Duke University Union
What is DUU?
DUU is Duke’s institutional, student-led event, programming, arts and media body, and the school’s largest student organization!
Each year, DUU committees design and execute over 200 events and media, ranging from weekly Jazz@ the Mary Lou, to Duke Student Broadcasting videos in association with Duke Basketball, and even to the LDOC Concert.
Our mission is simple: to provide diverse, community-based and creative programming and media that complements the social, educational, and professional aims of Duke University.
Letter from the President
DUU means the world to me for a multitude of reasons: for one, the space and resources it gives Duke students to be kids in college, to have fun and enjoy an unprecedented time period living in proximity to thousands of peers. What a privilege to be unfailingly encouraged by so many people to embrace the whimsical creativity and childlike wonder we so often sideline. It’s because of DUU that my walls are filled with arts and crafts; it’s because of DUU that I have a growing collection of media passes; it’s because of DUU that students from around the world get to play arcade games and paint mugs and make music together and simply connect with each other — and I get to make a small contribution to that. I love being a part of DUU, and I cannot overstate the joy it’s consistently brought me.
We came into this past year with unprecedented uncertainty and the promise of only further instability — but also immense passion to weather it all. Facing challenge after challenge, our 25–26 President and EVP, Kaitlyn and Jaden, thoughtfully and tirelessly created and maintained a community of care within DUU that manifested in countless milestones and innovations —from the largest training class of WXDU DJs since pre-COVID to a new music festival collaboration between Coffeehouse, STR, VisArts, and WXDU to eight committee website projects to 65+ collaborations with Duke organizations and so much more. I am beyond thrilled to serve as President of this ever-evolving organization, picking up from the wonderful work of Kaitlyn and Jaden to continue their mission of transparency and intentionality.
As we navigate our still shifting university and world at large, the incoming Executive Vice President Charlotte Sutcliffe and I hope to build on DUU’s diversity and accessibility, ensuring that every student on our campus feels that there is a place for them in the vast array of programming and project opportunities we have to offer and are continuously expanding. I cannot wait to dream big with Charlotte and our fabulous executive board!
Sincerely,
Sharon Deng
Class of 2027, Duke University Union President
150+
Events Per Year
DUU organizes and hosts over 150 events at Duke every year.
231
Students Involved
DUU is Duke’s largest student organization, with 231+ students involved each year.
20K+
Annual Attendance
Over 20,000 undergraduates and graduate students attend DUU events every year.
