channels related to Darden.

  • Printing at Darden

    The Office of Student Affairs permits students to have free printing access. Please use the Darden printing machines for school-related activities. Whenever possible, please opt for two-sided printing. If you ever encounter printing related issues, please visit the Darden Computing Service Desk in the main hallway.

  • Reserving Rooms

    There are different ways to reserve spaces at Darden
    Reserve a Darden room for an event

    Request a learning team room

  • Building Hours

    Please note that Saunders Hall, Abbott Center, and the Classroom Building will be unlocked during specific time intervals:

    Monday-Thursday: 6:30 am to 9:00 pm
    Friday: 6:30 am to 6 pm 
    Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm 

    ** It’s helpful to bring your ID card with you in case the doors to the Darden exterior are locked.

  • Student ID Card/Information

    You will be granted a student ID when you enroll. However, should you lose your ID, you will need to contact the UVA ID Office to identify it is lost and that you will need a new one. Please note the replacement cost is $20.  

  • Name Tent (Including Replacement Process)

    Darden will provide you with 1 name tent in your first year and 1 name tent in your second year. If you lose your name tent or if it goes missing, please use the attached template to fill out your name and go to FedEx Office Print & Ship Center to order a new one. They can print one for you immediately to use for class. Please also note that you will be responsible for the cost of this replacement ($2.84 per name tent). If you would like a blank name tent to write your name on while waiting to order your replacement, one can be provided by the OSA office upon request 

  • Darden Food Pantry

    The purpose of the Hoos Pantry at North Grounds is to provide students with consistent, reliable access to food items. This is especially important in ensuring that no one in our community experiences food insecurity. In the past, the food pantry has been stocked with non-perishable food items include a mix of the following, depending on availability: mac and cheese, Thai noodles, chickpea beans, black beans, apple sauce, granola bars, cereal, rice, quinoa, couscous, coffee, tea, toilet paper, paper towels, and sanitary items. Please take what you may need. 

    Location: Down the hall and around the corner from Classroom 50 (bottom floor of the classroom building). The non-perishable items are in the metal cabinets right next to the fridge. Students can reach out to Sarah Elliott with any needs/questions. All inquiries will be anonymous. 

  • Student Fridge

    There is a student fridge adjacent to where the mailboxes are situated. Additionally, there is also a printer located in this room. You can use this fridge to store food that you’ve brought for the day. In the side room next to Café 67, there is a microwave that you can use to warm up any food that you’ve brought with you.

  • Darden Lockers

    Student lockers are located on the lower level of the classroom wing in Saunders Hall. Students may use the lockers for free but must supply their own padlock. To reserve a locker, please e-mail Daniel Marrs, Darden's mailroom manager: [email protected]. Please note that the lockers can also be used for club purposes.

  • North Grounds Recreation Center

    Darden students are lucky in that the North Ground Recreation Center is just a few minutes’ walk from Darden. While you are a student at Darden, you have free access to the North Grounds Recreation Center. You can learn more about facility features, the facility hours, and parking information on the recreation center site.

  • Lactation Spaces (Abbott Wellness Rooms 1 and 2)

    Students can use the Darden Outlook system to reserve these rooms for themselves or their partners. This is located right before the restrooms in the Abbott Dining space. If interested, please reach out to [email protected].

  • Mental Health Wellness/Prayer Space (Room 236)

    This room will be intended for students who are looking for a space to engage in personal prayer time and/or mindfulness. This room can be used as a space for students who are feeling anxiety/stress/in need of a private space to cope with overwhelming time intervals during the MBA experience. If interested, please reach out to Eva Blau at [email protected].

  • First Aid

    Tylenol, Advil, and Band-Aids are located in the Office of Student Affairs and are available as needed. A First Aid Kit is located in the Student Copy Room for after-hours urgencies.

  • Lost and Found

    If you lose a personal possession, the office is located in the Office of Student Affairs.

    **Contacting Student Affairs: Please know that the OSA team is here to help educate students in relation to questions about any resources or needs (outside of counseling, medical, legal, etc.). If you have any further questions, please contact OSA.

Housing and Utilities 

Groceries

There are a number of shopping plazas that are accessible to Darden students either by walking or by a short drive.

  • Barracks Road Shopping Center

    Within a short walk of Darden, you have access to the Kroger and Harris Teeter grocery stores. Additionally, you can also frequent a number of restaurants that are viewable in the shopping center’s directory. You’ll find a mix of apparel stores, banking locations, and other stores that will help you navigate the nuts and bolts of life. 

  • The Shops at Stonefield

    This plaza is approximately a nine-minute drive from Darden. At this plaza, you can shop at a Trader Joes or Costco. You can also find a number of dine-in options and services locations. To learn more about the different retail locations, you can view the shopping center’s directory.

  • Big Box Store Locations

    There are a number of big box store locations that are within 15-20 minutes driving distance 

    Sam’s Club: You will need a membership to shop here. Sam's Club is known for offering products in bulk quantities. This might be a good option if you are looking to buy items in bulk that will last you for extended periods of time. 

    Costco: You will need a membership to shop here. Similar to Sam’s club, Costco is also known for offering products in bulk. 

    Walmart: Walmart offers a wide range of products, including electronics, apparel, home goods, furniture, toys, health, and beauty products. Additionally, Walmart is also an excellent location to shop for groceries. 

    Target: Target also offers a wide range of products across different categories including electronics, apparel, home goods, furniture, toys, health, and beauty products. Similar to Walmart, Target can also be an excellent location to shop for groceries. 

  • Specialty Grocery Stores

    Amigo Mercado Latino

    Super Amanecer

    Medina Market  - this location also serves halal meat and groceries**

    Grand Market – this location also serves halal meat and groceries**

    Asian Market

    Food of All Nations 

    C’Ville Oriental

    Express Grocery Store – This is an Indian/Nepali/SouthAsian Grocery Store

  • What are some ways that I can save on my groceries while I am a student? 

    A number of grocery or retail locations require you to have a membership. Some also offer special discounts to students. 

    For example, Harris Teeter offers a discount of 5% when you sign up for a VIC card. You need to present a student ID at the customer service desk to sign up for this. 

  • I am not bringing a car, what are my options for buying groceries? 

    There are several ways that you can buy online groceries that are delivered straight to your home. A common service that students use is Walmart+. You can pay for your membership on a monthly basis or an annual basis and then get groceries delivered to you throughout the year. Another popular service for grocery delivery is Amazon Fresh. Students have also been able to use Instacart, which is a good option for grocery delivery as well as comparing grocery prices across different retail locations. 

Transportation 

We receive a lot of questions about how to navigate traveling around Charlottesville. We understand that some of you will be bringing a vehicle while others will rely on public transportation options. At Darden, if you don’t have a vehicle, it is possible to coordinate a ride to off-Grounds social gatherings and recruiting events (you'll lean on your sections/learning teams).

  • North Grounds vs. Central Grounds

    Darden is located on the North Grounds of the University of Virginia, about a mile from Central Grounds.
    Central Grounds begins at the corner of Rt. 29 (Emmet St.) and Ivy Rd./University Ave. You’ll often hear about the Rotunda. The Rotunda is considered to be the central point or heart of the University.  It is located two blocks east of the above intersection on University Ave. Alderman and Clemons libraries are across McCormick St.
     

  • How can I get around the University of Virginia’s Campus?

    You can use the UVA's University Transit Service, also known as UTS. The route that services Darden is called the Gold Line, which takes students between Central/Main Grounds and North Grounds with stops just a minute walk from Darden. It makes a stop at the Barracks Road Shopping Center. If you like walking, you can also walk to Main Grounds from North Grounds (about 25-30 minutes). 

  • Public Transportation in C'Ville

    You can use the Charlottesville Area Transit System, the city's bus service! As a UVA student, you are able to ride for free by simply showing your student ID. Routes 5, 7, and 8 will be of most interest to Darden students, as they all centralize at the Barracks Road Shopping Center and head off to different areas of Charlottesville.

  • Do students generally walk to class at Darden?

    The majority of Darden students live in walking distance of Grounds and commute by foot between home and school. Many of our students who live in housing developments including Pavilion, Ivy Garden, and Huntington, are able to walk to Darden. Of course, your ability to walk to Darden will greatly depend on where you decide to live. 

  • Can I park at Darden?

    For those who live further away from Grounds, or prefer to drive, Darden has two primary parking lots: the D1 Faculty Lot and the D10 Darden Garage. Annual parking permits are available through UVA Parking and Transportation for the D10 Darden Garage. For short-term parking, the ParkMobile App can be used for the Darden Garage. The ParkMobile Zone is 5516.

  • Can I book a train to get in and out of C’Ville?

    The Charlottesville Amtrak Train Station is close to UVA’s Central Ground. Many students will book trains for trips to locations such as Washington D.C. (2-3 hours), Philadelphia (5 hours), and New York (6-7 hours). Ticket prices can increase significantly closer to the date of a trip, so it is advisable to book a ticket as early as possible. 

  • Can I book a bus to get in and out of C’Ville?

    Greyhound operates incoming and outgoing buses to Charlottesville. On the Greyhound website, you can also book buses through a separate company called Flixbus. 

  • What are my flight options in and out of C’Ville?

    The closest airport is the Charlottesville – Albemarle Airport, which is 15-20 minutes from Darden. It is located at 100 Bowen Loop #200. 

    • American Airlines: Offers daily nonstop flights to Chicago, New York-LaGuardia, Charlotte, Philadelphia and points beyond. For information and reservations, call +1-800-433-7300
    • Delta: Offers daily nonstop flights to New York-LaGuardia, Atlanta and points beyond. For information and reservations, call +1-800-221-1212.
    • United Airlines: Offers daily nonstop flights to Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles and points beyond. For information and reservations, call +1-800-864-8331. 

    You can learn about these airlines’ flight operations out of Charlottesville’s airport by viewing the airlines info section on the airport’s website.  

  • Are there any other airports in the area?

    Richmond International Airport (RIC) is located 85 miles from Darden.

    Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located 100 miles from Darden.

    Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located 121 miles from Darden.

    Please note, that if you are traveling to airports, please be mindful of traffic as this could significantly affect your ability to make your flight.  

  • What are the best ways to get to the airport?

    There are a number of options for getting to and from the airport:

    • Uber: A number of students take Ubers to and from the airport (especially to the Charlottesville airport). However, you may experience some difficulty in getting an Uber later at night.
    • Taxi: You can taxis waiting after most flights the airport. However, similar to Ubers, you may experience some trouble late at night. A list of taxis with airport permits is available here.
  • Where can I rent a car in Charlottesville?

    There are a number of car rental options in Charlottesville. A number of major car-rental companies have operations out of Charlottesville – Albemarle Airport. 

    Hertz
    Airport Office: 434-297-4288

    National Car Rental 
    Airport: 844-934-1094

    Avis Rent-A-Car 
    Airport Office: 434-973-6000

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car 
    Airport Office: 844-934-1096

  • If I am an international student, what’s the process of getting a driver’s license?

    You must obtain a Virginia driver's license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as soon as possible. You can only use your foreign driving license or an international driving permit for up to 30 days, starting from the day you arrive in the U.S. Non-U.S. license holders are required to take a vision test, a driving theory test (multiple choice), and a short practical driving test. Students who hold a valid driver’s license from another US state or territory, Canadian province, France, Germany, Japan, Taiwan or South Korea have different eligibility requirements than those who hold a valid driver’s license issues from a country outside of those listed above.  You will also need to provide and complete following

    • Two proofs of identification
    • Proof of Virginia Residency (e.g., a lease agreement on your house/apartment)
    • A drivers test, based on the Virginia River’s Code – a copy of which can be obtained from the DMV. 

    It is recommended that you study the Code carefully before taking the theory test, as you may be asked some quite specific questions about braking distances, parking regulations, etc. 

  • Where is the Virginia DMV?

    To avoid a long wait, go in the middle of the month and avoid weekends. You can make an appointment or drop by at the nearest DMV location to Darden.

    In addition, to completing your driver’s test, at this location you should be able to do the following:

    • Purchase Virginia license plates
    • Purchase a Virginia driver's license
  • If I am an international student, what should I know about vehicle insurance?

    All drivers in the US must have car insurance before operating a vehicle.

    • International students should be aware that unless they have had a US Driver’s License for three years, they will have difficulty finding car insurance at “normal” rates. If you are considering purchasing a car upon arrival in the U.S. or shipping a car to the US, insurance rates may influence your decision as to what type of car you should buy. The older and less expensive a vehicle, the lower the insurance rates on that vehicle will be.
    • It is recommended that you purchase car insurance initially for a six-month period, after which time you can attempt to renegotiate a better premium on the basis of your six-month US driving history.

Charlottesville Recreational Resources

Students who are looking to engage in the local community in Charlottesville can attend a number of family friendly events throughout the year. Additionally, many Darden student clubs will coordinate opportunity to engage with the community. The Darden Outdoors Club will lead hikes and excursions through out the year and be on the lookout for Darden Student Association tailgates for UVA sporting events. 

You can learn more about some of the annual events that are held in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

There are also a number of farmers markets that you can attend throughout the year.

  • What are some local parks and recreational sites that I can take advantage of while I’m in Charlottesville? 

    Charlottesville and Albemarle County boast a number of parks and lakes for public use. Here are some parks that are popular destinations for residents and students who are trying to engage with the outdoors:

    Beaver Creek Park 

    With 104 water acres, this lake is the largest and best fishing lake in Albemarle County. 

    Chris Greene Lake Park

    Swimming, fishing, boating, canoe rentals, picnic areas, large and small pavilions, playgrounds, boat launch and a fishing pier. 

    Darden Towe Park 

    This 110-acre park along the Rivanna River includes four tennis courts, running trails, children's play area, picnic shelters, three softball fields and four multi-use fields for soccer, lacrosse and football. One picnic pavilion may be reserved for as many as 80 people. There is also a fenced dog park area.

    Ivy Creek Natural Area 

    A great place for hiking, birdwatching and being in nature, while still in town. Just 10 minutes from the Law School by car. Six miles of trails in the forest, nature programs, bird walks. No biking and no dogs, even on a leash.

    McIntire Park

    Great wading pool for young children, swings, ball fields, golf course, picnic areas and nature trail. Dogs must be on a leash.

    Mint Springs Valley Park 

    Swimming, picnic shelters, playgrounds, fishing, and 3.6 miles of hiking trails. Handicapped accessible. Pavilions with fireplaces, grills and tables may be reserved.

    Pen Park 

    This is the largest city park, with a nature trail along the Rivanna River, handicapped-accessible exercise trail, 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, volleyball, Little League fields, three picnic pavilions and playground. Dogs must be on a leash.

    Ragged Mountain Natural Area 

    A beautiful, somewhat rugged, natural area for quiet hiking. No dogs, bikes or jogging.

    Rivanna Trails 

    A series of trails in town linking city parks along the Rivanna River. Trail sometimes gets overgrown in summer, but nice in spring, fall and winter. The section behind Law School follows a gorge behind Darden to University Village. See the website for all access points and new trails.

    Walnut Creek Park 

    Great place for mountain biking. Swimming in lake, nature trails, bike trails, fishing, picnic shelter and playground. Entrance fees between Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and Labor Day (first Monday in Sept):

Pet Related Resources

You’ll find that Charlottesville is a pet-friendly community. Many students have found apartment complexes very close to the school that allow pets. Please check out the Dogs of Darden Instagram to see other furry friends around Darden.