What to Bring
Some are need-to-haves and some are just nice-to-haves, all to create your home away from home.
Please review these item lists as you plan your move to campus.
A list of prohibited items has also been included. Prohibited items apply to all on-campus housing.
Packing Lists: What to Bring to Campus
As you prepare your Davidson College packing list, start by learning what's included, what's needed and what's recommended.
What's Included
All of the college beds are height-adjustable. Student leaders have a rubber mallet to lend, if needed. Beds can be adjusted to a wide variety of heights, the lowest providing 9 1/2" of clearance underneath and the highest height providing 30 1/2" of clearance underneath. If adjusting bed to one of the higher heights, consider bringing a short step stool or ottoman for next to the bed.
- Rooms with extra-long twin beds (36" x 80"), dressers, desks and desk chairs plus a closet, built-in or stand-alone wardrobe for each resident
- Twin XL mattress can be flipped to choose between a firmer or softer sleep surface
- Central air conditioning and heating (most rooms have individual room controls)
- Cable TV hook up in each room
- Wireless internet throughout the building
- One or more windows
- Blinds on room windows
- Secure, card-access entry
- Bicycle storage racks outside
- Trained RLO student leaders assigned to every community
Need-to-Haves
Be sure to bring the following items with you or purchase them locally
- XL twin bedding (for an extra-long twin mattress, 36" x 80" and 8" deep)
- Bath towels
- Trashcan
- High-Efficiency (HE) laundry detergent (pods or liquid), fabric softener, laundry basket, etc.
Additional Ideas to Bring
- Surge protectors (must have UL labeled on the back via holographic sticker or imprinted within the plastic), with on/off switch. Regular extension cords are prohibited.
- Cleaning supplies
- Mini refrigerator (Refrigerator usage can be up to 2 amps 120 volts maximum, one per room) or rent a Microfridge (microwave/refrigerator combo, one per room)
- First aid essentials
- Personal hygiene products
- Television with stand (may not be hung on wall)
- HDMI cord, ethernet cord
Davidson endorses the Energy Star-rated Microfridge, a combination refrigerator/freezer and microwave oven that reduces the use of electricity. Students may purchase or rent a Microfridge from Standards for Living and have it delivered to their room on campus.
Approved Items
In addition to the items that are recommended to bring, the following items are allowed in both residence halls and Martin Court apartments.
- Hot air popcorn poppers
- Rice cookers
- Slow cookers, Crockpots, Instant Pots
- Air fryer use is approved only in kitchens. Air fryers may not be used in rooms or common areas and must remain unplugged while when not in use.
- Electric kettles (with enclosed coils and automatic shutoff)
- Electric can openers
- Hairdryers (800 watts or less)
- Electric shavers
- Irons (with automatic shutoff)
What's Included
All Martin Court apartments include:
- Individual bedrooms each with full size bed and mattress (53” x 75”) dresser, desk with desk chairs, and moveable wardrobes for each resident
- Kitchen with full-size refrigerator, oven/stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, kitchen table and chairs, benches and/or stools, depending on the building
- Common area with couch and some apartments have ottomans
- Laminate flooring in the main and bedroom areas
- Central air conditioning and heating, controlled by the occupants
- Cable TV hook up in common room, not available in the individual bedrooms
- Wireless internet throughout the building
- One window in each bedroom and one large common room window
- Blinds on bedroom windows and common room window
- Shower curtain
- Patio or balcony area outside each entrance
- Secure, card-access entry
- Bicycle storage racks outside
- Trained RLO student leaders assigned to every community
Need-to-Haves
Be sure to bring the following items with you or purchase them locally:
- Full-sized sheets and blanket/comforter
- Kitchen, bathroom and bedroom wastebaskets
- High-Efficiency (HE) laundry detergent (pods or liquid), fabric softener
- Toilet Paper
- Toilet Bowl Brush and Plunger
Additional Ideas to Bring
Apartment mates may consider bringing or sharing the following items as they are not provided by the college:
- Microwave Oven
- Toaster
- Air fryer use is approved only in kitchens. Air fryers may not be used in rooms or common areas and must remain unplugged while when not in use.
- Cleaning supplies for kitchen and bathroom
- Plunger
- Television with stand (may not be hung on wall)
- HDMI cord, ethernet cord
- Surge protectors (must have UL labeled on the back via holographic sticker or imprinted within the plastic), with on/off switch. Regular extension cords are prohibited.
- Blue painters tape for hanging things on walls
- Small basic tool kit (flathead screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, hammer and/or mallet, pliers)
- First aid essentials
- Personal hygiene products
- Bicycle and bike lock (remember to register bike with Campus Safety!)
Approved Items
In addition to the items that are recommended to bring, the following items are allowed:
- Hot air popcorn poppers
- Rice cookers
- Slow cookers, Crockpots, Instant Pots
- Electric kettles (with enclosed coils and automatic shutoff)
- Electric can openers
- Hairdryers (800 watts or less)
- Electric shavers
- Irons (with automatic shutoff)
The following items are allowed in Martin Court apartments ONLY (no more than one of each per apartment).
- Microwave (700-1100 watts)
- Hot plates
- Griddles
- George Foreman indoor grills, countertop/cooktop indoor steam grills, hibachi grills
- Air Fryer
- Toaster
- Pressure Cooker
- Deep Fryer
- Inflatable hot tubs and kiddie pools. *Are approved for use on grounds only (no indoor, patio or balcony use). Area selected for use must have prior approval from RLO and Physical Plant due to potential run-off and grounds issues and water must be emptied the same day. Must be stored inside apartment when not in use. Email RLO@davidson.edu for permission prior to use.
Prohibited Items for Residence Halls & Martin Court Apartments
Adhesive string lights are prohibited in all residence halls and apartments.
Items prohibited in halls and apartments include, but are not limited to, the example list below:
- Pets (with the exception of one fish tank that is 5 gallons or less)
- More than one refrigerator/Microfridge per room or suite. Refrigerator usage can be up to 2 amps 120 volts maximum.
- Microwaves larger than 700 watts.
- Cooking or heating units with exposed heating elements (such as toasters, hot plates, mini-grills, convection plates, etc.)
- All outdoor grills including, but not limited to, charcoal, gas, propane and pellet. Grills may not be used or stored in residence halls or apartments. Use existing outdoor grills e.g. Martin Court, Chidsey, Hobart Park.
- Cooking out near residence halls, including on patios and balconies
- Incendiary agents: including candles, incense, hookah, fireworks, butane torches, etc.
- Combustibles: including lighter fluid, motor oil, propane, gasoline, charcoal, kerosene, vehicles that hold fuel like scooters and motorcycles, etc.
- Fire and safety hazards: including extension cords, live trees (e.g., Christmas, palm trees), paper-covered room doors, fabric hanging over beds, large stacks of newspaper, halogen lights, electric blankets, hoverboards, fog machines, etc.
- Additional door locks (e.g. Ring or other camera locks, chain or deadbolt)
- Personal security camera
- Drano (place a work order for toilet, sink or shower clogs)
- Electric heaters
- Portable air-conditioning units or window air conditioners
- Extension cords
- Waterbeds
- Sleeper sofas
- Wall-to-wall carpeting
- Electric blankets
- Wallpaper & Decorative Decals (including temporary, permanent, peel & stick removable, repositionable, etc.)
- Wall hanging materials that are not Command Strip or Command Hooks (including nails, cup hooks, etc.) *RLO cautions use of Command strips and Command hooks as removal can cause damage to the walls. If not removed correctly or not removed at end of year and damage occurs, resident will be held responsible. RLO will update with other hanging options as they are developed. NOTE: Adhesive string lights are prohibited in all residence halls and apartments.
- Paint
- Lofts (purchased and/or homemade) and lofting materials
- Bed risers (purchased and/or homemade)
- Candles, incense, and other items that burn
- Halogen lamps
- Dartboards
- Removing college-owned furniture or mattresses from the room or apartment
- Removing security screens
Items prohibited in Martin Court apartments include all of the above in addition to the example list below:
- Upholstered patio furniture
- Any furniture on balcony/patio that blocks egress or fire extinguishers
- Outdoor grills may not be used or stored in or outside of apartments.
- Tables left on porches when not in use. Tables must be moved back into your apartment when not being used.
- Bags of trash and recycling left outside the apartment. Place all trash directly in the dumpsters.
- Do not throw anything off banisters, balconies or out of windows.
Contact RLO@davidson.edu with any questions.
Policies and Procedures
The Residence Life Office at Davidson College is dedicated to providing safe, secure and comfortable residential communities that support and enhance student academic performance and social development for all residents.
Download the Residence Life Policies and Procedures Manual (PDF)