Topics Featured: Concentration Changes, Email & NetID, Events Coming Up, Housing, Immunization Compliance, Prerequisite Letters, Summer Series
Welcome to the first summer ePack!
The Nicholas School’s Student Services office will use ePacks to communicate with new students throughout the summer. Each ePack will cover essential topics for students to focus on at specific times during the summer. These messages are designed to help students prepare for the upcoming school year.
The Onboarding Resources website is a comprehensive resource for summer preparation. Click on the headers to view general information for each topic, and hover over them to view subtopics. Be sure to pay special attention to the ‘Upcoming Dates’ section. We will update this section with new virtual sessions and essential deadlines throughout the summer.
After distribution, the summer ePacks will be posted on the Onboarding Resources website.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus in August.
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HOUSING
It is not too early to start looking for housing options. Although there are many housing options available in Durham, we suggest beginning the search early to have a better chance of selecting a place that meets your living and financial needs. The Off-Campus & Community Life, Student Affairs, recently held a virtual session on ‘Search Tips for Off-Campus Housing in Durham.’ View recording.
Alongside your housing search, it is also important to consider an array of alternative transportation options available at Duke and in Durham. Learn more about transit, walking, biking, carpooling, and commuting options at the Onboarding Resources website.
SUMMER SERIES
The university’s Graduate and Professional Student Services office is hosting the Summer Transition Series, which consists of a series of virtual sessions designed to help new students prepare for the start of the fall semester. Registration is required. Presentation slides and recordings will be posted at the link above after each session. Recordings are generally available within a week of the presentation. Day trips will take place in August/September.
- Housing
- Immunizations
- Living on a Budget
- Medical Insurance
- Exploring the Bull City
- Accommodations & Resources
CONCENTRATION CHANGES + DEGREE ADD
Students starting in the fall semester can request a change in their Concentration or ask to add the MEM or MF degree before classes begin. The deadline is June 16. When submitting the form, students must provide a reason for the change/add, highlighting the academic and career benefits.
Students must indicate whether they have completed or intend to complete the prerequisites for the Concentration they want to switch to (or the degree they wish to add). Students cannot matriculate in the fall semester if they are missing more than one required prerequisite. Priority will be given to students who have already fulfilled the prerequisite requirements, although other factors may also be considered.
Students will be notified of approved requests by mid-July.
IMMUNIZATION COMPLIANCE
North Carolina State Law requires that all students entering college present a certificate of immunization that documents they have received all immunizations required by law. While your state or country of origin may have different immunization requirements, you must comply with North Carolina laws and Duke requirements. Although immunization records are due by mid-June, it is most important to submit this information before the start of the semester. So, please do not worry if you cannot meet this deadline. On the Student Health website, select Steps for Immunization Compliance. In Step #4, you will use the form for ‘Immunization Requirements for Graduate Students.’ Please do not send immunization records to the Office of Student Services at the Nicholas School.
The Student Health Office recently held an Overview of the NC Immunization Process. Once available, the recording will be available on the Student Affairs website.
EMAIL & NETID
All new students should have received their Duke NetID and email address by now. Your NetID is required to access most Duke online platforms, including DukeHub, where you will register for classes and request transcripts. If you cannot find the setup instructions in your Inbox, please check your Spam or Junk folder.
If you are unable to find this information, you can contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT), by phone or live chat, to request that the initial setup instructions be resent to you. Please be prepared to provide some personal identification markers, such as your date of birth and permanent address.
PREREQUISITE LETTERS
All incoming students should have received their prerequisite notification letter by now. Check your Duke email. If you are enrolled or intend to enroll in a prerequisite course this summer, be sure to submit the prerequisite notification form.
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Additional sessions will be scheduled throughout the summer. Please refer to the ‘Upcoming Dates’ section on the Onboarding Resources site for updates.
- June 4: Living on a Grad Student Budget (RSVP)
- June 12: Overview of the Student Accommodations Process & Community Resources (RSVP)
- June 16: Concentration Change Requests/Degree Add Form
- June 16: Prerequisite Notification Form
- June 16: Immunization Compliance
- June 18: Understanding the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (RSVP)
- June 24: Durham Uncovered: A Student Panel Exploring Favorite Places in the Bull City (RSVP)
Should you have trouble accessing any of the information on the Onboarding Resources site, please contact me directly.
Welcome to the Nicholas School and Duke University communities!
Erika Lovelace-Young | MSc | Registrar and Director of Professional Programs and Administration
Office of Student Services
Nicholas School of the Environment
e.love@duke.edu