Protests and denunciations are roiling the College of William and Mary in reaction to the abrupt resignation Tuesday of its controversial president, Gene Nichol, after he was told Sunday that his contract wouldn't be renewed this summer.
Students said a sit-in to show support is planned for much of today at Nichol's on-campus home. A candlelight vigil was planned Tuesday night at the same location, and Tuesday afternoon an impromptu rally drew hundreds to the Sunken Garden, where they heard angry speakers using megaphones.
Nichol, president since 2005, announced his resignation in a vigorous three-page defense of his tenure, sent to the Williamsburg campus community Tuesday morning. He will return to the college's Marshall-Wythe School of Law to teach and write, his letter said.
Nichol wrote that the Board of Visitors, the governing body that decided his fate, offered him and his wife "substantial economic incentives" to not say the board's contract decision was based on ideological grounds or make other statements about his resignation without their approval. He rejected it as censorship, he said.
Nichol had been the focus of criticism for 16 months, online and in the news media, as a group of alumni and some students complained about his decisions. They were particularly incensed by two:
Nichol removed a cross from permanent display in the historic Wren Chapel, arguing that the space also was used by non-Christians and for secular purposes; it later was displayed in a case and can be used for services.
And, for two years, he didn't stop a traveling sex workers' art show that was arranged by students, saying he couldn't censor their choices.
Nichol wrote that both situations involved issues of constitutional freedoms and diversity. He also championed diversity in the student body and the faculty, he wrote, citing as an example his efforts to increase financial access to lower-income students.
The board said in its statement that its decision was not based on ideology or any single public controversy, and it praised Nichol's accomplishments and passion. But "a number of problems" were holding back the college, the board said, and a leadership change was needed.
The board's rector, Michael Powell, declined in a phone interview to specify the problems.
He, too, praised Nichol for increasing diversity and for how he connected with students. But Powell said the board, using an outside consultant to help with its review, heavily weighed other presidential duties such as public and alumni relations and fundraising.
"There's a food fight going on, and there's a very objective review going on. And we're participating in... the latter," Powell said.
The board appointed W. Taylor Reveley III, dean of the law school, as interim president while opening the search for a permanent leader.
"It's over, and we can move on," said Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, who attended the law school. "I didn't like William and Mary being in the news all the time."
But many students and alumni expressed shock at the news. Several blamed Nichol's downfall on conservative "idealogues" who disagreed with his views and disregarded how he had united the campus.
"It was all about how to find a way to take down this progressive person," said Brian Story, a junior from Chesapeake.
"This is the saddest day that I have experienced," said Frederick Gibbs of James City County, a 1958 graduate and retired Presbyterian minister who blamed the "neo-conservative Christian right."
"It just irritates me to no end that we allow a minority in this country to do these things, terrible things, awful things," Gibbs said.
But Joe Luppino-Esposito, editor in chief of a campus newspaper, The Virginia Informer, said the president cost the school donations, barely met fundraising goals, oversaw less-than-average endowment growth, and turned off lawmakers who control budgets.
"It shows that the board really cares about the college, and it's not going to give in to the whims of a rally or something like that," he said.
"I think too many people were accepting mediocrity for the college."
Zach Pilchen, president of the Student Assembly, called himself "furious, devastated, disillusioned." He said Rector Powell owed the campus a fuller explanation.
There's "a sense of mourning on campus," said Sarah
Rojas, a sophomore from New Jersey. "Like we've lost somebody, which we have."
Staff writer Aaron Applegate contributed to this report.
Matthew Bowers, (757) 222-3893, matthew.bowers@pilotonline.com
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@ poco What I was Saying
Is exactly what my comment says. It is in plain English, and written by myself, with the exception of the quote which was Einstein's. It is, however merely a comment, or opinion,& open to interpretation, but, may or may not be open to debate, usually depending on if I think I am right or wrong. If I do not wish to debate, am too busy & don't think someone deserves the dignity of a response, then I simply don't reply. Now that I have answered your question, I have 2 for you ,from what I have inferred from your comment. 1 Where does one find these cursing, naked pedestrians? 2 How much are you selling that kidney for anyway? "We sometimes get all the information, but refuse to get the message." Cullen Hightower
To charlesh11558 and Barry403
charlesh11558 sez:
" Have often wondered, what happened? Why is Virginia now seen as a back-water, backward, a place of little consequence. With GN's removal, I am begining to see why."
Hey, you're free to leave, but I guess you like "back-water, backward, places of little consequence."
To Barry403:
Methinks you are joking and your mind was already made up. If your children have indeed made such large decisions based on one day of notice you have not taught them the values of perspective and patience. W&M is still W&M without Nichol.
Lost: One Honor Code
"Nichol wrote that the Board of Visitors, the governing body that decided his fate, offered him and his wife 'substantial economic incentives...'"
To the BOV and those of you who weren't smart enough to get into William & Mary but feel the need to post on this site anyway against our President: You may know that W&M has the oldest scholastic Honor Code in the country, making it a violation of College conduct to lie, cheat, or steal. Unfortunately, the Code has gone missing. It was last seen in Michael Powell's car as he was driving west on I-64, toward Richmond. It's whereabouts, as of 3pm local time, are yet unknown. Please help us find it.
The Plus Sides
Nichol had to go for the reasons described below. As an alumnus, I remember how sheltered students at the College were and are; it's forgotten that reality exists outside of the academic world. On the plus side, at least the students have something new to protest, the chancellor protests were so irrelevant.
I will give Nichol credit for the sex show stance. That was more action than 90% of William and Mary students got in four years.
WM pres...
Virginia is known as the "Mother of Presidents", but not for many, many years. Have often wondered, what happened? Why is Virginia now seen as a back-water, backward, a place of little consequence. With GN's removal, I am begining to see why.
@contractorva
Are you saying that there is no knowledge that should not be taught? You are a fool if you believe that.
Barry403
Surely, you jest! But if true, your hasty decisions have served to bolster your opponents' argument that much of Nichol's backing is rooted in pure emotion.
Limits, Philosophers, Streakers, & Kidney Sellers
If there are limits to what is taught, then what is learned is also limited. This is one of our higher places of learning. In knowledge, the only limit should be what is retained by the capacity of the mind. This is how we progress. Drawing the line on subject matter is indeed censorship. An intelligent student taught at a Virginia college, should be able to determine if cursing, streaking, and selling their own internal organs is an appropriate decision, but they should also know, it exists, legalities aside. “Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” Albert Einstein Renowned Physicist
In summary...
These leftist brats just been schooled. Bad PR hurts funding. Get over it, kids, and welcome to the real world.
Shame on You
My son, a sophomore at W & M , will not be returning next year as a result of this decision. My daughter, who has recieved early acceptance at W & M, will now go to Vanderbilt as a result of this decision. Hey Gene, ODU needs a new president.
Philosophy only gets you so far
All of the points made supporting Nichol and his decisions (or lack of)are heart-felt, but based on emotion. They are very alluring.
He made great strides in diversity on the faculty and in the student body, and created the Gateway program to make it more affordable for lower income students. The Board of Visitors readily gives him credit for this.
But controversial decisions like the Wren Cross, which he took too long to resolve, and allowing the Sex Workers Art Show, among others brought statewide and national disrepute of W&M. Have there been any other previous presidents at W&M that have caused such controversy?
With alumni and lawmaker support waning, it would have been a shirk of duty for the Board of Visitors to let it go on unabated, smearing one of the nation's top schools. Like it or not, the "parents" had to step in and do something. It is unpleasant, but it had to be addressed. While some current students are unhappy, I urge them to look at this as a learning experience for life. The world turns in seemingly inequitable ways sometimes. The Board of Visitors are there for a reason. Listen to their reasoning and see it through their eyes.
There should be no limits to education?
Please, grow a brain. There are limits to everything, as in everything. There are no absolute rights. You are not, and have never been free to do anything you want without limitation. You cannot walk down the street nude, cursing, or a multitude of other things. You think you are absolutely free? Just try selling your own kidney. This claim of "everything is acceptable" is simply absurd.
Another of these tolerant progressives ...
Nichol removed a cross from permanent display in the historic Wren Chapel, arguing that the space also was used by non-Christians and for secular purposes...
And, for two years, he didn't stop a traveling sex workers' art show that was arranged by students, saying he couldn't censor their choices.
Like many so-called "tolerant" progressives, his tolerance extended to to only those he agreed with. It is amusing to see the tolerance from the other commenters below about those evil right-winger Christian conservatives.
Educational Censorship
There should be no limits to education. Everything that is said, done, news, or history ..is education. This includes sex & art. I am a Catholic, and the removal of a cross from a place of worship, would have upset me .... a few hundred years ago. If that place of worship is also shared by others who object to it's presence, then let them remove it, as long as it isn't replaced with something that offends me. I can bring a rosary & still have a cross. I think this man leaving the college will be a great loss to one of the oldest higher places of learning in the USA. He is obviously a man of integrity, fair play, & defender of rights for all. "A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education".
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
The Big Fat White Elephant in the Room
Let's not forget that Virginia is indeed one of the more backward states.
WMPres!
Money talks, he who's got will control. The liberal's who try to control this great institution of William & Mary still don't get it. As president Nichol's was in charge of representing the College and her best interests he did neither. The idea of allowing him to move to the Law Dept. is hideous, do we have another Ward Churchill in the making. Fired - you are gone. I am not disappointed at the Board of Visitor's action, I am disappointed at them allowing him to continue in the Law Department.
Candlelight vigil, are you kidding?
I wonder how many of these students participating in this candlelight vigil have ever sat in a one honoring, supporting, and thanking the troops both fallen and still with us that have laid their lives on the line so they HAVE the ability to exercise their right to a vigil. While they are certainly free to express their opinions in any way they like, it seems to me to they lessen the value and sanctity of such an act to hold it in honor of a man who has done nothing but bring controversy and his own biased opinions to this fine university. He has not risked his life, in fact he is going to do just fine with his new teaching position. My daughter wants to attend W&M and I am far more inclined to send her there now then I was before.
WM
Am I wrong that the issue with the cross being in Wren Chapel had to do with the fact that the Chapel was being used as a classroom in some instances? The cross could still be used in times of worship.
As a 2001 WM alum, I would just like to say that I never thought of WM as a conservative school when I was applying, nor did I feel that way when attending, nor do I feel that way as an alum. There were many conservative people there, but I would never classify it as a conservative school. As other have said, WM is no Regent or Liberty.
And to Orion, there is much more to college than just studying. Dedicated students do their work and still get involved in what's going on around them.
Happy to see him go
I am an alumni of the college, and a democrat, and I am glad to see him go. I chose W&M for it beauty, prestige, and reputation. This guy has set out to trash all of that. To the students who go there, if you don't like those things, then why did you choose the school? The school is still a part of my resume, and I want to protect it. Honestly, what is educational about a sex show? Any animal knows how to do that. Grow up, or transfer to a school in vegas.
If I were a dedicated...
...student at W&M (dedicated to my education), I would be concerned about the level of academic excellence during this time of "upheaval." Being a native of the Hampton Roads area, W&M always stood for excellence in education and the individuals that went there went there for that reason. In the end, it seems Mr. Nichols was more worried about creating controversy. Now his actions have tainted this prestigious college and its staff.