1. Advocate for an Accurate Account of the Cost of Attendance
An accurate cost-of-attendance is all-important to a fair and accurate financial aid package. Among the expenses that Davidson calculates to arrive at its cost of attendance are allowances for the cost of books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. However, the figures Davidson uses in its cost estimations haven’t changed since the 2012-13 school year, and, in total, they are more than $1100 below the current national guidelines (per the College Board). We will work with the Financial Aid Office to ensure that the cost of attendance Davidson students and their families see on Bannerweb reflects what a Davidson education truly costs and to ensure that every student’s demonstrated need will be met accordingly. That way, we will ensure that students’ financial aid expectations match the reality they find once they arrive here.
2. Hire a Substance Abuse Counselor
Health coordinators, counselors, and students all agree: Davidson needs a substance abuse counselor. The You@Davidson Project just shared some startling results—approximately 25% of Davidson students may have a substance abuse issue. Substance abuse is a serious issue, and Davidson needs to offer the basic resources for students to seek help for these problems.
3. Re-Examine the Sexual Misconduct Policy
Each member of the Davidson community deserves to feel safe on our campus. Two years ago a task force of students, faculty, and staff came together to reevaluate Davidson’s Sexual Misconduct Policy to improve the procedures and hold difficult but necessary conversations around our campus climate. The result of this work refined the definition of consent, proposed suggestions for the enforcement of sanctions, and advocated for student input to be regularly in conversation with the policy as a working document. While this was an important achievement for the student body, sexual assault is still a serious issue that affects every person on our campus in one way or another. We believe that now, more than ever, our current policy and procedures deserve more support from the student body and the SGA to ensure that every individual feels safe here. We will push for increased bystander education training and look to encourage our constituency to hold each other accountable for our actions in making this campus a safer place.
4. 'Cats for 'Cats Admissions Initiative
The value of our college experience and of our degree is strengthened when more people know about what is possible at Davidson College. Through the ‘Cats for ‘Cats Admissions Initiative, Davidson students will be rewarded for returning to their high schools to present about the Davidson experience: from a student’s perspective. We will work with the Admissions and Financial Aid office to target students hailing from underrepresented regions (both domestically and abroad), students of lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and students who are the first from their high schools to attend Davidson. This initiative will not only continue Davidson’s commitment to diversity of all facets but will also broaden the Davidson name, from an admissions and a career development standpoint.
5. Making Feminine Products Available for Free in Residence Halls
Women make up slightly more than half of our student body, which means that slightly more than half of our student body find feminine products to be a necessity. We hope to alleviate some of the burden for women by providing free tampons and pads in the dormitory first aid kits alongside the condoms already provided.
6. More Parking for Students
With a steadily increasing student body, more and more students are bringing their cars to campus. However, parking on Davidson's campus is no small task, and it becomes considerably worse when events like basketball games are taking place. The new Baker lot has remedied the issue to some extent, but many students still struggle to find adequate campus parking. We will work with the administration to reallocate parking spaces across campus through an analysis of student habits and preferences in order to make having a car here less of a hassle.
An accurate cost-of-attendance is all-important to a fair and accurate financial aid package. Among the expenses that Davidson calculates to arrive at its cost of attendance are allowances for the cost of books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. However, the figures Davidson uses in its cost estimations haven’t changed since the 2012-13 school year, and, in total, they are more than $1100 below the current national guidelines (per the College Board). We will work with the Financial Aid Office to ensure that the cost of attendance Davidson students and their families see on Bannerweb reflects what a Davidson education truly costs and to ensure that every student’s demonstrated need will be met accordingly. That way, we will ensure that students’ financial aid expectations match the reality they find once they arrive here.
2. Hire a Substance Abuse Counselor
Health coordinators, counselors, and students all agree: Davidson needs a substance abuse counselor. The You@Davidson Project just shared some startling results—approximately 25% of Davidson students may have a substance abuse issue. Substance abuse is a serious issue, and Davidson needs to offer the basic resources for students to seek help for these problems.
3. Re-Examine the Sexual Misconduct Policy
Each member of the Davidson community deserves to feel safe on our campus. Two years ago a task force of students, faculty, and staff came together to reevaluate Davidson’s Sexual Misconduct Policy to improve the procedures and hold difficult but necessary conversations around our campus climate. The result of this work refined the definition of consent, proposed suggestions for the enforcement of sanctions, and advocated for student input to be regularly in conversation with the policy as a working document. While this was an important achievement for the student body, sexual assault is still a serious issue that affects every person on our campus in one way or another. We believe that now, more than ever, our current policy and procedures deserve more support from the student body and the SGA to ensure that every individual feels safe here. We will push for increased bystander education training and look to encourage our constituency to hold each other accountable for our actions in making this campus a safer place.
4. 'Cats for 'Cats Admissions Initiative
The value of our college experience and of our degree is strengthened when more people know about what is possible at Davidson College. Through the ‘Cats for ‘Cats Admissions Initiative, Davidson students will be rewarded for returning to their high schools to present about the Davidson experience: from a student’s perspective. We will work with the Admissions and Financial Aid office to target students hailing from underrepresented regions (both domestically and abroad), students of lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and students who are the first from their high schools to attend Davidson. This initiative will not only continue Davidson’s commitment to diversity of all facets but will also broaden the Davidson name, from an admissions and a career development standpoint.
5. Making Feminine Products Available for Free in Residence Halls
Women make up slightly more than half of our student body, which means that slightly more than half of our student body find feminine products to be a necessity. We hope to alleviate some of the burden for women by providing free tampons and pads in the dormitory first aid kits alongside the condoms already provided.
6. More Parking for Students
With a steadily increasing student body, more and more students are bringing their cars to campus. However, parking on Davidson's campus is no small task, and it becomes considerably worse when events like basketball games are taking place. The new Baker lot has remedied the issue to some extent, but many students still struggle to find adequate campus parking. We will work with the administration to reallocate parking spaces across campus through an analysis of student habits and preferences in order to make having a car here less of a hassle.