The independent news organization of Duke University
Around 100 first-year students decided to take classes virtually from home last fall.
This past semester, many first-year students were able to enter a difficult school year with guidance and support from older students.
Many Duke courses used hybrid or virtual learning models this fall in response to the need for distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duke reported its highest number of positive COVID-19 tests yet in its first testing update of 2021, with a total of 62 new positive tests between Jan. 3 and Jan. 10 out of 10,287 total tests.
Mutersbaugh, who died in a car accident Dec. 12, was a first-year doctoral student in the neurobiology program. From helping his neurobiology labmates with coding for their experiments to going on spontaneous adventures with his friends, he brought light and joy to all he did.
While Duke’s plan to house some first-year students on West Campus for the fall was a positive experience for many, some first-year students have chosen to relocate to East for the spring.
Washington University of St. Louis’ Shruti Desai is joining Duke as an associate vice president. Desai will step into her new role March 15, replacing Zoila Airall as associate vice president of student affairs for campus life, according to an announcement by Mary Pat McMahon, vice provost and vice president for student affairs.
The Chronicle spoke to Alyah Baker from the Duke Dance program about what changes the program saw as a result of COVID-19.
From the many disasters that happened in 2020 to the quest to land humans on Mars, house courses are tackling a wide array of topics in the spring.
Duke’s COVID-19 response, which included reducing density in residential buildings, has left the Class of 2024 split between campuses.
Duke and North Carolina Central University are collaborating on a project aimed at strengthening connections between institutions of higher education and public schools in Durham.
When Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president, college students across the country can expect the potential of sweeping changes to a number of higher education policies. On the campaign trail, Biden has advocated for policy changes on issues such as alleviating the burden of student debt, making higher education more affordable and accessible, and repealing many of the current Department of Education’s rule changes.
Duke Hospital received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines Dec. 14, a milestone in overcoming the pandemic. Duke received three trays containing the vaccine in its first shipment, for a total of 2,295 doses. Each person who is vaccinated has to get two doses 21 days apart for optimal effect.
Students returning to Durham for the spring semester are asked to quarantine for 10 days before traveling. Additionally, traveling students are “strongly encouraged” to receive a COVID-19 test within five days before arriving in Durham.
Duke admitted 840 high school seniors for a 16.7% acceptance rate, according to a Friday news release.
Many of the 21 charged are current or former students at the schools, said Matt Martin, U.S. attorney for the middle district of North Carolina, at a Thursday press conference. These include “a majority” of students from UNC-CH and a few from Duke and Appalachian State, he said.
The policy changes are less extensive than in spring 2020, and the overall policy remains similar to the fall.
It’s been seven months since the Class of 2020 celebrated their graduation, and their post-graduation lives haven’t quite been what they’ve expected.
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag wrote in an email that Duke received 5,040 Early Decision applications to the Class of 2025, compared to 4,280 last year—a 17.76% increase.
Duke’s Next Generation Living and Learning 2.0 Committee will not diminish or eliminate Greek life and selective living groups, hoping rather to improve non-selective housing through a residential quad model, distinct quad traditions and greater faculty engagement on West Campus, committee members said Wednesday.
