English Department
Survey finds gains among underrepresented minority students as well as international students. The biggest enrollment increases by field were in mathematics and computer sciences and engineering. read more about Graduate Enrollment Grew in 2019 »
A new survey about student experiences during the fall semester and the coronavirus pandemic found that stress, anxiety and loneliness were their overriding concern. The data are representative of the real-life challenges and uncertainty that students say they face. read more about A Generation Defined by the Pandemic »
Remember when some instructors argued the best way to hold students’ attention was banning laptops in class? Beckie Supiano reports. read more about Teaching: How to Give Students a Break From Their Screens — in an Online Course »
A record number of people voted early at Duke in 2018. Will students help Duke break the record again this year? We look at some key numbers. read more about The Numbers Behind Duke Students and Early Voting »
Unsure about how early voting works? We have the all essentials right here to make your experience a smooth and successful one. read more about Five Things to Know About Early Voting »
Being a first-year student is intimidating. From new locations to new faces, the introduction to Duke can be jarring. This year, feelings of isolation and confusion among new students are sure to be increased given virtual classes and social-distancing measures. Thankfully, students are being afforded opportunities to connect and learn from each other through the new “Exploring Self and Community in Dark Times” series. read more about Duke's New 'Self and Community' Series Is a Hopeful Light During Dark Times »
With expanded options, Duke Dining's mobile app is a convenient and safe way to find flavor on campus. read more about Dining Expands Mobile Ordering with App »
Discover why spending a part of your work day in fresh air makes for a better day. read more about Take It Outside: Why Fresh Air Makes for Better Workdays »
For colleagues in student-facing roles, the pandemic led to creative ways to stay connected with students. read more about Staying Close to Students Despite Distance »
College graduates with an associate’s degree in nursing from Santa Rosa Junior College in California make more money than graduates from some programs at Harvard University, a new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows. The report uses data from the Department of Education’s College Scorecard to examine the differences in first-year earnings for college graduates from a variety of degree programs and with different levels of education. read more about Report: First-Year Earnings Vary by Degree Program »
It may be harder to build community in an off-campus apartment complex than in a traditional campus dormitory, but students are connecting with their classmates where they can. In July, Duke told juniors and seniors who had been planning on returning that they would not be able to be housed on campus, with limited exceptions. Many students scrambled to find leases in complexes close to campus—some along Erwin Road close to West Campus and the Medical Center, some closer to 9th Street and East… read more about 'Slightly Isolating': Off-Campus Juniors and Seniors Try to Find Community in an Unusual Year »
Duke students are currently allowed limited access to the University’s trademark venues: The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Nasher Museum of Art and the Duke Chapel. Duke facilities will remain closed to the public, but the Duke Gardens, the Nasher Museum of Art and the Duke Chapel have begun offering “limited student access,” according to an Oct. 1 university-wide email from Vice President of Administration Kyle Cavanaugh. read more about Here's Who Can Book Reservations to the Gardens, Nasher and Chapel »
Campus officials say that even the smallest gesture can go a long way toward calming students placed in isolation after being exposed to Covid-19. read more about How Colleges Can Ease Students' Fear and Anxiety in Quarantine »
Duke administered 15,187 tests to students, faculty and staff during the week. Nine students and three faculty/staff tested positive for a positivity rate of 0.079 percent. read more about 12 Test Positive for COVID-19 from Oct. 3-9 »
When you listen to an economist, chances are you’ll hear a lot of statistics. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech at the National Association for Business Economics on Oct. 6 is a case in point. In the first two minutes alone he referred to a dizzying range of economic indicators: growth, unemployment rate, personal consumption expenditures inflation, labor force participation, productivity gains, real wage gains and so on. read more about Economists Are More Like Storytellers than Scientists – Don’t Let the Nobel for “Economic Sciences’ Fool You »
The Duke University Global Education Office (GEO) has suspended all outgoing undergraduate study away programs for spring 2021 due to ongoing health, safety, and logistics concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension applies to Duke-In, Duke-Approved, and petition programs, including domestic study away programs and U.S.-based exchange programs. GEO will continue offering spring semester opportunities for Duke students unable to return to Duke’s campus through the Duke at DKU and Study Away… read more about Global Education Office Suspends Undergraduate Study Away Programs for Spring 2021 Semester »
Meeting them where they are. Here are a few tidbits about today’s college students: A quarter have an immigrant parent. Most do not have a biological sibling, though many have stepsiblings. Most did not grow up with two biological parents. Only two-thirds describe themselves as exclusively heterosexual. Most didn’t date regularly or have sexual intercourse while in high school. Few regularly read a newspaper, and most learn about the news through smartphone notifications, tweets, social media, internet news… read more about Who Are Our Students? »
A student leader describes ways in which faculty members can support students through a particularly difficult fall, in a report by Beth McMurtrie. read more about Teaching: How Professors Can Help Students Get Through the Semester »
A virtual exhibit and event showcases Duke students using their scholarship to promote social change and wider understanding of critical social issues. “We owe it to ourselves and the broader community ... to go beyond the comforts of the classroom to make real change in the communities and spaces we occupy," said one student. read more about Black Lives Matter Brazil-USA »
We spend so much of our life on them, but what goes on inside a computer remains a mystery to many of us. Duke computer engineering professor Tyler Bletsch opens one up and gives a quick tour of its workings. Part of the Fundamental Concepts video series. read more about Short Course On How a Computer Works »
Classroom community is essential to many students’ success. Here’s how some professors are creating that online. read more about The New Rules of Engagement »
The song of the summer at Duke was an unexpected hit—a catchy song with a quirky video that explained how to check out library books remotely. Now learn how Duke Music Library employee and composer Jamie Keesecker found a creative outlet using some of his daughter's crayons. Want to hear his infectious song one more time? It's here. read more about The Story Behind the Library Takeout Video »
Editor's Note: This message was sent Wednesday to members of the Duke University and Duke Health System community. Please note that the Oct. 9 registration deadline is for those who wish to vote absentee or vote in person on Election Day. During Early Voting Oct. 15-31 at Early Voting sites in the county of your residence, people can still register and vote in a one-stop process. read more about Important Information About Voter Registration and Voting »
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the publication of Duke alumnus William Styron's "Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness," a new library exhibit explores creative responses to mental illness, trauma and everyday stresses. A virtual panel will discuss the topic at 4:30 p.m. today. read more about Creativity & Mental Health »
This election season, take a deep dive into voting in America -- the history, the legal challenges and the biggest policy battles -- in six recent Duke books. Then check out all the NEW READS from September and October from Duke authors. read more about Essential Books On Voting By Duke Authors »
Working with MacArthur-winning artist Carrie Mae Weems, the Nasher Museum, Duke Arts and Duke Health have launched an outdoor exhibition and public awareness campaign on COVID-19. Works from Weems will be showcased across campus, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of the deadly virus on the lives of communities of color. read more about Art Is Alive on Campus, and It Has a Message About COVID-19 »
Taking vacation, even to stay at home, is rejuvenating - and there's a maximum amount of accured time permitted, so use it read more about The Benefits of Taking Time Off - Even In a Pandemic »
A Discussion of Melissa Kean’s Book on Desegregation at Duke, Emory, Rice, Tulane and Vanderbilt read more about Race and Bias Conversations: Desegregating Private Higher Education in the American South »
Guided by advice from students and campus leaders, the university is implementing steps that will bring greater transparency, accountability and coordination around hate and bias issues in the student community. read more about Bring Transparency and Coordination to Addressing Hate and Bias Issues »
COVID-19 has posed a unique set of challenges for the Class of 2024. First-years have had to grow accustomed to online classes and the new socially distanced rhythms of college life. Extracurricular activities play a critical role in building community, and first-years have had to navigate student groups in an unprecedented format. read more about Clubs and COVID-19: How First Years Are Navigating Extracurriculars During the Pandemic »