As a member of the Duke community, I affirm that our shared values underscore the behaviors that we expect of ourselves and one another.  We are, more than ever before, individually and collectively responsible for the health and safety of our fellow students, faculty, staff, families and neighbors.

I acknowledge the trust that others are placing in me, affirm the respect I have for all members of our community, and promise to honor my commitment to them through the decisions I make and the actions I take, whether I am on campus, at home or in my neighborhood.

I recognize that Duke is committed to sustaining a safe and healthy campus, and seeks to minimize the risk to our students, faculty, staff and others who are present on our campus.  And in return, I commit to do my part by caring for myself and the community.

To comply with requirements from Duke University, and state and local authorities, I will:

  • Wear a mask or face covering in all public spaces.
  • Maintain appropriate physical distance.
  • Wash my hands often.
  • Monitor and report my symptoms through the SymMon app, or approved alternatives, before coming to campus.
  • Avoid large gatherings.
  • Stay home when I feel ill.
  • Know and follow safety plans and additional guidance that are specific to my group, workplace or activity.
  • Keep confidential all health information I know or learn about others.

To protect myself and the people around me, I will:

  • Participate in required COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and health monitoring.
  • If instructed, self-isolate for the required duration.
  • Get the flu shot and other required vaccinations by designated deadlines.
  • Adhere to all travel conditions and restrictions.
  • Consent to the use of institutional data to identify others who have been in proximity or close contact.
  • Accept the benefits and consequences for the conditions of this compact.
  • Speak up to share suggestions or concerns by calling 800.826.8109 or completing an online form.

I have chosen to be a member of the Duke community for a purpose – to learn, to live, to teach, to work – and I affirm that the Duke Compact connects us all.  By agreeing to this Duke Compact, I pledge to be personally responsible and accountable.  By signing my name to this pledge, I acknowledge that these are the conditions for being on campus.  To be at Duke is to be united for each other.

The Duke CompactVIEW/DOWNLOAD PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

Acceptable masks and face coverings vary based on the activity or environment. Whether your preference is a reusable cloth covering or a disposable mask, what you choose must cover your nose and mouth.

Additional Resources

When on campus, you must follow Duke’s instructions for wearing face coverings, which apply to all Duke owned and leased properties. We hope you will practice good citizenship on and off campus, and at a minimum, follow state and local ordinances regarding the use of face coverings.

Additional Resources

Disposable masks or reusable cloth face coverings are not required in the following limited circumstances:

  • While alone in a confined room such as an office or dorm room
  • While alone in a vehicle, if the vehicle is not regularly shared with others
  • While eating or drinking, in compliance with safety guidance
  • In open outdoor areas where social distancing is easily maintained and areas where individuals are not likely to pass in close proximity

Additional Resources

Duke will provide three washable/reusable face coverings. Face coverings should not be worn for more than 1 day between washings. If you need more than three reusable face coverings, you may purchase or make more. Acceptable face coverings are available at the Duke Stores, local retailers and online retailers.

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Typically, the CDC recommendation of 6 feet is an appropriate distance. However, with precautions and protective equipment in place, the minimum distance may be less than 6 feet. And, if participating in athletic training or vigorous exercise, more than 6 feet may be necessary.

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Reporting your symptoms each day is the best way to ensure you stay home when you are or might be ill, which reduces the likelihood of spreading the virus. If you do not report, your access to buildings may be temporarily suspended or revoked.

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Large gatherings are defined by Duke and by local and state ordinances. There are some gatherings of more than 10 people allowed by state and local ordinances (i.e. religious services); all other gatherings should follow Duke instructions and guidance issued by state and local authorities.

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You should stay home if you don’t feel well or if you receive a red screen stay-at-home warning in the symptom monitoring application. Even if you feel fine after receiving a stay-at-home warning, you must wait for advice or clearance from Student Health or Employee Health.

Additional Resources

Yes, but not in person. All classes will be offered with a remote participation option.

Guidance and specific expectations vary based on your situation and your activities. Additional resources include student conduct agreements, safety plans, campus housing contracts, information in handbooks and campus signage. Duke officials and supervisors will ensure you receive guidance specific to you and your activities.

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Only share health information about yourself. If you know that someone else is ill or has been asked to self-isolate or quarantine, you should not share that or other health information about anyone else unless you have permission to do so.

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All students will be tested upon arrival. After that, students may be tested based on symptom reporting, contact tracing information or as part of periodic sample testing of our residential population. Faculty and staff will be tested based on symptom reporting, contact tracing information or periodic sample testing.

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Yes, Duke recognizes medical and religious exemptions. Contact Staff and Labor Relations or the Office for Institutional Equity for assistance.

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Currently, this means the annual influenza vaccination, which will be provided free of charge by Employee Health and Student Health. If public health officials determine other vaccinations are advisable or when a COVID-19 vaccination becomes available, Duke may update this requirement.

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Duke asks all students living in Duke-provided residences to remain in Durham for the duration of the semester. Should travel outside Durham be necessary, contact Student Affairs for authorization, take reasonable precautions and follow Student Health instructions upon return. Duke currently restricts all non-essential business travel and discourages any personal travel to known virus hotspots. If travel is necessary, take reasonable precautions and closely monitor symptoms upon return.

Additional Resources

Duke will use a combination of data collected in our institutional systems, including symptom monitoring survey responses, door control access points, wi-fi access points, geofence technologies, housing assignments and class schedules. Additional data may also be used as identified and approved by Duke leadership. Authorized individuals will use this information to assist with Duke’s pandemic response, including but not limited to symptom reporting compliance, contact tracing and related notifications to individuals who have been in close proximity with anyone who tests positive.

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While some minor violations will result in reminders and educational engagement, other flagrant and repeated violations may result in restricting your access to Duke facilities, employment actions or removal from campus. Consult your student, faculty or staff handbooks for further information.

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No, you can use the phone number or the online form without giving your name. Although we may ask our third-party vendor to request additional information from you, your identity is not known to Duke unless you decide to share that information with us.

Additional Resources

You may share anything, including ideas for compliance with the Duke Compact, violations that may be observed and pressure to disregard requirements. While we hope you can talk with your residence advisor, supervisor, coach, advisor, or academic dean, we realize sometimes that is not possible. All contacts to the Speak Up program are confidential and, if you choose, anonymous.

Additional Resources

Yes. Although many students, faculty and staff have been attending class, conducting research and reporting to work, we expect everyone to affirm or reaffirm commitments to help keep yourself and others safe and healthy.

You are always a part of Duke, even if you are working or studying remotely. We want everyone to affirm commitments to do your part for a safe and healthy community.

We expect all members of the Duke community to be united in protecting ourselves, each other and the community that depends upon us. A signature is required to have access to the campus. Based on the expectations of your position, refusal to sign and comply with the provisions may impact your employment status.

Your signature on the Duke Compact does not change where you are working or studying.  The Duke Compact outlines expectations for shared behaviors and common commitments, but it is not the mechanism for approving, authorizing, or requiring in-person work or study on Duke’s campus.

Duke established enhanced protocols and more frequent cleaning schedules for all public and common use spaces. Housekeeping teams will clean campus facilities based on CDC guidelines for disinfection and Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) protocols. Facilities Management will also maintain hand-sanitizer stations at major building entrances, elevator stops and high-traffic areas.

Additional Resources

Duke established enhanced protocols and more frequent cleaning schedules for all public and common use spaces. Housekeeping teams will clean campus facilities based on CDC guidelines for disinfection and Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) protocols. Building occupants should also spray or wipe down commonly used surfaces before and after use with products that meet the EPA’s criteria for use against COVID-19 and are appropriate for the surface. This includes any shared-space location or equipment (e.g. copiers, printers, computers, A/V and other electrical equipment, coffee makers, desks and tables, light switches, door knobs, etc.).

Additional Resources

Your office, academic or business unit will provide workplace and classroom cleaning and sanitation supplies. However, in some cases, you may be asked to provide anti-viral cleaning supplies for your individual workspace or campus residence.

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We expect all members of the Duke community to be united in protecting ourselves, each other and the community that depends upon us. A signature is required to have access to the campus, and, based on the expectations and requirements of your academic field, refusal to sign and comply with the provisions may impact your student status.

Additional Resources

We are all accountable to one another. Duke asks everyone to be willing to engage with peers respectfully when they encounter instances of non-compliance. Health ambassadors will assist us with reminders and reinforcement of expectations. Conduct standards and employment policies will be used to support enforcement and formal accountability mechanisms.

Faculty behavior sets an example for others in and out of the classroom. Faculty should be respectful and helpful when reminding others to participate in keeping our community safe and healthy.

The faculty member should respectfully remind the student of safety expectations and request the student participate in remote learning for the class session.

Additional Resources

If the student feels comfortable doing so, the first step would be to respectfully ask the faculty member to adhere to the policy about face coverings. Otherwise, the student should contact the Speak Up Program at the first opportunity.

Additional Resources

We are all accountable to one another. More formally, conduct standards and employment policies will be used to support enforcement and accountability mechanisms. Impacts may include restricted access to campus, classrooms, offices, and other campus spaces.

It is crucial that we all avoid unfair treatment or bias in our efforts to encourage compliance with the Duke Compact and to report perceived noncompliance. Anyone who believes they have been unfairly accused or targeted for noncompliance with the Duke Compact should submit a request for review.

Additional Resources

Duke expects all members of our community to adhere to state/local public health orders both on- and off- campus. Based on your own health status or activities you participate in (such as care giving, athletic competition or research), you may be expected to take additional precautions.

We recognize the anxiety and emotional strain that these circumstances may place on all of us. Students, faculty and staff who are struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can access support resources offered by Duke.

Additional Resources

Duke Compact Quick Reference GuideVIEW/DOWNLOAD PDF
Expectations & Recommendations for FacultyVIEW/DOWNLOAD PDF
FAQs for Faculty –
Duke Compact and Related ExpectationsView/Download PDF