Student Services

Advising

Davenport offers students the support of an academic advisor to aid in their academic pursuits. Davenport strongly believes in a developmental advising model which guides students through their academic plans to support their career objectives. Academic advising is available at every campus and online to assist students in selecting courses, discussing curriculum change implications, answering questions related to academic programs and policies, or reviewing progress towards graduation. Students are responsible for being aware of and meeting all curriculum and degree requirements, including any changes that may occur therein. In addition, students should speak with an advisor for any of the following reasons:

• To answer questions about which courses to schedule and when to take specific classes.
• To confirm the classes remaining for completion of their degree program.
• To discuss short and long term career goals.
• To learn about switching to another program and know how their current courses will apply.
• To discuss the academic and financial consequences of adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a course.
• To consider changing their program of study.
• To address difficulties in completing their coursework for personal or academic reasons.
• To discuss any other concerns related to their education including referral to University and/or community resources.

Payment of tuition and fees are made online through the Student Payment Center. Address questions regarding these payments to Student Financial Services.

Course Scheduling

Students should schedule courses in consultation with their advisor. It is also possible to schedule courses online through the Student Connection at www.davenport.edu. Tuition payments are handled through the Student Payment Center.

Course Cancellation

The University reserves the right to cancel a course due to low enrollment or for other administrative reasons. Students will be notified of course(s) being canceled and their advisor will assist them with their scheduling needs.

Course Scheduling Changes

To officially change a schedule, students may add/drop classes online through the Student Connection on the Davenport website or contact their advisor. Refer to the academic calendar to ascertain the last day for schedule changes.

Adjusting Course Schedule (Add/Drop)

Students may add and/or drop a course prior to the first day of the session/semester. Students should contact their advisor to obtain information about the required procedures. Follow all required steps to ensure a successful add or drop.

Withdrawal from Class

Contact your advisor in order to withdraw from one or more classes. Changes to an original schedule may result in an adjustment of financial aid. Therefore, every student who receives financial aid should consult with a Student Financial Counselor before a withdrawal from class is processed. Any charges not covered by financial aid are the responsibility of the student.

Withdrawal procedures must be followed whether or not the student has attended class. See the Academic Policies and Procedures section for more detailed information.

Enrollment Status

Full-time status at the graduate level requires six credit hours or more per semester (Fall I and II, Winter I and II, Spring/Summer I and II). Graduate students who carry fewer than six credit hours are considered half-time. Students receiving financial aid must be aware of their full-time and half-time status in order to maintain their level of funding.

Military Assistance

Davenport University recognizes and appreciates the extraordinary contributions of the members of our armed services. Service members and their dependents should check the military page of the DU website for educational benefits. Davenport University is committed to ensuring continuity of study for every Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard service member who is prohibited from completing a semester as planned due to reassignment, long term training/schools or deployments. Service members should work with their DU Military and Veteran Services Team and instructors prior to these events in order to ensure proper preparation and handling of DU financial records and academic coursework so that academic re-integration is as seamless as possible upon return.

Career Services

Mission:

Career Services is committed to cultivating and connecting Davenport University’s talent with employers in today’s global marketplace.

At Davenport University, student professional and career development begins the moment you arrive. Students are expected to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with Career Services within the first 2 semesters of attendance and continue to meet with them regularly through and past graduation.

Students should expect to meet with Career Services on the following topics:

• Career and Professional Development Planning including:
  • Understanding and acknowledgment of the Employment Guarantee
  • Introductions to strategic career planning in the classroom, at events designed for all students and through 1:1 career advising
• Career Research and Career Skills Development including:
  • Interest assessment for Major selection and career option planning
  • Soft skills development, professional networking and Excellence System expertise
  • Creating dynamic, adaptable resumes, cover letters, professional portfolios, and effective online and social media profiles
  • Strategic job search strategies, utilizing groups, clubs, associations, and volunteerism, career fairs and other effective career access tools
• Experiential Learning and Internship Opportunities through:
  • Handshake - DU’s automated internship approval, online job board and employer access system
  • Career Fairs, forums and recruitment events
  • DU’s Career Services Coaches and by attending the required Internship Workshop or Practicum Seminar to meet appropriate Internship Manager, or to connect with the Practicum Coordinator

All new and current DU students and students nearing graduation should contact career services once each semester for a career development checkup. Scheduling an appointment is easy through Handshake at davenport.joinhandshake.com.

Counseling and Wellness Services

Davenport University Counselors are available to assist all currently enrolled students free of charge. Students can be seen in-person at the Wellness Center located on the W.A. Lettinga campus, or virtually. 

Appointments are available*: 

• Monday through Friday 8:00am - 6:30pm
• Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm 

Students can schedule an appointment online with a specific counselor at www.davenport.edu/campus-life/counseling or by calling 616.871.6166. Appointments can also be made by visiting the Wellness Centers front desk. 

Global Campus (Online+) students that reside outside of Michigan will be serviced according to their appropriate state regulations and in adjustment to time zones as necessary. After hours support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to students. Call 616.340.5243 to speak directly with one of our counselors via phone. 

Note: Students who have an immediate medical need should call 911.

Housing and Residence Life

On-campus housing is available at the W.A. Lettinga campus for students. University housing is geared toward traditionally aged students and highly encouraged for students who live outside of a 45-mile commuting radius. Living on campus offers students the convenience of being close to classes, programs, and athletic events sponsored by the University. We offer residence halls, apartments and dining facilities that provide an environment that is comfortable, safe and conducive to academic success and community development. In addition, research shows that students who live on campus are more likely to post higher grades and graduate from the University. Visit the website for more information: davenport.edu/housing.

Student Life

Davenport University offers students many opportunities to get involved. Student Life supports student success and aims to foster student development by providing students with opportunities to get involved, build community, and learn outside of the classroom. There are a variety of registered student organizations (RSO’s) for students to join. Some organizations are specific to individual majors and offer students an opportunity to interact with individuals within their chosen career. Other organizations focus on social and volunteer experiences and provide students the opportunity to get involved both on and off campus. Student Life also sponsors a number of social, educational, and leadership events and programs. The Volunteer Center provides service opportunities for students who want to make a difference in the community.

Engage@DU

Students are encouraged to visit Engage@DU, an online involvement platform for the DU community, so see an events calendar, volunteer opportunities, student organization information and more. It can be accessed through the Student Connection tab on the Davenport website or at https://davenport.campuslabs.com/engage/. Click the “sign in” button and log-in with your DU credentials. For more information, please visit the Center for Campus Life, call 616.554.5095 or email student.life@davenport.edu. Students can find out what is going on by visiting Engage@DU, the Student Life website https://www.davenport.edu/student-life) or on multiple social media platforms.

Panther Resource Closet (PRC)

Student Life oversees the Panther Resource Closet (PRC), a free resource that provides food, hygiene items, and business professional attire.These resources are available to all Davenport students, regardless of location.
At the W.A. Lettinga Campus, the PRC is located on the lower level of the Richard M. DeVos & Jay Van Andel Academic Center, near the main elevator. The Lansing, Great Lakes Bay, and Warren campuses also have a PRC with food and hygiene items, free of charge. Email prc@davenport.edu or visit the PRC website at https://my.davenport.edu/student-life/resources/panther-resource-closet for more information.

Student Insurance

Health insurance coverage is required for student athletes, students enrolled in specific classes or specific majors within the College of Health Professions, and for all international students. Questions regarding the insurance requirements along with information for those students wishing to obtain insurance for themselves and/or spouses and dependents can be directed to studentinsurance@davenport.edu. Please also check out our website at https://www.davenport.edu/Risk-Management/Insurance_vaccinations.

Additionally, professional liability insurance coverage is provided as part of the course fee to students enrolled in an internship, professional practice experience, or clinical experience in the College of Health Professions, as well as other certain internships in other Colleges.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Davenport University’s Intercollegiate Athletic Program is a member of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association), at the Division 2 level, ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) at the Division I, Division II, and Division III levels, USBC Collegiate (U.S. Bowling Congress), NCA (National Cheerleaders Association), NDA (National Dance Alliance), NCVF (National Collegiate Volleyball Federation) and USA Rugby.

All participants must be eligible based on their team’s national affiliation. Eligibility rules are very detailed. Please contact the Athletic Department for more information.

If you are interested in competing at the intercollegiate level, complete and submit a participation form (found online at www.dupanthers.com) or contact the Athletic Department at (616) 871-6182. All of Davenport University’s intercollegiate programs are based out of the Grand Rapids W.A. Lettinga campus.

The programs currently offered are:

Please visit us at http://www.dupanthers.com/ or inquire about future athletic programs to be offered at Davenport University.

Email

The University provides PantherMail email accounts for students registered for the current semester. This will be the primary information medium by which students will learn of dates, deadlines, policies, and activities related to Davenport. These accounts are provided by the University to communicate with students, and it is expected that all students will monitor email regularly. In addition, students will use this email account as the email address for all Online+ course formats.

Student Identification (ID) Cards-Panther OneCard

Every student will be issued a Panther OneCard at any campus. Pictures may be taken either during Orientation or through Student Services. Panther OneCards will be mailed to a student’s permanent mailing address and must be activated to ensure timely delivery of refunds. Panther OneCards must be used to check out library materials and utilize computers in the DU Libraries, and to obtain student discounts, where available.

Change of Name, Address, Phone Number, or Email

It is the student’s responsibility to update through the Student Connection any changes to address, phone number and/or personal email address. 
Students wishing to submit a change name should submit a Student and Alumni Name Change Request form (https://my.davenport.edu/registrars-office/name-change-student-alumni).

Chosen name and gender requests can be made to the Executive Director of Campus Life, Dr. Joe Bishop at joseph.bishop@davenport.edu.

Student Access

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students may request reasonable accommodation as a result of a qualifying disability as defined by Federal legislation within the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (2008), or Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act (1973). Davenport University will not discriminate against any otherwise qualified student or applicant with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of a student’s admission, educational program, or activity because of a disability. It is the students’ responsibility to contact a Student Access Coordinator at their campus or submit an Accommodation Request online to initiate and fulfill the accommodation process. The process is not retroactive.

Accommodations are intended to provide equal access to education for students, not fundamentally alter the course or program. Davenport University seeks to accommodate students with disabilities on an individual basis based on assessments documented by a qualified professional and approved through the Center for Campus Life.

Any information provided on a voluntary basis shall be used for the sole purpose of assessing accommodation requests and minimizing disadvantages that are directly related to the student’s documented disability. There are no limitations on the number of persons with disabilities who may be admitted or enrolled, nor the number of accommodations granted.

• Students should request accommodations as early as possible in order to have proper documentation ready for their faculty at the start of the semester. Students can complete the electronic Accommodation Request Form found on the Student Access website, or email the Accommodation Request Form & Medical Documentation to their Student Access Coordinator.

Forms, contact information, and other accommodation information are located on the Student Access page of the Davenport website (http://www.davenport.edu/campus-life/student-access).

Davenport University Alumni Association

The Davenport University Alumni Association helps graduates stay connected to friends, organizations, and interests they developed as students.

Through many events, networking opportunities, programs and services, we can help you stay in touch with former classmates, faculty and the University. Be sure to contact us when you move, get married, or change jobs so we can keep your information up to date. Stay in touch at alumni@davenport.edu and check out Davenport.edu/Alumni for the latest alumni and University news!

Alumni Benefits

Anyone who has earned a degree or certificate from Davenport University or one of its historical predecessor institutions receives free membership to the Alumni Association. Your membership entitles you to free services, including networking opportunities, benefits, events, discounts and so much more:

• Lifetime career services including access to Davenport’s online career portal.
• Career networking, professional development and fun social events.
• Free lifetime brush-up classes-Alumni are eligible for free brush-up classes on a space-available basis. This applies only to courses successfully completed at Davenport. The courses must be either still active or have current equivalencies and they must have been part of the individual’s graduation requirements. Free brush-up classes may not be used for laboratory courses, clinical or practicum experiences or internships. Students who have a financial obligation to the University are not eligible for free brush-up classes. Contact an advisor for full details.
• Access to the Davenport library and computer labs at no charge (you must have an alumni membership card that you can request at Davenport.edu/Alumni).
• Up to $8,000 per year alumni scholarship that can be used toward one of Davenport’s graduate degrees
• For more information on alumni benefits and services, please email alumni@davenport.edu or visit our website at Davenport.edu/Alumni.