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Library Controversy
Because of Nixon’s Watergate Scandal, there was a dilemma about the location of his Presidential Library. The Library location brought up the issues of money, politics and institutional brands.

In 1981, seven years after Nixon’s resignation, he and Terry Sanford, the President of Duke University, opened conversation about having Nixon’s Presidential Library and Museum at Duke. Nixon was a Duke Law School graduate. Because of the potential gain in business, Sanford absorbed the flak of his decision and the controversy that it could potentially bring. The Library could produce tourism and substantial business for Duke, Durham and Sanford himself. Sanford also wanted the library for political reasons. He was opening communication with China to partner with Duke in the pharmaceuticals business. The Chinese highly revered Nixon and Sanford believed this would help them to decide to collaborate with Duke.

Duke University’s Response
Part of the Duke community was overjoyed a multitude of scholarly papers could be brought to Duke’s campus to continue the culture of academia. They hoped the library could attract scholars to study the controversial papers. People believed Nixon’s actions did not represent Duke University itself. Nixon and Duke would be seen as two separate entities, but Duke would just be housing his work. On the other hand, the majority of students and faculty did not want the museum to be sponsored by Duke University. Three hundred and fifty of Duke’s professors gathered together to discuss the pros and cons of this issue. The majority of them believed that Nixon was a disgraceful and dishonest president who they did not want to be associated with. Alumni had strong feelings against the library and some resigned from the positions they held such as Trustee Emeritus, the Washington Duke Club, the Iron Dukes and the Alumni Association because of even the idea of having the library.

The Duke College Republicans were another group that was against the Nixon Library. In their newsletter, Richard Winters, their president, believed the library would be an embarrassment to the university. He believed that no matter the students political out look, no one should want the Nixon Library on Duke’s campus because of the shame it would bring upon Duke.