Campus Life

• The Honor Code and the Code of Responsibility
• Residence Life
• Art
• Music
• Theatre
• Athletics and Physical Education
• Religious and Spiritual Life
• Social Life
• The Knobloch Campus Center
• Student Government

• Leadership Development
• Sustainability
• Indetity-Based Student Organizations & Support
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Center for Civic Engagement
• Communications
• Center for Career Development
• Health and Safety
• International Student Programs
• Involuntary Withdrawal

The Honor Code and the Code of Responsibility

As students and alumni proudly attest, the honor system at Davidson is the touchstone of the college life, creating an atmosphere of trust in the college community. In addition to faculty and administration support, the students believe in this system, defend it, and shoulder the responsibility for its implementation. Evidences that the system actually works are the open stacks and unguarded doors of the library, the absence of proctors during tests, the self-scheduled final examinations, and the sense that a person’s word is his or her bond. The Honor Code and the Code of Responsibility are available in their entirety in the Student Handbook.

The Honor Code is very simply stated:

“Each Davidson student is honor bound to refrain from stealing, lying about College business, and cheating on academic work. Stealing is the intentional taking of any property without right or permission. Lying is the intentional misrepresentation of any form. Cheating is any practice, method, or assistance, whether explicitly forbidden or unmentioned, that involves any degree of dishonesty, fraud, or deceit. Cheating includes plagiarism, which is representing another’s ideas or words as one’s own. Additional guidelines for each class may be determined by its professor; each Davidson student is responsible for knowing and adhering to them. Each student is responsible for learning and observing appropriate documentation of another’s work. Each Davidson student is honor bound to report immediately all violations of the Honor Code for which the student has first-hand knowledge; failure to do so is itself a violation of the Honor Code. All students, faculty, and other employees of Davidson College are responsible for familiarity with and support of the Honor Code. Any student, faculty member, administrative officer, employee, or guest of the College may charge a student with a violation of the Honor Code. Charges are presented to the Dean of Students and at the Dean’s discretion must be signed. If the Dean determines that further proceedings are warranted by the Honor Council, he or she will prepare a formal charge. Hearings, administrative conferences, and other proceedings regarding alleged violations of the Honor Code shall be conducted pursuant to the Code of Disciplinary Procedures.”

Residence Life

As a residential college community, Davidson students are required to live on-campus all four years. While a few students may be granted permission to live off-campus, the College is deeply committed to residential living since the benefits and positive impact of such an experience are well-documented. Davidson houses approximately 95-97 percent of its student body. Through their experiences in the residential community, Davidson students will gain the knowledge, awareness, and skills to become ethical, inclusive citizens.  The four learning goal “pillars” to build towards that objective are community responsibility, inclusive excellence, self-awareness, and wellness.  In addition, daily interaction of students within residence builds community and campus traditions unique to Davidson.

All first-year students are required to live on a first-year hall with about 20 to 40 classmates for the entire year. With few exceptions, single rooms are not available to first-year students. The Residence Life staff pairs first-year roommates with special attention to the living preferences and learning and leadership styles of each student. Additionally, upper-class hall counselors live on each first-year hall and work closely with residents to ease their transition into campus life. This first year is an exciting and challenging period for students, highlighted by social activities, educational programs, intramural sports, and community service projects. During this time, first-year students learn the rewards and challenges of communal living and develop an appreciation for people with different backgrounds and needs. Close friendships established during this year regularly continue throughout a student’s Davidson years and beyond.

Each spring, rising sophomores, juniors and seniors participate in a housing lottery process to select their rooms for the next academic year. During this process, students can choose from among ten traditional or suite-style residence halls, and seven apartment-style residence halls. Most students participate in the lottery process in pairs, as most rooms are designed for double occupancy. However, students selecting an apartment choose in groups of four or five, and there are a number of single rooms across multiple buildings from which to choose. Students are also permitted to cluster with up to three other friends as a way to strengthen friendships and enjoy living experiences.  All residence halls are equipped with lounges and air conditioning. Some have kitchen facilities, computers and/or printing facilities. Each apartment contains a living room, kitchen, and four or five single bedrooms. The college provides each student with a bed, mattress, desk, desk chair, dresser, and space for hanging clothes. All students share with the college the responsibility to maintain a clean, safe, and enjoyable living environment in the residence halls. Resident Advisers (in upper-class buildings) promote community and accountability on each hall, as defined by college policy and residential community standards defined by each hall. Additionally, a courtesy policy protects students’ rights to sleep or study at any hour.  Students are expected to carry out self-care obligations and to obtain treatment for medical needs.

Our newest residence hall opened in 2012 and houses 250 sophomore students. While still including the same amenities as the other residence halls on campus, this space is intentionally reserved for sophomore students. Programs by Resident Advisers target the specific academic, social, and intrapersonal needs of sophomores.

While the college is able to accommodate a large percentage of its student body in the residence halls the college cannot guarantee on-campus housing to every student desiring it because of the semester to semester fluctuations in demand. In the event students cannot be accommodated, off-campus permission will be granted to some students who can rent apartments and houses in the Davidson community.

Although Davidson College works actively to create safe and secure residence halls, the college cannot accept responsibility for the loss, damage, or theft of personal property. Students wishing to protect themselves from such loss should routinely lock their doors and cover their belongings with appropriate insurance.

Dining Services

The college provides five facilities on campus during the academic year - Vail Commons, the Davis Café in the Alvarez College Union, the Wildcat Den in Baker Sports Complex, Union Station, a convenience store also in the Alvarez College Union and Summit Coffee, a coffeehouse/pub on Patterson Court.

Vail Commons offers 21 scheduled meals each week. It is an “all you care to eat” facility during meal-serving periods. The Commons provides a wide range of offerings including multiple entrées at each meal, vegetarian and vegan entrée options, a variety of breakfast cereals, pizza made to order, a sandwich bar, a large salad bar, and a choice of desserts, many made in our bakery. Soft serve ice cream and yogurt are available daily as well. Beverages include soft drinks, fruit juices, milk, coffee, and tea. The kitchen is almost entirely “scratch” and students are welcome to arrange one-on-one meetings with staff to tour the kitchen operation. Sustainability os part of our core mission.

The Davis Café located in the Knobloch Campus Center has deli, grill, and pizza counters, as well as an array of daily specials. Most meal plans may be used to some degree at the Davis Café and the Wildcat Den

The Wildcat Den is located on the lower level of Baker Sports Complex. The Den operates as a lunch counter, providing sandwiches, chips, beverages, and a candy selection. A sandwich special is available during the lunch period five days a week.

Students may purchase convenience items including snacks, health and beauty aids and groceries at Union Station, a convenience store located on the second floor of the Alvarez College Union. Students may utilize Dining Dollars attached to their meal plan at this venue.

Summit Coffee provides an alternative space for students to enjoy coffee and other beverages, including beer and wine for students who are of age.  Summit Coffee also provides dining options in a relaxed, pub-like atmosphere. Summit operates seven days each week from morning to late night with indoor and outdoor seating available.

First-year students are required to participate in a full meal plan for the entire year. This requirement may come in the form of a plan including 21 meal swipes each week or 16 meal swipes per week and additional Dining Dollars.  The two plans are identically priced.  Beginning with school year 2016-2017, all sophomores and juniors will be required to purchase no less than a 75-Block Meal Plan.Most meal plans include Dining Dollars that students may use at any dining location, as well as in vending machines located throughout campus. Unused Dining Dollars carry over from Fall to Spring semester as long as a student remains on a meal plan, but not from one academic year to the next.

A registered dietitian is on the Counseling Center staff and works closely with Vail Commons staff. The dietitian is available to all students for nutritional counseling and for those with special diets, be they allergy-related or by personal choice.

Dining Services also operates a catering program for college activities and community events. Many students are employed by the catering department throughout the year. No prior experience is necessary.

Davidson College Farm

The Davidson College Farm provides fresh, naturally grown, local produce for students through the college’s Dining Services operation. The farm is a stand-alone, business-based unit of the college and does not introduce additional costs to Dining Services. It engages students, faculty, and staff to enhance educational opportunities and create a collaborative and innovative environment for curricular and co-curricular activities that support local farming. Located on Grey Road in Davidson, initial production is situated on a three-plus-acre site on land known as McIntosh Farm. In 2008, the college purchased a total of 109 acres from the McIntosh family. The farm grows naturally - no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. All seeds are certified organic, non-GMO, and/or open-pollinated heirloom varieties. We have a 16-foot x 42-foot propagation greenhouse, and a 30-foot x 96-foot high tunnel that allows year-round growth. The Farm at Davidson’s production includes lettuce, spinach, greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, squash, melons, strawberries, beets, carrots, blueberries, herbs, and cut flowers for catering.

 Laundry

The college provides self-service washers and dryers located at facilities throughout the residential areas of campus.  These machines are available to students at no cost and available 24 hours a day.  All washing machines are high efficiency machines and require use of HE style detergent.  Most laundry rooms are networked, allowing students to check for available machines or check the status of loads they have in either washers or dryers from a PC, laptop, or mobile device.

Students may drop off dry-cleaning, knits, large items(blankets, comforters) dress shirts and blouses at the Lula Bell Houston Building found behind Belk Residence Hall for cleaning on a pay per piece basis.

Art

The Katherine and Tom Belk Visual Arts Center houses two galleries, the William H. Van Every, Jr. Gallery and the Edward M. Smith Gallery. Throughout the year, the galleries feature both individual and group exhibitions that explore a wide range of media and cultural issues. The work of internationally renowned, nationally recognized, emerging, and regional artists is presented in a series of exhibitions that focuses on contemporary art and ideas. Selections from the Davidson College Art Collection of over 3,200 prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and sculpture that range from old masters to modern and contemporary artists also are exhibited regularly. Each year, the galleries host an annual group exhibition featuring student work as well as an exhibition featuring studio art faculty work.

In keeping with the educational mission of Davidson College and the galleries, a series of related programs accompanies the yearly exhibitions and includes individual speakers, panels, and forums. These are comprised of artists, art historians, critical thinkers, and experts in various disciplines who bring unique perspectives to the understanding and appreciation of each exhibition. The programs are usually held in the Visual Art Center’s Semans Auditorium, followed by a reception for the artist or speaker in the atrium.

Every spring, senior studio art majors present solo exhibitions in the Smith Gallery. Throughout the year, students are encouraged to interact on an informal, elective basis with the professional artists working on gallery installations and to seek the input of visiting artists and critics available for individual critiques. In addition, visiting art historians give free public lectures and special seminars singularly designed for art majors. The visits by these artists and art historians are co-sponsored with the Friends of the Arts at Davidson.

Music

The Music Department offers many performance opportunities through various ensembles, some of which tour. Vocal opportunities include the Chorale, Davidson Singers, Collegium Musicum, Choral Arts Society, After Hours, and Opera Workshop. Instrumental opportunities include the Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Saxophone Quartet, Appalachian Ensemble, and African Drumming Ensemble. Chamber music opportunities, as well as private vocal and instrumental study, are also available. For additional information, contact the Music Department.

We offer a broad array of musical events: the Concert Series; Classical Indian Music Series; recitals by visiting artists, faculty, and students; vocal and instrumental ensembles; and lectures by visiting musical scholars. In nearby Charlotte, concerts are offered by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Opera Carolina, Oratorio Singers, and various other musical organizations.

Current students especially gifted in music performance are encouraged to apply for scholarships provided through the Zachary F. Long, Jr., Vail Family, and James C. Harper Endowments. Check the Music Department web site for information.

Theatre

Through its curriculum and production program, the Theatre Department seeks to develop an appreciation and understanding of the theatrical arts for the newcomer and to offer in-depth training for experienced students. The department’s program provides many opportunities for student involvement in its production season. Typically, four full-length plays and several one-acts are presented annually. Roles are cast by open audition and students are encouraged to audition, regardless of experience level. Our productions reflect a broad array of styles, approaches, periods, and national and regional voices reflective of the campus at large. In all classes and productions, the Department prioritizes an atmosphere of inclusion, honest and empathetic communication, and respect for diversity of background and experiences.

The Department of Theatre main stage productions (one each semester) are performed in the Duke Family Performance Hall, a 600+ seat proscenium theatre in the Knobloch Campus Center.  The Rupert T. Barber Theatre, a flexible state-of-the-art performance space located in the Cunningham Theatre Center, hosts the second-stage series, student-directed one-acts, and other student performances. All facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology including moving lights, digital audio systems, scenic automation, and media projection capabilities.

Full-length plays are directed by theatre faculty, guest directors, or advanced theatre students. One-acts are directed by students. Guest artists, including playwrights, directors, actors, and designers, work with students on a regular basis.

There is ample opportunity to see professional theatre in Davidson and nearby Charlotte. Several venues in Charlotte, including the Knight Theatre, The Blumenthal Performing Art Center, and Spirit Square, regularly host high-quality touring productions. Numerous Charlotte-based theatre companies feature professionally-produced local productions. On campus, the Davidson Artist Series brings professional touring performances to campus several times each year.

Athletics and Physical Education

Davidson College is unique in being an excellent liberal arts college with a tradition of intercollegiate athletic competition. The college considers physical education, recreational sports, and intercollegiate athletics an integral part of every student’s educational experience. Davidson supports a competitive athletics program with equal opportunity for participation of men and women. Davidson fields eleven men’s and ten women’s intercollegiate teams at the NCAA Division I level. Both men and women play varsity basketball, tennis, and soccer; run indoor/outdoor track and cross country; and participate in swimming and diving. Men’s sports include wrestling, golf, football, and baseball. Women’s teams include field hockey, lacrosse, and volleyball. The college strives to provide keen competition at a realistic level for every sport and offers a limited number of athletic scholarships in both men’s and women’s sports.

Davidson students aspire to excellence in athletics, as in academics. The college seeks to maximize opportunities for student participation as athletes and spectators in a variety of sports. A remarkable 75 percent of students participate in the intramural sports program. Students, along with faculty and staff, participate in ten intramural sports that include flicker ball, three-on-three and five-on-five basketball, softball, small-field soccer, ultimate Frisbee, flag football, futsol, indoor soccer and volleyball. Nineteen club sports pit Davidson teams against club teams of other colleges. Students are responsible for organizing, regulating, and scheduling activities for these club teams. Clubs include women’s lacrosse and volleyball; men’s lacrosse, baseball and golf; and clubs for both men and women in crew, sailing, fencing, swimming, ultimate Frisbee, field hockey, tennis, squash, and soccer.

Davidson’s physical education program is based upon the belief that physical activity is important to a person’s overall development. The program emphasizes the carry-over value of fitness as a lifetime endeavor. The more than 50 courses offered in the physical education curriculum range from golf and yoga to racquetball and spinning to meet a variety of fitness needs and interests. For additional information see Physical Education in the Courses section.

Davidson athletic and physical education facilities are outstanding. The Baker Sports Complex includes the Ben T. Craig Plaza, the Newell Entrance Court, and the Nisbet Lobby. In the lobby are two racquetball courts, a squash court, an auxiliary fitness center and the physical education classroom.  The Harry L. Vance Athletic Center, a $13.3 million enhancement to Baker Sports complex, opened in the fall of 2015.  The 50,000-square-foot space provides two practice courts for Davidson’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and the volleyball team.  The center is also home to the Cheryle Williamson Center for Dance, which will support academic and co-curricular dance activities and benefit Davidson’s burgeoning dance program.  The history of Davidson Athletics accomplishments are highlighted in the Nisbet Hall of Fame in the lobby of the Vance Center.

The centerpiece of the facility is the John M. Belk Arena, featuring a main varsity court with a hardwood floor. For athletic events, the Belk Arena seats 4,277. When the upper-level chair back seating is retracted, two additional hardwood basketball courts and two volleyball courts are available.

The Charles A. Cannon Pool is an eight-lane pool with a stainless steel movable bulkhead to accommodate competition in both yards and meters. The separate diving well features both one- and three-meter boards. The facility includes a balcony for spectator seating.

The Louis and Carl Knobloch Indoor Tennis Center features a durable acrylic-based, hard-court surface covering four courts. They are lit with indirect lighting and have movable screens between them. The center also has locker rooms, offices, and a conference room.

The Finley Physical Education Center incorporates a weight room with both Nautilus and free weights, a state of the art athletic medical facility, a wrestling room, a spin room and two multipurpose studios. The center also has locker rooms for student/faculty/staff use and for sports teams, one additional racquetball court, a classroom, and office space.

Religious and Spiritual Life

As a college related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Davidson celebrates religious and spiritual life in an inclusive, pluralistic environment that fosters openness to and respect for the world’s various religious traditions.

Worship opportunities on campus include Catholic Mass, and Episcopal Eucharist on Sundays, several ecumenical Christian services led by students and the chaplaincy staff throughout the week, Juman prayers every Friday afternoon, and frequent Shabbat services.

Student-led religious organizations provide opportunities for fellowship, faith-based community service, scripture study, and the celebration of holy days in their respective traditions. Among these groups are: Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship, Catholic Campus Ministry, Hillel (Jewish), Methodist College Fellowship, Mormon Student Group, Muslim Students Association, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Reformed University Fellowship (PCA), and Westminster Fellowship (PCUSA). Non-denominational Christian organizations include Campus Outreach, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Young Life. Our Better Together interfaith group also draws together Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, and Muslim students, as well as students of no specific tradition who are spiritual seekers for conversations, retreats, and other activities.

Davidson’s chaplaincy staff includes Presbyterian clergy, a Catholic lay minister, and a Rabbi. Our chaplains offer pastoral care and counseling to all members of the college community and coordinate activities including on-campus worship, international mission/study trips, programs integrating service and social justice, and interfaith dialogue.

Social Life

Social life at Davidson takes its cue from the setting: activities are often the result of small-group interests - sailing at the lake campus, entertainment in the Campus Center, attending movies in Davidson or nearby, going to Charlotte for dinner and other entertainment, hiking and rafting at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, or skiing at Beech Mountain. In addition there are many campus-wide activities that involve large numbers of students, as well as other members of the college community. These events are often sponsored by the College Union Board, the Patterson Court Council, the Residence Life Office, and other student organizations. Student groups work cooperatively to sponsor campus events. Winterfest, Spring Frolics, ‘After Midnight,’ the Red and Black Ball, Dance Ensemble performances, Homecoming, major concerts, Cats Excursions events to Charlotte, and the Campus Christmas Party are a few of the major events. Social activities are planned and produced by students

The Knobloch Campus Center

The Knobloch Campus Center is the center of college community life. The Center combines the Alvarez College Union and the Duke Family Performance Hall. Knobloch is the gathering place for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It provides opportunities for involvement in formal and informal activities.

Special features abound, including the Davis Café in a three-story atrium with skylight, a 600-seat state-of-the-art performance hall, a fitness center, climbing wall, outdoor center, information desk, post office, copy center, meeting rooms, student organization offices, convenience store, and offices for the Chaplain, Center for Career Development, Student Activities, Multicultural Affairs, and Civic Engagement. Outdoor features include an amphitheater on the west side of the building and a terrace overlooking the football field to the south.

A planned program of social and co-curricular activities is initiated by the College Union Board and provided in collaboration with a host of other student organizations and departments. Student committees are responsible for presenting films, speakers, dancers, artists, poets, and musicians of all types. Recent performers include The All-American Rejects, Theophilus London, Passion Pit, Third Eye Blind, Maroon 5, Akon, Death Cab for Cutie, Jason Mraz, O.A.R., the Roots, Bob Dylan, the Black Eyed Peas, Bill Cosby, Ben Folds, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, and John Mayer. Recent guest speakers include Ta-Nehisi Coates, Marjane Satrapi, Tony DeRose, David Henry Hwang, John Mather, Nicholas Kristof, Fareed Zakaria, Paul Krugman, Sister Helen Prejan, Derek Walcott, Zadie Smith, Ron Suskind, Marian Wright Edelman, Elizabeth Gilbert, Eric Scholosser, Junot Diaz, Roger Goodell, and Sebastian Junger.

Students, assisted by faculty and staff, are responsible for the C. Shaw & Nancy K. Smith Artists Series, which has recently presented the Sean Curran Dance Company, Koresh Dance Company, Christopher O’Riley & Matt Haimovitz,  Keigwin+ Company, Nnenna Freelon, eighth blackbird, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company, DIAVOLO Dance Theater, the Irish band Danu, The Mystical Arts of Tibet: Mandala Sand Painting, Peking Acrobats, the Steep Canyon Rangers, Ballet Hispanico, Soweto Gospel Choir, the Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, Aquila Theatre, Thodos Dance Chicato, the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, Chicago City Limits, the Second City Touring Company, Yamato Taiko Drums, Terrace Simien and the Zydeco Experience, the Reduced Shakespeare Company, Hubbard Street II, Omar Sosa Afreecanis Quartet, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The Davidson Outdoors Center invites students to get away from campus on weekend trips for canoeing, rock climbing, camping, hiking, and skiing. Two professional staff members work with a group of twenty student trip leaders to provide outdoor activities. Major trips have taken students canoeing in the Everglades and on the Rio Grande, sailing off the Gulf Coast of Florida, hang gliding at the Outer Banks, sea kayaking off the Georgia Coast, and whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers in West Virginia.

The Patterson Court Council (PCC) is another umbrella organization supported by the Campus Center. Its purpose is to enrich the Davidson College experience for students by serving as a diverse community of service-based and social eating houses, fraternities and sororities. The Patterson Court Council community provides exceptional opportunities for leadership, service, scholarship, and fellowship in community based interactions within small group settings. About 60 percent of the student population participates in one of the 14 organizations that make up the Patterson Court Council. The men’s organizations are: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Order; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Kappa Sigma; Phi Delta Theta; Phi Gamma Delta; Sigma Alpha Epsilon; and Sigma Phi Epsilon. The women’s organizations are: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Connor Eating House; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Rusk Eating House; Turner Eating House; and Warner Hall Eating House. Ten out of the 14 organizations have physical non-residential houses, and these are located on Patterson Court and Nelson Lane; our 4 NPHC organizations do not have physical houses for their organizations.  All organizations with facilities provide meal plan options for members in addition to the leadership, service, and social opportunities available to all members of the community. These meal plans vary by organization, class year, and dietary restrictions. The majority of meal plans include lunch and dinner on Monday through Friday. These meal plans are part of membership dues and are not a part of the meal plan required by the college.

Davidson College is a deferred recruitment campus. In order to be eligible to join a PCC organization students must have attended Davidson College for at least one semester.  Also, in order to join a PCC organization students must have a 2.25 cumulative GPA, register for recruitment, attend an informational session, and be in good standing as a student. The Patterson Court Council (PCC) hosts a variety of events during the fall semester to introduce first-year students to the PCC community through educational programs, service projects, and social events. While most membership recruitment events happen in the spring semester, the actual membership processes vary based on the type of PCC organization. There is not a recruitment fee, but each organization will have an initiation or first-semester membership fee that will be due at the beginning of the membership process.

Participation in Patterson Court Council events is generally open to all students, unless specified as a members-only event. Activities, policies, and initiatives are coordinated by the Patterson Court Council and Patterson Court Council Adviser. The organizations are accountable for their individual and collective actions to the Patterson Court Council Judicial Board. Members of Patterson Court Council organizations who excel in leadership, scholarship, and community involvement may apply to become a member of Order of Omega, the Greek Letter National Honor Society that represent the top 3% of a campus’s Greek community.  To learn more about the Patterson Court Council visit the website at www.davidsonpcc.com.

Through its programs, facilities, and services, the Campus Center is the heartbeat of the college and the focal point for out-of-class activity.

Student Government

As stated in the by-laws of the Student Government Association (SGA), the purpose of the student government is “to share with the Board of Trustees, the Faculty, and the Administration the responsibility for developing and maintaining Davidson as a superior academic community.”

Based on one of the earlier student government constitutions (1910), Davidson students govern themselves through the senate (headed by the president and vice president of SGA) and the many committees of the SGA. The student senate is made up of three representatives from each class, representatives from each Patterson Court House, and independent representatives. Officers and senators are elected by student vote.

Although activity is centered in the senate, active participation in student government is not restricted to elected officials. Students from all classes serve on numerous committees of the senate and fill student positions on faculty and trustee committees.

The Chidsey Center for Leadership Development

The purpose of the Chidsey Center for Leadership Development is to prepare members of the Davidson College Community to exercise leadership in ways that positively impact our campus, community, and world.  We work with students to help them increase their self-awareness; develop a sense of agency; and to be courageous leaders of change.  

We espouse that leadership can come from any student at any time, and we offer myriad ways for students to develop their capacity in this regard.  The Chidsey Center offers a variety of programs, working with students who have varying needs and desires to explore their capacity for leadership.  Our signature program, the Chidsey Leadership Fellows, is a three-year developmental program filled with seminars and experiences that are progressive in nature and engage students in high-impact leadership development opportunities.  Fellows bring their lived experiences to seminars, examine leadership theory and best practices, and engage in discussion and reflection.

The Chidsey Center also advises the annual Katherine M. Bray Women’s Leadership Conference and hosts a leadership series featuring Davidson alumni and other inspiring leaders who have made exceptional contributions to their communities.  Finally, we partner with other departments, faculty and the community to support leadership across campus.

Sustainability

Sustainability explained: At Davidson College, sustainability is understood from several different perspectives. First, it considers the United Nation’s Brundtland Commission: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Our Common Future, 1987). Second, Davidson College considers sustainability in terms of the Great Law of the Iroquois: “In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation…” (The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations)

Drawing on these two understandings of sustainability, Davidson College takes the “triple bottom line” approach to the concept: people, planet, and profit. This three-pillar approach to sustainability means that consideration of each area is important for driving the success of the other two areas.

There are an array of clubs and organizations at Davidson College that consider each of these issues individually, and the Office of Sustainability works to support each of their missions by encouraging them to consider the economic, social, and environmental impacts of their work.

The Office of Sustainability catalyzes the development and implementation of policies and programs that support the triple bottom line of social equity, environmental integrity, and economic prosperity. The office strategically bridges efforts of students, faculty, staff, and the greater community to support collaborative and innovative approaches to sustainability. If you are interested in sustainability contact Joe St. James Lopez, Davidson’s Interim Director of Sustainability, at jostjameslopez@davidson.edu.

The Office works to support the needs of faculty and students to provide research opportunities, class projects, and community-based opportunities in sustainability. It partners with facilities, dining services and other divisions to use the triple bottom line framework to help improve sustainable operational and structural practices. The Office develops relationships in the community (including for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations) in order to create opportunities for students.

Sustainability Scholars

One of our community-based programs, Sustainability Scholars, places students with commercial, non-profit, and government organizations to address critical sustainability issues through real-world, immersive summer projects. Working anywhere from skyscrapers in Charlotte to community gardens in food deserts, students integrate problem-solving skills through a wide range of community-based projects.

Sustainability Reps

Our Sustainability Reps program trains incoming first-year students during their fall semester to be sustainability leaders at Davidson College. You learn about campus sustainability and apply your knowledge by leading peer education initiatives in the dormitories. You go on behind-the-scenes tours of the Baker solar panel installation and other campus facilities, participate in workshops, and learn first-hand from Davidson faculty and staff working on sustainability at Davidson. First-Year Sustainability Reps are given a budget to design, develop, and implement a measurable and meaningful sustainability team project.

The Next Play Sustainability & Sports Venture Pitch Tournament

The Next Play is a national business plan competition for student-led for-profit and non-profit ventures applying triple bottom line sustainability through the lens of sports. The mission is to connect entrepreneurship and sustainability through the products we use, the facilities we enjoy and the influence of sports. This event aims to help support student-led ventures with game-changing ideas that positively impact social justice, environmental health, resource conservation and economic prosperity. This intensive two-day competition has included teams from schools around the U.S. competing for portions of over $30,000 worth of prizes and brings together judges from over 30 organizations.

Grants for International Sustainability Projects

In partnership with the Dean Rusk International Studies Program, this new grant opportunity will provide funding for students to visit and engage with a community outside the U.S., identify a sustainability question, and work cross-culturally to find a solution.

Food and Sustainability Initiative

The Sustainability Office received a grant to create a digital environment, which will include a website, mobile app and other digital methods of connecting the Davidson College community with the food they ate and the issues surrounding food on local, national and global levels. The goal of the digital environment is to educate the community about food issues, illustrate the concept of sustainability through food and connect various areas of study around food. In addition to the digital environment the Office of Sustainability partners with Dining Services, the Davidson College Farm and Physical Plant to work on issues throughout the campus food lifecycle. 

Green Grants

The Sustainability Office offers Green Grants ($100-$2,500) for innovative sustainability projects. You may apply for independent grants, or work collaboratively with student organizations, faculty, or staff. Applications are due in the fall.

Sustainability Interns

The Office of Sustainability has student interns working on a breadth of sustainability issues like social and food justice, business, resource use, food, sports, campus engagement, communications and more. 

Identity-Based Student Organizations and Support

New groups are founded each year through the Student Government Association and the College Union to meet student interests and concerns. Students may join existing groups in the following areas: academic specialty clubs and honoraries, club sports, political action groups, religious groups, international clubs, social service groups, hobby clubs, and performing arts organizations. Students may also establish new groups according to their interests.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment on campus for systemically underrepresented student populations at Davidson College. The Center pursues this goal by providing direct support services, educational programming and community building opportunities within and across social groups. While the Center engages all students, faculty and staff in diversity, inclusion and equity efforts on campus, specific support is offered to the following student populations:

• Students of color: students from underrepresented and systemically marginalized based on racial and ethnic identities. 
• Students of diverse genders and sexualities (LGBTQIA+):students who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, queer, asexual, intersex, etc.).
• First-generation students: students who are the first to attend a higher education institution in their family. 
• Undocumented students:
• The Center for Diversity and Inclusion acknowledges the challenges of language when categorizing the social identity. The Center is committed to continually reviewing the terminology to best represent the above groups in the language that best reflects and affirms their individual and collective identities.

SUPPORT SERVICES
Students Together Reaching for Individual Development in Education -  STRIDE is Davidson College’s principle retention program for incoming first-year and transfer students of color. It is a peer leadership, social networking and support program that consists of two distinct opportunities: a pre-Orientaion retreat and a year-long peer cohort program. Pre-Orientation kicks off with a 3-day retreat. The year-long program includes small and large group events centered on academic, community building and personal wellness designed to help students transition to Davidson. Students who do not attend pre-orientation may join the year-long program pending space availability.

Multicultural Facilities and Safe Spaces - Davidson College has four faciltities and spaces designed specifically for Diversity and inclusion programming and safe spaces for historically underrepresented populations and their allies on campus, the Diversity and Inclusion House, Lavendaer Lounge (LGBTQIA+ Resrource Lounge), Speincer-Weinstein Center for Commnity and Justice, and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

LGBTQIA+ Student Resources: The Center for Diversity and Inclusion provides a number of resources and networks for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual and/or ally (LGBTQIA+) students. Through direct support services, community spaces, student groups and course curricula, Davidson is committed to creating a community that welcomes and fosters mutual respect among all campus members.

Undocumented Student Resources: Davidson College continues to expand its resources and expertise in supporting the development and education of undocumented students and students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)status. Undocumented/DACA students are strongly encouraged to participate in STRIDE (Students Together Reaching for Individual Development and Education. Davidson College has financial resources and receives alumni gifts earmarked to assist students with limited finances. Davidson alumni and community partners are also available upon appointment as legal counsel and consultants on a wide range of immigration, travel, and social concerns relevant to undocumented communities in Charlotte and neighboring areas, including Davidson.

Communications

Students interested in writing, editing, photography, or broadcasting enjoy working on the following publication and broadcast media:

The Davidsonian: a weekly newspaper edited, written, and managed by students. It has received an All-American rating by the Associated College Press numerous times since 1951.

Libertas: an arts magazine written, edited, managed, and produced by students. In addition to visual arts and works of fiction, Libertas emphasizes student issues as well as Davidson’s place in the larger community.

Quips and Cranks: the college yearbook, a student project.

The Wildcat Handbook: a guide designed to acquaint first-year students with the traditions, policies, activities, and personnel of the college.

Hobart Park: an experimental magazine begun by students in 1979 to encourage writing and graphics by students and faculty.

WDAV-FM: a 100,000 watt classical music/fine arts station.

WALT-AM: the student, local-band radio station. WALT has a varied musical format and is entirely student operated.

The Office of College Communications occasionally uses student employees as writers, designers, and photographers.

Center for Career Development

No matter your major, upon graduation from Davidson, you will enter a world of possibilities.

You’ll leave here equipped with a deep appreciation for learning, the ability to solve problems creatively, the confidence to meet challenges head-on and the desire to contribute to your community-both local and global.

The Center for Career Development (CCD) is here to help you turn your academic knowledge into a real-world career with a variety of resources to help you secure graduate degrees, internships, fellowships and jobs.

Leveraging the Davidson network, the Center for Career Development empowers students to assess and achieve their post-graduate goals.  This is primarily gained through the foundational pillars that drive our services.

Career Advising
With in-depth assessments and advising, including virtual appointments and full-day walk-in hours with professional staff advisers, and a highly sophisticated suite of online platforms and resources, the CCD is always accessible to support students and alumni as they explore, develop and launch their career journeys with success.

Professional Programming
The CCD provides professional development and skill-building opportunities for current Davidson students as they prepare for a successful transition from college to professional life. Students can view a list of upcoming events in Handshake.

Employer Engagement
Connecting students with top organizations around the globe, the CCD is committed to securing high-impact opportunities for students. We also seek to provide employers and graduate schools with a successful recruiting experience. Explore our list of upcoming employer events in Handshake.

Fellowships & Scholarships
The Fellowships and Scholarships Program[MG1]  connects students and recent alumni to world-renowned fellowships and scholarships across all disciplines, including the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, and more. The program focuses on identifying potential scholars, one-on-one advising, and developing resources to guide applicants through processes from start to finish. Davidson students are encouraged to begin exploring opportunities in their first or second year.

Visit the Center for Career Development website for additional information or to schedule a meeting with a career or fellowships adviser: www.davidson.edu/careers.

Health and Safety

The college provides for the health and safety of students through professional services and institutional policies. A few are described below. Complete information is available from the Office of the Dean of Students.

Student Counseling Center - The Student Counseling Center (SCC) offers a broad range of counseling and psychological services. Students seek counseling to address a variety of life circumstances, from coping with the difficulties associated with studying and living in a busy environment, dating, or moving away from home, to coping with changes in family life brought on by divorce or death of a family member. Some students enter into counseling because they are struggling with an issue such as anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, or substance abuse. Whereas others come to the SCC seeking consultation regarding learning new skills associated with time management or stress management, or to gather information regarding interests, abilities, and personality. The SCC is located in the same building as the Student Health Center. The clinical staff consists of master’s- and doctoral-level licensed psychologists and counselors who have experience working with the college-aged population.  There is no charge beyond tuition for services provided by SCC professional staff. The relationship between student and counselor is professional and is fully confidential within the confines of safety of self and others. The Student Counseling Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. A counselor is “on call” after hours and weekends for psychological emergencies.

In addition to the counseling services offered, the SCC has established referral relationships with excellent nearby private psychiatrists. It is important to note that students are financially responsible for private services. Entering students who have previously received counseling or psychiatric services and wish to continue at Davidson are encouraged to contact the director in the summer before arriving on campus. The SCC provides education/prevention by presenting talks and workshops on a variety of topics to student groups and staff/faculty during the academic year.
 

Student Health Center - The Davidson College Student Health Center provides routine health care with the services of a full-time nursing staff and part-time staff of physicians contracted with nearby medical groups. The staff includes a full-time health educator who is available for individual consultation and extensive health-related programming. Nutritionists are also available for individual consultation at the Student Health Center.

The Student Health facility is open weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with a registered nurse on duty. Nurses provide evaluations and advice. Allergy shots are given per the instructions of the student’s allergist weekdays when there is a physician on site. The services of physicians are provided on an appointment basis during designated weekday hours. Same-day appointments are available for urgent problems.

During after-hours and weekends, the nursing staff provides an “on-call nurse,” who is available by pager (704-337-7047), to consult with students by phone about health concerns. The nurse can determine if the student needs to be seen immediately at the Student Health facility, referred to a local emergency room, or seen at the next “sick call.”

Outpatient nurse and physician visits are available to students at no charge. Charges for in-house lab testing, medical supplies and medications are billed to the student’s account. The Student Health Center has a daily LabCorp pick-up. LabCopr direct-bills private insurance for these charges. 

When students require medical care beyond the scope of the Student Health Service, the staff can assist in making referrals to specialists or arrangements for appropriate care at an area urgent care or hospital. In emergencies, this may include obtaining local ambulance services. 

Dental and eye care are available to students at their own expense through local private practices.

Academic Access & Disability Resources - Davidson College is committed to ensuring that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability is excluded from admission to, participation in, subjected to discrimination in connection with, or denied the benefits of any College programs or activities due to his or her disability. A student with a disability has the right to request academic and non-academic accommodations ensuring equal access to courses, course content, programs, services, and facilities. Students are not required to disclose their disability status; however, if they are seeking accommodations relative to their disability, they are responsible for making a written request to the Office of Academic Access and Disability Resources and providing the appropriate current documentation. The College seeks to accommodate those requests that are determined to be reasonable and that do not compromise the integrity of a program or curriculum so that the student may, as independently as possible, meet the demands of College. A student has the responsibility to meet qualifications and maintain essential Davidson College standards for courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, conduct, and facilities. Having a disability does not automatically qualify a student to receive accommodations. The College must review current diagnostic information submitted by the student to verify that the student has a disability that requires accommodations under the law and then through an interactive process with the student determine the specific accommodations the student is authorized to use.

For more information regarding disability and accommodations, or if you are a student with a disability and would like to request accommodations, please contact the Office of Academic Access and Disability Resources by visiting our office in the Center for Teaching and Learning, emailing AADR@davidson.edu, or calling (704) 894-2071.
 

Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Campus Police

The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Campus Police is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We provide 24-hour uniformed police response to calls for service, provide standard and directed patrol activities, perform vehicular crash investigations, and investigate criminal offenses. Additionally, all full-time police officers are trained as Crisis Intervention officers, trained in First Aid/CPR and are trained in the use of AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators). All crimes that occur on campus should be reported to the Department of Public Safety & Campus Police.  In the event of an emergency, dialing 911 will connect directly to the Cornelius Police Department Communications Center. Public Safety staff may also be reached during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30 pm by dialing (704) 894-2178.  The police officer on duty may also be reached directly 24 hours a day by calling the on-duty officer cell phone at (704) 609-0344. More information about the Department of Public Safety, including crime statistics and law enforcement authority, can be found online at http://www.davidson.edu/offices/public-safety.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act - The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Campus Police is committed to assisting all members of the college community in providing for their own safety and security. The annual security compliance document is available on the Davidson College Web site at http://www.davidson.edu/offices/public-safety/campus-crime-stats.  [ST1] 

The web site and the report contain information regarding campus security and personal safety, including topics such as crime prevention, campus police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, and other matters of importance related to security on campus. They also contain information about crime statistics for the three previous calendar years  for reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Davidson College, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act is an amendment to the Higher Education Opportunity Act. This amendment serves to increase campus fire safety awareness across the nation, providing students and their families with the fire safety records of colleges/universities. Recently signed into law, This amendment requires post-secondary institutions to publicly display fire safety information and statistics, much as they already do with other safety statistics, such as campus theft and assault. This act provides information to prospective and current students about the policies, concerns, and fire safety conditions that are present at the institution in which they have applied or are enrolled.

The following web link discloses, on behalf of Davidson College, the fire safety standards and measures, to include the number of reported fires in residential campus settings, the fire protection and suppression systems in place in our residence halls, prohibited equipment and devices, and information regarding fire and fire drill evacuation and safe assembly areas. http://www.davidson.edu/offices/public-safety/safety-resources/fire-safety

If you would like to receive a hard copy of the fire report and/or the security report you can stop by the department, located on the ground floor of Tomlinson Hall, 133 Glasgow Street, Davidson, NC 28035, or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling (704) 894-2178.

This information is required by law and is provided by the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Campus Police.

Emergency Notification - Davidson College has a process in place to determine whether there is a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees on campus.  Depending on the type of emergency, college officials will gather relevant information from a variety of sources to ascertain the level of response.  Once an emergency or dangerous situation is confirmed, Davidson College officials will, without delay and taking into account the safety of the community, initiate a campus-wide notification, unless issuing a notification will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.  This notification is completed through campus telephone, campus email, and our campus website. 

Additionally, those persons who have signed up for Davidson College’s S.S.A.F.E.R. Emergency Notification System will receive text and telephone contact to a personal cell phone, if they have registered.  To register your personal cell or home telephone numbers in the S.S.A.F.E.R. Emergency Notification system, visit  the Banner Self-Service page https://bse1.davidson.edu:8890/PROD/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=pmenu.P_MainMnu.. 

Lastly, the S.S.A.F.E.R. Emergency Notification System utilizes an outdoor warning system. The system uses a siren and/or voice commands.  The siren is activated to provide faculty, staff, students, and nearby residents with advance notice of tornado activity approaching campus or of a dangerous condition occurring that could impact students, employees, or visitors outdoors. The siren will be activated upon notification to Public Safety that a tornado warning has been issued in the immediate or near areas. The siren will sound for approximately thirty seconds followed by voice instructions. The siren is tested at least once each semester and notice of the test is provided to students, employees, and local government.  In the event of an emergency other than a tornado warning, the public address system may be used to communicate life-saving commands.  If you should hear the siren any time other than those times publicized by Public Safety, you should follow the voice commands given over the siren system.  If no instructions are given, proceed to the nearest building and take cover in the basement or ground floor, in a room as close to the interior of the building as possible and away from any exterior windows or doors.

Parking Services - The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Campus Police oversees parking at Davidson College and strives to provide adequate, safe and accessible parking for faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the college.  We request that all vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, display a current parking permit. Vehicles must  be registered  online at http://www.davidson.edu/offices/public-safety/vehicle-and-bicycle-registration. Permits will be mailed to campus addresses and must be properly displayed in all vehicles.  All vehicles on campus must be properly licensed, inspected, and insured. Vehicles may be removed from campus if not registered with our department. Parking Rules and Regulations will accompany all permits. Bicycles must be registered and it is free.

The Davidson College Campus Police Department enforces state laws (North Carolina General Statute § 14-269.2) concerning the possession of illegal weapons on campus. Weapons, including but not limited to firearms, explosives, fireworks, and martial arts weaponry, are not permitted on any property owned or leased by Davidson College. Violators are subject to disciplinary action and criminal charges. The college also reserves the right to remove from the possession of anyone on campus (or their residence) any item that may be deemed a threat to the safety and well-being of others on campus.

Involuntary Withdrawal

The college reserves the right to suspend, enforce the withdrawal of, or indefinitely suspend a student whose academic standing is unsatisfactory or a student who violates the Honor Code, the Code of Responsibility, or other college regulations. For copies of the codes, write to the Office of the Dean of Students.