phone: 919-684-2200 | oit.duke.edu
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is your source for network connectivity, software, and other information technology resources at Duke. To get connected quickly to our high-tech campus, visit oit.duke.edu/about/new-duke/students. Our staff is available throughout your Duke career to help with all your technology needs.
On Move-In Day and during Orientation Week, support will be close at hand. Throughout the year, visit oit.duke.edu/help to chat with our Service Desk, or call 919-684-2200. You can also visit us at The Link in Perkins Library for in-person support and to rent equipment.
Getting Started
Your “NetID” is your electronic key to online resources, including your Duke email account, DukeHub (course registration/grades), Sakai (course information), MyDuke (student portal), Box cloud storage and more. We’ll email your NetID to you before you arrive on campus, with instructions on how to set up a secure password. For added security, we require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA, or two-step verification) for most online services that require a NetID. Once you have your NetID, enroll in MFA—visit oit.duke.edu/mfa, or Duke Unlock, unlock.duke.edu.
The Duke Technology Center in the Bryan University Center sells computers configured specifically for Duke’s environment. If you plan to bring a computer from home, please check our recommended specifications. If you need to purchase a computer, orders must be placed by July 28, 2023. For pricing and to learn more about purchasing a computer, visit www.dukestores.duke.edu/cpustore.
Digital cameras, microphones, chargers, iPads, calculators, and other equipment are available for short-term loan. Visit The Link in person or reserve equipment online. You are also able to borrow funding to purchase a computer.
Use your NetID to connect all your devices to a secure wireless network at wireless.duke.edu.
Duke’s IT Security Office provides guidance on how to keep your devices and data safe including recommendations on anti-virus software, passwords and the latest phishing alerts, as well as suggestions on working securely from off-campus. Watch this video on IT Security’s top five tech tips.
Duke provides many free or discounted software applications and packages, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. To see what’s available, visit software.duke.edu. Duke students also have access to the entire LinkedIn Learning online training library.
Your Duke email account is an important part of digital life at Duke. Once it’s activated, begin checking your inbox for important messages. We recommend using the Microsoft Outlook mail client. Read more at oit.duke.edu/what-we-do/services/email-and-calendar.
Connecting students and faculty to teaching and learning activities, Duke’s learning management systems allow you to share documents, submit assignments, post in discussion forums, send announcements, and more. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Duke will be transitioning from Sakai to the Canvas. This means you may have one class that uses Sakai while another may use Canvas.
Sakai
You can access Sakai at Duke at sakai.duke.edu. For instructions and questions about using Sakai, refer to the Student Guide.
Canvas
You can access Canvas at Duke at canvas.duke.edu. Once you are logged into Canvas, refer to the Help icon in the left-hand navigation menu for information about using Canvas. You also have access to 24/7 support from Canvas for any questions.
Duke’s Web Accessibility Initiative exists to ensure people with a wide range of abilities have equal access to Duke’s web content. It is the central resource for information, guidelines, and Duke’s official web accessibility guidelines. The Disability Management System (DMS) provides leadership to the Duke University and Duke Health System efforts to ensure an accessible, hospitable working and learning environment for people with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
Computer Labs
The MPS is an ideal space for experiencing and exploring virtual reality (VR). There you can develop virtual and augmented reality (AR) apps, using VR/AR headsets. At any of the multiple high-end workstations students are able to create 3D models using Maya, 3dsMax, or Blender. Other software installed include the game engines Unity and Unreal, as well as the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite. General media production tools for photo and video editing are also available. Learn more: https://oit.duke.edu/what-we-do/services/multimedia-project-studio.
The Innovation Co-Lab is your creativity incubator at Duke. It’s a model program that will elevate and inspire you to solve problems, big and small. There are many ways to get involved with the Co-Lab. You can visit one of the Co-Lab Studios on campus (Technology Engagement Center, Rubenstein Arts Building, or Lilly Library), sign up for a Roots course (see more below), or apply for grants for innovative projects throughout the year. Sign up for the newsletter to stay in the loop!
Tech Learning Opportunities
Roots courses are a great way to learn something new, take advantage of Duke’s resources, develop a marketable skill, or supplement classwork. Classes are offered in a variety of tech topics, from web design to programming to arts and fabrication, and are offered in both live and self-paid formats. Courses are organized into pathways where students can string together several workshops to get a deep dive in a topic, or just pick the courses that most interest them. Sign up for the newsletter to get the latest updates.
Duke students can access the entire LinkedIn Learning online training library anytime, anywhere. Benefits include over 13,000 courses covering business, technology, and creative topics and a personalized learning experience powered by the LinkedIn network.
Co-Curricular Technology Experiences
A 10-week summer coding experience for Duke undergraduate students, Code+ provides students with project- and team-based learning. The program is specifically designed for first- and second-year undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about pursuing tech-related fields of study. Students with little or no tech-related experience participate on small project teams where everyone works towards a common goal and shares their knowledge. Students are mentored by IT professionals on projects that address the real-world needs of the Duke and Durham communities.
This unique program positions students for strong industry internships in the subsequent year, creating a pipeline of diverse, tech-savvy individuals who are positioned to succeed in the tech industry. Students have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of product development and project management lifecycle, from product definition, requirements gathering, and stakeholder analysis to product design, development, and testing. Learn more at https://codeplus.duke.edu.
Students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on computer science research projects during the 10-week CS+ summer experience. Similar to the other “plus” programs, CS+ allows students to participate in small teams of while being mentored by a faculty project lead and a graduate student. The experience is meant as a rich entry point into computer science research and applications beyond the classroom. Learn more at https://www.cs.duke.edu/undergrad/summer_research.
Another 10-week summer experience at Duke, Data+ welcomes students interested in exploring new data-driven approaches to interdisciplinary challenges. Students from all years participate on small project teams with graduate student mentors. Together, they learn how to marshal, analyze, and visualize data while gaining exposure to the modern world of data science. Learn more at https://bigdata.duke.edu/data.
The Duke Technology Scholars Program is a comprehensive effort to empower the next generation of diverse leaders who will bring increased innovation to the tech industry. The program centers around the idea that community, mentorship, and hands-on experience make the difference in recruiting and retaining historically underrepresented people in technology fields. Learn more at https://dtech.duke.edu.
Top Web and Mobile Apps
DukeHub is the central location for student information such as class registration, grades and finances and is available on your phone, tablet, and computer. DukeHub is accessible by students, faculty, advisors, staff, and student proxies.
The DukeMobile app, available for Apple and Android devices, offers interactive campus map, news, directory, dining locations, events calendar, bus schedules, ePrint public locations, and more. On DukeMobile you can access a checklist for first-year students, access campus maps, Sakai/Canvas, DukeHub, and MyDuke.
Multi-factor authentication, used by many websites at Duke, provides an extra layer of security and is only a fingertip away. Duke Unlock, Duke’s preferred authentication service, uses new technology to provide enhanced security and convenience, allowing anyone with a Duke NetID to log in to Duke services as easily as they unlock their phone or laptop. (For eligible devices only.)
Duke offers free and low-cost printing at dozens of locations throughout campus—all you need is the ePrint app on your computer or mobile device. Once you send your print job, visit any ePrint station and swipe your DukeCard or scan a QR code. Learn more at oit.duke.edu/what-we-do/applications/eprint.
Duke LiveSafe is a free mobile app that offers real-time, two-way communication between Duke community members and the Duke University Police Department. Some features of the LiveSafe App include: emergency contact, a way to submit tips, safe walk, and other resources. Learn more at https://prepare.duke.edu/programs/livesafe.
Duke students should add their DukeCard credentials to their smart device before arriving on campus. You can add your Mobile DukeCard to your smart device as soon as your DukeCard photo is approved. The Mobile DukeCard is used for convenient door access at university buildings, payment at participating campus, medical center and hospital facilities, stores, gift shops, dining, vending, and laundry machines. Apart from Merchants on Points (MOPs), food truck vendors and Duke Libraries, your Mobile DukeCard can be used to access and pay wherever your physical DukeCard is accepted. Add money to your account using eAccounts.
MyDuke is an app that helps you prepare for your first year at Duke. In MyDuke, you’ll find personal information and must-have Duke links, a ‘New Student Checklist’ to help you keep track of tasks and deadlines during the summer, and a link to your Duke email, which you should check regularly.
Zoom is available for all Duke students, faculty, and staff. To stay secure while using Zoom, students are encouraged to log into their Zoom account, or authenticate, every time they join a meeting. Passcodes and waiting rooms also help keep Zoom meetings secure. Learn more at https://oit.duke.edu/what-we-do/applications/zoom-meetings.