Commonly asked questions from First Year students
Assignments
Community
House Councils
House Councils at Duke University are fantastic opportunities for students to engage in a positive and enriching residential experience. House councils are elected student representatives who work collaboratively with residence life staff to organize exciting events and activities within the residence halls. House Councils promote a sense of community and belonging by providing a platform for students to get involved and connect with their peers.
You can participate in social events, educational programs, and community service projects, as well as make your voice heard on important issues impacting your community. Being a member of House Council is a fulfilling experience that can help you develop leadership skills, build friendships, and create lifelong memories.
Keep an eye out on your Duke email over the summer to learn more about House Council, available positions, and how to run for your council!
East Campus Council
The East Campus Council (ECC) is a group of elected student officers and representatives from each House on East Campus. As the first-year class council and student governance body for East Campus, ECC works alongside the individual East Campus House Councils to make sure your residential experience is the best it can be.
ECC’s goal is to enhance campus life by providing support and direction through active leadership and community involvement. They put on awesome programming events throughout the year, from movie nights and viewing parties for Duke Basketball to the Traditional Bricks to Stone Ball. They also make sure that campus is a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience for everyone by advocating for first-year needs and making sure that your voices are heard.
East Campus Council elections will occur at the same time as House Council elections. Information about running for ECC will be sent to you before August!
My House (building)
East Campus includes thirteen residence halls of varying size and architecture where all first year students reside. East Campus has a unique historical role, as it was once the site of the former Trinity College and the Woman’s College from 1930-1972. In 1995, East Campus transitioned to being home for the first-year students.
Once assigned to your house, you can learn more on our website, join house specific Facebook pages, and receive communications from your Residence Coordinator.
RC | Residence Coordinator; a full-time, live-in professional who supervises RAs and GRs; helps students with residential and academic concerns.
ARC | Assistant Residence Coordinator; a senior level graduate student who has many of the same responsibilities as an RC. They supervise RAs, advise house council, and meet with residential students. Some buildings have an ARC, not all.
FiR | Faculty-in-Residence; faculty members who live in the residence halls; host events and create a heightened sense of intellectual curiosity. Learn more about the Faculty-in-Residence here.
PA | Program Assistant; a graduate student who plays a major role in developing healthy and inclusive communities that deliver on the promise of a residential experience that is inspiring, engaging, and fun.
RA | Resident Assistant; a student leader assigned to your floor; fosters community in your house; helps you acclimate to Duke and Durham; plans activities; mediates conflicts; points you in the right direction.
HRL makes every effort to meet the preferences (room type, medical needs, FOCUS Program, etc.) for students returning all required materials by the May 31, 2023 deadline. We cannot guarantee a student’s preferences will be met if the housing application is completed after the deadline.
Duke University and Housing & Residence Life strongly believe in the value of the on-campus residential experience. This experience provides you with exciting opportunities to meet new people and learn about cultures and lifestyles that may differ from your own.
HOW ROOMMATES ARE ASSIGNED: Incoming first-year students are matched with roommates based on the information provided from the lifestyle questions on the first-year housing application. We have found that students who have the same study habits, noise tolerance and sleep schedules tend to have positive experiences living together. While no one can guarantee a “perfect roommate,” we find that pairing students based on these behaviors offers a starting point from which students can develop a rewarding roommate experience. It is important that you answer each question on the housing application honestly so that we can accurately match you with someone who
will be compatible!
Students will be notified of their assignment and roommate on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 via the housing portal.
The FY reassignment process is used in extreme circumstances. We process reassignments for administrative reasons (Student Disability Access Office, Focus change) and possibly room type change requests. We are happy to discuss your concerns and offer resources and suggestions to the understand the benefits of your assignment. We highly encourage students to take time to get to know their roommate and actually live with one another. The Residence Life team in your House (RA and RC) can also offer assistance once you arrive to campus. Please review our roommate resources on our website.
QuadEX: Residential Living and Learning at Duke
QuadEx is establishing an enduring community structure and foundation through which students have greater opportunity to connect to one another and to the many resources Duke has to offer throughout their four years.
- Enhanced Quad-based social and intellectual opportunities extend the best of Duke’s living and learning experiences to all students.
- East Campus Houses are permanently connected to associated West Campus Quads.
- First-year students have automatic membership into their affiliated Quad on West Campus.
These connections create a strong community foundation as you get to connect with other first-year students in other buildings connecting with the same quad, but you also have the opportunity to connect with upperclass students, Academic Guides, and other students and staff on West Campus. From day 1, not only are you be welcome into your East Campus home but you have automatic membership to your affiliated Quad on West Campus!
Move In
Move-In Day is Saturday, August 19, 2023,PA | Program Assistant; a graduate student who plays a major role in developing healthy and inclusive communities that deliver on the promise of a residential experience that is inspiring, engaging, and fun. and we look forward to helping you settle into your Duke home! We will share additional details about Move-In Day specific to your residence hall community in July. In this email, you'll find more information about your arrival packet, details about your move-in time and entry point, and additional guidelines and best practices. ,
Housing and Residence Life works with approved student groups (students who are members of a university-sponsored group or students participating in opening activities) and individual students requesting to return early for the fall semester.
Individual student early arrival is intended for incoming students who need to return or arrive prior to the official move-in date, in order to attend to personal college-related business and or tasks, and or other exceptional circumstances. Class of 2027 students requesting to arrive prior to August 19 must complete the Early Arrival Request form via the housing portal (available in July). Completion of the request form does not mean students are approved. Students will be notified by email if the request is approved or not.
If you are part of an approved group you don’t need to complete an early arrival request, you will have to review and agree to the Early Arrival Terms and Conditions.
Packing
FOR YOUR ROOM
- Bedding and pillows (please review the “Amenities and Services” page on the Housing website to see what sized bedding to purchase based on your assignment.)
- Bath towels and cloths
- Bathrobe, slippers, shower shoes
- Cleaning Products
- First-Aid kit
- Plates, bowls, cups, and utensils
- Food storage containers
- Pots and pans (if you like to cook)
- Broom and/or vacuum
- Warm and cool weather clothes and jackets
- Hangers
- Re-usable water bottle
- Umbrella
- Photos and posters to personalize your space (please use blue painter’s tape or command strips for hanging items)
- Photo ID
PERSONAL CARE AND USE
- Shower bucket
- Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, soap, feminine hygiene products, etc.)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Prescription medications and supplements
- Flip-flops for showering
- Laundry bag/basket and detergent
ACADEMICS
- Desk lamp
- Laptop/ipads
- School supplies: stapler, pens, pencils, notebooks, stationary, stamps
- Other class specific items communicated by your professors
APPROVED APPLIANCE LIST
- Chargers and cords for your technology
- Headphones
UL-approved power strips (please avoid extension cords) - Rice cookers
- Coffee makers that do not have an open heating element
- Electric kettles
- Iron
- Alarm clock
- Flashlight
OPTIONAL ITEMS
- TV
- Gaming system
- Bike, scooter, moped (for outdoor use)
- Large furniture (e.g., sofas/futons, lounge chairs, bookshelves, beds/mattresses, etc.)
- Bed risers are permitted. However, we do not allow bed lofts, nor will we loft your bed for you.
- Your pet(s), unless it’s an Emotional Support or Service animal approved through SDAO
- Fish in aquariums less than 25 gallons are permitted.
- Personal items of high monetary or sentimental value (e.g., jewelry, irreplaceable family heirlooms or photos, etc.)
- Personal printers (each community has a networked printer for student use)
- UPDATED: Students are encouraged to rent a micro-fridge from Blue Devil Deliveries. Orders are open for the 2023-24 school year via our partner, Collegiate Concepts, Inc. All orders placed by 8/1 are guaranteed delivery to your room before main move-in date. All units are brand new--never used before. More information can be found on the HRL website.
- Appliances with an open heating coil or unit (e.g., hot plates, toasters, toaster items, portable grills, air fryers)
- Candles, halogen lamps, lava lamps, “spider lamps”, hoverboards
- NEW: For damage and safety reasons the following items are specifically prohibited in student rooms, suites, and apartments: halogen lamps, all types of strip lights with adhesive backing, and all types of string lights.
- Alcohol, Cannabis or illegal drugs (and any related paraphernalia)
- Students are allowed to have cigarettes and tobacco-vapes HOWEVER Duke University is a smoke-free campus. Students are not permitted to use these products inside the residence halls or on campus.
- Nails, thumbtacks, hammers, and abrasive tape (e.g., duct tape, two side tape) and other items that could damage walls
- Personal AC units or space heaters (each room has central air or a window AC unit)
- Water-based furniture (e.g., water beds)
- Weapons (e.g., firearms (including BB, pellet guns, airsoft guns, etc.), explosives, large knives and swords, bow and arrows, etc.)
- These are prohibited for actual use or for decoration on Duke’s campus
- Flammable items (e.g., lighter fluid, charcoal, propane tanks, paint, other items and fluids that can easily catch on fire).
Other
Duke Campus Mail Services handles over 3 million pieces of U.S. Mail and 136,000 parcels yearly for the University and Health System. In order to ensure timely delivery of your mail and packages, Duke Campus Mail Services has created this Survival Mail Guide to get you through with the basic mail services.
*Update* DukeCards are moving towards all being only on your phone. Please check out the DukeCard website for more information on how to set up your Mobile DukeCard.
Your DukeCard provides access to everything from your residence hall to athletic events, to dining, and virtually eliminates the need to carry cash on campus. Most students receive their first DukeCards during orientation or will need to provision the Mobile DukeCard. There is no fee for your first DukeCard. More information about DukeCard can be found in the Blue Book or at their website.
DukeCards may not be loaned or borrowed. Lost/stolen DukeCards must be reported immediately to the DukeCard Office; a replacement card can be issued for a charge. Students are required to carry their DukeCards at all times and must produce it upon request from a University Official.
Blue Devil Delivery was created by Duke University Stores as a way to ease the confusion first-year students and their families experienced upon arrival at Duke University. This program provides you with the convenience of having textbooks, laptops, linens, and more ready for pick-up on East Campus during first-year student move-in.
You can reach Blue Devil Delivery at 919-684-2344 or via email: bluedevildelivery@duke.edu.