Living in a residence hall is a central part of the first‑year experience at Duke. While residence halls may differ in size, layout, and amenities, all are designed to support students as they adjust to college life and shared living.
This page outlines what is provided in residence halls and how day‑to‑day living works, from room furnishings and building access to cleaning, maintenance, and technology. Whether you are unpacking for move‑in or settling into your routine, this information can help you know what to expect and where to go with questions.
Housing & Residence Life teams are available throughout the year to support students and help make residence halls safe, functional, and welcoming places to live.
Residence halls include a standard set of amenities designed to support daily living for first‑year students. While specific features may vary by building, students can expect the following:
- Furnished rooms, including a bed frame and mattress, desk and chair, and dresser or wardrobe
- Utilities included, such as electricity, heat, and water
- Internet access in residence hall rooms and common areas
- Laundry facilities located within or near each residence hall
- Common spaces, such as lounges or study areas, available for shared use
Room layout, furnishings, and amenities may vary slightly depending on the residence hall. Students are encouraged to review their assigned building information after housing assignments are released.
These amenities are intended to cover the basics of residential living so students can focus on settling in and building community.
Residence hall rooms are fully furnished to support first‑year students when they arrive on campus. While room layout and furniture style may vary by building, students can expect to have the essential items needed for day‑to‑day living.
Furniture Provided in Each Room
Residence hall rooms typically include:
- Bed frame and mattress
- Desk and chair
- Dresser and/or wardrobe or closet space
- Overhead lighting
Furniture is arranged to fit the room layout, and configurations may vary depending on the residence hall and room type.
What Students May Bring
Students are welcome to bring additional items to personalize their space, such as:
- Desk or floor lamps (that meet safety guidelines)
- Rugs, décor, or bedding
- Small personal storage items
Students should plan to bring their own bedding, pillows, towels, and personal supplies.
What to Keep in Mind
- University‑provided furniture must remain in the room and may not be removed or stored elsewhere
- For safety reasons, some furniture modifications or appliances may be restricted
- Students with approved accommodations related to furniture should follow established processes through the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO)
For a detailed list of what to bring—and items that are not permitted in residence halls—students should review the What to Bring and What Not To page prior to move‑in.
Students may bring a limited number of small, approved appliances to support daily living in residence halls. For safety reasons, appliance use in student rooms is regulated and some items are not permitted.
Refrigerators
Students are permitted to have small personal refrigerators (mini‑fridges) in their residence hall rooms, as long as they meet university guidelines. Refrigerators are not provided in rooms.
Some students choose to purchase or rent a micro‑fridge unit prior to move‑in. Information about approved options and size requirements is shared before the start of the academic year.
Small Appliances
Certain small appliances are allowed in student rooms, while others must be used only in designated common areas or are not permitted at all. Appliance eligibility is based on safety guidelines and building systems.
To avoid bringing prohibited items, students should review the What to Bring and What Not To guide before move‑in for a complete and up‑to‑date list of approved and restricted appliances.
What to Know Before You Pack
- Appliances with open heating elements are typically not permitted in student rooms
- Extension cords and appliances that pose fire or electrical risks may be restricted
- University‑provided furniture and building systems must not be modified
Detailed appliance guidance, including approved refrigerator sizes and prohibited items, is available on the What to Bring and What Not To page.
Residence hall rooms include standard building systems designed to support day‑to‑day living. While features may vary slightly by building, the information below outlines what students can generally expect.
Air Conditioning & Heating
Air conditioning and heating availability varies by residence hall. Some buildings are equipped with central climate control, while others use window or floor‑mounted units in individual rooms.
Housing & Residence Life monitors building systems to help maintain comfortable living conditions throughout the academic year. Students who experience concerns with heating or air conditioning should submit a maintenance request so the issue can be addressed.
For more information about indoor air quality and how residential systems are monitored and maintained, students can visit Duke’s indoor air quality resources page.
Electrical Outlets
Residence hall rooms include standard electrical outlets suitable for everyday student use, such as charging devices and powering small electronics.
Students are encouraged to:
- Use surge protectors for electronics
- Avoid overloading outlets
- Follow university safety guidelines when using electrical devices
Extension cords and appliances that present safety risks may be restricted.
Windows & Lighting
Room windows provide natural light and ventilation; window style and operation vary by building. For safety reasons, windows may have limited opening ranges.
Residence hall rooms also include overhead lighting, and students may bring additional lamps to personalize their space, as long as they meet safety guidelines.
Residence halls are equipped with the technology basics students need for academic work and everyday living. While specific services and features may vary by building, the information below outlines what students can expect.
Internet Access
Residence hall rooms and common areas provide campus‑supported internet access designed to support studying, streaming course content, and everyday computer use. Students can connect multiple personal devices, such as laptops, tablets, and phones, to the network.
Wi‑Fi availability and signal strength may vary slightly by location within a building. Students experiencing connectivity issues can contact campus IT support for assistance.
Cable & Streaming Expectations
Traditional cable television service is not provided in residence hall rooms. Students are encouraged to use personal streaming services on their own devices for entertainment.
Some common areas may include shared televisions, depending on the residence hall. Availability of shared media spaces varies by building.
What’s Not Provided
To help set clear expectations, residence halls typically do not provide:
- Personal televisions
- Streaming service subscriptions
- Ethernet cables or specialized networking equipment
- Printers for individual student use
Students should plan to bring personal devices and accessories that meet their individual academic and entertainment needs.
Residence halls are shared living environments, and maintaining clean, functional spaces is a shared responsibility between students and Housing & Residence Life.
What Housing & Residence Life Handles
Housing & Residence Life is responsible for:
- Routine cleaning of common areas, such as hallways, lounges, bathrooms, and shared kitchens
- Trash and recycling removal from designated common areas
- Maintenance and repair of building systems and fixtures, including heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems
Housing staff also monitor buildings regularly to help ensure residence halls remain safe and functional throughout the year.
What Students Are Responsible For
Students are responsible for:
- Keeping their individual rooms clean and orderly
- Removing trash and recycling from their room and disposing of it in designated areas
- Respecting shared spaces and cleaning up after personal use
Maintaining personal and shared spaces helps create a comfortable community for everyone living in the residence hall.
Submitting a Maintenance Request
While Housing & Residence Life works to keep buildings running smoothly, occasional issues—like burnt‑out light bulbs or minor repairs—can happen.
For non‑emergency building or maintenance concerns, students should submit a Residential Work Order Request. Work orders are monitored and addressed Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you experience a building emergency during business hours, please contact the East Campus Housing Office at 919-684-5320 and submit a work order.
For after‑hours residential support, students should contact their Resident Assistant (RA) or Graduate Resident (GR) on call. On‑call contact information and pager numbers are posted on the exterior doors of each quad for easy access.
Trash and recycling disposal is available in residence halls to support day‑to‑day living and shared community spaces.
Trash Disposal
Students are responsible for removing trash from their individual rooms and disposing of it in designated trash areas within or near their residence hall. Trash should not be left in hallways or common spaces.
Housing & Residence Life manages trash removal from designated building disposal areas on a regular schedule.
Recycling
Recycling is available in residence halls, with clearly marked recycling containers located alongside trash disposal areas. Students are encouraged to follow posted signage to help ensure items are disposed of properly.
Using designated trash and recycling areas helps keep residence halls clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone.
Residence halls use the DukeCard system to manage building access and help maintain a safe living environment.
DukeCard Use
Students use their DukeCard to:
- Enter their assigned residence hall
- Access common building entry points
- Enter other approved campus spaces
Students should carry their DukeCard at all times and report lost or damaged cards promptly to ensure continued access.
Building Entry Expectations
Residence hall access is limited to current residents and approved guests. Exterior doors are secured, and students should not open doors for individuals they do not know or allow others to enter the building behind them without proper access.
These expectations help maintain a secure residential community for everyone.
Guest Access
Guests are permitted in residence halls in accordance with Housing & Residence Life guidelines. Residents are responsible for their guests at all times and should be aware of any building‑specific or campus‑wide guest expectations.
Additional details about guest access and responsibilities are available through Housing & Residence Life.
Creating a safe and supportive living environment is a shared priority across Duke’s residence halls. A combination of building systems, staff presence, and community expectations helps support student safety on East Campus.
Residence halls feature:
- Secured building access, managed through DukeCard entry
- Residence Life staff, including Resident Assistants (RAs) and professional staff who live and work in the community
- Regular building monitoring and coordination with campus partners
Students are encouraged to take an active role in community safety by carrying their DukeCard, locking their room doors, and reporting concerns when they arise.
Support is available at all times. During the day, students can contact Housing & Residence Life or Residence Life staff for assistance. After hours, on‑call Residence Life staff and Duke Police are available to respond to concerns, emergencies, and safety issues.
Residence hall rooms are intended to be flexible and comfortable living spaces, and students are welcome to personalize their rooms within established safety guidelines.
Personalizing Your Space
Students may decorate and arrange their rooms to make the space feel like home. Common personalizations include:
- Posters, photos, and wall décor
- Rugs, bedding, and storage items
- Rearranging university‑provided furniture within the room
To avoid damage, students should use non‑damaging hanging methods (such as approved hooks or strips) when decorating walls.)
What to Know Before Making Changes
- University‑provided furniture must remain in the room and may not be removed, stored elsewhere, or altered
- Nails, screws, or materials that damage walls or furniture are not permitted
- Electrical, plumbing, or structural modifications are not allowed
- Furniture lofting or bed modifications may be restricted for safety reasons
Students are responsible for any damage to their room or furnishings beyond normal wear and tear.
Additional Guidance
Detailed information about approved décor items, furniture arrangements, and restricted modifications is available on the What to Bring and What Not To page. Students are encouraged to review this guide before move‑in to avoid bringing items that are not permitted.
Free laundry facilities are available to support students’ day‑to‑day needs while living on East Campus.
Laundry rooms are typically located within or nearby residence halls, though locations and layouts may vary by building. Machines are shared and available for student use at any time.
Students are responsible for:
- Providing their own laundry detergent and supplies
- Removing laundry promptly when cycles are complete
- Being mindful of shared use during high‑traffic times
Instructions for machine use details are posted in laundry areas. Students experiencing issues with laundry machines should submit a maintenance request so the concern can be addressed.
Living in a residence hall means support is available day and night.
If you are in immediate danger or facing an emergency, contact Duke Police right away at 919‑684‑2444.
For after‑hours residential support, students should contact their Resident Assistant (RA) or Graduate Resident (GR) on call. On‑call contact information and pager numbers are posted on the exterior doors of each quad for easy access.
Residence Life staff are available after hours to:
- Answer questions
- Provide guidance and support
- Help address concerns in the residence hall
You are never expected to navigate concerns alone—support is always available.