Duke

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January 12, 2023

Dear students,

Happy New Year! We hope you've had a restful break, and that your 2023 is off to a good start.

If you're looking for an achievable resolution, try visiting the office hours for each of your professors within the first month of class. Or if you're hungry, grab lunch with one of them on us! Engaging with faculty members outside the classroom is a great way to make campus feel more like home.

Speaking of free food, we are kicking off the semester tomorrow night with Winter Chill, a winter wonderland of crafts, food, snacks, and more. Join us on BC Plaza anytime from 7-10 p.m.!

Finally, as you get back into your routines, please be aware that different areas of campus have different COVID safety protocols. Campus buses, for example, still require masking due to their increased risk of transmission. Please be considerate of those around you by following the appropriate guidelines wherever you are.

Thank you all for looking out for each other. We're so excited to have everyone back on campus once again, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish this semester!

Go Duke,

Gary Bennett, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education

Mary Pat McMahon, Vice Provost of Student Affairs

Exciting news!

Candis Watts Smith has been appointed to an 18-month term as interim vice provost for undergraduate education. In this role, she will lead the Office of Undergraduate Education and its initiatives to support student success, foster intellectual community, and facilitate experiential education for undergraduates.

You might know Dr. Smith already! She's an associate professor of political science whose scholarship examines the influence of race and ethnicity in shaping citizens’ identities, political attitudes, and policy preferences.

Learn more about her new role here. We're so glad to have her on the team!

Young Trustee Application

The Undergraduate Young Trustee Nominating Committee is now accepting applications for Young Trustee.

For more information about the Young Trustee position, selection process, timeline, and the list of nominating committee members, click here.

To apply for the position of Young Trustee, please complete the Young Trustee application by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 17.

Undergraduate Off Campus Student Advisory Board

Interested in issues related to affordable housing, neighbor relations, and safety? Duke's new Undergraduate Off Campus Student Advisory Board will advise the university's strategy for off-campus and community housing.

Juniors and seniors who live off campus, as well as juniors who are planning to live off campus for their senior year, are eligible to apply. You don't need to have an academic background in housing or policy!

Learn more about the responsibilities and application process here.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, January 23.

Blue Devils Care

As part of our partnership with Timely MD, Blue Devils Care can connect you to virtual counseling and other mental health resources 24 hours a day. Your first 12 sessions with Blue Devils Care are covered by the university, so if you need to talk to someone, please reach out!

Basketball is back!

Congratulations to the men's basketball team on yesterday's win! Let's keep that energy going tonight, as the women's basketball team takes on the Clemson Tigers at Cameron. Will we see you there?

Grab lunch with a faculty member – on us!

We weren't kidding about that. The FLUNCH program (faculty + lunch, get it?) encourages students and faculty to interact outside the classroom by providing funds for an on-campus meal. Every undergrad can use up to $70 of FLUNCH money per semester.

Check out our website to learn more about the guidelines, as well as how to submit a FLUNCH request!

New Year's Eve

John Blackshear, Kimberly Blackshear, and Candis Watts Smith rang in 2023 with Duke students who stayed on campus over break. You can never go wrong with cupcakes and good music!

Selfie of John Blackshear, Kimberly Blackshear, and Candis Watts Smith with Duke students