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The Duke University Podcast

The Duke University Podcast

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 Weekly news at Duke UniversityCopyright 2025 All rights reserved.
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  • Duke Launches AI Pilot, Faces Federal Probes, Announces Cost-Cutting, and Celebrates Basketball Wins in Major Campus Update

    Duke Launches AI Pilot, Faces Federal Probes, Announces Cost-Cutting, and Celebrates Basketball Wins in Major Campus Update
    Sep 8 2025
    Good afternoon, Blue Devils! It's Monday, September 8th, and here's what's happening at Duke University. Currently in Durham, it's sunny with a temperature of 61 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect mostly cloudy skies this morning, transitioning to mostly sunny conditions by the afternoon, with temperatures reaching a high of 78 degrees. Duke University has launched a pilot project in collaboration with OpenAI to study the effects of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, on academic life. Since June 2nd, all undergraduate and professional school members have had free access to ChatGPT-4o, alongside the introduction of "DukeGPT," a university-run AI tool providing private and secure access to educational resources. The Provost’s Initiative aims to evaluate AI's academic implications and will provide recommendations by the end of the fall semester. In other news, the U.S. Department of Education has initiated a civil rights investigation into Duke University and the Duke Law Journal over allegations of race-based discrimination in editor selection practices. The probe focuses on claims that the university used race, color, and national origin as factors in selecting law journal members, potentially violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have urged Duke to revise its policies and form a panel to address these concerns. Additionally, the Trump administration has frozen $108 million in federal research funding to Duke University due to allegations of racial discrimination via affirmative action practices. The National Institutes of Health halted the funding following a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Education Department accusing Duke of racial preferences in hiring, admissions, scholarships, and more. The administration demands the university dismantle any race-based advantages and establish a new government-approved Merit and Civil Rights Committee to oversee reform. In response to financial uncertainties linked to federal funding challenges, Duke University has announced cost-cutting measures, including a hiring freeze, elimination of vacant positions, and voluntary employee buyouts. The university is implementing a "voluntary separation incentive program" aimed at minimizing the need for involuntary staff reductions. Executive Vice President Daniel Ennis acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. North Carolina's first standalone children's hospital is set to be established in Apex, a rapidly growing suburban town southwest of Raleigh. Jointly developed by UNC Health and Duke Health, the 500-bed pediatric facility will be part of a larger 230-acre campus that includes outpatient services, behavioral health beds, and a research and education center affiliated with Duke and UNC medical schools. Expected to generate around 8,000 jobs, the hospital will be integrated into the Veridea mixed-use development project. Groundbreaking is set for 2027, with completion anticipated after six years. The 2024–25 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team, led by third-year head coach Jon Scheyer, finished the season with a 35–4 overall record. They secured the ACC regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. The team played their home games at Cameron Indoor Stadium as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. On the women's side, the 2024–25 Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team, under fifth-year head coach Kara Lawson, concluded the season with a 29–8 record. They captured the ACC Tournament championship and advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. The team also played their home games at Cameron Indoor Stadium as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. That's all for today's update. Stay informed, stay engaged, and as always, go Blue Devils!
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    4 mins
  • Duke Faces Federal Funding Crisis Amid Discrimination Probe, Launches Arts, Sports & Community Events for September

    Duke Faces Federal Funding Crisis Amid Discrimination Probe, Launches Arts, Sports & Community Events for September
    Sep 1 2025
    Hello, Blue Devils! Welcome back to campus. Here's what's happening at Duke University as we kick off September. The Trump administration has initiated federal investigations into Duke University and Duke Health, alleging systemic racial discrimination in hiring, admissions, and scholarship practices. As a result, the National Institutes of Health has frozen $108 million in federal research funding to Duke. The administration demands the university dismantle any race-based advantages and establish a new government-approved Merit and Civil Rights Committee to oversee reform. This move is part of a wider campaign targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that the administration considers discriminatory. In response to financial uncertainties linked to federal funding challenges, Duke University has announced cost-cutting measures, including a hiring freeze, elimination of vacant positions, and voluntary employee buyouts. Nearly 600 staff members are set to depart under the voluntary program, with potential layoffs to follow. The university is implementing a "voluntary separation incentive program" aimed at minimizing the need for involuntary staff reductions. Despite these challenges, the Duke community continues to thrive with a series of exciting events this month. From September 2nd to 7th, Duke Arts Presents launches its 2025-26 season with a vibrant week of performances and programs. Highlights include Avital Meshi's interactive performance "Meet GPT-ME," a temporary sculpture by Miler Lagos titled "The Merx Tree," and a concert by musical polymath Sudan Archives. These events showcase the intersection of tradition and innovation in the arts. Celebrate the Nasher Museum of Art's 20th anniversary during Homecoming Weekend with free tours from September 19th to 21st. Explore new exhibitions and works in the museum's collection with engaging tours led by museum gallery guides. No pre-registration is required; simply sign up at the front desk upon arrival. The Duke Symphony Orchestra kicks off the season with its Annual Labor Day Weekend Pops Concert on August 31st at 6:00 pm on the East Campus Main Quad. Later in the month, soprano Clara Rottsolk joins the Duke Chorale, Duke University Wind Symphony, and Ciompi Quartet for the Annual Music Department Student and Faculty Gala Concert on September 20th at Baldwin Auditorium. The Divinity School hosts "DITA2025: Surprising Encounters in Theology and the Arts" from September 4th to 7th, a four-day symposium celebrating the Nicaean Creed's impact on artists, academics, clergy, and parishioners. Additionally, "Practice & Presence: A Gathering for Christians in Health Care" takes place on September 12th and 13th, focusing on the intersection of faith and healthcare practice. The Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team had a remarkable 2024-25 season, finishing with a 29-8 record and securing their first ACC title since 2013. Sophomore Oluchi Okananwa was named tournament MVP. The men's basketball team also had a strong season, finishing with a 35-4 record and reaching the Final Four under third-year head coach Jon Scheyer. That's all for now, Blue Devils. Stay engaged, stay informed, and let's make this semester a great one.
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    3 mins
  • Duke Reopens Waitlist, Faces Federal Probe, Launches Healthcare High School, and Kicks Off 2025 Sports Season

    Duke Reopens Waitlist, Faces Federal Probe, Launches Healthcare High School, and Kicks Off 2025 Sports Season
    Aug 25 2025
    Good afternoon, Blue Devils! It's Monday, August 25, 2025, and here's what's happening at Duke University. In an unexpected move, Duke has reopened its waitlist, enrolling approximately 50 additional students into the Class of 2029. This decision, announced less than two weeks before first-year move-in on August 16, aims to align the class size with recent trends. Interim Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Kathy Phillips, cited factors such as students opting for gap years or changing plans over the summer as reasons for this adjustment. The U.S. Department of Education has initiated an investigation into Duke University and the Duke Law Journal over allegations of racial discrimination in editor selection practices. The probe will assess whether these practices violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded education programs. University officials have yet to respond to these allegations. Duke Football is gearing up for the 2025 season opener against Elon on Saturday, August 30, at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Head Coach Manny Diaz has been leading the team through fall camp, with recent practices focusing on both offensive and defensive strategies. Fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead. In other sports news, SiriusXM has launched an exclusive ACC Fall Sports Season Preview Series, featuring insights into women's and men's soccer, volleyball, and field hockey. Duke's teams are prominently featured, with women's soccer ranked No. 4 and men's soccer at No. 15 in the preseason polls. Duke University is set to open a healthcare-focused high school in Durham in August 2025. This initiative aims to prepare students for in-demand, well-paying careers in their own communities, addressing the growing need for healthcare professionals in North Carolina. Duke researchers are making strides in environmental and climate justice. The "Cooling Communities: Strategic Partnerships for Energy Equity in the Carolinas" project, launched in 2024, focuses on energy equity and involves collaboration between the Nicholas Institute, Duke Divinity School, and local nonprofit groups. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening around campus. Go Duke!
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    2 mins
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