All New-to-Duke students begin their Duke journey on West Campus or Swift Campus, where they have many opportunities to intentionally make new connections and friendships, become leaders within their residential communities, and receive support from dedicated university staff as they transition into life at Duke.
Throughout your career at Duke, students can engage in community leadership opportunities, connect with peers through Resident Assistant-led activities, and participate in building-wide and campus-wide events and programs designed to foster belonging and engagement.
At Duke, we believe in blurring the lines between curricular and co-curricular experiences. Academic advisors and faculty are closely connected to the transfer experience, helping students navigate academic pathways and build meaningful relationships. Select residences also feature Academic Guides (AGs) who integrate academic coaching and whole student support into the fabric of the Duke campus residential experience. Faculty Fellows serve as catalysts for intellectual engagement, providing opportunities for students to explore personal and academic topics with a faculty member over a meal along with a small group of students.
The residential experience for New-to-Duke students is designed to provide a strong introduction to Duke’s community, values, and resources, helping each student build a solid foundation for success both inside and outside the classroom.
There is much to explore, and support is always available to help navigate the exciting, sometimes challenging, and always transformative experience of joining a new university community.
Residency Requirement:
Duke requires students to live on campus for three years. We generally have space to guarantee housing for the fourth year, should a student choose to remain on campus. Transfer students who want to live off campus for their senior year will need to submit to housing@duke.edu proof of semesters lived on campus from their previous institution.
Assignments
Housing Assignments uses the information provided on the 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.
Single? Double? Suite? Apartment?
Students may be assigned room types: single, double, single in suite, two- or four-person. A single room houses one student; a double houses two students in one room. A suite may have one to four other students assigned, and an apartment may have one or three apartment-mates. Single room rates are more than double rooms. Most students live in double rooms. Single rooms are not guaranteed for upperclass students unless pre-approved through the Student Disability and Access Office (SDAO). More information about room rates can be found at students.duke.edu/living/housing/housing-assignments/#2324Rates.
Quads
New-to-Duke students are assigned to rooms and to roommates based on their housing application preferences and availability. Upperclass housing includes nine residential quads of varying size and architecture. As such, buildings and bedrooms differ slightly in their configuration.
You can learn more about each quad on the Housing website. Click on the residence hall you would like to see to read its description.
Bathrooms
Depending on the style of your housing assignment, some bathrooms may be shared with other students in your quad, or they may be private and shared by those in your suite. At least one all-gender bathroom can be found in each building.
All-Gender Housing
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 the Upperclass Campus. 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) or Housing Assignments (housing@duke.edu).
Living Learning Communities (LLCs)
Duke University offers numerous opportunities for interested students to partake in intentionally designed Living Learning Communities (LLCs) that incorporate the residential component of the college experience along with other academic and social pursuits. While membership in these groups may be limited, activities offered are often open to the general student population. LLCs are sponsored, resourced, and facilitated by an office or department, often in conjunction with faculty partners. Students apply to join these communities and are selected by the sponsoring office. Find out more information on Living Learning Communities.
Medical/Disability Housing Information
Housing and Residence Life (HRL) 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 HRL. 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.
You can learn more information regarding the process to request an accommodation on the Student Disability and Access Office website. Students who need special housing accommodations should follow the procedures outlined above.
Substance-Free Housing
Students who preference a substance-free lifestyle should find a roommate who also holds the same values. Students can indicate their preference for substance-free living on the lifestyle questions within housing applications to assist in roommate matching.
Quad Councils
There are many ways to get involved with your community on West Campus. Quad Councils are one of the main programming bodies for the residential community and also provide the student voice to Housing and Residence Life (HRL). Quad Council representatives will participate in ongoing leadership development.
Sophomore Spark
Sophomore Spark provides a coordinated approach to supporting second-year students in their efforts to seek purpose, build resilience, and navigate academic and career journeys. Sophomore Spark offers a series of opportunities to come together with peers, faculty, staff, and alumni as they traverse their second year at Duke. Sophomore Spark has several signature programs including Spark Summit: Get Connected!, Halfway There, and Transformative Ideas. Learn more at the Sophomore Spark website: https://quadex.duke.edu/n/sophomore-spark/.
Each house has its own personality and community, but common features include:
- Main common room with a piano and television
- Kitchen with stove and refrigerator
- Laundry facilities
- Vending machines
- Shared bathrooms
- Game tables such as pool and ping pong tables (these vary by house)
Learn about more hall amenities on the Housing website.
Cleaning
Cleaning supplies are available for student use. Duke University does not clean individual bedrooms during the academic year. Students are expected to keep their rooms orderly and sanitary. Health and safety inspections of each room are completed once per calendar quarter.
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. More information about DukeCard can be found in the Blue Book or at their website. DukeCards may not be loaned or borrowed; you may only use your Mobile DukeCard on your own personal device. Lost/stolen DukeCards should be reported immediately to the DukeCard Office.
Furnishings
The differing architectural style of the residence halls on West Campus means that there really is no “typical” room. However, each room does have similar furnishings. When you move in, you will have:
- Bed and mattress (mattress size is 36” x 80”-bring “extra-long” twin sheets). NOTE: Some residence halls have 54” x 75” mattresses and residents should bring full-size sheets.
- Chest of drawers
- Closet or wardrobe (about 10 cubic feet)
- Student desk and desk chair
Some rooms are carpeted and some have wooden floors. Additional furnishings, such as futons and rugs, may be added to the room with the consent of all residents of that room. Residents are responsible for all furnishings provided in the room. University-provided furniture may not be removed from the room.
Hall Security
Each residence hall utilizes card-access entry and first-floor window security
screens.
Internet/Networking
All residence halls are equipped with wireless internet access. One port per room is activated to provide ethernet connection if needed. Contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Help Desk via their website or at 919-684-2200.
Laundry
DukeCard and coin-operated laundry machines are located in laundry rooms throughout the residence halls. This service is provided through Duke Vending. To report broken machines or to request reimbursement when money is lost in the machines, call Duke Vending at 684-8363. Your HRL Campus Office will be happy to help you contact Duke Vending to get machines repaired. To report any other problems with the laundry facilities please call your HRL Campus Office.
Personal Property Insurance
Duke University is not liable for damage, theft, or loss of a resident’s personal belongings and does not carry insurance to cover such loss or damage. Personal property insurance/renters insurance is a wise investment for all residents. You may be covered under a policy carried by your parent(s) or guardian; have them contact their insurance agent to be sure.
Phone Service
Students should plan to bring a cell/smart phone to use as their primary phone. Residence halls are equipped with signal boosters to enhance the quality of phone reception.
Tobacco-Free Policy
Duke University and Duke University Health System is a tobacco-free campus. This policy applies to all property and grounds owned or leased by Duke, including construction project sites owned or leased by Duke. This policy prohibits the use of all tobacco-based products, including cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, hookahs, chewing tobacco, snuff, and electronic vaping devices such as e-cigarettes, vaping products, IQOS, as well as any other forms of tobacco. The use of FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or inhaler will be allowed.
TV
Individual bedrooms are not equipped with cable or internet TV. Common areas in your house have a shared TV with internet TV. Many students choose to bring a TV for gaming or for watching TV/movies through the streaming services purchased at the student’s expense.
Trash/Recycling
Most buildings have a designated room for trash and recycling. Duke strongly supports recycling efforts and provides each student bedroom with a recycling container. Residence halls have single-stream recycling. Duke Recycles maintains a list of specific items that should be recycled.
Learn what you can and cannot bring to your residence hall room here.
Duke University and Housing and 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. Learn more about how roommates are assigned and tips to have a positive roommate relationship on the housing website.
The New-to-Duke housing application will be available on June 2, 2025. The priority deadline is June 20, 2025. You will be directed through the HRL website to the housing portal where you will select “New to Duke” to complete your housing and dining application. Information about dining plans can be found in the dining section of this website. The housing portal can be found at: https://mercuryadmin.studentaffairs.duke.edu/page/housingportal.
Residency Requirement
There is a six-semester live-on requirement for all Duke students, including transfer students. Transfer students who want to live off campus for their senior year will need to submit to housing@duke.edu proof of semesters lived on campus from their previous institution.
Assignment Preference Questions
I am a smoker.
If you are a regular smoker, select “yes.” If you are not a smoker, select “no.”
I am a social smoker.
If you smoke occasionally in social settings, please select “yes,” indicating you are a social smoker. If you never smoke, select “no.”
I mind if my roommate smokes.
If you do not want to live with a smoker or social smoker, then select “yes,” indicating that you DO mind if your roommate smokes. If you do not mind if you have a smoker or social smoker roommate, select “no.” If you don’t care about your roommate’s smoking habits, select “no pref.”
I prefer noise (music/TV) while studying.
If you prefer noise while studying (television, music, etc.), select “yes.” If you prefer silence while studying, select “no.” If you do not care either way about noise while studying, select “no pref.”
I go to bed late (after 12am).
If you generally prefer to go to bed late (after midnight), select “yes.” If you tend to go to sleep earlier, select “no.” If your habits vary, select “no pref.”
I wake up early (before 8am).
If you expect to wake up before 8am regularly, select “yes.” If you generally expect to sleep later than 8am, select “no.” If your habits vary, select “no pref.”
I prefer my room be a neat and tidy space.
If you like to keep your room a neat and tidy space, select “yes.” If you do not keep your space neat and tidy, select “no.” If your habits vary, select “no pref.”
The responses to the following questions will be utilized within the roommate matching process when applicable. Your gender identity may be shared with your future roommate or suitemate while your other responses will remain private.
We would love to hear from you! If you need to discuss your housing arrangements, provide supplemental information to your application, or provide more information about the identities you hold to ensure the best possible assignments, you can reach out to us securely:
- Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity: 919-684-6607 or csgd@studentaffairs.duke.edu
- Housing Assignments: 919-684-4304 or housing@duke.edu
What sex were you assigned at birth?
You may select from female, male, intersex, or prefer not to answer.
What is your gender identity?
You may select from genderqueer, I’m not sure, man, non-binary, prefer not to answer, questioning, self-identify below, or woman. The self-identify option allows you to add information about your gender identity.
Do you identify as transgender?
You may select from yes, no, I’m not sure, or prefer not to answer.
Please respond to the following questions regardless of your preference for a single room. These responses will be used in the roommate matching process when applicable.
Would you be a good roommate to a student who identifies as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, or with a marginalized gender identity or gender expression?
You may select from yes, no, or I’m not sure.
Would you prefer to be assigned (when applicable) a roommate of a similar gender?
If you wish to live in a room with someone who has the same gender identity as you, select “yes.” If you are open to having a roommate with a gender identity that may differ from yours, select “no.”
Please identify your housing preferences below.
Do you have a preference to live within a similar-gender community?
If you wish to live near other neighbors of a similar gender identity, select “yes.” If you do not prefer to have neighbors of a similar gender identity, select “no.”
Do you prefer to live on a floor with an all-gender bathroom?
Communal bathrooms and showers are designated Man, Woman, and All. All-gender bathrooms can be accessed by anyone of any gender. All-gender bathrooms are available in each quad.
If you prefer having access to an all-gender bathroom, select “yes.” If you prefer to have access to a gender-specific bathroom, select “no.”
Completing the application without a preferred roommate DOES NOT guarantee a single room. You may respond, “Yes, I have a preferred roommate” or “No, I do not have a preferred roommate.”
Dining Contract
“I agree to the dining contract.”
You must agree to the dining contract to complete your application.
Housing License and Term Agreement
“I agree to the housing license and terms.”
You must agree to the housing license and terms to complete your application. You can review the housing license and terms at: https://students.duke.edu/living/housing/housing-assignments/#2324License.
Please identify your quad/area preferences. We will make every effort to assign you in your preferred area, but we cannot guarantee it.
The New-to-Duke housing application will be available on June 2, 2025. The priority deadline is June 20, 2025. You will be directed through the HRL website to the housing portal where you will select “New to Duke” to complete your housing and dining application. Information about dining plans can be found in the dining section of this website. The housing portal can be found at: https://mercuryadmin.studentaffairs.duke.edu/page/housingportal.