All first-year students begin their Duke journey on East Campus. On East Campus, students will have many opportunities to build lasting friendships with classmates, become a leader within their residential community, and have the support of many university staff as they begin their college career.
Incoming first-year students are randomly assigned to rooms and to roommates. Housing Assignments uses the information provided on the first-year housing application to make roommate assignments. While no one can guarantee a “perfect roommate” assignment, we have found that the lifestyle questions asked on the application provide a starting point from which students can develop a mutually rewarding roommate experience. It is important that you answer each question honestly.
Incoming first-year students are randomly assigned to rooms and to roommates. East Campus includes 14 residence halls of varying size and architecture where all first-year students reside. As such, buildings and bedrooms differ slightly in their configuration.
First-year students are assigned to single-occupancy (one person) or double-occupancy (two people) rooms in the residence halls. Most students will be assigned to doubles, but you will be able to indicate your preference for a single.
Once you receive your assignment (mid-June), you can learn more about your house here. Click on the residence hall you would like to see, read its description, and click on “photo options” at the bottom.
All bathrooms are shared with other students. Bathrooms are either designated male or female (gender-designated bathrooms) or all-gender. At least one all-gender bathroom can be found in most East Campus buildings.
All-gender housing refers to individual rooms or suites where the gender of the roommates is not taken into consideration when the room is assigned through the assignment process. All-gender housing is located across East and the Upperclass Campuses. While this is intended to support students who identify as LGBTQIA, this is available to all students who feel they would be more comfortable in an all-gender room/suite or feel they could provide a safe and inclusive space for another student regardless of gender identity/expression, sexual/romantic orientation, or any other factor.
The majority of space within each House will have bedrooms where roommates may share similar gender identities and live on floors where the students next door may not share their gender identity. Each floor with all-gender housing configurations will have gender non-specific and gender-specific restrooms. In addition, each House will also include options for similar-gender floors and all-gender floors to provide more choices for students to find the space that is right for them.
If you have questions or need support in navigating these new housing options, please feel free to connect with the Center for Sexual and Gender
Diversity (csgd@duke.edu (this link opens your email app) ) or Housing Assignments (housing@duke.edu (this link opens your email app) ).
Housing works in conjunction with the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) to ensure consistency in evaluating special housing accommodation requests. The Student Disability and Access Office reviews requests and shares approved student accommodations with Housing and Residence Life. Students with approved accommodations will be offered priority for placement in an available space that meets their accommodations.
Students who wish to be considered for reasonable accommodations must submit current documentation (i.e., medical/educational/diagnostic reports) from licensed physicians, psychologists, or other qualified professionals as well as supporting historical records and materials. For the purpose of receiving consideration for reasonable accommodations at Duke University, an individual must have an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Information regarding the process to request an accommodation can be found on the Student Disability and Access Office website. Students who need special housing accommodations should follow the procedures outlined above.
First-year students choose from two room types: single or double. A single room houses one student; a double room houses two students. Single room rates are more than double rooms. Most students will live in double rooms. First-year students who are assigned a single room should note that single rooms are not guaranteed for sophomores unless pre-approved through the Student Disability and Access Office (SDAO). More information about room rates can be found here.
Students can indicate their preference for substance-free living on the lifestyle questions within housing applications to assist in roommate matching.