Navigating Important Conversations

Families can play a critical role in the health and well-being of their college students. We believe that parental conversations about alcohol, in particular, contribute to increased student safety, student ownership of their actions, and healthier and more positive experiences in college.

Parent and Family Programs and DuWell (Duke’s health promotion and wellness unit) developed the following video to spark conversations about alcohol use and social decision-making before your student arrives to Duke.

Read more from Parent and Family Programs, including suggested talking points and conversation starters about alcohol.

Important Dates

August 1 • Family Weekend Registration Opens
August 1 • Fall 2019 Tuition & Fees Payment Due
August 3 • DukeCard Photo Due
August 20 • First-Year Move-In Day
August 20-21 • Parent and Family Orientation
September 17 • SMIP (Insurance) Selection Deadline
October 25-27 • Family Weekend

The First-Year Transition: Communicating with your Student from a Distance

We encourage you to think critically about how to best support your student during their transition to college. During this time, your relationship with your student is also in a time of transition. You can – and will – continue to play a critical role in supporting the well-being of your student, but how you do that may look different from a distance.

Tips from Parent and Family Programs:

Set realistic expectations before your student arrives about how frequently you will communicate with each other.
Ask good questions! Uncover the challenges and excitement of college.
Validate your student's experiences, and offer suggestions that empower your student to take ownership of the challenges they face.
Listen to differentiate between worrisome behaviors and those that are representative of common student challenges.

Travel and Lodging

Orientation is August 20-21 and Family Weekend is October 25-27. Visit the Parent and Family Programs website and durham.duke.edu for more information about travel, lodging, and fun things to do while you are in Durham.

Durham skyline

Upcoming Opportunities for Families

Duke Parents Advisory Council

We are currently accepting DPAC applications for Class of 2023 Parent Representatives!

The Duke Parents Advisory Council (DPAC) plays an instrumental role within the University by providing feedback, support, and counsel throughout the academic year. DPAC's goals are as follows:

Assist the division in strategic planning for new and existing initiatives.
Represent the larger community of Duke parents regarding policy and program implementation.
Provide an outlet for parents of students who want to be involved in the undergraduate Duke experience.

The application can be found here and is due September 1. We will be in touch with all applicants by mid-September regarding selections. Thank you again for your interest in DPAC!

Students attending one of many New Student Orientation events

Move-In and Orientation Webinar

As we approach Move-In Day and Orientation, you may find that you have lingering questions about arriving at Duke. Join professional staff members from New Student Programs and Parent and Family Programs to learn more about logistics and how to prepare your student. The webinar can be accessed live on Thursday, August 1at 4:00pm EDT by entering the password: DukeParents. The video will be posted online within two business days.

Family Weekend

We look forward to welcoming families to campus October 25-27! Registration for Family Weekend will open this Thursday, August 1. Families will receive an email once the registration site is live. At that time, the registration link and Family Weekend schedule will be posted to the Parent and Family Programs website.

30 Days to Duke

Still want to learn more about what your student will experience at Duke? Watch the 30 Days to Duke series and countdown the days until New Student Orientation with these fun videos for students.

Your student can see these videos through the Class of 2023 Facebook page and their email. Watch the first video here.

Preparing for Duke

Move-In Logistics

Students will be able to unload their belongings and move in on August 20 at a time determined by their residence hall. Upon arriving to East Campus during the assigned time, families will need to display the parking pass that students received in their email from Housing and Residence Life. Families will only be permitted one car on East Campus. Below is a reminder of the times for move-in:

8:00am – 9:00am: Trinity, Jarvis
9:30am - 11:00am: Gilbert-Addoms, Brown, Alspaugh, Wilson
11:30am - 1:00pm: Randolph, Southgate, Giles, Bassett
2:00pm - 3:30pm: Pegram, Blackwell, Bell Tower

East Campus Quad

Student Reminders

Duke Card

Students must submit a photo for their DukeCard by August 3 to ensure it's ready for pick-up on Move-In Day! Once the photo is approved, students can add their DukeCard to their mobile device for easy use around campus.

Students should also set their DukeCard PIN, which is needed for dorm room access and food delivery on campus. Submit photos and set the PIN at dukecard.duke.edu.

Blue Devil Delivery

Blue Devil Delivery allows your family to preorder textbooks, linens, computers, and Microfridges and pick them up at convenient locations on Move-In Day. Time is running out! Many items must be ordered by July 31 and August 1.

Important Billing Information

Student bills are prepared by the Bursar's office and made available on DukeHub. All bills are delivered electronically; a copy is not sent via US mail.

A copy of each bill will be sent to your student's Duke e-mail account each time a new e-bill is posted to DukeHub. In addition, if your student has given you Guest Access to view bills on DukeHub, you will be copied on the billing emails when they are sent to your student.

The Registrar posts a regular billing schedule as well as a detailed calendar for each school year (see bottom of page in the previous link). Note: payment is due August 1 for the fall semester.