Orientation Schedule

Time

Event

Opening Session *

Baker Sports Complex

New students and their families will kick-off orientation with a special welcome from President Doug Hicks and other campus leaders.

Wildcat Living

Baker Sports Complex

Incoming students will be introduced to the Residence Life Office team and their designated Hall Counselor or Resident Advisor. In this meeting, incoming students will learn about the Residence Life policies and resources while living at Davidson.

RLO After Dark

Old Tennis Court Lawn

Time

Event

Orientation Fair

Baker Sports Complex

Visit with representatives of different college departments and programs who will be available to answer questions and describe their services.

Student Employment Paperwork

Lobby of Baker Sports Complex

The Human Resources Office will be helping students who have federal work study process their I-9 forms in the lobby of Baker Sports Complex. Please bring necessary documents.

Campus Tours

Baker Sports Complex

Optional Campus Tours will be leaving from the entrance of Baker at 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00. Signups not required.

OTM Chat *

New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag.

Orientation Picnic

Chambers Lawn
Rain Location: Baker Sports Complex

Be our guest for lunch under the trees with your family and new classmates.

Academic Life at Davidson *

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

Learn about academic expectations and support resources at Davidson. This session will prepare you for Add/Drop as well as your individual meetings with your holistic advisers.

Davidson Resources *

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

New students will learn about campus resources from The Center for Civic Engagement, Lula Bell's Resource Center, The Chaplain's Office, The Matthews Center for Career Development, The Center for Student Health and Wellbeing, and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

A Sweet Send-Off

The President’s House, Backyard
Rain Location: Alvarez College Union

Enjoy a sweet treat in the President's House Backyard with your fellow students and their families, as we end the parent and family portion of Orientation.

Ice Cream Social

Alvarez College Union

Get to know your classmates over ice cream, crafts, games, and karaoke!

Time

Event

Individual meeting with your holistic adviser *

Students will receive meeting details from their holistic adviser through their Davidson email account.

Transfer Student Advising Session

C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Alvarez College Union

Transfer Students will meet with staff members from the Registrar's Office to discuss key academic milestones that will be different from their previous institutions. This session will address topics that may be different or new to allow for a smoother transition to Davidson. Lunch will be provided!

Afternoon Activities

Choose from a variety of activities offered by campus offices and programs:

Navigating Dietary Needs

Vail Commons

Join us at Vail Commons to help navigate food allergies and special dietary needs at Davidson.

1 – 3:15 p.m.

Student Employment Paperwork

Alvarez College Union Atrium

The Human Resources Office will be helping students who have federal work study process their I-9 forms on the 2nd floor of the Alvarez College Union. Please bring necessary documents.

1:30 – 3:15 p.m.

Computer and Device Setup Assistance

Alvarez College Union, 3rd Floor or Technology and Innovation on Main St (213 N. Main St)

Get help with wireless access, printer setup, Duo permissions, and other technology questions.

Mindful Sound Bathing Experience

Sprinkle Room, Alvarez College Union

Come experience sound like never before! Mindful sound bathing is a relaxing experience of sound that brings together body, heart, and mind. Relaxation practice, mindfulness, and singing bowls will ground and energize you.

Exploring Our History *

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

Learning from our past is essential to striving for excellence and building a more inclusive future. Students will watch a documentary-style video exploring the college's history with race and promoting reconciliation efforts. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion where questions from the audience will be welcomed.

4:45 – 5:45 p.m.

OTM Chat *

New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag.

Transfer Student Social

Spare Time Entertainment

Transfer Students are invited to a night of bowling, arcade games, and dinner after the first full day of Orientation! Transportation will be provided and the group will meet in the Alvarez College Union parking lot at 6:15pm.

Shhh…This is the Library: Silent Disco

The Library, Chambers Building

Get ready to groove and explore your interim library space at our silent disco! Meet new people through fun challenges and commemorate the night at our DIY button station. Plus, leave your mark by contributing to our collaborative Class of 2030 vision board!

Mark Toland: Mentalist

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

Come experience a mind-boggling and awe-provoking show from an award winning mentalist and mind reader, starting at 9:00pm. After the show, stick around the College Union for games, crafts, and a sweet treat!

Time

Event

8 – 8:45 a.m.

Guided Mindfulness Meditation

The Oasis, Fourth Floor of Alvarez College Union

Begin your day with mindfulness! Join Ivan Mayerhofer, Associate Buddhist and Interfaith Chaplain, for some mindfulness practices that support peace of body and mind. Meet in the Oasis, which is inside the Chaplains’ Office on the 4th floor of the College Union, directly to the left after going up the stairs or elevator.

Introduction to Green Dot *

OTM Groups 1-25

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

The Green Dot Program mobilizes people across settings and contexts to create safe, healthy, and respectful spaces. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to do their part, cultures can shift and all forms of harassment and interpersonal violence can be reduced.

Civic Engagement Project *

OTM Groups 26-50

New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag.

Class of 2030 Group Picture *

Chambers Lawn

Join your classmates for a class picture in front of Chambers Building.

Introduction to Green Dot *

OTM Groups 26-50

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

The Green Dot Program mobilizes people across settings and contexts to create safe, healthy, and respectful spaces. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to do their part, cultures can shift and all forms of harassment and interpersonal violence can be reduced.

Civic Engagement Project *

OTM Groups 1-25

New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag.

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

A Community of Respect *

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

Student Health Advisers dive into Davidson’s Community Values and the ways that we respect ourselves, each other, and campus policies.

4 p.m.

Charlotte FC Match *

Meet at Baker Parking Lot

Join your classmates on a trip to Charlotte for a Charlotte FC match! We will have dinner at the stadium and then watch Charlotte FC take on DC United. Please meet in Baker Parking lot at 4 p.m. 

Time

Event

Guided Mindfulness Meditation

The Oasis, Fourth Floor of Alvarez College Union

Begin your day with mindfulness! Join Ivan Mayerhofer, Associate Buddhist and Interfaith Chaplain, for some mindfulness practices that support peace of body and mind. Meet in the Oasis, which is inside the Chaplains’ Office on the 4th floor of the College Union, directly to the left after going up the stairs or elevator.

2026 Common Read Program *

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

This year’s common read is “Everything is Tuberculosis” by John Green. Hear from a panel of Davidson alumni who work in different parts of the public and global health fields about how their Davidson experience led to and influences their work.

OTM Chat *

New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag.

Honor Code Hall Talks *

Meet on your residence hall floor

New students will gather in their residence halls to connect with their hall communities, meet members of the honor council, and begin conversations about what it means to live and learn together at Davidson.

Commitment to Honor Ceremony *

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

New students will learn about Davidson’s Honor Code and reflect on the role of honor, integrity, and trust in our academic and campus community. During the ceremony, students will formally join generations of Davidson students by making their commitment to uphold the Honor Code.