NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

‘Going in blind’: Non-Greek selective living groups plan for fall rush, despite unclear guidance from Duke

By Ishani Raha | September 5, 2021

Amid heightening COVID-19 restrictions and stricter mask mandates, many non-Greek selective living groups have had to reimagine their rush processes to comply with Duke’s safety standards. While some say they have yet to receive direct guidance from Duke, SLG leaders are doing their best to interpret the University's school-wide guidelines.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Volunteering with children remains virtual due to safety concerns, vaccine ineligibility

By Logan Welborn | September 5, 2021

Student groups who volunteer with children have had to make their efforts virtual due to COVID-19 concerns. While some have had success with virtual workshops, others find children are reluctant to log onto Zoom activities after a full day of virtual school.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

‘We have no excuse but to be great’: Black Convocation recognizes, celebrates Black community at Duke

By Preetha Ramachandran | September 2, 2021

Quinton Smith, associate director of the Mary Lou, reenacted a long-standing tradition at the Center, where students touch the statue of a Sankofa bird first as a new student, then in their senior year during final honors. 

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

University of Michigan professor, department chair named next Vinik dean of Pratt

By Gautam Sirdeshmukh | September 2, 2021

Jerome Lynch will assume the role on Jan. 1, 2022, according to a Thursday press release. 

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

‘This isn’t March 2020 anymore’: Parents express frustration with Duke’s new COVID-19 guidelines

By Madeleine Berger and Ayra Charania | September 2, 2021

Many parents are not happy with Duke’s new COVID-19 guidelines, with some even considering pulling their children from the University. Some parents are demanding that their kids deserve a normal college experience. Others question Duke’s decision to host large orientation events. And others have concerns “about anything that degrades the quality of the education and the experience that our children are getting.” 

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

DSG confirms new student organizations, revises funding for arts groups in Wednesday meeting

By N Wang | September 2, 2021

Duke Student Government Senate conducted their second meeting this academic year Wednesday, confirming committee nominees, updating Student Organization Finance Committee policy and chartering and recognizing organizations.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Professors weigh safety concerns, effective teaching methods as Duke allows temporary switch to online learning

By Gautam Sirdeshmukh , Milla Surjadi and James Cruikshank | August 31, 2021

After three students tested positive and three were quarantined in his class of 65 students last week, David Banks decided to move his course online Monday night. 

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Students miss Friday COVID-19 surveillance tests following inconsistent information from Duke

By Daniel Egitto | August 31, 2021

Multiple students believed they had until 4 p.m. to complete their test, but several testing sites closed at 1 p.m. This confusion resulted in fears that students would lose access to housing and dining over the weekend.  

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Over 3,600 conduct cases reported to OSC during 2020-21 year, report finds

By Nadia Bey | August 31, 2021

There was a “significant increase in the volume of cases and resolutions issued” due to COVID-19.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Commencement ceremony for Class of 2020 to 'proceed as planned' in September, despite new COVID-19 restrictions

By Nadia Bey | August 31, 2021

“Our highest priority will always be health and safety and, like everything else at Duke, the schedule for the weekend is subject to change on short notice if necessary."

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Students concerned with delays in official communication after testing positive for COVID-19

By Preetha Ramachandran and Chris Kuo | August 31, 2021

Some who tested positive were told they had to stay in their dorm rooms for the night because Student Health was too busy.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

More 'annoying than frustrating,' an 'emotional rollercoaster': Students discuss Duke's new COVID-19 policies

By Katie Tan | August 30, 2021

“So much of what got me through last year was white-knuckling through every second of every day saying it won't always be like this—there will be good times again."

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Duke updates masking, dining, online learning policies after reporting over 300 undergraduate COVID-19 cases in a week

By Anna Zolotor and Leah Boyd | August 30, 2021

Over the last week, 304 undergraduates, 45 graduate students and 15 employees tested positive for COVID-19. 

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

From President Price to Peaches: Duke’s biggest stars you need to know

By Milla Surjadi | August 29, 2021

Here are some of the University’s biggest stars to be on the lookout for—on campus, over Zoom, or in your inbox. 

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

New quarantine facilities, changed mask policies, isolation roommates: A roundup of last week's COVID-19 news

By Milla Surjadi | August 29, 2021

As of Aug. 27, there were about 200 students in isolation, according to Michael Schoenfeld, vice president of public affairs and government relations. Just four days earlier, Vice President for Administration Kyle Cavanaugh told The Chronicle that there were 36 students in quarantine. 

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

COVID-19 vaccination now condition of employment for Duke faculty and staff

By Leah Boyd | August 29, 2021

All faculty and staff members must receive and show documentation of their completed COVID-19 vaccination by 10 a.m. on Oct 1.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Students in isolation receive warning after staff reports 'malicious, disrespectful' violations of quarantine policy

By Nadia Bey | August 28, 2021

“Please do not toss your food trash—labeled with your name and apartment number—out on the ground,” the email reads.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

Professors do not need to prepare online teaching for students who miss class due to COVID-19, per Friday email

By Milla Surjadi | August 27, 2021

Professors do not need to prepare online teaching for students who miss class due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

‘The right time and the right place’: Meet Dawna Jones, new director of the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture

By Nadia Bey | August 26, 2021

“My big goal is meeting people and understanding what Duke students are looking for out of the Mary Lou Center, and also building relationships with the community. My understanding is that we have an abundance of joy and Black excellence here on campus and that hasn’t necessarily filtered into how we relate to the surrounding community here in Durham.”

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NEWS  |  UNIVERSITY

DSG hears financial updates, confirms committee nominees in first meeting of academic year

By Milla Surjadi | August 26, 2021

Duke Student Government Senate kicked off their first meeting of the semester with a fire alarm, financial updates and confirmations of committee nominees.