Following several years of discussion, a group of undergraduate students, administrators and faculty was charged 18 months ago with envisioning a new residential system for Duke. We’re calling it the house model in deference to a system with a rich history at Duke, but in fact it’s a reinvigoration and reinvention of that system. From the start we have operated with two principles in mind: creating an equitable system for all students, whether or not they affiliate with selective living groups (SLGs), and creating a greater sense of community, with three-class housing and right of return into smaller, more cohesive residential units.
This has not been an easy process; we have major architectural constraints, study abroad patterns that are severely unbalanced between Fall and Spring semesters and concerns among SLGs about moving not long after a reshuffle several years ago. We recognize that no system we design will be perfect, especially not in the first year, but we remain confident that with creativity and cooperative effort we can build a residential system to be proud of.
The Fall timeline is still evolving, but here are some major milestones.
• Duke Student Government is sponsoring an open forum on the house model on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.—location to be announced.
• Housing, Dining and Residence Life needs to hear from student groups who wish to apply for new housing by Friday, Sept. 30.
• We have already been in contact with Panhellenic organizations; we have been meeting with them since the Spring term and met last week with all the sorority presidents and their sophomore and junior class representatives. We have contingency plans in place to respond to their applications; we are most willing to entertain requests from all Panhellenic groups, or from a subset. That is up to the sororities.
• Once we have a complete list of SLGs requesting housing, we expect to make random assignments in October. Groups that wish to stay on or move to Central will have the opportunity to express that preference.
• The design for the new Room Picks process is nearing completion, and the process will occur on the same calendar as it always has in the Spring semester—January through March.
• For unaffiliated students, we expect to hold open forums in October and November to answer questions about this new model.
We expect the house model blog to go live next week. Content will evolve but will include a frequently asked questions tab. As you submit questions through the website, we will add information to respond to those questions.
We appreciate your interest and welcome your input.
Sincerely,
Donna Lisker, associate dean of undergraduate education and co-chair of the House Model Committee
Joe Gonzalez. associate dean for residence life and co-chair of the House Model Committee
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