Vice-President for Student Life and Dean of Students


The collections in the Davidson College Archives that relate to the office of Vice-President for Student Life and Dean of Students may be divided into the following subject areas: (1) International Students, (2) YMCA-Reach Out, (3) Philanthropic and Eumenean Societies, (4) Phi Beta Kappa, (5) Omicron Delta Kappa, (6) Fraternities and Eating Houses, and (7) Other Student Organizations on Campus.

(1) International Students

The Office of International Students (RG 6/5) is a division of the Dean of Students Office. In 1958, Davidson organized its first program for international students called the Richardson Scholarships. These scholarships provided funding for international students to study at Davidson for one year. In 1977, the college established the Dean Rusk Scholars Program for British students to attend Davidson for one year. The Davidson College Archives has lists of international students for 1962-1972 and 1992-1995. The Archives also has publications of the office from 1992-1996 and copies of the newsletter, "International Local." There also is a file of circular letters written by international alumni that provides information as to the activities of students once they returned to their home countries.

(2) YMCA-Reach Out

The YMCA was first listed as a student organization in the 1878-1879 catalog. Initially, all students were automatically members of the YMCA. In 1955, membership became voluntary. The major activities of the YMCA included assisting with Boy Scout Troops, working with local boy's clubs and sports teams, and community work. With the advent of co-education, the YMCA was renamed the YM/YWCA in 1975. It was renamed again in 1980 to become the Y Student Service Corps and in 1993 to become Reach Out. Reach Out helps coordinate student volunteer programs including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Davidson Day Care, CROP lunch for world hunger relief, and Hospital Visitation. The Archives has a variety of information on YMCA-Reach Out (RG 6/13). The collection includes minutes, annual reports, president's reports, correspondence, committee reports, financial material, printed material, photographs, and scrapbooks.

(3) Philanthropic and Eumenean Societies

The Philanthropic (RG 6/14.2) and Eumenean (RG 6/14.1) Societies were literary societies established by Davidson students during the early days of the college. The societies provided the opportunity for self-government and leadership within an organized structure, using mutually agreed upon rules and regulations. The societies also created libraries for use by the members. Oratorical skills were stressed and regular debates were held both between and within the societies. In addition, the societies often invited speakers to the campus, arranged commencement activities, and helped to provide activity to an otherwise isolated campus. The Archives has the minutes, constitutions, correspondence, Treasurer's Books, Membership records, papers, addresses, and scrapbooks from these two literary societies.

(4) Phi Beta Kappa

The Vice-President for Student Life and Dean of Students also oversees the activities of Phi Beta Kappa (RG 6/14.5). Davidson's chapter was installed at the college in 1923. The Archives has a collection of materials on this fraternity known for honoring scholastic achievement. The collection consists of copies of by-laws, membership lists, correspondence concerning chapter meetings, and publicity materials. The collection also contains all programs printed and used between 1962 and 1994.

(5) Omicron Delta Kappa

Omicron Delta Kappa (RG 6/14.6) is an honorary fraternity that recognizes student leadership and scholarship. Founded in 1920, the fraternity continues to uphold its strong tradition. The Archives has a collection of materials on this fraternity that contains a copy of the original charter and bylaws, minutes, membership information, and treasurer's records. The collection also contains the Silver Anniversary Brochure which outlines the history of the fraternity, and the Spirit of the Wildcat Brochure as edited by members of the fraternity.

(6) Fraternities and Eating Houses

The Davidson College Archives is fortunate to have a substantial amount of information on Davidson's social fraternities and eating houses. Information is available on almost every fraternity or eating house that existed at the college. The vast majority of these collections include minutes from fraternity meetings, copies of newsletters, membership information, and correspondence. Please review the list below for a listing of the individual fraternities and eating houses on which the Archives has information.

(7) Other Student Organizations on Campus

Since the beginning of the college, students have established organizations in addition to the social fraternities and eating houses. For example, the Davidson Dance Troupe (RG 6/14.44) was founded in 1983 for women and men interested in continuing or developing their dance skills. The Volunteer Band (RG 6/14.45) was organized for students interested in foreign mission work. Similarly, the International Students Association (RG 6/14.47) was established in 1993 to provide activities and support for those students interested in international issues.

Listing of Record Groups from the Vice-President for Student Life and Dean of Students Office

Academic Review Board, Publications, 1995 (RG 6/14.40)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Records, 1992 (RG 6/14.26)
Alpha Tau Omega, Records, 1950-1983 (RG 6/14.11)
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Records, 1858-1994 (RG 6/14.12)
Black Student Coalition, Records, 1972-1986 (RG 6/14.30)
Campus Club, Records, 1948-1952 (RG 6/4.29)
Chi Phi Fraternity, Records, 1908-1954 (RG 6/14.28)
Connor Women's Eating House, Records, 1991-1992 (RG 6/14.37)
Davidson Dance Troupe, Records, 1986-1996 (RG 6/14.44)
Emanon Co-Ed Eating House, Records, 1985-1987 (RG 6/14.21)
Eumenean Society, Records, 1838-1989 (RG 6/14.1)
Fannie and Mable Co-Ed Eating House, Records, 1982-1985 (RG 6/14.32)
Gamma Sigma Epsilon, Records, 1925-1940 (RG 6/14.43)
International Students and Bonner Scholars, Records, 1962-present (RG 6/5)
International Students Association, Records, 1995-1996 (RG 6/14.47)
Into The Streets, Records, 1996 (RG 6/14.48)
Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Records, 1880-1988 (RG 6/14.16)
Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Records, 1890-1993 (RG 6/14.15)
Metrophilian Society, Records, 1921 (RG 6/14.10)
Omega Phi Alpha Philosophy Fraternity, Minutes, 1925-1931 (RG 6/14.25)
Omicron Delta Epsilon - Beta Chapter, Records, 1963-1996 (RG 6/14.39)
Omicron Delta Kappa, Records, 1921-1975 (RG 6/14.6)
Orchestra and Glee Club, Ledger, 1917-1919 (RG 6/14.42)
Pandeinic Society, Records, 1921-1927 (RG 6/14.9)
Pax Co-Ed Eating House, Records, 1981-1990 (RG 6/14.33)
Phi Beta Delta, Records, 1996-present (RG 6/14.38)
Phi Beta Kappa, Records, 1955-1996 (RG 6/14.5)
Phi Delta Theta, Records, 1931-1989 (RG 6/14.13)
Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, Records, 1913-1993 (RG 6/14.14)
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Records, 1940-1962 (RG 6/14.46)
Philanthropic Society, Records, 1837-1994 (RG 6/14.2)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Records, 1935-1989 (RG 6/14.21)
Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Records, 1912-1967 (RG 6/14.17)
Rusk Women's Eating House, Records, 1977-1987 (RG 6/14.34)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Records, 1883-1994 (RG 6/14.19)
Sigma Chi Fraternity, Records, 1948-1972 (RG 6/14.22)
Sigma Nu Fraternity, Records, 1957-1971 (RG 6/14.18)
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Records, 1930-1994 (RG 6/14.23)
Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Fraternity, Minutes, 1923-1950 (RG 6/14.24)
Sigma Upsilon Literary Honor Society, Records, 1915-1970 (RG 6/14.20)
Spencer Women's Eating House, Records, 1986-1992 (RG 6/14.36)
Theta Upsilon Omega Fraternity, Records, 1923-1924 (RG 6/14.27)
United Literary Film Society, Records, 1950-1952 (RG 6/14.41)Volunteer Band, Records, 1911-1929 (RG 6/14.45)
Warner Hall Women's Eating House, Records, 1982-1989 (RG 6/14.35)
YMCA-Reach Out, Records, 1924-1991 (RG 6/13)

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