Make the Connection: Resources and Opportunities for Students This Fall

With much of the Duke student experience different this year, Duke programs and offices have adapted their services to provide a robust range of support resources and engagement opportunities for all students, regardless of location. 

The list below is an overview of student resources, with links to individual office and program sites providing full details. 

The Office of Undergraduate Education, Graduate School, Keep Learning (which lists links for Duke’s professional schools) and International House websites are all additional hubs of information for specific student groups. 

ACADEMIC AND ADVISING RESOURCES (ALL STUDENTS)

The Career Center offers online advisory services and programs to help students discover what is most meaningful in their lives, then apply what they learn to create a personal career path. 

DukeHub is a one-stop database that allows you to view course offerings and current registrations, update your address, check your grades and access financial account information. 

Duke Libraries offer access to online books, databases, and other materials as well as many other virtual reference and research services. 

The Office of Health Professions Advising offers online tools, programs and advisory services for students exploring career options in health-related fields.

The Office of Information Technology offers a variety of technical assistance services and technology-related resources. (For immediate technical assistance, email help@oit.duke.edu or phone (919) 684-2200.) 

The Student Disability Access Office provides and coordinates academic and housing accommodations so that students with disabilities have equal access to all University programs and activities. 

The Writing Studio offers help with any aspect of a writing project — from brainstorming about research questions to polishing drafts. Asynchronous appointments are provided for students outside of North/South America. 

CAMPUS LIFE RESOURCES (ALL STUDENTS)

The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity provides education, advocacy, support, mentoring, academic engagement and space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, questioning and straight-allied students, staff and faculty at Duke.

The Center for Multicultural Affairs promotes community engagement, multicultural education and leadership development to empower students and their organizations.

Duke Veterans is a community of students, faculty and staff available to assist veterans at Duke through a variety of resources, transition and support services and community-building activities. 

International House provides educational services, advocacy and outreach to the international population as well as the Duke and Durham communities.

Jewish Life @ Duke includes the Freeman Center and the Rubenstein-Silvers Hillel. Together, they foster and enrich Jewish life within the Duke community through social, educational, religious and cultural activities.

The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture promotes racial understanding, builds community, increases knowledge of and fosters an appreciation for the contributions of Black people, Black history, Black culture and the African Diaspora.

Muslim Life @ Duke enriches the lives of Muslim students and the Duke community as a whole through organizing events and activities that cater to the spiritual, social and intellectual needs of Duke students.

Religious Life Groups at Duke offer spiritual support and engagement opportunities through more than 25 separate organizations covering a wide range of faiths. 

Student Affairs offers a host of resources covering all aspects of campus life. It is home to many of the individual resources listed in this article.

Student Groups at Duke cover a wide range of interests. Many are offering virtual alternatives to in-person events this semester.

Undocumented Students can find a range of academic, advocacy, financial, legal and counseling support services through Student Affairs. 

UCAE (University Center Activities and Facilities) coordinates and advises all student groups. It also offers additional programming and events for students, including many virtual opportunities for connection.

The Women's Center welcomes men and women alike. It offers student-driven programming focused on empowerment, education and outreach, gender violence education and counseling, building community, activism, civic engagement and the Duke Men's Project.

HEALTH & WELLNESS RESOURCES (ALL STUDENTS)

For information on COVD-related services, please see the special section below this one. 

Blue Devils Care offers Duke students 24/7, no-cost mental health support as well as scheduled counseling for common issues and concerns. All services are provided virtually.

The Campus Center Pharmacy remains open during the pandemic. Find current hours on their website.

CAPS is a psychological and counseling service that provides short-term individual and group counseling, couples counseling and more. It also offers a multitude of resources and referrals to help you cope during stressful or difficult times. 

DukeReach provides comprehensive outreach services to identify and support students in managing all aspects of well-being. If you’re concerned about the physical or mental well-being of yourself or another student, visit its website for resources and assistance.

DuWell offers self-care advice, mindfulness resources and other services to help you holistically manage daily stress and improve your happiness.

Recreation & Physical Education offers a variety of virtual resources and programs to help you stay active and connected to their fitness experts.

Student Health is open for essential services and can connect students with any support they need, including prescription management. It also offers telehealth visits to students residing in NC.

The Women’s Center provides therapeutic services to survivors of gender violence. This includes sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking and both in-person and cyber sexual harassment. Services are available to all genders. 

COVID-RELATED RESOURCES (ALL STUDENTS)

Duke maintains several COVID-related websites to provide updated information on COVID, to help you understand the impact of the pandemic and Duke’s response to it and to outline behavioral expectations. To report violations, call the Reporting Hotline at 800-826-8109, option 3.

Duke’s Coronavirus Response site provides the Duke community with important updates related to COVID-19 and the University’s operations during the pandemic.

Duke United offers information on reopening the campus and many other aspects of the 2020-21 academic year, including campus operations, public health measures and community responsibilities. 

The Duke Compact is a pledge that articulates COVID-related behavioral expectations for all students, faculty and staff. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (ALL STUDENTS)

While many service opportunities are not possible at this time due to the pandemic, there are still some volunteer options available this semester. 

CommunityGroups at Duke offer hundreds of opportunities to make a difference on campus and in the surrounding community.

The Duke Office of Civic Engagement lists volunteer opportunities and community-based work-study positions offered by local community partners. 

A Virtual Volunteer Fair will be held on Sept 10 so that students, faculty and staff at Duke can learn about opportunities to serve from more than 40 organizations. 

ADDITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE RESOURCES

The Academic Advising Center helps students evaluate and choose curricular and cocurricular opportunities as part of building an integrated plan for their time at Duke. It can also connect you to appropriate academic, career and campus life advisers at Duke.

The Academic Resource Center offers a variety of programs and services to support the academic work of Duke undergraduates. It offers peer tutoring, learning style consultations, coaching, workshops and more. 

Duke Conversations is a student-run group, supported by the Office of Undergraduate Education, that hosts dinners for students in the homes of faculty members. They are conducting Zoom talks in Fall 2020.

Duke Library offers first-year students access to a Personal Librarian for research help and to familiarize you with the many resources available through Duke’s library system.

Duke LIFE (Low Income, First-Generation Experience) is dedicated to welcoming and advocating for Duke's students from first-generation and/or limited income backgrounds. LIFE’s resources include a directory of professors and staff members who share similar backgrounds and who invite students to connect with them.

Duke Student Government (DSG) is the governing body of undergraduate students at Duke. It fosters community among students; defines and represents student concerns to Duke administration; provides services and information to the student body; and offers resources and support to student organizations.

Keep Learning is a hub for student-focused information surrounding the 2020-2021 academic year.  

The Office of Student Conduct investigates and resolves alleged violations of university policies, including those involving academic integrity, use of alcohol and drugs, physical abuse, sexual misconduct and more. Violations can be reported anonymously, if desired. Note: concerns or reports related to COVID or Duke Compact violations should be reported to the Speak Up line at 800-826-8109.

The Office of University Scholars & Fellows is an intellectual hub that fosters academic engagement among Duke students, alumni and faculty.

The Time Away Office empowers student to take time-off when they feel it is necessary to align their personal and academic paths. It also facilitates a successful return to Duke for students who have taken time off.

VLearn is the Fall 2020 alternative to the popular Flunch (faculty lunch) program, which will return when COVID-19 restrictions end. VLearn facilitates virtual student-professor chats and includes a directory of professors who want students to connect with them.

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT RESOURCES

The Community Pantry provides Duke graduate and professional students in need with free grocery, toiletry, household and clothing items. A valid Duke student netID is required for sign-up.  

The Durham Chamber of Commerce provides helpful information about the Bull City — a diversified community that is a nexus for learning, creativity, research and industry in NC. 

Family-Friendly Benefits lists resources available through a variety of local organizations and can help you identify some of your options surrounding such issues as childcare and education (this is primarily a faculty and staff website; see bottom of the web page for relevant resources).

The Graduate and Professional Student Council of Duke University is the umbrella student government organization for Duke’s nine graduate and professional schools.

The Graduate School provides information and services related to academics, admissions, financial support, student life and professional development. 

Professional Schools at Duke all provide additional support and resources for their students.

ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RESOURCES

Check out this summary of resources for Duke international undergraduates during the pandemic, including academic and mental health support services. In addition, these special resources are available to all international students:

International House provides individualized advice, support and counsel to Duke students and their families, with many services designed to accommodate all time zones.

International Spouse/Partner Services provides information and resources to help you create a life that allows both you and your partner or spouse to connect, learn and grow during your time at Duke.

The Graduate School's English for International Student (EIS) Program provides English-language instruction and support to international graduate and professional students at Duke. It offers courses and other resources in writing, oral communication, presentations and pronunciation, among other services.

Duke’s Writing Studio offers special services for international undergraduate and graduate students working on writing assignments, projects, proposals, journal articles or dissertations, via trained writing tutors, and has an ESL specialist on staff. 

Oral Skills Coaching (PDF) lets students consult with an experienced ESL speaking coach to develop and rehearse any type of oral presentation, such as presentations, interviews, proposal defenses and qualifying/prelim exams. 

Duke Visa Services provides information on a number of visa-related issues, including updates on the government rules currently affecting international students.