Student Life

Life at the Duke University is vibrant and highly engaging. In addition to classroom time, there are on-going activities, seminars, workshops and events – finding ways to stay busy will not be an issue. There are several ways to be active in the Nic School, Durham and Duke University communities, and many resources are available to help you achieve your goals both as a student and a professional.

In need of a resource?  We got you covered. View the list of university Ally Resources here.

Career Resources

The Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) at the Nicholas School of the Environment provides a variety of services in support of our guiding mission: making the vision of a sustainable future a reality. We work directly with MEM and MF students and alumni to teach and coach career readiness at all stages of professional growth.

Duke Dining

Duke Dining offers 45 dining locations that include 36 on-campus locations, Merchants-on-Points (MOPs-off-campus restaurants that deliver), and food trucks. Duke Dining aims to provide a fresh-thinking, world-class experience, no matter where you choose to dine on Duke’s campus.

COVID-19 Updates

Visit the Duke Keep Learning website for updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Student Groups & Organizations

Nicholas School Student Groups >

Sanford School Student Groups >

Information Technology

IT Support at the Nicholas School >

Central Duke OIT >

LinkedIn Learning >

International Student Center

The Duke International Student Center (DISC) serves Duke’s international students, scholars, their families, and the broader community through advocacy, advising, educational programming, and community building. International House is located on the Second Floor of Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 114 South Buchanan Boulevard. Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. You can drop by anytime during these hours, and an advisor will be available to assist you.

Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity

The Duke Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity strives to achieve an inclusive campus climate for students, staff, faculty, and alumnx with marginalized sexual orientations, romantic orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions through education, advocacy, support, mentoring, academic engagement, and providing space.

Driver’s License/State ID

As an international student, you are eligible to obtain a North Carolina driving license or a state ID Card. It is encouraged that you obtain either one or the other for identification purposes in the United States.

A driving license will allow you to operate a car and serve as a means of identification.

A State ID card will serve as a means of identification however it will not allow you to operate a car.

This card does not allow you to drive in the U.S. but it serves as official identification which can be used in lieu of your passport while in the U.S. In order to obtain the State ID Card, you simply need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Gather Documents

  • Form I-20 (F1/F2) or Form DS-2019 (J1/J2)
  • Passport
  • F1/J1/F2/J2 visa stamp (exception: Canadian students or scholars)
  • I-94 record: available electronically at http://cbp.gov/i94. (Note: paper cards are still being issued at all land port of entries so if you receive a paper card, take care not to lose it)
  • Proof of Residency*
  • Pay Fee (cash, money order or personal check made payable to NC DMV)
*Proof of Residency must have your current local address. Any of the following items can provide proof of residency: apartment lease, housing contract, mortgage statement, cable bill, electric bill, etc.

Step 2: Make an appointment to visit the Division of Motor Vehicles and present the above documents

In order to obtain a N.C. driver’s license, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Obtain liability insurance

This is a pre-requisite to even applying for the driver’s license. This insurance covers you as a driver on the road of N.C. EXCEPTION: Proof of Insurance is not needed if you do not own a registered motor vehicle and you do not plan to drive a private passenger motor vehicle owned by another person. In such case, you will be required to sign a certification of exemption (DL-123A) at the driver license office. The exemption restricts you to driving “Fleet Vehicles Only”, such as Zip Cars (insurance included) or Rental Cars (only if you purchase liability insurance offered by the rental car company).

Step 2: Gather documents

You will need to gather the following documents in order to apply for the N.C. Driver’s License
  • Form 1-20 (F1/F2) or DS-2019 (J1/J2)
  • Passport
  • F1/J1/F2/J2 visa stamp (exception: Canadian students or scholars)
  • I-94 record: available electronically at http://cbp.gov/i94. (Note: paper cards are still being issued at all land port of entries so if you receive a paper card, take care not to lose it)
  • Proof of Residency*
  • Proof of Insurance
*Proof of Residency must have your current local address. Any of the following items can provide proof of residency: apartment lease, housing contract, mortgage statement, cable bill, electric bill, etc. 

Step 3: Take tests/pay fees

You will need to pass the following tests in order to obtain the N.C. Driver’s license (no tests are required for the N.C. State ID)
  • Vision test (be sure to have any corrective lenses/glasses with you when you go for the tests)
  • Signs test (identify the common road signs)
  • Written Test
  • Road Test (you will need a car in order to take this test, it will be a short trip with an officer who will judge you on your driving abilities)
If you pass all of the above, congratulations, you will receive your N.C. Driver’s License in the mail.  They will present you with a temporary driving certificate that you can use to operate a car until the license comes in. Keep in mind the temporary certificate does not serve as a form of I.D.
When you purchase a car, you will receive a Title from the owner/dealer. You will need to register the car in your name with the State of N.C. and receive license plates for the car

Step 1: Obtain N.C. Driver’s License or State I.D.

Step 2: Gather documents

  1. Title that has been properly signed and notarized
  2. N.C. driver’s license or state ID card
  3. Proof of liability insurance (the insurance will likely need to be adjusted for appropriate coverage on the car)

Step 3: Pay more fees

  1. Certificate of Title
  2. License Plate
  3. One-time State Road Tax: a percentage of purchase price or value of car

Step 4: Pay follow-up county fee

In 2-3 months you will receive another bill from the county for a percentage of the purchase price/road tax, you must pay this as well. You will receive this bill every year you own a car that is registered in N.C. This information can also be found on the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle’s web site: North Carolina DMV.

More Topics

Welcome to the Nicholas School. Below you will find a list of support services. These contacts and resources aim to make you aware of safety and health related resources so that you can maximize your time at the Nicholas School. Bookmark this site for easy access.
  •  Bias Incident Report Form
    • Students may use this form to report a bias-related incident involving the Duke community. The report will be submitted to the Office of Student Conduct and shared with the Student Affairs Bias Advisory Committee. Victims may elect to remain anonymous if you wish. Please provide as much detail as you can.
  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) – 919-660-1000
    • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offer many services to Duke undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including brief individual counseling/psychotherapy, consultation, couples and group counseling, assistance with referrals, and more. CAPS staff also provide outreach education programs to student groups, particularly programs supportive of at-risk populations. on a wide range of issues impacting them in various aspects of campus life.
  • DukeReach – 919-681-2455
    • DukeReach provides comprehensive outreach services to identify and support students in managing all aspects of their wellbeing. We provide case management services including coordination, advocacy, referrals, and follow-up services for students who are experiencing significant difficulties related to mental health, physical health, and/or psycho-social adjustment.
  • Duke Student Wellness Center – 919-681-8421
    • The Duke Student Wellness Center is dedicated to fostering a living/learning environment on campus and within the surrounding community that encourages the full development of the individual as an engaged member of the community.
  • Gender Violence Prevention and Intervention – 919-684-3897
    • The Duke University Women’s Center is dedicated to helping every woman at Duke become self-assured with a streetwise savvy that comes from actively engaging with the world. We welcome men and women alike who are committed to gender equity and social change.
  • International House – 919-684-3585
    • Our Mission is to provide educational programs, services and advocacy to Duke global community on campus as well as outreach to the greater Durham area.  We offer extensive cross-cultural information and training to enhance the mission of the university.
  • Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) – 919-684-8222
    • The Office for Institutional Equity is a team of specialized professionals dedicated to serving the Duke University and Duke University Health System communities regarding occupational enrichment through diversity, inclusion, affirmative action, employment equity, harassment prevention, and other work-related initiatives focused on the quality of life and effort at Duke.
  • Student Health – 919-681-9355
    • Student Health Services (SHS) at Duke University is jointly supported by the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Pediatrics. The Duke Student Health Center is the primary source for a wide range of healthcare services, many of which are covered by the Student Health Fee.
  • Visa Services – 919-681-8472
    • All non-immigrants traveling to the U.S. must request a visa, which reflects their planned activities in the U.S. There are designated requirements for each visa category. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) through various consulates throughout the world issues visas. A visa cannot be requested in the U.S. Visa Basics provides detailed information.
As the Chief of the Duke University Police Department, I want to welcome you to Duke and let you know that your safety is our highest priority. I also want to share the following important information with you:
  • Property theft is the most common crime on campus and is preventable. Please don’t leave smartphones, tablets and other electronics unattended. Consider using a tracking app or software on your devices.
  • Learn about crimes reported near off-campus locations at communitycrimemap.com. This is site may be helpful as you consider housing options in the community.
  • Report concerning behavior, threats, unwanted contact, stalking, etc. There are many resources on campus that can help, including Duke Reach and Duke Police.
  • If you drink alcohol, please drink responsibly and use a designated driver or transportation service.
Resources for You:
  • Duke maintains its own police department and supplemental security staff. They are on duty 24/7, 365 days a year. Officers are well trained and resourced and have the same authority as law enforcement officers across the United States.
Duke Police can be reached at 919-684-2444 or by dialing 9-1-1 from a campus phone.
  • Please download the free LiveSafe app. LiveSafe allows you to send real-time tips through the touch of a button to Duke University Police, which monitors messages 24/7. With the popular “SafeWalk”feature, you can invite friends to “virtually escort” you to a destination on a real-time map.
  • Duke has several ways to notify you in a campus emergency such as text messaging, email, and outdoor sirens.
  • Numerous transportation resources are available on and near campus. See duke.edu/bus to learn more information about Duke Transit and Duke Vans.
If you have questions or concerns about safety, visit www.duke.edu/police or call us at 919-684-2444. We are excited and honored you selected Duke University to continue your education. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you need our assistance! Sincerely, Chief John H. Dailey Duke University Police Department

Student Health

Student Health is the primary source for a wide range of healthcare services for all Duke Students, many of which are covered by the student health fee. We are here to provide evidence-based, patient-centered health care to our campus community in a professional and compassionate manner that directly contributes to the student’s well-being and overall success. Campus Center Pharmacy Dental Office   –  Emergency Assistance  – Health Insurance Immunization ComplianceMake an Appointment Nutrition ServicesPhysical Therapy  

Duke Wellness

DuWell helps students focus on their individual wellness by looking at the integration of many areas of their life through areas of wellness promotion and risk mitigation. We engage students through a variety of wellness experiences across campus in an effort to manage stress and reduce anxiety while emphasizing self-care. We also provide a comprehensive education framework that addresses topics such as sexual health, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and how they impact student life. As a student, you have access to resources and information to assist in identifying risky behaviors while working together to brainstorm ideas on how to reduce your risk and implement a harm reduction strategy. Activities in Student Wellness Center  –  Drug Education and Harm Reduction   –  Holistic Wellness   –   Sexual Health Education What is Wellness

DukeReach

Duke Reach directs students, faculty, staff, parents, and others to the resources available to help a student in need. DukeReach is located in the Dean of Students Office and works with departments and groups across campus and in the community, including Housing, CAPS, Student Health, community health providers, the Academic Resource Center, and more. Are you concerned about your physical or mental health? Has a student’s behavior caused you to worry about his or her potential future actions?  Learn more…