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

July 28 - Aug 10 & Aug 17-18 • Parent & Family Orientation
Aug 2 • Fall tuition and fees bills posted
Aug 17 • New Student Move-In
Aug 17 • New Student Orientation begins
Sept 1 • Fall tuition and fees due
Sept 5 • SMIP waiver period ends (see below)
Oct 15-17 • Family Weekend 2021

Get Ready for Duke!

DukeCard Photos

Remind your student that they must submit a photo to the DukeCard Office by August 2 if they want to pick up their physical student ID on Move-In Day. For more info, visit the DukeCard section of the Blue Book.

Important Resources for Duke Students

Earlier this week your students received an email titled Important Resources for Duke Students. This email includes critical student support information about Duke’s Emergency Notifications systems, transportation services, campus wellness resources, and emergency services. We share it with families now so that you too know about hallmark resources designed to provide holistic support of Duke students.

Pre-Orientation Family Packs are Live

If your student is participating in a Pre-Orientation program, please visit the Parent and Family programs website for more information. Family Packs specific to each program are posted on our page. These guides are written by the pre-orientation student program directors and contain details we feel are helpful about each specific program.

Course Highlight: UNIV 101

Duke is offering a brand new course this fall: UNIV 101 - The Invention and Consequences of Race. For Fall '21, UNIV 101 is offered as a gateway course that will allow students to explore the study of race through multiple academic disciplines (public policy, law, biology, medicine, environmental sciences, and religion to name a few), with a different guest lecturer every week.

This course is open to all undergraduate students, regardless of program of study. Read more about the course in Duke Today.

Family Engagement

Parent & Family Orientation Schedule

The Parent and Family Orientation schedule is now live! All events are highly encouraged.

Parent and Family Orientation will begin with virtual programming next week. Any live webinars require pre-registration and will be recorded and posted for those who are not able to join live. Don't miss this series of must-watch videos and webinars.

In-person programming will also occur August 17-18 around new student move-in. For families who are able to join us in August, all virtual and in-person programming is highly encouraged. Families are kindly asked to depart campus at the conclusion of the parent and family schedule (2:00pm on Wednesday, August 18).

A schedule of virtual and in-person Parent and Family Orientation events is available on the Parent and Family Programs webpage. Any updates will continue to be posted to this page.

Join Duke Parents Advisory Council

We are currently accepting DPAC applications for Class of 2025 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 of Student Affairs 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 August 23. We will be in touch with all applicants by mid-September regarding selections. Thank you again for your interest in DPAC!

Common Experience Summer Reading Book

The Duke Summer Reading program is designed to introduce students to the academic climate at Duke University and to encourage discussion and intellectual dialogue among undergraduate students. New Student Programs mailed physical copies of this year's book, Such a Fun Age, to domestic students last week. A digital version will arrive in international student inboxes this weekend. The author, Kiley Reid, will be joining students for a virtual discussion about the book at the end of August.

International Families

International Orientation and Move-In

International Undergraduate Student Orientation will occur in two parts. Virtual sessions will be August 2-6, followed by early move-in August 13-15. To be eligible for early move-in, students must attend virtual orientation. Registration is required for all parts of International Orientation and Move-In. Learn more.