Student Orientation Schedule

Events marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

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 - 8 p.m.
Vail Commons

11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Davis Café, Alvarez College Union

8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Transfer Student Social

Alvarez College Union
Spend time with your fellow Transfer students after moving into your residence hall! Meet in the College Union before walking to Main Street for ice cream.

Hall Meetings
8 - 10 p.m.

Residence Halls
Check with your hall counselor for the specific start time of your hall meeting. Hall meetings are mandatory for all new students.

Return to Top

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Breakfast Options Available

7:30 - 10 a.m.
Vail Commons 

9 - 11 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 - 11 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 - 11 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, 9:30, and 10. Signups not required.

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Davidson College Store Open

137 N Main Street

*11 - 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.

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

*1:30 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.
 

*2:45 - 5 p.m.
Davidson Resources

New students will learn about campus resources from the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and The Center for Student Health and Well-Being.

OTM Groups 1-25
Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

OTM Groups 26-50
Lilly Gallery, Chambers Building

*5 - 5:45 p.m.
Class of 2027 Group Picture

Richardson Stadium
Join your classmates for a class picture on the Smith Football Field

Transfer Student Social
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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 p.m.

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

7 p.m.
Men’s Soccer v High Point University

Alumni Soccer Stadium

9 - 11 p.m.
Ice Cream Social

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

Return to Top

Friday, August 25, 2023

Breakfast Options Available
7:30 - 10 a.m.

Vail Commons

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Davidson College Store Open

137 N Main Street

*9 - 9:45 a.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 your group and individual meetings with your holistic adviser.

*10 - 11 a.m.
Group meeting with your holistic adviser

Refer to your name tag for location information

*11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Individual meeting with your holistic adviser 

During your group meeting at 10 a.m., you and your adviser will schedule an individual meeting time for later in the day. 

11:30 a.m.
Farewell Picnic 

Chambers Lawn
Rain Location: Baker Sports Complex

Be our guest for lunch under the trees before your family goes home.

Afternoon Activities

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

1 - 4 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 - 4 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 - 2 p.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

1:30 - 3:30 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!

*4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
OTM Chat 

OTMs will help to break down the information received earlier in the day and provide their own personal experiences with Academics at Davidson, such as choosing a major and the class selection process. Your OTM will let you know which location to go to at this time.

Dinner Options Available

5 - 7:15 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

6 - 7:30 p.m.
Transfer Student Social

Chambers Lawn
Meet on Chambers Lawn for pizza and games with your fellow Transfer students!
 

8:30 - 10:30 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 sweet treats, screen printing, music, and a movie!

Return to Top

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Breakfast Options Available

8 - 11a.m.
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, located inside the Chaplain’s Office. 

*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 -11a.m. 
Davidson Serves: An Introduction to Civic Engagement
OTM Groups 26-50

Please meet in your OTM group location
Engage in small group projects that will support our community, learn about some of the community projects in which students and faculty are involved, and get details on how you can be involved during your time at Davidson.

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 p.m. - 2 p.m. 
Davidson Serves: An Introduction to Civic Engagement
OTM Groups 1-25

Please meet in your OTM group location
Engage in small group projects that will support our community, learn about some of the community projects in which students and faculty are involved, and get details on how you can be involved during your time at Davidson.

*1 - 2 p.m. 
Introduction to Green Dot
OTM Groups 26-50

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.

*2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
A Community of Respect

Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union
Davidson students and administrators reflect on the importance of respecting ourselves, each other, the law, and campus rules. 

*3:30 - 4:45 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.

Dinner Options Available

5 - 7:15 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
All new students will travel to Charlotte together for the Charlotte FC soccer match against the Los Angeles Football Club. Dinner and refreshments will be provided.

Return to Top

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Breakfast Options Available

8 - 11a.m.
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, located inside the Chaplain’s Office.

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

12 - 4 p.m.
Davidson College Store Open
137 N Main Street

12 - 1 p.m.
Honor Council Kona Ice Truck Meet and Greet

Alvarez College Union
Calling all first years! Come meet and chat with Honor Council members and grab a free Kona Ice Cone! You can choose your own flavors :) We are so excited to meet you and we hope you're excited to begin your first year at Davidson! The truck will be located on the road by Duke and Union.

*1:30 p.m.
2023 Common Read: A Conversation with David Dennis Jr.
Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union
David Dennis Jr. (Davidson Class of 2008) will be joining us for a discussion about his book, The Movement Made Us, which is this year's Common Read selection. Questions can be presubmitted online through the Library's digital reading guide. An optional book signing will take place following the discussion.

*4 - 5 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 - 7:15 p.m.
Vail Commons

11 p.m. - 12 a.m.
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 p.m.
New students learn about the Honor Code and participate in the commitment ceremony.

Return to Top