Duke University Dorms: A Comprehensive Guide to On-Campus Living

Duke University offers a diverse range of on-campus housing options, fostering a strong sense of community and contributing significantly to the overall student experience. From the historic "red bricks" of East Campus to the modern facilities on West Campus, each residence hall has unique characteristics and amenities. This article provides an in-depth look at the various dorms available to Duke students, focusing particularly on the first-year experience on East Campus.

The Importance of On-Campus Living at Duke

Duke University cultivates a strong community feel, encouraging connections among students. On the main quad, familiar faces and new acquaintances contribute to a welcoming environment. Where students live, sleep, and eat significantly impacts their academic life and overall experience. Late-night hallway conversations and shared meals transform the campus into a home.

East Campus, comprised of five neighborhoods with 13 residence halls, houses all first-year students. Upperclass students reside in sections of West Campus residential halls, divided into smaller "house" communities. The student-designed benches in front of each residence hall symbolize the camaraderie forged in Duke dorms. A network of live-in Faculty in Residence (FIR), Graduate Residents (GR), Residence Coordinators (RC), and Resident Assistants (RA) promotes interactions outside the classroom and supports students in their living spaces.

East Campus: Home to First-Year Students

All first-year students begin their Duke journey on East Campus, randomly assigned to rooms and roommates. Housing Assignments uses the information provided on the first-year housing application to create roommate pairings. While a "perfect roommate" assignment cannot be guaranteed, the lifestyle questions on the application provide a foundation for developing a rewarding roommate experience.

East Campus includes 14 residence halls of varying sizes and architectural styles. Buildings and bedrooms differ slightly in their configuration. First-year students are assigned to single-occupancy or double-occupancy rooms, with most students living in double rooms. Students can indicate their preference for a single room. Once assignments are received (mid-June), students can learn more about their assigned house. All bathrooms are shared, and may be designated male or female (gender-designated bathrooms) or all-gender. The majority of space within each House will have bedrooms where roommates may share similar gender identities and live on floors where the students next door may not share their gender identity. Each floor with all-gender housing configurations will have gender non-specific and gender-specific restrooms.

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Neighborhood 1

Neighborhood 1 includes Alspaugh, Bassett, Brown, and Pegram, all conveniently located on the main quad near Marketplace and Lilly Library. Opened in 1927, each houses approximately 125 students and is staffed by 1 graduate resident, 1 faculty-in-residence, and 5 resident assistants. All rooms in these dorms have hardwood or solid surface floors.

Bassett

Constructed in 1925 and opened in 1926, Bassett is named for Professor John Spencer Bassett, who advocated for educational opportunities for African Americans during a time of racial tensions in the South. He is now honored for his commitment to academic freedom. Bassett is one of the "red bricks" located on the main quad of East Campus.

Details about Bassett:
- Home to approximately 120 first-year students.
- All rooms retain their original hardwood flooring.
- Bedrooms are heated with steam heat radiators and cooled with either window unit or floor unit air conditioners.
- Rooms have either one closet per student or one large walk-in closet that is shared by both students.

Brown

Brown was constructed in 1925 and opened in 1926, originally named "Dormitory No. 5." It is named after Joseph G. Brown, a Trinity College graduate who chaired the Board of Trustees. Brown is one of the "red bricks" on the main quad of East Campus.

Details about Brown:
- Home to approximately 120 first-year students.
- All public areas and bathrooms were renovated in summer 2015.
- All rooms retain their original hardwood flooring.
- Bedrooms are heated with steam heat radiators and cooled with either window unit or floor unit air conditioners.
- Rooms have either one closet per student or one large walk-in closet shared by both students.
- Some rooms have a wardrobe instead of a built-in closet.
- Brown has single and double rooms.
- Brown does not have a passenger elevator.

Pegram

Pegram was constructed in 1925 and opened in 1926. It is named for Professor William Pegram, a Trinity College graduate who taught science courses at Duke for 46 years. Pegram is one of the "red bricks" on the main quad of East Campus and was recently renovated, including a complete rebuild of the bathrooms and public areas, as well as minor updates to bedrooms. Pegram is home to the Performing Arts Living/Learning Community, giving it an artsy vibe.

Details about Pegram:
- Home to approximately 125 first-year students.
- All rooms retain their original hardwood flooring.
- Bedrooms are heated with steam heat radiators and cooled with either window unit or floor unit air conditioners.
- Rooms have either one closet per student or one large walk-in closet shared by both students.
- Some rooms have a wardrobe instead of a built-in closet.
- Pegram has single and double rooms.
- Room layouts vary widely in the building.
- Pegram does not have a passenger elevator.

Neighborhood 2

Part of Neighborhood 2 is on the main quad, while others are closer to the bus stop.

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East House

East House is a three-story building of white pressed brick and Indiana sandstone, roofed with green tile. Its construction began January 4th, 1911. It was known as the East Dormitory until 1912, when it was named in honor of former North Carolina Governor Charles Brantley Aycock (1859-1912). The building initially served as a men's residence until the opening of West Campus and the creation of the Woman’s College in 1930. In 2014, the building name was restored to East House. East House (formerly Aycock) and Jarvis are across from each other and each house 80 students and staffed by 1 graduate resident and 5 resident assistants.

Details about East House:

Home to approximately 90 first-year students.
All rooms retain their original hardwood flooring.
Bedrooms are heated with steam heat radiators and cooled with either window unit or floor unit air conditioners.
Rooms have either one closet per student or one large walk-in closet that is shared by both students.

Giles

Giles opened in 1928. The building is named in honor of three sisters: Mary, Theresa, and Persis Giles. The Giles sisters were not allowed to enroll in Trinity College but paralleled the program through private tutoring with Trinity faculty. Eventually, the Board of Trustees agreed to confer both degrees. The Giles sisters were the first women to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from Trinity College. Giles houses 115 students in rooms with hard wood or solid surface floors.

Wilson

On the main quad we have Wilson, which is right next to Marketplace. Wilson houses 100 students in suite style rooms where a group of rooms share a bathroom.

Details about Wilson:

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Home to approximately 90 first-year students.
All rooms retain their original hardwood flooring.
Bedrooms are heated with steam heat radiators and cooled with either window unit or floor unit air conditioners.
Rooms have either one closet per students or one large walk in closet that is shared by both students.
Some rooms have a wardrobe instead of a built-in closet.
Most rooms are suite-style, where two or more rooms share a bathroom. Because of this there are few common bathrooms in Wilson.
Wilson has single and double rooms.
Room layouts vary widely in the building
Wilson does not have a passenger elevator.

Neighborhood 3

In neighborhood 3 are the two dorms with their own traffic circles.

Gilbert-Addoms (GA)

Gilbert-Addoms, referred to by most students as "GA", opened in 1957. The building is named for Katherine Everett Gilbert and Ruth Margery Addoms. Professor Gilbert was the first woman to be named a full professor at Duke. Dr. Addoms served as a professor of botany at Duke for 20 years. One of the largest buildings on East Campus, the building has three large gathering spaces on the first floor, two shared kitchens, and study rooms. Additionally, the lower level of the building houses a large game room with a pool table, foosball table, and ping pong table. Known as the "GA Downunder", this space includes a large multipurpose room with several TV screens which can be used as both study space and as a place for campus activities. Gilbert-Addoms is the biggest dorm, housing 190 students. In addition to common rooms, GA has a common area underneath the dorm called GA Down Under where many fun events are held.

Details about GA:
- Home to approximately 185 first-year students.
- All rooms have vinyl plank tile (similar to a laminate) flooring.
- Bedrooms are heated via radiators and cooled with window AC or floor unit AC.
- Most rooms have one large closet that includes a built-in chest of drawers, a built-in shoe rack, and shelving in addition to hanging space.

Southgate

Southgate opened as a residence hall in 1921 when Duke was still Trinity College. The building is named after James H. Southgate who served on the Board of Trustees. Southgate was renovated during the 2018-2019 academic year. Southgate, home to 150 students, offers wide hallways and colorful carpeting. Male and female students live on different floors.

Details about Southgate:

Home to approximately 140 first-year students.
All rooms have Twin XL beds.
All of the rooms are without carpet.
Air-conditioning and heat are provided through a central air system and temperature setting is controlled by a thermostat in each room.
Rooms have either one closet per student or one large walk-in closet that is shared by both students.

Neighborhood 4

Located in neighborhood 4 are the newest dorms. Neighborhood 4 dorms are conveniently located next to Brodie Gym.

Bell Tower

Bell Tower opened in 2005. It was named for the Jack Marse Bell which has been part of Trinity College and now Duke University since 1911. The bell has resided in numerous places on the campus before finding its home in Bell Tower. The 150 residents of the newest dorm have access to several large classrooms and study rooms in addition to the common area on each floor. The Oasis and the Duke University Police Department substation are right downstairs.

Details about Bell Tower:

Home to approximately 140 first-year students.
Most rooms in the building are carpeted however some have vinyl plank tile (similar to laminate).
Bedrooms are heated and cooled with a central HVAC system.
Bedroom windows are not operable which helps keep the building at a constant temperature and humidity level
Rooms do not have closets. Rather, they have freestanding wardrobes that students can move within the room.
Bell Tower has mostly double rooms and a few single rooms.
Room layouts are fairly standard throughout the building.
Bell Tower has a passenger elevator and several ADA equipped restrooms.
Each floor of the building has a commons room.

Blackwell

Blackwell opened in 1994. The building is named in honor of the former Blackwell Park. The park was later developed into a racetrack before being acquired by Julian Carr and put to use as the home for what is now East Campus. Blackwell is situated next to Randolph, another residence hall with a very similar architectural style and room layout. The twins, Blackwell and Randolph, each house around 180 students who have access to 4 seminar rooms in addition to their common rooms.

Details about Blackwell:

Home to approximately 185 first-year students.
All bedrooms have vinyl plank tile which is similar to laminate flooring.
Bedrooms are heated and cooled with a centralized heating and air conditioning system.
All double rooms have two closets just inside the entry to the room. Closets include one shelf and a hanging bar. Students often use a tension rod to hang decorative curtains over the closet opening.
Blackwell has two passenger elevators.

Randolph

Randolph opened in 1994. The building is named in honor of the original location of the school that would eventually become Duke University. Trinity College was originally located in Randolph County before it moved to the present East Campus location in Durham. Randolph is situated next to Blackwell, another residence hall with a very similar architectural style and room layout.

Details about Randolph:

Home to approximately 185 first-year students.
Many bedrooms are carpeted. A limited number have vinyl plank tile which is similar to laminate flooring.
Bedrooms are heated and cooled with a centralized heating and air conditioning system.
All double rooms have two closets just inside the entry to the room. Closets include one shelf and a hanging bar. Students often use a tension rod to hang decorative curtains over the closet opening.
Randolph has two passenger elevators.

Trinity House

Trinity House opened in January 2018. The Trinity House design is based on the existing Bell Tower residence hall, and will enclose the quad formed by Southgate, Bell Tower, Randolph and Blackwell.

Details about Trinity:

Home to approximately 250 first-year students.
The student rooms have vinyl plank tile (similar to laminate).
Bedrooms are heated and cooled with a central HVAC system.
Bedroom windows are not operable which helps keep the building at a constant temperature and humidity level.
Rooms do not have closets. Rather, they have freestanding wardrobes that students can move within the room.

West Campus Housing

Upperclass students reside in sections of West Campus residential halls.

West House

West House, originally named for former North Carolina Governor Thomas J. Jarvis, was considered cutting-edge in architectural design. Like its nearby twin, East House, West House was built of white pressed brick and Indiana sandstone and roofed with green tile. When completed and occupied in October 1912, the building had such amenities as a large social room, two complete kitchens, and a pressing room on each floor. Built to house 120 students, it was home to men from 1912 to 1930. In 1930, the new West Campus opened and what had been the Trinity College campus (now East Campus) became the Woman's College of Duke University. In 2020, the building name was restored to West House.

Details about West House:

Home to approximately 90 first-year students
All rooms retain their original hardwood flooring.
Restrooms and public areas were renovated in 2011.
Bedrooms are heated with steam heat radiators and cooled with either window unit or floor unit air conditioners.
Rooms have either one closet per students or one large walk in closet that is shared by both students.

Amenities and Services

Duke University provides a range of amenities and services to enhance on-campus living.

Room Furnishings and Details

Each room is furnished with a bed and mattress (most mattresses are extra long (XL) twin, approximately 80 inches long x 36 inches wide x 7 inches deep. NOTE: Edens, Trinity, and Wannamaker residence halls have 54” x 75” mattresses and residents should bring full-size sheets. NOTE: Epworth and Few residence halls have 38" x 75" mattresses and residents should bring standard/regular size twin sheets), a chest of drawers, a closet or wardrobe (about 10 cubic feet), a student desk and desk chair, and a bookcase (not in Trinity residence hall). Some rooms are carpeted, and some have wooden floors.

Additional furnishings, such as futons and rugs, may be added with the consent of all residents of that room. Residents are responsible for all furnishings provided in the room. Each residence hall utilizes card-access entry and first-floor window security screens.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Many of the residence halls are heated by steam radiators, with a hand valve to control the heat. Some buildings are heated by hot water systems. All West Campus residence halls have central air-conditioning. Bell Tower, Blackwell, Randolph, Southgate, and Trinity have central air-conditioning, and the remaining residence halls on East Campus have air-conditioning units. The air-conditioning systems are normally in operation from April through October. Students may NOT bring their own air-conditioning units.

Internet and Technology

All residence halls are equipped with wireless internet access. One port per room is activated to provide ethernet connection if needed. Individual bedrooms are not equipped with cable or internet TV. Common areas in each house have a shared TV with internet TV.

Kitchen and Laundry Facilities

Most residence halls are equipped with kitchens. Residents are responsible for proper maintenance of kitchen facilities, including cleaning refrigerators, ranges, and ovens. DukeCard and coin-operated laundry machines are located in laundry rooms throughout the residence halls.

Safety and Security

Feeling safe is an important part of feeling well. Duke provides an on-campus police force, limited access residence halls, safe ride services, and an emergency “blue light” phone system. Each residence hall utilizes card-access entry and first-floor window security screens.

Cleaning and Maintenance

HRL cleans each room/apartment prior to occupancy. Thereafter it is the responsibility of the resident(s) to clean the space. The residence is expected to be kept in a sanitary condition during the year, and in a clean condition upon vacating. Housekeeping services are provided on weekdays during the academic year (excluding holidays) only in commons areas of the residence halls. Each quad/house has a closet that HRL equips with cleaning supplies and tools. Maintenance requests should be made to the HRL Campus Office responsible for your residence hall/apartment.

Additional Services and Policies

Microfridges: Students are encouraged to rent a microfridge from Blue Devil Delivery. Students may bring their own mini-refrigerators (not to exceed 4.5 cubic feet) and microwaves (not to exceed 900 watts).
Parking: On-campus parking is limited, and parking permits must be purchased through Parking and Transportation Services.
Insurance: Duke University is not liable for damage, theft, or loss of a resident's personal belongings and does not carry insurance to cover such loss or damage. Personal property insurance/renters insurance is a wise investment for all residents.
Pest Control: All areas of residence halls are treated each summer by a licensed pest control contractor.

Housing Policies and Procedures

Duke University has several policies and procedures related to on-campus housing.

Residency Requirement

All students are required-to the extent that housing is available-to live on campus for their first three years. Students may choose to live off campus at the completion of their third year. Students who wish to live off campus must notify Housing and Residence Life (HRL) in writing of their plans by the published deadlines.

All Gender Housing

All gender housing refers to individual rooms or suites where the gender of the roommates is not taken into consideration when the room is assigned through the assignment process. All gender housing is located across East and the Upperclass Campuses. While this is intended to support students who identify as LGBTQIA, this is available to all students who feel they would be more comfortable in a all gender room/suite or feel they could provide a safe and inclusive space for another student regardless of gender identity/expression, sexual/romantic orientation, or any other factor.

Housing Accommodations

Housing and Residence Life (HRL) works in conjunction with the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) to ensure consistency in evaluating special housing accommodation requests. The Student Disability and Access Office reviews requests and shares approved student accommodations with HRL. Students with approved accommodations will be offered priority for placement in an available space that meets their accommodations.

Religious Observances

Duke also offers alternative move-in days for students who, for religious reasons, do not want to move in on either Saturday or Sunday or for whom the arrangements do not enable them to comply with their religious obligations. Students will not be penalized financially for not moving in on "move-in day" should the day/time conflict with observance of a religious holiday.

Winter Break Housing

Housing and Residence Life provides limited opportunities for Winter Break housing between the fall and spring semesters. HRL will charge a flat fee no matter the length of their stay . All students approved to stay on campus during Winter Break will stay in their current fall assignment.

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