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