<p>Well, that depends on what you mean. If you mean that everyone loves Duke students and bakes them cookies during finals week, then the answer is no – Davidson would be a much better choice, where they actually do that. </p>
<p>If you mean that they get along reasonably well, then yes, Duke and Durham have a fairly good relationship. Duke is by far the largest employer in the county, and about 1 in 5 residents works for Duke. One semester I had to walk off campus to a retired professor’s house several times a week for an independent study, and people working in their yards or relaxing on their porches would always wave and say hello; one woman even made me a glass of lemonade once it got warm. (This is why I love the South.)</p>
<p>Duke students are tremendously active in the community, and many students tutor local students, volunteer at the local animal shelter, help clean up the Eno River on weekends, etc.</p>
<p>THAT SAID – There is still a gross disparity between the overall affluence of the Duke community and the city of Durham. The Durham police force in particular has long been considered corrupt, and there is some tension with Duke. You’ll also see this in other schools with similar gaps (Yale, Rhodes, etc.). Duke students are common targets for robberies, as they’re often carrying valuable things like phones/ipods/laptops and don’t always exhibit street smarts.</p>