W&M

A sad day for William and Mary. Anyone who knows my husband and I know of our love of our alma mater. It is where we met, it is where we were taught to think and not just regurgitate, it is where our beliefs and values where challenged and where we went from children to adults. It was on that campus that we decided to marry. It is where someone like me from a tiny backward town and a boy who had come from a war torn foreign country at 2 both felt included, valued and wholly engaged in the community.

Yesterday the President, embroiled in controversy for the last year or so, resigned after being told his contract would not be renewed. In other words, he was fired. "He attributed the controversy surrounding his tenure to four presidential decisions — his decision to remove the Wren cross (more below), his refusal to ban the Sex Workers’ Art Show (a student council & women's studies sponsored event), his support of the College’s Gateway Program and his commitment to the College’s faculty diversity."

He has made some controversial decisions, not the least of which was the decision to remove the cross from the Wren Chapel, except upon the request of those using it. The logic was, ALL students attend events in the Chapel that are required by the college - the signing of the code of honor, for example - and that the space must be as inclusive as possible. Of course, religious groups and events using the Chapel could request the placement of the cross if they so desired. As a result of this decision, big money was pulled from endowments. Basically, he's a bit too liberal for the old guarde.

What disturbs me is that a small, handpicked board of visitors has the power and inclination to effectively fire the President of the institution for pissing off some well-healed donors. Yes, perhaps President Nichols should have treaded more lightly or been more open in the process of making and implementing the decision. Regardless, it troubles me greatly that the BOV has essentially fired him for pissing off big donors. Maybe I am niave, but I think the students and faculty (who by and large are outraged) and alumni should have some voice in the process.

Change is controversial and he was certainly trying to be an agent of change. I, personally, am going to have to think long and hard about my own financial commitments to William and Mary and weigh my support of the students and faculty against my desire to make a statement with my own meager dollars.

I think this faculty member said it best, "A prestigious university is supposed to be a bastion of inclusion and debate. How else do we learn other than by being challenged with different views? The BOV, under political and economic pressure, has decided to demote the academic and societal priorities of the College and voted to end the tenure of a College President who championed a diversity of views. A College President who welcomed the minority voice, even when they conflicted with his own personal views. This is a sad day, not only for William and Mary, but for the whole Commonwealth, as Virginia has shown it is a place of intolerance where centuries-old political will wins out over the education and betterment of our young citizens. William and Mary is a weaker institution than it was yesterday and I am shamed by the BOV’s decision."