I still like the idea that has been used by the U. Va. Chapel in Wise  
County- post the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in the  
chapel, and let each faith bring in their own symbols, as needed. It  
may have once been a Christian chapel, it may be too difficult to  
keep it one today, but you can hardly get more "Virginia" than to  
display that Statute. A reminder of Virginia's great roll in  
establishing religious freedom for all, and it might go far to  
satisfy several factions. A place of religion. But all and any, not  
one. And it would soothe ruffled Virginia feathers by having our  
Statute displayed there; Virginia history is not being cast out.

Nancy

-------
I was never lost, but I was bewildered once for three days.

--Daniel Boone



On Feb 23, 2007, at 7:03 PM, Anne Gwaltney wrote:

> -----Forwarded Message-----
>> From: "Michael K. Powell" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Feb 23, 2007 2:37 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Greetings from the College of William and Mary Board of  
>> Visitors
>>
>> February 23, 2007
>>
>>
>> Dear Alumni and Friends of the College of William and Mary:
>>
>> My colleagues and I on the Board of Visitors, beginning last fall and
>> extending to our meeting earlier this month, have closely followed  
>> the
>> controversy on the best uses of the historic Wren Chapel. We have  
>> felt, and
>> heard from many alumni, very strong views on the poles of this  
>> issue. Each
>> side thoughtfully expresses values that are intrinsic to our  
>> College. We
>> have long believed that balance must be achieved between these  
>> competing
>> perspectives in a manner respectful of the underlying values of each.
>>
>> At our recently concluded February Board meeting, we provided an  
>> opportunity
>> for public comment on the issue from individuals representing alumni,
>> faculty, students, and members of the local community. We took  
>> pains also to
>> ensure that all viewpoints of the controversy--pro and con--were  
>> fairly
>> represented. After some discussion, the Board issued a statement  
>> supporting
>> the review process initiated by the President and requesting that
>> recommendations resulting from the review be presented to the  
>> Board in
>> April. I have enclosed the full statement for your information.
>>
>> The Board worked closely with President Nichol to ensure that the  
>> committee
>> established to conduct the review is composed of thoughtful  
>> individuals with
>> varying viewpoints. Examining the role of religion on a public  
>> campus, and
>> more directly the question of the appropriate policy for governing  
>> the
>> display of the Wren Cross, are matters of profound importance to the
>> College. Committee members' willingness to navigate the difficult  
>> issues is
>> commendable, and the Board is grateful to each, most especially co- 
>> chairs
>> Jim Livingston and Alan Meese.
>>
>> As the committee begins its work, I thought it useful to share  
>> with you the
>> Board of Visitors' expectations:
>>
>> First, we believe that it is vital for the committee to take into
>> consideration the widest range of views possible, including  
>> collecting the
>> views of alumni, students, faculty, legislators, and loyal friends  
>> of the
>> College. This review provides an opportunity to build a  
>> substantial record
>> of opinions and options and ensures that any future decision is  
>> the product
>> of consultation with the entire William and Mary community.
>>
>> Second, we believe it imperative that this process be completed as  
>> soon as
>> practical, but no later than our meeting to be held April 19 and  
>> 20. This
>> matter, regrettably, has consumed an inordinate amount of time and
>> distracted the College leadership from working on more significant  
>> matters
>> directly affecting the educational needs of our students.
>>
>> The Board of Visitors is deeply grateful for the affection for  
>> William and
>> Mary so apparent in its graduates and friends. Your love for the  
>> College
>> endows our own service with considerable meaning.
>>
>> Warm regards,
>>
>> Michael K. Powell
>> Rector of the College
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Statement of the Board of Visitors
>>
>> The College of William and Mary
>>
>>
>>
>> The President's decision to alter the policy governing the display  
>> of the
>> cross inside Wren Chapel has sparked a vigorous and passionate  
>> debate about
>> religion, history, tradition, values and diversity. The Board of  
>> Visitors
>> has heard from countless people both supporting and opposing the  
>> decision.
>> Today, in an unprecedented move, the Board of Visitors invited  
>> individuals
>> from several constituencies with diverse viewpoints to share their  
>> views on
>> this controversial issue. We are grateful for their counsel. While  
>> the
>> debate has separated pros and cons into separate camps, what is most
>> inspiring is what binds them rather than divides them--a deep,  
>> unflinching
>> love of William and Mary. We love its history and tradition. We  
>> love its
>> singularly unique character. We love our experiences and the  
>> memories that
>> have made indelible marks on our lives.  And we love the promise  
>> that the
>> College's greatest days remain ahead.  It is the depth of this  
>> feeling that
>> explains why so much passion has come to the surface over this issue.
>>
>> The Wren Chapel is a particularly unique and special place. It  
>> both serves
>> as a vital link to our celebrated past and as a modern, living  
>> space for
>> religious and spiritual observance. We must preserve both aspects  
>> of its
>> character or something profound will be lost. The Board believes the
>> inherent nature of the building is now and should forever be a  
>> Chapel and
>> that its religious heritage is indispensable to its historical  
>> character.
>> Whether eternally present or not, a single religious symbol does  
>> not itself
>> change that character of a holy place.
>>
>> President Nichol made a decision to alter the policy governing the  
>> display
>> of the cross with the sincere intention of striking a balance  
>> between the
>> growing religious diversity of our students and the College's  
>> Christian
>> heritage.  As he has explained artfully, he cares deeply for  
>> William and
>> Mary and the change was intended to promote important values of  
>> inclusion
>> and diversity--values the Board certainly shares. His motives were  
>> sincere
>> and his objectives noble. Of this, we are uniformly convinced.
>>
>> In handling this matter, however, even President Nichol has  
>> acknowledged
>> that mistakes have been made. As he freely admits, the President  
>> is new and
>> he is learning. A decision, such as this one, that so deeply  
>> affects the
>> history and traditions of our school and bears on its values, past  
>> and
>> present, should be a shared one. It should be a product of collective
>> thought, discussion and even debate. It is a decision that should  
>> involve
>> all stakeholders including the Board, alumni, faculty, students  
>> and long
>> loyal friends of the College. We owe it to our community to do  
>> better and
>> are persuaded that President Nichol agrees.
>>
>> In the spirit of inclusion, we are heartened that the President has
>> initiated the opportunity for a broad discussion with the College  
>> community
>> to address the question of religion on our public campus and to  
>> explore
>> whether there is a policy involving the cross in Wren Chapel that  
>> better
>> balances the goals of inclusiveness and diversity with our religious
>> historical origins and the centrality of tradition in our  
>> character. We
>> fully support this dialogue and intend to be involved with the  
>> process and
>> its conclusions. We have asked the president and the committee to  
>> report its
>> recommendations to the Board in April.
>>
>> Some have urged the Board to take a conclusive position now on the  
>> cross
>> policy. We have chosen a different path for several reasons.
>>
>> First, we feel there is merit in taking time to reflect upon the  
>> issue and
>> allow full discourse, led by the President's committee. The  
>> President and
>> the Board will benefit from the guidance that emerges.  Critics of  
>> the
>> President's decision argue it was made without consultation and  
>> without
>> sufficient input from the entire College community. The Board of  
>> Visitors
>> believes the process put in place by the President affords an  
>> opportunity
>> for a greater number of people to express their opinions,  
>> something that
>> will better inform the views of the Board and the President.
>>
>> Second, we believe that reversing the President's decision during  
>> the time
>> that the new committee is doing its work would only further  
>> separate our
>> community rather than unite it. This issue has sadly divided  
>> important
>> constituencies of the College. Our membership, too, contains a  
>> range of
>> opinions. But we feel it is more constructive to work with the  
>> President and
>> the community to respectfully bring this matter to an amiable  
>> conclusion,
>> rather than invoke our authority to sit in judgment like a court  
>> of appeal.
>>
>> Third, we believe there may be legal issues that are deserving of  
>> further
>> consideration that could have unintended broader implications for the
>> College and the State. Therefore, we believe some caution is merited.
>>
>> Finally, and importantly, the Board believes William and Mary is  
>> and should
>> be a diverse and welcoming place to all students from around the
>> Commonwealth and around the globe. This should be the message that is
>> projected to prospective students and the outside world. One might  
>> argue
>> about where the balance should be struck to achieve this  
>> imperative, but we
>> are convinced that adding fuel to the current flames of  
>> controversy will
>> only singe the reputation of our College.
>>
>> President Nichol is a strong and passionate leader. In him we have  
>> placed
>> our hopes and aspirations for the William and Mary yet to come.  
>> And, we have
>> placed in his hands a sacred trust to protect and preserve the  
>> precious
>> green and gold jewel that has been finely polished over the  
>> centuries.
>> President Nichol has our confidence and our pledge to work with  
>> him to chart
>> a course that will lead to a shore on which we all will be proud  
>> to stand.
>>
>
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