“William and Mary belongs to all Virginians, to the nation, and to the world.”
From a resolution unanimously adopted by the W&M Board of Visitors on Nov. 17, 2006
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William and Mary Board of Visitors
Why haven't they reacted?
The Board of Visitors is the governing body of the College of William and Mary. It meets twice per semester. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state legislature.
On Thursday November 16, members of the Board of Visitor were handed an information packet about the Wren Cross.
View the Board of Visitors Information Packet here (PDF format; large file).
From the Richmond Times-Dispatch
WILLIAMSBURG -- W&M President Gene R. Nichol removed the cross from Wren Chapel because its presence made some students insiders and others outsiders, he said yesterday.
The 2-foot-high symbol of Christianity was removed from the historic chapel last month.
Nichol said that he, administrators and board members have received letters, phone calls and e-mails commenting on his action.
The reaction has included approval and disagreement. There also have been accusations that Nichol disrespects college traditions or even religious beliefs.
"That perception lies heavy on my heart," he said. "I understand that I tread on difficult ground."
Nichol reiterated his reasons for directing the cross to be generally stored away and put on display only during appropriate religious services.
Nichol, who became W&M's president in July 2005, is a constitutional lawyer who often expresses himself publicly in flowery cadences that can resemble poetry or a sermon.
"Though we haven't meant to do so, the display of a Christian cross -- the most potent symbol of my own religion in the heart of our most important building -- sends an unmistakable message that the chapel belongs more fully to some of us than to others. That there are, at the college, insiders and outsiders. Those for whom our most revered place is meant to be keenly welcoming, and those for whom presence is only tolerated," Nichol said.
"That distinction, I believe to be contrary to the best values of the college."
"It is precisely because the Wren Chapel touches the best in us -- the brightened lamp, the extended hand, the opened door, the call of character, the charge of faith, the test of courage -- that it is essential it belong to everyone. There is no alternate Wren Chapel, no analogous venue, no substitute space. Nor could there be. The Wren is no mere museum or artifact. It touches every student who enrolls at the college," Nichol said. "It defines us. And it must define us all."
Although his actions have ignited a controversy stretching beyond the campus to editorials and letters to the editor in newspapers including The Times-Dispatch, Nichol said such difficult issues "are the grist of great universities."
He said the cross continues to be displayed frequently, and added he has heard that students of varied religions have been using the chapel for worship for the first time.
"In the college's family, there are no outsiders," Nichol said. "All belong."
Some students and alumni created a savethewrencross.org Web site about two weeks ago and launched an online petition asking Nichol to rescind his decision.
Joe Luppino-Esposito said in the Web site's news release that Nichol's action was offensive to Christians and shocking to all people of faith.
"In the name of tolerance, we have intolerance," Luppino-Esposito said. "In the name of welcoming, we have hostility; and in the name of unity, we now have division."
Vince Hailey, a 1988 graduate, said in the news release that Nichol should have discussed the issue broadly with students and alumni before making a decision.
The board did not publicly discuss Nichol's comments or the petition. Michael K. Powell, who chairs the board as rector, noted that the president had discussed many positive things going on the college along with the controversy.
"In all that you do, you continue to make this board proud, and we're grateful for your leadership," Powell told Nichol.
The Sir Christopher Wren Building was finished in 1699 and the college became a state institution in 1906.
Contact staff writer Andrew Petkofsky at apetkofsky@timesdispatch.com or (757) 229-1512.
Text of President Gene Nichol's Address to the Board of Visitors
Nichol discusses Wren cross decision with BOV
Source: W&M Notes
Date: Nov 20, 2006
Several weeks ago, President Gene R. Nichol asked the director of the historic campus to change College practice and display the table cross in the Wren Chapel only during Christian religious services or, as requested, for individual worship. The decision generated much debate on campus and in the editorial pages of several regional newspapers (see below). On Nov. 16, Nichol read, in part, the following statement concerning the decision at the meeting of the Board of Visitors. —Ed.
I’d … begin by saying a word about my decision to alter our practice of displaying the cross in the Wren Chapel.
It will not surprise you that I have heard much about these actions. Some have expressed approval. Others have registered disagreement, or worse. The student assembly has considered the matter. Discussion has occurred in our faculty councils. An on-line petition has been assembled. University officials have received letters, e-mails and phone calls. Board members have as well.
Some have thought that my steps disrespect the traditions of the College, or, even more unacceptably, the religious beliefs of its members. That perception lies heavy on my heart. I understand that I tread on difficult ground.
It is, by now, well known that I am taken with William and Mary students. All William and Mary students. And though we haven’t meant to do so, the display of a Christian cross—the most potent symbol of my own religion—in the heart of our most important building sends an unmistakable message that the Chapel belongs more fully to some of us than to others. That there are, at the College, insiders and outsiders. Those for whom our most revered place is meant to be keenly welcoming, and those for whom presence is only tolerated. That distinction, I believe, to be contrary to the best values of the College.
It is precisely because the Wren Chapel touches the best in us—the brightened lamp, the extended hand, the opened door, the call of character, the charge of faith, the test of courage—that it is essential it belong to everyone. There is no alternate Wren Chapel, no analogous venue, no substitute space. Nor could there be. The Wren is no mere museum or artifact. It touches every student who enrolls at the College. It defines us. And it must define us all.
I make no pretense that all will agree with these sentiments. The emotions and values touched by this dispute are deeply felt. But difficult issues are the grist of great universities. Amidst the turmoil, the cross continues to be displayed on a frequent basis. I have been pleased to learn that students of disparate religions have reported using the Chapel for worship and contemplation for the first time. In the College’s family there should be no outsiders. All belong.