Welcome Class of 2024 Parents and Families!

Duke Families,

Welcome to Duke! We are incredibly excited for the incoming Class of 2024 and having you as part of our Blue Devil family. Each year we are thrilled to welcome your students to the Duke community; their energy and passion inspires us.

Much of our newsletter information will be shared on our social media platforms; however, we do encourage you to read each edition for additional insights, context, and official University response.

Let us take a moment to acknowledge the unprecedented times before us. You and your student will have many questions about the summer and fall. As our University leadership makes decisions impacting the Class of 2024, we will communicate these in a timely manner.

Read the full welcome letter from Associate Dean of Students and Director for Parent & Family Programs, Clay Adams.

Class of 2024 Message

from President Price

President Vincent E. Price addresses the first-year class in this video welcoming the Class of 2024 to Duke and talking about the fall semester. This video was released on May 18.

Planning for the Fall Semester

We recognize families have many questions about the fall. As President Price mentioned in his announcement last week, Duke's goal is to offer a flexible educational experience that continues to prioritize the safety of the entire Duke community. Price's statement and the unfolding plan will have implications for the academic calendar, move-in, orientation, and expectations of students on campus; as specific details are developed, the Office of Parent and Family Programs will continue to communicate with families.

We expect to share more details with students and families about the upcoming academic year by the end of June.

Connect with Us on Social Media

Join the official Class of 2024 Parents and Families Facebook Group. This is an opportunity to engage with other Duke families in a fun and informative setting. In order to join this closed group, you will have to click the "Join Group" button at the top of the page and respond to a few security questions.

You can also keep up-to-date with campus happenings by following Parent and Family Programs on Twitter @DukeParents.

Get Ready for Duke

Blue Book Online

Your student received an email in May with a link to the Blue Book online. The Blue Book is students' guide to everything they need to do and know before beginning classes this fall.

The parent and family section of the Blue Book highlights parts of the student experience that are often of particular importance and interest to families. While there is relevant information you can start absorbing now, this site will continue to be available throughout the summer and school year as questions arise. We hope you will use the Blue Book as a tool to learn about Duke while also empowering your student to take ownership of the tasks they need to complete this summer.

Please note that all information included in the Blue Book is based on what was known as of May 1, 2020. As the global COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, all information remains subject to change. We will continue to share any updates or changes as we have them.

Student Emails

Your students should begin checking their Duke email regularly, as this is the email address that will be used for official University communications. Throughout the summer, New Student Programs and other offices will send emails that highlight orientation and program updates as soon as information becomes available. If students are having issues accessing their Duke email, students should contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT).

Summer Advising

Trinity students received an email on May 28 from the Academic Advising Center (AAC) with advising updates and opportunities. Advisors are available to students to talk about general interests and overall educational and personal goals for your student's Duke education.

Pratt students can also connect with advisers within the Pratt School of Engineering by emailing pratt-advising@duke.edu.

Please note: With the academic calendar and planning for the fall still being finalized, advising will not yet include specifics about fall schedule planning. More information about advising is available in your student's section of the Blue Book. As updates are determined, information will be shared.

A Commitment to Tangible Action

Last week, Mary Pat McMahon, Vice Provost/Vice President for Student Affairs, and Gary Bennett, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, released a statement to students in the wake of George Floyd's murder and the protests happening in the U.S. The statement lists tangible actions and next steps that the University will take to address the impact of racism on our campus.

Updates & Events

New Student Orientation & Pre-Orientation Programs

Due to concerns related to COVID-19, all campus and community-based Pre-Orientation Programs will not be offered this August. The Office of New Student Programs is committed to working with Pre-Orientation student leaders to explore virtual opportunities for your students to connect with each other and build community around common interests over the summer.

More information about New Student Orientation and Move-In will be provided by the end of June.

Parent and Family Orientation

We look forward to providing families with an opportunity to learn more about Duke and connect you to the people and resources that will support your students over the next four years. However, details will be tied to the University's plan for the fall. The format, delivery, and timing of Parent and Family Orientation are yet to be finalized.

As we find out more about what the fall will look like, Parent & Family Programs will continue to share information with our Duke parents and families. Together we will navigate the next few months and prepare your students for their journey as a Dukie. We appreciate your support and patience throughout the summer.

University Communications

Be assured you will be among the first to know when more plans are finalized for the fall. In addition to communications from the Office of Parent and Family Programs, you can always find the most up-to-date information on the University's Coronavirus Response website and by subscribing to The Duke Daily.