Davidson's philosophy of student life centers on three words: freedom, responsibility and honor. These concepts extend from the highly effective Honor Code and the Code of Responsibility, two codes that govern student life at Davidson.

The Honor Code states:
Every student shall be honor bound to refrain from cheating (including plagiarism). Every student shall be honor bound to refrain from stealing. Every student shall be honor bound to refrain from lying about official college business. Every student shall be honor bound to report immediately all violations of the Honor Code that come under his/her observation; failure to do so shall be a violation of the Honor Code. Every student found guilty of a violation shall ordinarily be dismissed from the college for a period. Every member of the college community is expected to be familiar with the operation of the Honor Code.

The philosophy is also expressed in the Preamble to the Code of Responsibility and in the introduction to the Philosophy of Discipline:

As a college of liberal arts committed to the Christian faith, Davidson College seeks to liberate men and women, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Its primary purpose is to develop men and women of humane instincts, and of disciplined and creative minds for lives of leadership, service, and self-fulfillment. Recognizing that the educational process encompasses far more than academic activities, Davidson College believes that its purpose is promoted or hindered by the quality of the total life of the college community.

The Code of Responsibility is based upon the belief that Davidson's educational purpose can best be advanced in a context which emphasizes the responsible use of freedom, as opposed to license. The aim is to encourage individuals to develop responsible judgment capable of directing their conduct with a minimum of specific prohibitions. An elaborate system of rules strictly enforced might promote a surface conformity to the standards of behavior desired, but would not effectively serve to develop the maturity of character which is the aim of the college. Rather, responsible maturity is more likely to develop when members of the college community are both free and obligated to wrestle with principles of conduct and to accept full responsibility for their own actions and decisions. Specific rules are laid down only when they seem necessary to prevent actions which would infringe upon the freedom and well-being of others, or would endanger persons and property, or would be disruptive of community life.

The philosophy emphasizes the individual's acceptance of full responsibility for the corporate well being of the college community. This involves not only counseling with fellow members of the college community concerning their actions, but also bringing the sanctions of the judicial system to bear upon those whose conduct is in violation of the Honor System and Code of Responsibility.

We are proud of the way both of these codes work. However, parents should not assume that the honor system is perfect, that nothing ever disappears, and that no one ever cheats. Sometimes students must learn through balanced, community discipline that honor is important. Those who learn this lesson during, if not prior to, the college experience will emerge with a greater opportunity for success in post-college life. In sum, we believe the Davidson philosophy provides a successful way to live.