Duke University 2009-2010 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

International House is to provide services and advocacy to the international population as well as education and outreach
to the Duke/Durham community. In 2008-2009, there were over 2000 international students from over 100 countries
around the world enrolled at Duke. Among the many programs offered, International House organizes an intensive
orientation at the beginning of each semester; the International Friends Program matching internationals with local
families to provide cross-cultural learning; English Conversation Club for casual conversation in a small group setting;
Duke Language Partners pairing internationals with domestic students for language exchange, and cross-cultural
training for managing global diversity at the interpersonal and organization levels. International House also works with
International Association, a student-run group that sponsors cultural and social events throughout the year.
In addition to student programs and services, International House also assists international scholars with their
transition to Duke and the surrounding area. Orientations are held every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11
AM and no reservation is necessary. For more information about International House, visit its Web site http://
ihouse.studentaffairs.duke.edu/; e-mail: ihouse@duke.edu; phone: 919-684-3585.
Jewish Life at Duke is comprised of the Freeman Center for Jewish Life and the Rubenstein-Silvers Hillel. The
Freeman Center provides a home for Jewish life on campus while the Rubenstein-Silvers Hillel provides exciting and
innovative programming throughout the Duke community. The combination works to foster and enrich Jewish life
through social, educational, religious, and cultural activities. A pluralistic approach to Judaism assures that all Jews,
regardless of denomination, feel welcome in the building and at programs. Kosher dinners are served during the week
at Henry’s Place in the Heyman Dining Hall at the Freeman Center and are available at other times by special
arrangement. For more information, contact Jewish Life at Duke, Box 90936, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708;
telephone, 919-684-6422; e-mail, jewishlife@duke.edu; Web site, http://jewishlife.studentaffairs.duke.edu.
The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life. The mission of the Center for Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender Life (Center for LGBT Life) is to provide education, advocacy, support, mentoring, and
space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, questioning, and straight-allied students, staff, and faculty at
Duke, as well as alumni/ae and members of neighboring communities. Through its services, the Center for LGBT Life
presents educational, cultural, and social opportunities for all students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae to challenge
intolerance promote affirmation thus creating a more hospitable campus climate. Among its many purposes, the Center
offers: (1) a safe space to discuss issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression; (2) a friendly
and comfortable location for LGBT persons and allies to socialize and discuss issues affecting the community; (3) a
place for groups of students both undergraduate and graduate to meet and organize; (4) a resource center and library;
(5) a place to work for advocacy on matters that relate to the Duke campus; and (6) a broad array of educational
programming aimed at diverse audiences in and around the university. For more information, visit: http://
lgbt.studentaffairs.duke.edu.
The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture. The African American undergraduate student presence at
Duke University began in 1963 when the University desegregated the campus with the admission of five African
Americans. Over the next twenty years, the growing Black student population at Duke continued to advocate for the
addition of faculty, staff, programs, and services to both represent and address the many and complex issues that emerged
as a result of rising visibility on the University campus. Artist in Residence Mary Lou Williams was a strong mentor
and educator of students at Duke from 1977 until her death in 1981, and as a result, Duke University’s Center for Black
Culture has borne her name since its dedication in September 1983.
The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture is critically concerned with issues of race and the impact of social
difference at the individual, interpersonal, and institutional levels. Through lectures, performances, exhibits, and
informal gatherings, the Mary Lou Williams Center strives to foster an appreciation for and increase knowledge of the
peoples, histories, and cultures of the African Diaspora and its many contributions to the world. Located on the second
floor of the West Union Building, the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture was relocated and newly renovated
in 2003. It is a beautiful facility with oak paneled walls, grand windows, an exquisite baby grand piano, and an everexpanding
collection of photography and art on the walls that serves to visually represent Black culture at Duke
University and beyond.
Among our services and resources is the lending library, which is a collection of more than 1,000 books, DVDs,
audio resources, and other culturally relevant materials that may be borrowed by members of the Duke community. We
also offer individual student counsel and advising to Black graduate, professional, and undergraduate organizations to
assist with their leadership development and programming.
We welcome all who want to engage with and be empowered by a greater understanding of the Black experience,
to view the Mary Lou Williams Center as their home away from home. To learn more, visit http://
mlw.studentaffairs.duke.edu/.
The Women’s Center. The Women’s Center promotes the full and active participation of women in
higher education at Duke by facilitating discussions on feminism, gender equality, and diversity; providing
opportunities for civic engagement and activism around gender and identity; and providing advocacy,
support, and referrals for women on campus. The Center raises awareness of how gender norms affect
both women and men on campus, and serves as an advocate for individuals and groups experiencing
gender-related problems, such as sexual harassment, gender discrimination, or gender violence. Duke’s
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