Welcome to Duke Student Government!
What is DSG?
Duke Student Government (DSG) is the official representative body of undergraduates, working to enhance student life through advocacy, policy initiatives, and programming. With over 100 students across five committees, a cabinet, and an executive board, we collaborate with administrators and student organizations to improve academics, campus life, and Duke’s connection with Durham.
Many campus programs—Blue Devil Buddies, outdoor seating at Bryan Center Plaza, and free RDU shuttles—originate from DSG initiatives. We also allocate funding for student organizations, approve major campus event budgets, and advocate for policies that reflect student needs.
DSG is built by students, for students. Whether you want to voice concerns, start an initiative, or get involved in leadership, we are here to support you. Join us and help shape Duke’s future!
How do I join?
There are many ways to get involved with DSG: applications for roles across DSG’s wings open at the start of each semester. Elections for first-years occur in the fall, while campus-wide elections occur in the spring. Follow our social media (@dukestudentgovt on Instagram) and this website to stay in touch!
How can I contact DSG?
Have ideas for projects DSG can work on? Questions for us? Email us at dsg@duke.edu!
When & where does DSG meet?
For the 2024-2025 school year, DSG Senate meetings (open to the public) are Wednesdays at 7:30pm in Schiciano Auditorium.
What does DSG do?
Advocacy & Representation
DSG represents the undergraduate student body, working with administrators to address student concerns and improve campus policies.
Funding & Support
DSG allocates funding to student organizations on campus, helping to support clubs, cultural groups, and campus events to enrich student life at Duke.
Elections & Leadership
Students can join DSG through running for election and at-large processes, shaping university policies and leading initiatives that impact campus life.
Read this letter from current DSG President, Heather Raslan.
It is one of my greatest joys to serve as your DSG President for the 2024-25 school year. The vision for my administration is based off the experience of our executive team and what students have shared with us. As such, our goals are focused on improving DSG’s internal infrastructure to allow us to find success in building partnerships with campus organizations and bringing project work that serves students and the community.
I can reflect on the work DSG has done so far towards these goals and what’s left to accomplish in the spring. Internally, we have compiled resources and project tracking for every committee to allow for stronger centralization of progress and sustainability of work from year to year as transitions occur. The implementation of the Committee 101 mentorship program allowed new senators to jump into project work in a structured format to allow introduction to the project process and allow them to understand how DSG operates and their role in its work.
Building community partnership can be difficult to master since the core of our mission is to build sustainable partnership. While leadership teams can meet with other leadership teams, with every yearly transition progress is lost. Our goals for this year are to not only solidify DSG’s role as a resource to organizations, but to implement a structure that lends to consistent communication regardless of who’s in the executive roles in following years. When creating the Cabinet roles for the year, we implemented a Pratt Affairs position for the first time to ensure consistent project work geared toward Pratt experience and communication with Engineering Student Government. In the fall, we hosted a Multicultural Student Leader Dinner where we were able to introduce DSG’s leadership teams and learn more about our peer leaders on campus. Looking to the spring, we are hoping to collaborate with the groups we have been meeting with to create a committee oriented to communicating work across these organizations and offer more consistent avenues of partnership.
At the core of building a stronger DSG with sustainable partnerships is to be an organization that can offer services and programs for students. We were able to debut multiple new opportunities for students this fall and are looking forward to more in the spring. I am proud of the role DSG was able to play for administrators on bringing social life to Central Campus, and how this may continue to be an avenue for safe, inclusive environment for groups. The pilot of the shuttles to RDU, free of cost for students during Thanksgiving break, was an important step to solidify the program, and we are using the results of the experience to ensure success for its future.
DSG is built by students for students, and the most powerful mechanism we have for improving the student experience is student feedback. We are a resource for any student, group, or organization in any way we can be, so don’t hesitate to reach out and connect!
DSG Election Information
Our Spring 2025 General Election is underway! Check out the elections page for more information.
