Choose a topic. Identify an expert. Be a conversation starter.

If you hosted or attended a Duke Conversation in the past, you'll notice that the program has undergone a few substantial changes this year. Most notably, the guest nomination process – which operated on a rolling basis in the past – will now occur once per semester, and a full selection committee – comprised of students, faculty, and staff – is now responsible for reviewing guest nominations. Both of these changes are intended to streamline the application process and, more importantly, to ensure that Duke Conversations funding is being used to host guests who will appeal to a broad spectrum of the Duke undergraduate community.

To receive consideration to host a Spring 2009 Duke Conversation, you must:

• Be an undergraduate student currently enrolled at Duke.
• Submit an application by Tuesday, November 10.
• Be available to attend a training session in Bryan Center Meeting Room A from 8-10pm on Monday, November 23.

As you consider whether to apply to host a Duke Conversation, bear in mind that you, as an effective Duke Conversations student host, will be expected to:

• Serve as an ambassador of the university and maintain a high level of professionalism and hospitality throughout the Duke Conversations process.
• Abide by the Duke Community Standard and all Duke Conversations policies.
• Attend student host training with the Duke Conversations staff on Monday, November 23, 2009.
• Consult with Duke Conversations staff prior to making any purchases or reservations.
• Communicate any concerns or questions to Duke Conversations staff.
• Communicate with all student attendees regarding opportunities for interaction with your guest.
• Coordinate logistics of your guest’s visit.
• Serve as a contact and resource for your guest, answer all questions and concerns, as well as provide a tour of the Duke University campus.
• Be familiar with and abide by the cancellation policies of all vendors, including hotel, transportation, caterers, and campus meeting spaces and dining venues.

Guest Eligibility

As you determine whom to invite, consider which guest would be the best qualified individual to address your topic. Choose someone who possesses wisdom that comes from life and/or professional experience as well as a record of accomplishments or contributions to society. Your guest’s expertise should appeal to students throughout the Duke community. 

• The prospective guest must be willing to visit Duke free of charge. Duke Conversations does not offer guests a paid honorarium. Guests are financially responsible for any incidentals during their visit.
• Duke Conversations does not fund individuals affiliated with Duke (faculty, staff, students, etc.) as guests.
• While we welcome the nomination of Duke alumni, Duke Conversations does not fund Duke alumni who have graduated during the past three years as guests.
• Duke Conversations does not fund undergraduate students – from Duke or any other institution – as guests.
• Duke Conversations will fund only one guest per student host application unless there are special circumstances.
• Duke Conversations will not provide funding for meals or any accommodations for a speaker who is already visiting Duke for other purposes.
• Duke Conversations will approve up to six international guests per year; four will be approved in the fall and two in the spring. Due to the time constraints imposed by international flight arrangements, some fall-approved Duke Conversations with international guests may not actually occur until the spring. International guests are responsible for entering the United States legally; they must have the appropriate visa or documentation for travel to the US or be a US citizen. Duke Conversations will not sponsor a visa for any international guest.
• You may invite politicians or candidates involved in local, state or national elections to be Duke Conversations guests only if the purpose of the Conversation is not directly related to the guest’s candidacy. The university must be assured that the candidate's appearance will consist of question and answer sessions or similar interactions in an academic setting and will neither be conducted as a fundraising event nor as a campaign rally by the candidate. Neither the individual's political candidacy nor the upcoming election may be stated in communications announcing the candidate's attendance nor during the introduction of the individual at the actual program event. Please note that invitations to politicians and candidates must follow ethical guidelines and may require additional paperwork and planning time.

Please note:

• You may submit up to three applications per semester.
• The Duke Conversations student selection committee will make decisions regarding Spring 2009 student hosts by Wednesday, November 18. Approximately 20 guest nominations will be approved each semester, and the committee will maintain a small pool of waitlist candidates.
• Do not make any verbal or written arrangements with your prospective guest until your application has been approved and you have completed the mandatory student host training with the Duke Conversations staff on Monday, November 23.
• You may host a Conversation anytime between the first and last day of class in a given semester, but not during reading or exam periods.

Apply to host a Duke Conversation!