West Duke Building Closed After Flooding

The Kenan Institute for Ethics’ primary home, the West Duke Building on Duke University’s East Campus, will be closed for the foreseeable future. This will allow for repairs of the damages caused by a burst water coil on December 15, 2025, when temperatures in Durham, North Carolina reached extreme lows.

Flooding mainly affected the northern side of the building, including KIE offices in West Duke 103 suite. Other KIE office suites, including the Fortin Family Foundation Director’s Suite, did not appear to sustain any damages.

While West Duke is expected to open again during the spring semester, the entire building will remain closed while damages are being evaluated and restoration plans assessed.

All classes in the West Duke Building, including Ethics courses, have been reassigned to other spaces on East Campus, and KIE staff will work remotely or in the East Duke Building, where the Kenan Institute for Ethics holds additional office space.