Danforth University Center

The Danforth University Center (also known as the DUC - "duck") is the main student center and hub of student life on campus, housing many of WashU's student support and services offices. The DUC also houses offices for "Student Life", the main student-run newspaper, and KWUR, the student-run radio station, along with many gathering and study spaces.

As home to one of the main dining halls on campus, the DUC offers a variety of healthy, delicious options catered to your dietary preferences or restrictions, as well as a more formal restaurant, Ibby's.

Tisch Commons, a central gathering place in the DUC, is an area where students come together for a variety of reasons, such as Tuesday Tea - a popular event for students to drink free tea and eat scones every Tuesday afternoon. Hosted by different student organizations, Tuesday Tea provides students with a relaxed environment to study with friends. On the second floor of the DUC, the Fun Room gives you a place to hang out in your free time, playing foosball and pool with friends or lounging on the beanbags and couches during study breaks.

Be sure to stop in to the DUC, open Monday - Friday 7:00AM - 7:00PM

Media Gallery

Dining

Campus Life & Student Affairs

🍽️ Dining

Centered around the core principle of sustainability, our nationally-ranked dining programs provide the WashU community with a wide array of diverse and delicious food options. Our Dining Services staff help to prepare meals that meet the nutritional needs of each student. From allergies & intolerances, to vegan & vegetarian, and to Kosher & Halal options, our nutritionists design menus with each student in mind. With countless food stations spread across ten locations on campus, there are always new and delicious dishes for you to try!

Dining Locations

Whether you want a full-fledged meal at the Bear's Den (commonly called BD by students) or a quick grab-and-go sandwich on your way to class, Dining Services has you covered with 17 different dining stations across campus. Washington University has consistently been ranked in the Top 10 for food by The Princeton Review. In 2020, we were ranked #3.

Dining Services supports Washington University in St. Louis’ strong commitment to sustainable practices by using local vendors, providing recyclable/compostable disposables, converting fryer waste oil into biofuel for campus trucks, serving coffee that meets or exceed Fair Trade Certified standards, and serving meat and dairy that is free of antibiotics and growth hormones.

Meal Plans

With multiple options available, you can find the plan that fits your lifestyle. To assist you in budgeting, meal points are allocated per semester. Operating on a “declining balance” basis, you are afforded greater flexibility and spending options in our a la carte cafes. Any points not used during the fall semester carry over to the spring semester. You can read more about our various meal plans on the Dining Services website(https://diningservices.wustl.edu/meal-plans/undergraduate/)!

💚 Campus Life & Student Affairs

With many centers calling the DUC home, these various offices work with students, groups, and their communities. Through involvement on campus and planning of events, these offices assist in creating environments to support our diverse student population and facilitate meaningful connections across the campus community, while also providing continuous support for student's lives professionally, personally, and socially.

Center for Diversity & Inclusion

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports and advocates for undergraduate, graduate and professional students from underrepresented and/or marginalized populations, creates collaborative partnerships with campus and community partners, and promotes dialogue and social change among all students. Their work enhances and strengthens Washington University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Career Center

The Career Center provides resources for students to develop their professional skills and prepare for life after WashU. Students can set up an appointment with an advisor for career guidance, seek out funding for an unpaid internship, get feedback on their resume or cover letter, practice their interview skills, and connect with recruiters through the Career Center.

The Career Center also creates avenues for networking and in-depth explorations of various industries. Students have the opportunity to join Career Interest Groups where they connect with peers who hold similar professional goals, attend a Road Show where they travel to another part of the country to become immersed in a specific industry, and attend the annual Career Fair, which brings hundreds of employers to campus who are eager to learn more about you!

Office of International Students & Scholars

The OISS supports students during their time at WashU. Our services include immigration advising, orientation to the WashU and St. Louis communities, and other programs to help students thrive academically and socially and engage them in U.S. life and culture.

Harvey Media Center

The Angel & Paul Harvey Media Center is a state-of-the-art media facility where students can reserve equipment and studio space to shoot video, record a podcast, or even schedule a consultation with our media specialists to discuss a project, idea, or marketing campaign.

Office of Student Affairs

Student Affairs at Washington University is charged with providing guidance, support services, and a variety of programs and activities intended to complement the academic pursuits of students and to promote their learning, development, and success.

Student Affairs serves as a wide umbrella that covers many of the services students will utilize in their time at WashU, including Residential Life, Career Services, Habif Health & Wellness Center, and Athletics & Recreation.

Office for Student Success

Through various support structures, the Office for Student Success is committed to providing equitable programs for the success of all WashU students. Through Student Success and Opportunity Funds, students have access to financial assistance for circumstances that fall outside of your standard financial aid. Geared towards success, mental health, opportunity, engagement, and athletics, you can read more about these various funds here.

The Office for Student Success also oversees various groups on campus, such as the Deneb STARS. First-year students invited to join Deneb may be first-generation college students, come from an under-resourced socioeconomic background, or be affiliated with a community-based organization. In addition to the general academic support resources offered through the Office of Student Success, Deneb STARS participants have additional programming such as fall retreats and peer mentorship meetings!