Let’s DU Lunch is an innovative pilot project sponsored by the DUSON Student Council and supported by the Dean, the Senior Leadership, and Faculty. The concept of the program is simple — to provide an opportunity for students and faculty to informally network and build relationships over lunch.
DUSON students can invite faculty members to lunch to get to know them personally, away from the formal instructor-student setting, and learn more about nursing opportunities, faculty research interests, and expand their understanding of everything DUSON has to offer. Designed as a collaboration-building program, Let's DU Lunch is patterned after a successful undergraduate program at Duke.
How It Works…
It’s simple! A student or a small group of students invites a faculty member to “Let's DU Lunch.” We suggest that no more than one to four students attend a lunch with a faculty member to allow for greater interaction and involvement. Students and faculty can go to any restaurant they like, but the lunch is capped at $20 per person (no alcohol and includes tax and gratuities). The cost of the meal is paid for from funds set aside by DUSON Administration.
What Faculty Members Think About It...
"This is such an innovative idea! As faculty we get to know students in our courses, but typically our interactions are about course content. Lunch will allow both students and faculty to get to know each other better.” -- Marilyn Oerman
“"The Let’s DU Lunch program is a great opportunity for faculty and students to network, explore common interests and engage in outside-of-the-classroom discussions about nursing and professional opportunities.” -- Michael Relf
For more information, please contact the DUSON Student Council.
They will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Bon Appétit!
Student - FAQs
How do I sign up Let's DU Lunch?
- Fill out the form. There can be one to four students per faculty member per lunch.
Each student's name must be on the form including their Duke email address. You can spend $20 per person/per lunch. - Submit this form. Let's DU Lunch submissions will be approved throughout the semester. Last date to submit the form is Friday, April 5, 2024.
- An approved or unapproved (with reason) email with a copy of this form will be sent to each student listed and the invited faculty member. You should not attend the lunch prior to receiving this email. Please allow up to 2 weeks from submission for a response.
- Print the approval email for your faculty member.
- Go to Let's DU Lunch! The faculty member will pay for the lunch.
- Have your invited faculty member email (a) the approval form and (b) a picture of their receipt for Let’s DU Lunch to DUSON_AcademicAffairsOffice@dm.duke.edu so the meal can be charged to the Let’s DU Lunch fund code.
NOTE: Participation in Let's DU Lunch is subject to available funds each semester. Each student may only go to Let's DU Lunch once a semester.
Who pays for the lunch when we go out?
The faculty member will pay for lunch.
Is there a Limit on the cost of Lunch?
The maximum to be spent on a person per lunch is $20.
How does the approval process work?
Let's DU Lunch submissions will be reviewed within 2 weeks after submission. Both the Student(s) and the Faculty Member will receive an email once the request has been approved or denied.
Let's DU Lunch submission deadline is Friday, April 5th.
How many times can a Student go to lunch?
A student can go to lunch once per semester (fall, spring, summer).
Can Off-Campus and Distance-Based Students go to lunch with DUSON Faculty?
Yes! We encourage these students to participate during their On-Campus Intensives and other times when they will be meeting with DUSON faculty.
Can I order alcohol?
No. Alcohol may not be purchased as a part of Let's DU Lunch.
Where can we go for lunch?
Anywhere you want - agree on the location of the meal with your faculty member.
Some suggested places nearby:
- If you want to walk or have a time limit:
- Panera
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- Duke University Hospital Food Court
- Nosh at Joe Rae Café
- Saladelia at Perkins
- If you want to drive or have a little bit more time:
- Mad Hatters
- Foster's Market
- Any restaurants on Erwin Rd, 9th Street, or in Downtown Durham
How do I ask a faculty member to lunch?
Figure out who you want to have lunch with by looking at the faculty directory and viewing the individual faculty profiles to see what they work on and what their interests are. Or you can ask other DUSON faculty, your advisor, or the DUSON Student Council for suggestions.
Email or call the faculty member to see if they are interested and available.
Example:
"Dear Dr. XX, My name is YY, and I am a student in the ZZ program. I would like to invite you to Let's DU Lunch with me. Would you be interested? I would like to talk about A, B and C topics. When are you available? My availability is [list a few dates and times]. Would any of those dates work for you? Thank you, [your name, email, phone, program])
What do I talk about with the Faculty Member?
Some possible ideas:
- Their research interests
- Where they have worked before or are currently working
- Where they went to school
Some potential topics:
- Educational experience
- Career options
- Professional and academic service and advancement
- Educational options
- Mentoring
- Hobbies, outside interests
Some potential questions to ask during lunch:
- How did you get where you are today?
- What do you do?
- What is your average day like?
- If you were in my position, what should I do?
- What is your best advice?
- Is there any advice you wish you had received early on?
- What do you like about your job?
- What do you like about nursing?
- Is there anyone else I should connect with in this field?
- What brought you to nursing?
- How can I get more involved in (research projects, volunteer work, nursing education, etc.)?
- Are there any resources (books, professional organizations, people, etc.) you can suggest that would help me gain insight and experience?
- What is the best thing that has happened to you in your professional career?
- Tell me about your most memorable patient.
- What brought you to North Carolina?
How long do I have to set up the lunch?
You have until the end of the semester before your request expires. That means that you can request the lunch at the start of the semester and go in the middle or end of the semester. If for some reason you can’t set up a time, please let the DUSON Student Council know. We will work with you to schedule with another faculty person or extend the approval period.
Which DUSON students can participate?
All students in DUSON can participate—both distance and on-campus!
Faculty - FAQs
How does Faculty sign up Let's DU Lunch?
A student or group of students (max. 4) will sign up the faculty member when the student indicates the information on their sign up.
Faculty members do not sign up on the form.
How does the sign up process work?
- A Student will fill out the signup form. There can be up to four students per faculty member per lunch.
- An approval email with a copy of the completed Let's DU Lunch intake form from Qualtrics will be sent to both the student(s) and the invited faculty member.
- Faculty will pay for lunch and can spend $20 per person/per lunch.
- The Faculty Member will place the approval form given to them by the student(s) and their receipt for the Let's DU Lunch in Stefanie Conrad's mailbox (2013 Pearson Building), so the meal can be charged to the Let's DU Lunch fund code.
Is there a Limit on the cost of Lunch?
The maximum to be spent on a person per lunch is $20.
Can I just hand all my forms over to someone?
No, please do not hand deliver your forms.
Email (a) the approval form and (b) a picture of your receipt for Let’s DU Lunch to DUSON_AcademicAffairsOffice@dm.duke.edu so the meal can be charged to the Let’s DU Lunch fund code.
Who pays for the Let's DU Lunch?
The Faculty Member should pay for lunch and then submit the receipt.
Can alcohol be purchased?
No. Alcohol may not be purchased as a part of Let's DU Lunch.
How long does the Student have to set up the lunch?
Students have until the end of the semester before their request expires. That means that they must request the lunch at the start of the semester, but can go in the middle or end of the semester.
Where do we go for lunch?
Work with the Student(s) to arrange the best time and place for you Let's DU Lunch.
Some suggested places nearby:
- If you want to walk or have a time limit:
- Panera
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- Duke University Hospital Food Court
- Nosh at Joe Rae Café
- Saladelia at Perkins
- If you want to drive or have a little bit more time:
- Mad Hatters
- Foster's Market
- Any restaurants on Erwin Rd, 9th Street, or in Downtown Durham