Life At Duke: Duke Students: Student Communities

"Diversity" and "multiculturalism" are words that are used so much that people sometimes forget what they really mean.

Diversity is more than numbers and statistics, and multiculturalism goes beyond a list of ethnicities. It's about a true variety of people, a combination of races, sexual orientations, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and it's about how those cultures are respected, explored, and celebrated. It's about students sharing their perspectives and experiences, being exposed to new traditions and art forms. And moreover, it's about building tolerance, affirming the beauty of difference, and expanding notions of what it means to live in a global community.

Duke believes that building and supporting a diverse community is central not only to an undergraduate education, but to the development of our students as dynamic and successful individuals.

At Duke, we seek to achieve all of this in many ways. We provide a multitude of resources, but it is really the students who do the work. The commitment and passion of our club members, performers, activists, peer educators, leaders, and organizers is impressive and exciting. They are diversity—they are Duke.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Browse our directories of cultural and political organizations.

RESOURCES

The Multicultural Center helps the Duke community promote optimum growth and development for African-American, Asian, Latino, and Native American students. The office conducts activities such as public forums on student life, mentorship projects with university alumni, seminars on current issues for students of color, and institutional research on development of students of color.

International House is the center of co-curricular programs for students from all over the world, including U.S. American students who have lived abroad as well as those who are interested in other cultures, are considering study abroad, or are planning travel outside the U.S. The International Association plans social and cultural programs that emphasize personal contact and informal exchange of ideas among students from diverse backgrounds.

Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture is the gathering place on campus to address issues of social and cultural relevance for students interested in African-American history and culture. Programs include art exhibits, musical events, film series, and lecture-discussions. The center has recently expanded its programs to include Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Indian students.

The Women's Center promotes a campus climate that is safe, healthy, and respectful of all people. In collaboration with student groups and other departments, the Women's Center offers information, advocacy, technical assistance, referrals, and programming on issues such as safety, health, personal and professional development, sexuality, discrimination, and harassment.

The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Life provides education, advocacy, support, and space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and straight-allied students, staff, and faculty at Duke and the neighboring community. Through its services, the Center for LGBT Life presents educational, cultural, and social opportunities to challenge intolerance and to create a more hospitable campus climate.

AQUADuke, the Alliance of Queer Undergraduates At Duke, is the undergraduate organization for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer students at Duke. AQUADuke affirms and supports LGBTQ undergraduates through educational and social programming and by raising the awareness of, and interests in, LGBTQ issues within the scope of the larger Duke Community.

Duke Allies is an undergraduate student organization for individuals who are supportive and affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. It is a gay-straight alliance that works to promote an LGBTA-friendly environment throughout campus.

MAJORS AND CERTIFICATES

Many Duke departments and programs offer courses and independent study opportunities in areas of non-Western culture. The following departments offer majors and/or certificates:

• African and African American Studies (major and minor)
• Asian and African Languages and Literature (major or certificate)
• Canadian Studies (major or minor)
• International Comparative Studies (major or minor)
• Judaic Studies (certificate)
• Latin American Studies (certificate)
• Linguistics (major or minor)
• Romance Studies (major or minor)

VISITING ARTISTS AND LECTURERS OF NOTE

• Maya Angelou
• Kofi Annan
• George Clinton
• Tommy Davidson
• Wyclef Jean
• Krishna Kaur Khalsa
• Spike Lee
• John Leguizamo
• Joseph Lieberman
• Lisa Ling
• Lost Boyz
• Ludacris
• Bobby McFerrin
• Kweisi Mfume
• Toni Morrison
• Naughty by Nature
• Ntozake Shange
• Rev. Al Sharpton
• Judy Shepard
• Kevin Spacey
• Tibetan Freedom Week with Tibetan Monks
• Gore Vidal