WILLIAMSBURG
Raised fists, red armbands and strike signs. Demands for explanations and an outpouring of support for an ousted president.
These and more filled the College of William and Mary's University Center during an all-day, old-fashioned sit-in protest Wednesday, the first of two days of planned class strikes.
Gene Nichol, told by the governing Board of Visitors that his three-year contract wouldn't be renewed in July, resigned Tuesday, effective immediately.
Nichol had been dogged by controversy during the past 16 months over decisions that upset a vocal contingent of alumni. These included removing a cross from permanent display in the historic Wren Chapel, which is also used for secular and non-Christian purposes; and for not intervening, despite his own objections, to stop a traveling sex workers' art show brought to campus by students.
More than 200 sad and angry students and faculty filled the central lobby of the center for the sit-in much of Wednesday, and more than 400 jammed the center's auditorium for a town hall-style meeting to create a list of demands.
They pressed the board to explain its decision on Nichol, whom they called progressive and inspirational.
Board Rector Michael Powell said later in a phone interview that board members will come to the 7,500-student campus "at the earliest practical time. We think we have an obligation to meet with students."
He said that while he and other members already are talking individually with students and faculty, they're still unsure how much they can say about Nichol's performance without hurting his chance at another leadership job.
Powell said he's not eager to hold "a big press conference where I disparage Gene Nichol by laying out chapter and verse the things we were troubled by."
"I hope people understand that is the principal reason we are being cautious, and not hiding anything, which they seem to think."
Powell said no vote was taken at last week's board meeting. But after members had spoken behind closed doors about Nichol's future, he said, "the conclusion was unanimous" that the president's contract would not be renewed. By prior agreement with Nichol, Powell told him as soon as the board consensus became clear, to give Nichol time to make plans.
A woman who came to the door at Nichol's on-campus home Wednesday declined a request for an interview with him.
Powell said he and other board members "pay very close attention and listen very carefully to what's going on on campus, and completely understand it and completely appreciate the strong points of view."
They couldn't have missed them at the University Center, where rain pushed the protest - originally set to take place outside Nichol's home - indoors.
Students waved signs, signed petitions and heard speakers urge further protest. Many professors canceled classes, or students skipped them.
"Students feel like we want to send a message," said Devan Barber, a senior from Chesterfield County. "Really, the only way we can is peaceful, widespread protest."
Students filled seats and sprawled on the floor next to tables trying to sell valentine roses and safe-sex "condomgrams."
They circulated petitions, excoriated the Board of Visitors, and complained about media coverage focusing on controversies and not on Nichol's work to increase campus diversity. They urged all to write board members, lawmakers and newspapers - and to get their parents to write, too.
Many cradled computers or schoolbooks in their laps. At least one knitted. And one table offered pink construction paper for students to make valentines to be delivered today to the Nichol family.
Signs and T-shirts trumpeted messages ranging from "Bless This College" to "(Expletive) the BOV."
"I'm just hoping that we can reclaim our university," said Jennifer Bickham Mendez, an associate professor of sociology. She blamed Nichol's departure on political pressure and a minority of "outsiders" and expressed concern that this could inhibit the hiring of talented teachers.
"The students here today, as well as the faculty, are feeling voiceless," she said. "The Board of Visitors knew what the students thought and did it anyway."
"We're teaching our students to be critical and respectful at the same time," said Francis Tanglao-Aguas, assistant professor of theater, speech and dance. "Right now, students feel infantilized. And the faculty, too."
Nichol's critics "don't want anything that doesn't fall in line," said Marianne McLaughlin, a senior from Winchester. "And I think that's a joke."
Concerns about academic and speech freedoms at America's second-oldest college spilled into the midafternoon town hall meeting.
"They will come after my courses next," LuAnn Homza, associate professor of history, said to a standing ovation. "They will come after the books you're allowed to buy, and the courses you're allowed to take."
Provost Geoffrey Feiss, the second-ranking campus administrator, talked about pain and betrayal but urged all to work to continue Nichol's legacy.
Tanglao-Aguas got the biggest cheer when he said he didn't have tenure and was willing to risk that to protest the ouster.
Barber said: "I just want the faculty and the students to have a say in who is going to be president next. We don't want the same vocal minority to pick the next president."
Matthew Bowers, (757) 222-3893, matthew.bowers@pilotonline.com
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ODU and Nichol
Let ODU have him! Good bye, Nichol. Don't let the door hit you on the way out! I agree with the tenure opinion posted earlier. Tenure is archaic, and needs to go. Ask yourself honestly - would you work as hard as you do now everyday if you knew your job security was practically guaranteed? Like unions in America, tenure once filled a need in our society, but has become more harmful than helpful in our new world economy.
I'm not happy that Nichol is able to simply slide over to Marshall-Wythe and draw a paycheck for teaching a couple of classes a semester. I'd rather see him GONE! Maybe ODU Law? That has a nice ring to it! New football team and a new law school all in the same year... Nichol is the dreamer who can make it happen - send him on down I-64. I'll buy the gas and snacks for the trip! Sourpuss quitter!
dbenton '86
Flunk them!
I hope they are given failing grades for their absences. If you don't earn a passing grade, you shouldn't get a passing grade, and you don't earn passing grades by cutting classes.
Condescending comments
Many faculty and graduate students supported Nichol. These are not 18 year old's without real world experience.
Hey-I hear ODU is looking for a new President!
Submitted by DFener on Wed,
Submitted by DFener on Wed, 02/13/2008 at 3:23 pm.
The actions of the Board of Visitors have had many negative consequences. Their termination of Dr Nichol has damaged the school's academic standing, created embarassing press attention
_________________________________
Uhh....all of that was created by Nichol BEFORE the board stepped in.
I agree with ObamaNichol08's post with stress on the fact that Nichol's resignation letter was all about "me". If he truly cared about the College he wouldn't have instituted a scorched earth policy on his way out. Of course, in his mind that's probably good and "cathartic". It was needless and damaging. He's been there 2 1/2 years. Surely enough time to read the writing on the wall that he needed to change course on some things. That was his undoing.
And to think that he'll remain there teaching and writing. Tenure is another concept that is archaic and should be done away with.
GROW UP!!!!
Grow up children. You have absolutely no idea what real life is like. I echo what several others have posted - go to class, study hard, get your education, go get a real job, pay bills, pay taxes, raise a family, take on some real responsibility, then voice your disdain or support for the VOB when you are grown up enough to know what life is all about. Children (and I say that in absolute terms because you are), you have been spoon fed, had your little noses and messes cleaned up by others for at least 18 years. 1 to 4 years in college does not automatically make you a grown up. Besides, your darling friend, the president, QUIT. He is a quitter. The VOB exercised their right to continue or terminate their business with Mr. Nichol through their contractual obligations. Contrary to your immature minds, college is NOT a democracy. Life is unfair...get used to it and move on.
A preview of Obama
Progressive. Likeable. Self-righteous. Crusader. Unprepared. Disastrous in office.
Nichol, like Obama, misunderstood from the get-go what he was signing on to do. Rather than the feel-goodism, progressive popularity contest he thought he was entering he was actually hired to run the 2nd oldest College in the country and to see that its traditions were maintained and that it was able to sustain itself financially.
His crash and burn is a result of living in a fantasy world in which the realpolitik pressures from inside and outside the College were misjudged, misunderstood and ignored. His resignation letter demonstrates not a love of the College, but a disdain. He had no right to a contract extension and the childish manner in which he handled his non-renewal is the sole reason that this story continues on with potentially damaging consequences for the hiring of his successor.
The BOV will have to choose a grownup to replace him and restore the good name of W&M.
Thanks for making a mess on your way in and on your way out Gene.
Nichol continued
We have known since last fall that Nichol's contract renewal was up for review. The BOV welcomed input from the faculty, students and alumni. Everyone had input. To say their voices were not heard is simply not accurate. They may not have received their wanted outcome, but the only way their voices were not heard is if they did not choose to speak up.
Personally, I have issue with Nichol's statement of resignation. I found it to be very inflammatory, and I fail to see how anything in it was intended for the good of the College/students he claims to love and should have been his first priority. It shows me that he puts his own agenda above everything else. He chose to pit his supporters against the BOV and it is exactly this type of divisiveness that is a major problem.
Is it me...
...or does anyone else want to say, "Shut up and go to class" or "Shut up and teach." This story "jumped the shark" after the first night gathering.
As was pointed out to me (and I DO realize), college is more than just an education. But from the reporting I've seen an inordinate amount of time is being spent on this “cause.” True there are other aspects to college life, but an education is FIRST AND FOREMOST.
And what kind of example does Nichols illustrate quitting five months prior to the end of his contract; kind of childish IMHO.
Political correctness = irrationality
I remember the sex show needed to be allowed because of freedom of speech yet the cross display was offensive and had to be suppressed. I don't think anyone that has such an irrational thinking pattern should be a leader of a University.
Students decide
Students should have some choice in who is their president, when they or their parents are the ones forking out the tuition to attend the school. When our great state only provides W&M with LESS THAN 20% of their funding (and is consistently ranked as one of the worse schools when it comes to state funding), tuition is kind of a big deal (and taxes are very little). A big thanks goes out to all the Republican Gilmore fans when it comes to state funding of W&M. HA!
Nichol failed to understand W&M
From early on in his tenure at William and Mary, it was obvious that Nichol did not understand the culture of the College or his role there. He thought that the school was like clay to be molded to his will, completely disregarding tradition and opposition.
With over 7,000 students, it's hardly surprising that several hundred agreed with him. Yet as a recent W&M alum, I found Nichol to be an embarrassment and an impediment to the College's success. I am relieved that he has resigned after his brief, but tumultuous, tenure.
I hope that the board learned its lesson from Nichol and will not hire another self-righteous ideologue.
Nichol failed to understand W&M
From early on in his tenure at William and Mary, it was obvious that Nichol did not understand the culture of the College or his role there. He thought that the school was like clay to be molded to his will, completely disregarding tradition and opposition.
With over 7,000 students, it's hardly surprising that several hundred agreed with him. Yet as a recent W&M alum, I found Nichol to be an embarrassment and an impediment to the College's success. I am relieved that he has resigned after his brief, but tumultuous, tenure.
I hope that the board learned its lesson from Nichol and will not hire another self-righteous ideologue.
continued
continued -
The College is bigger than any one of us, and you'll gain better perspective on that notion once you are sending back your own gifts of financial support in a few years.
I encourage everyone involved to be positive, ask for a voice in the selection of the next President, lift up the College, and support the BOV. This great institution certainly deserves nothing less.
Go Tribe!
dbenton '86
Go back to class
I'm with jpjones...all 200 of you need to get back to class. 200, REALLY? Is that all the support you could muster in your effort to show the BOV who's important? Get REAL, and get back to the classes your parents are paying good money for you to attend. Once you GRADUATE, get a JOB, earn a LIVING, and pay some TAXES, you'll understand a bit better why we old alums enjoy coming back to "your" campus and leaving some of "our" money in the coffers. GET REAL, FOLKS! College presidents are expected to do much more than just be a friend to students. Nichol knew this all too well. Part of his job is to keep the alumni money rolling in. You don't do that through negative news reports which upset your donor base. Liberalism and independence has it's place in society, most certainly, but the smartest people know when, and when NOT, to pick a fight. Bottom line - the BOV still cares about you AND the College, Nichol just plain quit. Think long and hard about the College, and your current association with it. Yeah, Nichol had many positives, but you came to the "Burg" for the College itself, and not it's charismatic former leader. The College is bigger than any one of us, and yo
You're in school to learn, not to skip class!
To Mr. Barber:
You say that students should have a say in who becomes the next president? Students HAD a say in Nichol - he was the "fan favorite" so to speak 3 years ago. Students HAD a stay in the BOV's decision to renew or not renew Nichol's contract. For months, the BOV had been urging ALL members of the W&M community (that includes students) to make their voices heard. Where were you then? Too little, too late.
Get over it and go back to class.
Since when do the students decide who should be president?
Go to class. Study hard. Get your degree. Get a job. Earn a living. Pay taxes. THEN tell the university who you think should be president.
Fired? Terminated?
He QUIT. Couldn't hang...
Thank you board of visitors
Thank you for making a decision that is truly best for the school. A school without funding is no school. If the students want to keep their freedoms, then maybe they should go rally up some rich people with no morals.
Jennifer
What rights have been violated?????
Silly Students
Winston Churchill, "“Any 20 year-old who isn't a liberal doesn't have a heart, and any 40 year-old who isn't a conservative doesn't have a brain.”
Problem was Solved
When all anyone wants to talk about regarding your college is the political agenda of your president, that is a problem that needs to be corrected. When donors are pulling funds because of the inflammatory, unilateral, decisions of your president, that is a problem that needs to be corrected. It was.
The person who said there are consequences for your actions said it best. That is something that I probably didn't get either when I was in college. I'm sure that Gene Nichol was popular. The resident assistant who bought us beer my freshman year was popular. That doesn't mean that he was a good resident assistant.
Nobody is attempting to trample on anyone's civil liberties or silence anyone's voice. A huge part of the President's job is development. Without money, there is no development. The bottom line is what this is all about. As noble as they may be, ideals don't fund construction projects or scholarships. Gene Nichol was not doing the job for which he was hired, and he was fired the same as you or I would be if we were not doing our jobs.
W&M '99
WHAT RIGHTS
What rights are being taken away here? The President had a contract for 3 or 4 years. It was the decision of the Board of Governors not to renew. They did not fire him in the mid-term. Regardless of the reason, it is the right of the Board of Governors not to renew a contract if they so desire. It was the President who now has resigned early. Looks to me like the students need to get back to class and worry more about something they can actually control.
Nichols
It is shameful that radical zealots with some false sense of politcal correctness have reduced William and Mary to such a low place where a University President can be fired for following the principles of "seperation of church and state" set forth by Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. We need to release these social and religious bigots and strive to continue to evolve toward our future, and resist falling backward.
What arrogance to remark "actions have consequences", who are you to judge little-man? Try reading a history book instead of relying on the fantasy of Fox media.
In Support Of President Gene Nichols
The actions of the Board of Visitors have had many negative consequences. Their termination of Dr Nichol has damaged the school's academic standing, created embarassing press attention, and alienated large numbers of students. I am a business-owner and a parent of two students at The College of William and Mary, and I am only one of many citizens hurt by the actions of the Board of Visitors.
Oh puh-lease
"Students feel like we want to send a message"
Translation: throw a pity party devoid of reason.
Look, it's sweet that this college president can kiss up to the students and make them feel all important. Touching, really. However, if this guy can't balance basic public relations with the rest of his duties, he's unfit for the job. That's business. So send him a Valentine's day card or something, but protesting is a bit much.
Oh, we get it
Consequences are no excuse for non-action when your rights are at stake.
Hark Upon The Gale, W&M '09
Wish I could be there.
Wish I could be there. Solidarity with Nichol.
Go figure....
That college age mentality doesn't get it. Actions have consequences.