This message is being sent to all Duke undergraduate, professional, and graduate students:

Dear Students, 

We have been made aware of text messages that have targeted Black and African-American students at Duke, some by individual names and some anonymously, as part of a text spam campaign happening this week across the country. We’re working with Duke OIT, OIE, and DUPD to get more information and will share updates as we have them.  

This racist effort is abhorrent and presumably designed to stoke fear and alienation among members of our Black and African-American community.  We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an environment where students of all identities are safe, respected, and embraced. We trust that our Duke community will continue to rise above hatred, support one another, and build a campus grounded in mutual care and respect. That is the Duke way.  

If you’ve received one of these texts and wish to report it, please do so here. Resources are also available to anyone impacted, including:  

The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture staff will be available for support and to be in the community. 

DukeReach is also available as a resource for all Duke students – walk-in hours are between 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday on the first floor of the Wellness Building. DukeReach is available to provide support and connect students to resources on- and off-campus.   

Additional resources can be found below our signatures. 

Sincerely, 

Mary Pat McMahon 

Vice President/Vice Provost for Student Affairs  

Shruti Desai  

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs for Student Engagement

CAPS: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers counseling services to Duke students including virtual appointments, and referrals in the community. You do not need an appointment for an initial assessment. You may walk in or Call 919-660-1000 to get started. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm.

CAPS AFTER-HOURS CARE: After hours counseling services are available at no additional cost to students. Clinical crisis services are also available Call: 919-660-1000 Option 2. You may call 911 or Duke University police also. Additionally, students may access the following mental health resource: BlueDevilsCare.duke.edu 

DUKEREACH: DukeReach will help you identify support services from among the variety of resources across campus or in your local community. You can contact DukeReach at 919-681-2455 or by emailing dukereach@duke.edu. 

DuWell offers self-care advice, mindfulness resources and other services to help you holistically manage daily stress and improve your happiness.

In case of an emergency in which your or another's immediate safety is at risk, please call Duke Police at 919-684-2444. If calling off campus, dial 9-1-1.

For urgent health and safety concerns, access Duke's Confidential Mental Health Crisis Line by calling 919-660-1000, option 2.

IDENTITY AND CULTURAL CENTERS: The Student Affairs Identity and Cultural Centers also serve as important resources and places of connection and support for many of our students. The centers are offering programming and support throughout the year, including summer. Our ICCs include: Center for Multicultural Affairs, Center for Muslim Life, Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Duke International Student Center, Jewish Life at Duke, Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture, and the Women’s Center.

DUKE CHAPEL AND RELIGIOUS LIFE AT DUKE: Duke Chapel and Religious Life at Duke offers a wide range of student support, whether or not you are connected to a religious tradition at all. Visit their website to connect with leaders from any of Duke's diverse faith groups, all of whom are experienced in offering emotional and spiritual care, and a non-anxious presence with a humanistic listening ear, to college-age students

ACADEMIC DEAN: Your Academic Dean is a key resource when navigating the university. Contact your Academic Dean if you need support with an absence, missed work, or issues such as academic planning, course withdrawals, and leaves of absence as needed. Note that there are separate academic deans for Trinity and Pratt.

305 Towerview Road
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-3737