Orientation Schedule
New Student Orientation will take place August 20-24, 2025.
This is a sample schedule pulled from 2024. Please check back in the coming months for the final summer 2025 schedule.
Please note that attendance is mandatory at starred (*) events.
Wednesday
Time |
Event |
|
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
|
11 a.m. |
Student Meal Plans Begin |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Davis Café, Alvarez College Union Dinner Options Available 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Davis Café, Alvarez College Union |
|
|
*7 – 8 p.m. |
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. |
|
*8 – 9 p.m. |
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. |
Thursday
Time |
Event |
| 7:30 – 10 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
|
9 – 10:30 a.m. |
Student Employment Paperwork Baker Sports Complex The Human Resources Office will be helping students who have federal work study process their I-9 forms in the Union Atrium. Please bring necessary documents. |
|
9 – 10:30 a.m. |
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. |
|
9 – 10:30 a.m. |
Campus Tours Baker Sports Complex Optional Campus Tours led by Orientation Team Mentors will be leaving from the entrance of Baker at 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00. Signups not required. |
|
9 – 9:30 a.m. |
Kitchen Tour Vail Commons For students and family members of students with food allergies and special dietary needs, a tour of the kitchen and information on the Food Allergy Policy will be offered at Vail Commons |
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
|
*10:45 – 11:45 a.m. |
OTM Chat New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag. |
| 12 – 1:30 p.m. |
Orientation Picnic Chambers Lawn Rain Location: Baker Sports Complex Be our guest for lunch under the trees with your family and new classmates. |
| *1:45 – 2:30 p.m. |
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. |
|
*2:45 – 3:45 p.m. |
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. |
|
4 – 5:30 p.m. |
A Sweet Sendoff The President’s House, Backyard Rain Location: Alvarez College Union Enjoy a dessert reception in the President's House Backyard with your fellow students and their families. |
|
5:30 – 8 p.m. |
Transfer Student Social Meet at Alvarez College Union 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 5:30 p.m. |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut |
|
|
9 – 11 p.m. |
Ice Cream Social Alvarez College Union Get to know your classmates over ice cream, crafts, games, and karaoke! |
Friday
Time |
Event |
| 7:30 – 10 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
|
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
| *9 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
Individual meeting with your holistic adviser Refer to your nametag for location and time information |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut |
|
|
Afternoon Activities Choose from a variety of activities offered by campus offices and programs: |
|
|
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 in the Union Atrium. Please bring necessary documents. |
|
1:30 – 3:15 p.m. |
Computer and Device Setup Assistance E.H Little Library, and Technology and Innovation on Main St (213 N, Main St) Drop by the Library or Technology and Innovation for wireless and network configuration assistance. |
| 1:30 – 3:15 p.m. |
Explore A Little (Library) Lobby, E. H. Little Library Check out places to study, browse treasures in archives and special collections, connect with library staff, and discover the unique features of the library! |
|
*3:15 – 4 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. |
|
*4:15 – 5:15 p.m. |
Education and Reconciliation Video Screening Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union Students will watch a documentary-style video that was created to promote learning about the college’s history with race and encourage reconciliation efforts. A Q&A will follow. |
| *5:15 – 6 p.m. |
Class of 2028 Group Picture Chambers Lawn Join your classmates for a class picture in front of Chambers Building. |
|
5:15 – 6:30 p.m. |
Transfer Student Social Miriam Cannon Hayes Outdoor Amphitheatre, Alvarez College Union Meet outside of the Union for pizza and games with your fellow Transfer students! |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 – 8 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut |
|
| 9 – 11 p.m. |
Party A Little (Library) E. H. Little Library You've never seen a library like this before! Come explore a different side of the library while enjoying live music, refreshments, activities, and more! |
Saturday
Time |
Event |
|
8 – 10 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
| 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
|
9 – 9:45 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 |
| *10 – 11 a.m. |
Introduction to Green Dot OTM Groups 1-25 Lilly Gallery, Chambers Building This bystander workshop empowers you to step into the vital role of being a good bystander. Knowing how and when to speak up helps prevent interpersonal violence on campus. By attending this presentation, you will build skills for intervening in situations in ways that fit your comfort level and abilities. Remember, each of your actions can contribute to a culture that does not tolerate sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. |
| *10 – 11 a.m. |
OTM Chat 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. |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut |
|
| *1 – 2 p.m. |
Introduction to Green Dot OTM Groups 26-50 Please meet in your OTM group location Lilly Gallery, Chambers Building This bystander workshop empowers you to step into the vital role of being a good bystander. Knowing how and when to speak up helps prevent interpersonal violence on campus. By attending this presentation, you will build skills for intervening in situations in ways that fit your comfort level and abilities. Remember, each of your actions can contribute to a culture that does not tolerate sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. |
| *1 – 2 p.m. |
OTM Chat III - Introduction to Civic Engagement OTM Groups 1-25 In your OTM group, engage in small group projects that will support our community, learn about some of the community projects which students and faculty are involved, and get details on how you can be involved during your time at Davidson. |
|
*2:15 – 3:30 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. |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 – 8 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut |
|
|
*5:30 – 10:30 p.m. |
Charlotte FC Match Meet at Baker Parking Lot Join your classmates on a trip to Charlotte for a Charlotte FC match! A pizza dinner at the stadium will be provided. Students are required to ride the bus to and from the match. |
Sunday
Time |
Event |
|
8 – 11 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
| 11 – 11:45 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 |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – midnight Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union 11:00a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut |
|
|
*1 – 2:30 p.m. |
2024 Common Read Presentation Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union This year's common read is "The Courage of Compassion" by Robin Steinberg. Hear from Davidson alumni who work in the fields of prison reform and restorative justice and how their Davidson experience led them to this work. |
|
*2:45 – 4 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. |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 – 8 p.m. Vail Commons 11 a.m. – midnight Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut |
|
|
*7 – 9 p.m. |
Honor Code and Code of Responsibility Commitment Ceremony Meet on your hall at 7:00 p.m. New students learn about the Honor Code and participate in the commitment ceremony. |