Davis center mission statement

The Davis Center is STUDENT FOCUSED, complements the University's ACADEMIC MISSION, celebrates and supports SOCIAL JUSTICE and is a community-centered ENVIRONMENTAL college union.

Discover our values and history

The Davis Center is not just a building — its the center of our campus; originating from a strong sense of shared values and a common ground:

• Every step of the building process was thoughtful of the environment. But we know that building green is merely the first step to being green — making environmentally sound and sustainable practices well into the building's future is part of our mission.
• We're committed to building an ethos that fosters social justice for all. From the artwork to gender-neutral bathrooms, this is everyone's space.
• Space was planned around enriching the academic experience at UVM. We're all about theory to practice.
• The building remains first and foremost a haven for students. It's YOUR student center. Have an idea? Speak up!

Our history is short (10+ years and growing), but the history of welcoming and responsible student centers at UVM is a proud one. Our values and history are what we're all about; we hope you'll share our pride and excitement in carrying these ethos forward, well into the future.

Related links

• U.S. Green Building Council
• UVM's Common Ground
• Association of College Unions (ACUI)
• The Office of Sustainability
• Davis Center Sign Unveiling
• Time Capsule Sealing

The University of Vermont is a learning institution — and the Davis Center was constructed to support that mission.  We're an extension of the classroom — and one more place where students can grow and explore in addition to their academics.

UVM student-run businesses and organizations

When the Davis Center opened, it did so with Growing Vermont — a unique enterprise from the Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE)entrepreneurship program. With a physical retail location in the Davis Center CDAE's goal was to cultivate UVM's aspiring student-entrepreneurs through hands-on, experience-based learning activities for academic credit.  After six-years of retail bliss, Growing Vermont closed it's retail doors in 2013.

Other student-run organizations also call the Davis Center home too. Feel Good operates a donation-based gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich shop and countless other organizations in SGA's 180+ recognized clubs and organizations gain entrepreneurial and management skills running, maintaining, and planning throughout the academic year.

We are what we eat

UVM Dining incorporates Vermont food collaborations into courses featuring local foods and agriculture systems.  In 2017, UVM Dining reopened the local-favorite — The Dairy Bar; Partnering with the CREAM program to serve up ice cream, shakes, and smoothies made from UVM-made milk and flavors that incorporate UVM-produced Maple Syrup from made UVM’s own Proctor Maple Research Center.  

Art awareness

The DC collaborates with a variety of departments, from the College of Education and Social Services to actual Art Department to incorporate student and community art into our building.  Sometimes these even coincide with world renowned speakers, lecturers, and faculty who are doing unique and interesting works far and wide. 

Plus — students run the program. Gaining hands-on experience while getting paid to do it!

Green "Thumbs Up!"

If you've ever walked the halls of the Davis Center, you might have noticed the lush greens and happy plants that fill the building's corners, nooks, and crannies.  Any great horticulturalist will tell you — these plants haven't been taking care of themselves.  We partner with the student-led Horticultural Club and work together to provide and maintain plants and flowers on-site.

The Davis Center was designed to enhance UVM students’ experience — from providing them with spaces to connect with their peers, focus on their studies, or decompress after that stressful test. Students are the center of our center — which is why they've been involved every step of the way, from conception to our day-to-day activities in the building.

11 DC Features, Specifically for Students —

1. Centrally located spaces for Student Government Association (SGA), Graduate Student Senate (GSS) and student clubs and organizations — They're all in one space, right on the third floor and accessible to everyone.  Swing by the SGA offices to chat with your student president, VP, senators, or meet with one of the 200+ clubs who call the 'Galaxy Space' home. Ski and Snowboard Club (UVMSSC), WRUV, and The Cynic even have have their own offices on the first floor.
    
2. Lounge areas for students (with fireplaces!) — Grab a coffee and cozy up by the fire in Hendersons, stay toasty while studying among some amazing art exhibits in the Fireplace Lounge, or just decompress by the fireplace in the Burack Family Fireplace Lounge and Game Room.
    
3. A Tunnel under main street connects the Davis Center to the residential side of campus — because who wants to go outside in the rain (or in mid-February).  Not us! Plus, you can catch a glimpse of two amazing art installations, a mural created by two student alums, and an epic painting by local artist Mary Lacy.
    
4. Games area complete with free foosball, pool, and board games — Swing through and play a game of pool with friends, or check out one of the many games we have on-hand at the info desk.  All you need is your CatCard and an opponent.  Pro-tip, while you're waiting for your turn in a game of pool check out our fresh-water biotope with fish, turtles, and plants straight from our Lake Champlain ecosystem. 
    
5. Students have priority access to meeting and event spaces in the DC — are you a student group? Need a meeting room?  It's yours.  The Davis Center plays host to a tremendous amount of conferences, meetings, and activities throughout the entire year (we're one of the most traffic'd buildings in the state after all), but the students are at our core.  During finals week we also reserve meeting spaces so students have quiet, enclosed spaces to cram for their exams.
    
6. 75+ student employees work in all aspects of the building — our building runs off of student-power.  From building managers, technical assistants, info desk attendants, and more — students help the Davis Center's gears turn from open to close; and it's a paid gig! Being a part of the Davis Center Operation's crew provides you with an experiential learning opportunity like no other — who else can say they work in a 186,000 square foot, state–of–the–art environmental facility?
    
7. Student–employee development doesn’t stop at job responsibility — we emphasize learning outcomes to professional development opportunities such as offering "lead” positions within each work area for students to move up the ladder.  This is true not only for the Davis Center Operations staff, but for nearly every single tenant of our building — from the Career Center to Student Life to LivingWell, and beyond.
    
8. Late–night programming and food options for students in Brennan's Pub + Bistro (home of  The Halal Shack & Jamal's Chicken) — Our campus' premiere programming organization, UVM Program Board (aka UPB), calls the Davis Center home; and most of their programs occur in the building.  Looking for some ways to fill your time late at night? Swing by one of their evening programs, learn something new, meet some new people, and have fun doing it.  Brennan's, now home to Halal Shack and Jamal's Chicken, is also open late — allowing you to satisfy any post-dinner cravings you might have after an evening class. 
    
9. Student Services in a one-stop-shop — Need help with your resume? The Career Center is on the second floor.  Student Life has all your extracurricular student activities covered, and LivingWell is here to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Plus Cat Pause and the Bookstore for all your day-to-day needs.  All in one spot, all just for you.
    
10. Wall-to-Wall Student Talent, Literally — We've got 10+ years of student artwork that is displayed all over our walls, all submitted by countless students doing a variety of work.  Have artwork that you want to display? Send it to our DC art curators — we'd love to show off your amazing talents.
     
11. We love student feedback! The Davis Center is here for students, it's right there in our mission statement! As times change we need to change to better serve out student population.  Have an idea for a way we can make out student center serve you better? Let us know by e-mailing us at daviscenter@uvm.edu.

The Davis Center has been the University of Vermont's living room for over 15 years — but that wasn't always the case! Up until the building's opening in 2007 UVM's 'center' looked very different.  

The former Billings Library served the students on campus as the student center from 1963–2007. Prior to that time, the first floor of Waterman had served as the University's only designated student space. The 1986 renovation of Billings Student Center had been a hopeful time for the campus community, but it soon became apparent that this former library space was not suited as a vibrant center of student life. For over a decade, trustees, campus officials, and UVM community members struggled to gain the momentum necessary to implement the plans to build a brand-new facility.

Need for a campus crossroads

A campus life assessment conducted by WTW Architects/Brailesford and Dunlavey/Envision Strategies revealed the strong need for such a facility at UVM:

• An overwhelming majority of students indicated that the campus was lacking a central gathering space
• A traffic study of Billings confirmed this feeling: only 29% of the campus population was entering the space daily, compared with 84% at the neighboring University of New Hampshire.

New leadership, new goals

In 2002, the college welcomed the leadership of President Daniel Fogel, along with his vision to make UVM the premiere environmental university. On September 17, 2004, the Board of Trustees Facilities and Technologies Committee approved the construction of the largest and most ambitious building in UVM's history. The new, $61 million, 186,000-square-foot student center will serve as a “front door” to the university on Main Street and a gathering space for all members of the UVM community.

The center is named for the late Dudley H. Davis (`43), whose family announced a $4.66 million contribution to the project in November of 2005.

Construction Timelapse

(September 2005–December 2006)

Photo Gallery

We took notes when the walls came tumbling down (and when they were built back up).  

Check out our Construction Photos ➝
(Password: daviscenter)

The Davis Center is named for the late Dudley H. Davis (UVM '43) whose families and friends donated $7 million to the project.

Dudley H. Davis was a straight-shooting banker who began his career as an assistant cashier at Merchants Bank in 1946 and retired in 1994 after a phenomenal 36-year run as its president. Over that time, he provided the financial backing that gave rise to some of Vermont's biggest business success stories, including IDX Systems Corp. and Ben & Jerry's.

He was also a generous benefactor of the University of Vermont. Davis died on November 29, 2004, just days after his children announced a commitment to name the University's new student center the Dudley H. Davis Center in their father's honor.

The Davis Center has been honored to be home to a number of class gifts:

• 2010 - Primavera sculpture by Richard Erdman (Class of 1975)

• 2009 - Oval Landscape - Daniel Lim (Class of 2009)
  Senior Capstone Project - Environmental Studies

• 2008 - Emergence  - Glass Sculpture by Ethan Bond Watts (Class of 2009)

• 2007 - Salt Water Fish Tank in the Stutt Family Recreation and Games Room

• 2006 - Senior Class Clock by Conant Custom Brass (Steve Conant Class of 1978)

Better Buildings By Design
Efficiency Vermont - Celebrating Excellence in Energy Conscious Building Design
Second Place - New Construction
February, 2008

Administrative and Facilities Services
Best Customer Service By a Team
Davis Center Custodial Staff
June, 2008

Administrative and Facilities Services
Best Customer Service - Process Improvement
Conference and Davis Center Operations and Event Services
June, 2009

Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
2009 Facility Design Award of Excellence April, 2009

Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
2009 Excellence in Innovations for Sustainability April, 2009

National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS)
2009 Innovative Achievement in Auxiliary Services Award 
November, 2009