What Organizations Exist At Davidson?

There are almost 150 student organizations on campus at Davidson College. These organizations show interest and cultivate awareness in many areas including culture, politics, arts, entertainment, publications, religion, athletics, community service, and more!

Looking for an organization to join? Search for the organization by name below or by category using the links on the right! If you have a new idea for an organization visit the Student Activities Office on the fourth floor of the Alvarez College Union to make your idea a reality.

Learning About Organizations

During Wildcat Welcome Week, the Student Activities Office and Center for Civic Engagement host an Activities Fair, where registered organizations such as Union Board, Student Government Association, club sports teams, music ensembles, and service organizations set up booths and introduce themselves to prospective members. It is a great way to learn more about a lot of organizations in one setting.  A few weeks following, the Center for Civic Engagement also hosts a Community Involvement Fair where you can learn more about external service sites Davidson student frequently work with. In the fall, Patterson Court Council will hold separate information sessions about joining Patterson Court organizations. While these are all great opportunities to make contacts with lots of organizations at once, you can always contact the organization leaders to see how to get involved throughout the year. The contact for each organization is listed under the organization descriptions in the listings above. 

Benefits of Joining a Student Organization

Research shows that those students who participate in student organizations report a higher level of satisfaction with their college experience than those who were not involved. Some benefits of student organization involvement include:

• Providing students with the opportunity to exercise and develop leadership, advocacy, and organizational skills
• Complementing and strengthening the formal academic experience by enriching the public discourse on important academic, political, artistic, and social issues
• Providing students a means for students to pursue diverse interests that formal academic programs may not provide
• Serving as an important social network with peers of like-interests
• Encouraging and advances your intellectual, cultural, spiritual and social development.
• Gaining knowledge, skills and experience in leadership, communication, problem-solving, group development and management, budgeting and finance, presentation and public speaking and much more!

Things to Consider When Selecting What to be Involved In

Begin with things that are important to you. Having deep and committed involvement in a couple of organizations is more beneficial than being on the email list for dozens of organizations. Before joining an organization, ask yourself some questions, and then ask the organization leaders some questions.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I primarily want to make new friends?
• Do I want to work on something I believe in?
• Do I want to explore something new?
• Are there new skills and abilities I'd like to gain?
• Do I want to be in a group that relates to my major or career?
• Do I want to be of service to the campus or community?
• How much time do I have for an organization?

Ask The Organization:

• How often does the organization meet?
• What are the expectations of members? Can I join other organizations while I am a member?
• Is there a membership fee? If so, are there payment options available?
• What opportunities exist for me to hold a leadership position? Can new members hold membership positions?
• What activities does the organization plan?
• What made you join this organization?
• What do you do to have fun?

Once you've joined a student organization, introduce yourself to people, ask questions, express ideas, and volunteer your time and energy. You'll feel like a real member of the group when you are a contributing member.