NEWS | UNIVERSITY

'It’s just a word': Students criticize 'censorship' of dorm window signs

By Alison Korn | October 26, 2020

The students living in Hollows Quad are no strangers to looking outside and noticing passersby taking photos of their dorm room windows—but they can’t put whatever they want there. Hollows A Residence Coordinator Briana Enty told residents in a Sept. 28 email obtained by The Chronicle that although there have not been any issues so far with the windows, there is an expectation that “all signs or flags posted in windows should be approved by the RC before posting.”

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Faculty consider proposal to expand S/U grading in Trinity College for spring semester

By Chris Kuo | October 23, 2020

For those pining for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading, keep your fingers crossed: It may be easier to get one of those stress-relieving S’s in the spring in the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, with details depending on the department.

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Duke estimates COVID-19 testing and tracing will cost ‘several million dollars’ over academic year

By Katie Tan | October 23, 2020

Vice President of Administration Kyle Cavanaugh wrote in an email that several million dollars “is the most accurate estimate we have at this point.” He added that at the start of the academic year, the University had “rough cost estimates,” and current expenses “are running within those estimates.”

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Duke reaches settlement with Medical Center professor in discrimination lawsuit

By Nadia Bey | October 22, 2020

Manal Abdelmalek, a tenured professor of medicine and Duke Medical Center physician, filed suit in July 2019 after allegedly being “subjected to discrimination on the basis of her gender and race/national origin,” according to the complaint. The case was settled by Aug. 13, 2020, after a mediated settlement conference in early August, according to case documents. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Students in different time zones face challenges, express gratitude for professors

By Tri Truong | October 22, 2020

As if online classes weren’t strange enough, many Duke students are studying in different time zones this semester. Some remote students said that although professors have been generous and accommodating, Zoom interactions with classmates have been disappointing. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Assistant VP for intercultural programs discusses diversity, inclusivity at DSG Senate meeting

By Tri Truong | October 22, 2020

Duke Student Government heard a presentation from the assistant vice president for intercultural programs Wednesday night.

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

OUSF releases new plan for excellence, diversity, inclusion and equity

By Preetha Ramachandran | October 21, 2020

The Office of University Scholars and Fellows released a new strategic plan for excellence, diversity, inclusion and equity Oct. 12. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Red in a sea of Blue Devils: Duke College Republicans no longer active as election approaches

By Gracie Blackburn | October 21, 2020

The organization decided against rechartering this fall because of ideological tensions within the group and the broader Republican Party, a former member said. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Duke's endowment dip comes amid volatile investment year, gains at other schools

By Madeleine Berger | October 21, 2020

Duke’s endowment took a hit this year even as other top universities saw gains. Unlike its similarly ranked private school counterparts, Duke’s endowment fell by nearly 1.2%—from $8.6 billion to $8.5 billion—despite a 0.7% investment return. Rachel Satterfield, Duke’s interim vice president for finance, explained that Duke’s endowment is calculated based on a number of factors. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Duke names new engineering building, set to open in January, after long-time donors

By Nadia Bey | October 20, 2020

Duke has named its newest engineering building after a family of donors to the school.

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Students push once more for fossil fuel divestment, backed by ACC-wide coalition

By Carter Forinash | October 20, 2020

In an open letter sent to Duke administrators in late September, student groups called on the University to divest from a variety of industries—this time as part of an ACC-wide coalition. The letter was co-signed by 20 groups at Duke and backs other demands by student advocacy groups, including Duke's Black Coalition Against Policing. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Duke reports 17 new positive COVID-19 tests for students, 3 for faculty and staff out of 15,143 total

By Rose Wong | October 19, 2020

There were 20 new positive coronavirus tests reported at Duke between Oct. 10 and Oct. 16, out of 15,143 total tests, according to data released Monday on the University’s COVID-19 testing tracker.

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Duke confirms first COVID-19 cluster, identified on Monday

By Carter Forinash | October 16, 2020

Duke identified its first student COVID-19 cluster, in the Solis Brightleaf apartment complex in Durham.

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Academic Council discusses Title IX rules, debates sexual harassment definition

By Mona Tong | October 16, 2020

From Title IX to personal data, policy changes were the main topic of discussion for the Academic Council this week.

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

New computer science course explores equity and inclusion in technology

By Madeleine Berger | October 16, 2020

There is a new computer science class offered this fall, and it’s not like any other course in its department. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

'My mental state has been at its all-time low': Condensed semester, social disruption take a toll on students

By Ayra Charania | October 16, 2020

Some students said various factors—including the unusual academic calendar and the disruption of regular social interaction—have affected their mental health this semester. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Voters line up at Karsh Center as early voting begins in NC

By Carter Forinash | October 15, 2020

Personal pens and poll workers in PPE are both part of the Duke early voting experience. As early voting begins in North Carolina with federal, statewide and local races all on the ballot, voters are already casting ballots on campus at Duke’s Karsh Alumni and Visitors Center. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Jarvis dorm renamed West Residence Hall, due to former namesake’s racist history

By Matthew Griffin | October 15, 2020

Duke has renamed East Campus’ Jarvis dorm to its original name of West Residence Hall.

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Anti-racism updates include $16 million in grant funding, other new and expanded initiatives

By Matthew Griffin | October 15, 2020

Duke is launching a multi-pronged effort to combat racism at the University and expanding existing initiatives, including $16 million in new grant funding from The Duke Endowment. 

---

NEWS | UNIVERSITY

Duke SHAPE discusses its mission, expansion before DSG Senate

By Ayra Charania | October 15, 2020

Duke Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention and Education filled Duke Student Government senators in on its mission at the Senate’s Wednesday meeting.