Sample Student Orientation Schedule

This sample schedule of the 2022 orientation schedule will give you an idea of what to expect.

Events marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Breakfast Options Available
Students may begin using their CatCard for meals

7:30 a.m–10 a.m.
Vail Commons 

9 a.m.–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 Baker Sports Complex. Please bring necessary documents. 

9 a.m.–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.

10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Davidson College Store Open
137 N Main Street

*10:30 a.m.–11:30 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 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.

*2:30 p.m.–5:15 p.m.
Davidson Resources

New students will learn about campus resources from the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, The Center for Student Health and Well-Being, the Chaplains' Office, and the Matthews Center for Career Development.

OTM Groups 1-18
900 Room, Alvarez College Union

OTM Groups 19-36
Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union

OTM Groups 37-54
Lilly Gallery, Chambers Building

Dinner Options Available

5 p.m.–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.
Women’s Soccer v Gardner-Webb

Alumni Soccer Stadium

9 p.m.–11 p.m.
Ice Cream Social

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

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Friday, August 26, 2022

Breakfast Options Available
7:30 a.m–10 a.m.
Vail Commons 

10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Davidson College Store Open
137 N Main Street

*9 a.m.–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 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 p.m.–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 p.m.–4 p.m.
Drop-In Technology Support

Watson Life Science Building Room 140 and Technology and Innovation on Main (213 N. Main St)
Get help with Davidson tech, including connecting your devices to the network, printing, and questions about technology on campus. Find support all semester long at ti.davidson.edu.

1:30 p.m.–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 p.m.–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!

*4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Student Academic Panel

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.

*5:45 p.m.
Class of 2026 Group Picture

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

Dinner Options Available

5 p.m.–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

8 p.m–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, music, screenprinting, and more!

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Saturday, August 27, 2022

Breakfast Options Available
8 a.m–11 a.m.
Vail Commons 

10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Davidson College Store Open
137 N Main Street

9 a.m.–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 a.m.–11 a.m. 
Introduction to Green Dot
OTM Groups 1-27
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 a.m.–11 a.m. 
Davidson Serves: An Introduction to Civic Engagement
OTM Groups 28-54
Please meet in your OTM group location
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.

Lunch Options Available

11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Vail Commons

11 a.m.–12 a.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 1-27
Please meet in your OTM group location
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.

*1 p.m.–2 p.m. 
Introduction to Green Dot
OTM Groups 28-54
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.

*2:30 p.m.–3:30 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. 

*3:45 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 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
Vail Commons

11 a.m.–12 a.m.
Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union

11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut

9:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
Mark Toland: Mind Reader
Duke Family Performance Hall
Come experience a mind-boggling and awe-provoking show from an award winning mentalist and mind reader. Starting at 9 p.m., the College Union will have games, crafts, and a sweet treat!

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Sunday, August 28, 2022

Breakfast Options Available
8 a.m–11 a.m.
Vail Commons 

9:30 a.m.–10:15 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. 

*10:30 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.–12 a.m.
Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union

11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut

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

*1:30 p.m.
2022 Common Read: A Conversation with Clint Smith
Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union
Clint Smith (Davidson Class of 2010) will be joining us for a discussion about his book, How the Word is Passed, which is this year's Common Read selection. Questions can be presubmitted online and through the New Student Orientation moodle page. An optional book signing will take place following the discussion.

*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 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
Vail Commons

11 a.m.–12 a.m.
Davis Cafe, Alvarez College Union

11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Qdoba, Stowe Tennis Hut

*7 p.m.–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. 

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