The Student Papers Reference Collection was compiled from a variety of sources by the University Archives for use in reference and research. The collection consists primarily of Duke undergraduate student papers on topics concerning Duke University or Durham. The three earliest student papers date from circa 1890, 1895, and 1906, and were written by N. Raine Reed, Fannie W. Carr, and Raymond Browning, respectively. Paper topics present in the collection include: the founding of Duke; the undergraduate curriculum; Duke Chapel; 1969 Allen Building Takeover; Methodism and its relation to Duke University; the 1942 Rose Bowl; desegregation; and gender issues at Duke.

The University Writing Program (UWP) promotes the role of writing in the undergraduate curriculum at Duke through three main programs: Writing 20; Writing in the Disciplines (WID); and the Writing Studio. Collection contains student essays from various Writing 20 classes and a clipping about the opening of the Writing Assistance Center in January 1979. Items in the collection range in date from 1997-2007.

Collection contains student essays from various Writing 20 classes and a clipping about the opening of the Writing Assistance Center in January 1979. Subjects present include the Duke Chapel Tower; medical ethics; prisoner's rights; religious pluralism; and 1950s America (citizenship and ideology). Items in the collection range in date from 1997-2007.