Finding a Home for Tricky Dicky: the Nixon-Duke Presidential Library Controversy
"The 51% man": Notable Correspondence
August 8, 1981
Sanford’s Memo to the Board of Trustees
On this letter addressed to all of Board of Trustee members, Sanford discloses information about the proposal for the first time in writing. He outlines the ideas vaguely and tells the Board that “Nixon is ready to announce that Duke has offered a site and that he has gratefully accepted”, but urges the Board to make a decision soon, as August 19th would be the deadline for such a decision.
However, Sanford never produced any supporting evidence for the August 19th deadline or the claim that Nixon is ready to announce his acceptance. This is perhaps one of the most commonly cited argument on the opposition side, some even believe that Sanford produced the August 19th deadline so that he could rush the decision and not have the student body or all the faculty present for such a controversal discussion.
August 18, 1981
Sanford’s Letter to the Alumni Body
Sanford writes all Duke Alum informing them of the proposal in vague terms and expresses his desire for alum to be involved in the negotiations. He tells the alum how important they are to the university and tries to garner national support.
Mere days after this letter addressed to the alumni body, oceans of letter rushed into the President's office and among them, many expressed anguish and said that they were "ashamed" with the way Duke was carrying itself. There were also letters of support and even offers of donation toward the library and the museum adjacent to it, which was part of the early proposal.
August 19, 1981
Sanford’s Memo to the Academic Council
In this memo addressed to the Academic Council, which is also copied to all faculty member, Sanford urges faculty to not think “narrow-mindedly” or just “short term”, he claims that as a great university, Duke should not fear reputation due to association.
On the other hand, people started questioning Sanford's intention of bringing in the library. As an ambitious president, Sanford wanted Duke to be known as among the best in the nation, and not just the south. Thus, his motivation is also driven by reputation, if one simplifies the situation.
September 2, 1981
Sanford sends a memo to all faculty and Board of Trustee members
As the negotiations drag on, the proposal seems to be losing a little bit of momentum. Sanfords sends a very timely memo to all faculty and Board of Trustee members to again explain his own position. He lists the benefits that he believed such a proposal would bring and ask the opponents to reconsider.
In this neatly laid out and beautifully articulated memo, Sanford again reiterates the importance he sees in acquiring the library and really tries to persuade the faculty and Board of Trustee members to make a decision in its favor.
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