I think that those of us who did not go to W&M have missed a great deal.
They can sneak out a Cross-from a common area, and raise Cain about academic
freedom, and then today we have a sex conference. I know that coming from
Texas we were culturally deprived. I guess we will just have to work harder
to maintain the standards set by our cousins back in the Old Dominion.

FOX NEWS
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The same college that recently removed a traditional
cross from the campus chapel allowed a controversial sex workers' show to
come give students an event complete with stripteases, feather boas and sex
toys.

"The College of William and Mary in Virginia last week hosted a Sex Workers'
Art Show for a crowd of more than 400 in an auditorium in the University
Center, reported The Virginia Gazette. Another 300 people were turned away.

The goal of the show, which was sponsored and hosted by a number of student
groups, was to empower the actors by portraying the realities of their
careers, according to the Gazette. Money to host the event came out of
student activity fees.

Click here to read The Virginia Gazette story

For example, Jo Weldon shared her story of how a stripper job helped pay her
way through college and graduate school. However, other performances were
more risqué, reported the Gazette.

A woman named Dirty Martini, who weighed more than 200 pounds, did a
striptease in a G-string and pasties, while a woman named Cono Snatch
Zubobinskaya gave an anti-war performance that included a dildo shaped like
a gun, the newspaper said.
But not everyone on campus was entertained.

"I think it's a totally inappropriate use of student funds," Ken Petzinger,
a physics professor, told the Gazette. "It's in conflict with other values
the college has."

President Gene Nichol issued a statement saying: "I don't like this kind of
show and I don't like having it here … But it's not the practice and
province of universities to censor or cancel performances because they are
controversial."

Nichol has come under fire in recent months for his decision to order a
cross removed that sat in the campus' Wren Chapel altar for more than 60
years. Nichol said his decision, which he made late last year, was aimed at
making the chapel more welcoming to students of all faiths.

The school's Board of Visitors has sided with Nichol, even though some
donors have said they will withhold donations until the chapel is restored.

"While William and Mary President Gene Nichol opposes the display of a cross
in Wren chapel, he apparently is not offended by a display of campus
cross-dressers," the American Family Association (AFA) said in a statement,
as reported by CNSNews.com.



-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sunshine49
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 9:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fw: Greetings from the College of William and Mary Board of
Visitors

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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