Academic Affairs

Academic Affairs (AA) focuses on supporting the academic side of the undergraduate experience at Duke. We work with professors, administrators, and resource & cultural centers to advocate for students’ needs inside and outside of the classroom. In the past, we’ve worked on projects such as establishing the Blue Devil Buddy program, which pairs first-year students with upperclassmen for mentorship, and launching GRUNCH, an initiative that gives students funding get lunch with a graduate student. Whether you’re studying in Durham or somewhere abroad, AA is the committee working to make sure you have everything that you need to thrive in your time at Duke.

Projects

• Blue Devil Buddies: This program, that matches incoming freshmen with current Duke students, revolutionized the freshman’s class introduction to the Duke experience.
• AI Guidelines: In collaboration with the CARADITE Lab, the Academic Affairs committee wrote guidelines on how students can best take advantage of generative AI. You can find them at ai.duke.edu.
• GRUNCH: This program is an expansion of a previous DSG collaboration (FLUNCH), allowing students to use funding to bond with graduate and professional students.
• Small Town & Rural Students Coalition: AA helped establish a community for students from rural backgrounds to get to know each other and advocate for greater recruitment efforts from Duke.
• Blue Devil Bridges: This program expands upon the pre-existing Blue Devil Buddies structure, instead matching upperclassmen with Duke alumni in relevant fields
• Abroad 101 – Study Abroad Process Reform: Worked closely with Engineering Student Government & Duke Global Education Office to address current issues facing Pratt students throughout the study abroad process. Found solutions to the Pratt study abroad problems, including, but not limited to, higher priority for Pratt students in particular programs for study abroad and an increase to the number of Pratt-compatible courses/programs offered by GE

Starter Projects

The listed projects are for first-year senators to become acclimated with the ins and outs of DSG project and program planning!

• Textbook Transparency: Uncover the hidden costs of learning. Audit syllabi or ask peers in 1-2 departments about textbook and material expenses. Highlight where professors are using free/low-cost options – and where costs are out of control.Will be delivered in the form of a Fall 2025 Textbook Cost Snapshot, a short PDF/report + student-facing summary.
• Office Hour Audit: Are office hours working for students? Gather information on when/where professors are available, and whether those times actually serve students (nighttime, Zoom, or flexible options). Point out gaps and recommend easy fixes. Will be delivered in the form of a short report for faculty contacts and optional “Office Hour Finder” document for students.
• Advising Snapshots: Every student has advising stories – good and bad. Adopt one academic department, gather 5-10 peer feedback points on advising quality, prereqs, and scheduling. Translate those into a one-page profile that shows strengths and pain points. Delivered through a one-page “snapshot” per department, compiled into the AA Fall Advising Report.
• Study Space Fix: Small fixes can make a big difference. Audit a classroom, library nook, or study lounge for outlets, seating, lighting, or supplies (yes, even whiteboard markers). Identify one quick win and partner with facilities/admin to implement it. Delivered by a visible “before and after” improvement, something which is photographed and announced.

Committee