-----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.
>

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html