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Our Process

Duke is committed to continually assessing and improving the residential experience for all undergraduate students. As we move into our second century, the current housing system offers some students many choices, but years of data and student feedback make clear that not enough students have a positive and transformative residential experience.

“Next Generation Living and Learning Experience” (NGLLE) is a process launched in 2018 through which the university has committed to building an even more vibrant undergraduate residential community that welcomes and nurtures all students, and serves as a cornerstone of their Duke experience. 

Step 1. Board of Trustees Next Generation Task Force: Developing a Vision to Move from Good to Great

In 2018-2019, the Next Generation Living-and-Learning Experience Strategic Task Force (NGLLE), convened by President Price and Duke’s Board of Trustees, developed a broad vision for a transformative undergraduate residential experience that promotes growth and health.  This vision laid the foundation for future implementation efforts and was based on countless stakeholder meetings, data collection, and peer-benchmarking efforts.

Step 2. Advancing the Vision

To carry forward the work of the 2018-2019 NGLLE Task Force, Vice Provosts Gary Bennett and Mary Pat McMahon held many discussions with university leadership, students and student leaders, the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff to determine a set of desired outcomes and recommended actions.  These included:

four overarching goals of Next Generation Living and Learning Experience: Four overarching goals: first, create a four-year residential model that values well-being, personal growth, and inclusive community. Second, ensure that all students feel a sense of belonging and have equal access to the range of experiences and traditions that Duke offers. Third, provide opportunities for students and faculty to connect in the residence halls and foster an intellectual identity that goes beyond the classroom. Fourth, create an environment that helps students feel a connection with Duke that can last a lifetime.

our path forward: create co-curricular opportunities to reflect on purpose, values & identity; promote wellness; and build community. create 2.0 committee to implement this vision. deepen connections between students and faculty. link east campus communities with quads on west. retain and enhance east campus first-year experience. delay rush to sophomore year & relocate selective living groups on west campus

Step 3. Making NGLLE Work for Duke

Guided by the desired outcomes and decisions above, a committee of campus stakeholders — known as the Next Gen 2.0 Committee — is charged with developing options for a residential experience that reflects Duke’s unique identity.  The Next Gen 2.0 Committee, chaired by Dean John Blackshear and Linda Zhang (T’20), will engage in an iterative process to generate ideas, seek diverse viewpoints, and refine and evaluate options for a revitalized residential experience.  

The Committee has divided into three subcommittees, which are focused on the following questions:

  1.       East-West Connections: How do we develop a residential-college-style structure that connects all students to a robust residential community?
  1.       Intellectual Engagement: How do we promote faculty participation in the student residential experience and facilitate engagement with new and challenging ideas that can help students shape their evolving sense of identity and purpose?
  1.       Inclusion and Belonging: How do we ensure that proposals are implemented in ways that promote inclusion and belonging? How do we identify and address existing barriers to the full complement of intellectual, co-curricular, and social opportunities at Duke? How can we facilitate new and improve existing traditions, spaces, policies, and structures to ensure that we fully value and support our current and future undergraduates?   

Visit progress updates for more information on the work performed so far.

Step 4: Community Input & Refining Ideas

The 2.0 Committee process includes gathering community input on current experiences, desired outcomes, and specific proposals.  The 2.0 Committee and subcommittees have been working to generate ideas and options, which will continue to be informed and refined by feedback from the Duke community.

March 2021: the Next Gen 2.0 Committee enters a phase of actively seeking community input on their work and would love students to be involved in this process. If you are a student, please complete this interest form if you would like to participate in a focus group.

Step 5: Finalizing & Implementing Plans

In mid-May, the Next Gen 2.0 Committee will present specific options for a revitalized residential experience to Vice Provosts Bennett and McMahon. The evaluation and refinement of options will take place through Summer 2021, and an open comment and robust public engagement period for the Duke community will follow. Vice Provosts McMahon and Bennet will consult with student and university leaders and trustees and determine final plans for NGLLE implementation, which will begin in Fall 2022.

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