Gene Nichol
So for those of you unaware, the President of William and Mary's contract was not renewed, so he has resigned. Sad times, because this guy was excellent:
AP Story here:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gPMOPpzQ0m3QwT7VoT3MnI46-RawD8UP4ER80
Nichol's Resignation:
http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=8672
This is what I wrote to the Rector and Board of Visitors:
Rector Powell,
I cannot be more disappointed with the boards choice to not renew President Nichol's contract. I notice there is no real detail given as to what these "number of problems" have been. As a recent graduate, I suspect that the main problem is the one that has frustrated many students and faculty in the past years -- William and Mary, while a school of proud history, has frequently found itself rooted in its past rather than emboldened by it. As is so often the case, change is not something won easily or swiftly, or without cost, but it is, without a doubt, worth the effort. President Nichol was making choices that were both just and necessary to reflect the needs of the community.
After talking with many other recent graduates that I remain close to, as is the way of William and Mary alumnae, many share my view that this action by the Board of Visitors was one of cowardice, not vision. I notice how little concern there was for Timmy J, the happy drunkard president, but a president who acts in some ways unfavorable to the old-boy old guard network in pursuit of a better future is viewed as a threat. We don't want a puppet in the president's office when instead we could have a leader.
As a member of the William and Mary community, I believe we should support a president who may be controversial, but is so in a way that is clearly justified, and is certainly also an inspiration and an activist working to build a more diverse, capable institution for the future rather than rest on the reputation of the past. Would that I had the time to write more eloquently and at greater length, but brevity has its own value, and I'm certain there are many others who are sending similar messages to you, so I add my voice to theirs.
Once again, I am disappointed by the actions of the William and Mary Board of Visitors. We expect better from you.
And if you're really interested, here's the debate I've gotten into this with some nutcase:
http://www.snappedshot.com/index.php?url=archives/1636-VICTORY-Nichol-Leaves-William-and-Mary!.html&serendipity[csuccess]=true#feedback
AP Story here:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gPMOPpzQ0m3QwT7VoT3MnI46-RawD8UP4ER80
Nichol's Resignation:
http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=8672
This is what I wrote to the Rector and Board of Visitors:
Rector Powell,
I cannot be more disappointed with the boards choice to not renew President Nichol's contract. I notice there is no real detail given as to what these "number of problems" have been. As a recent graduate, I suspect that the main problem is the one that has frustrated many students and faculty in the past years -- William and Mary, while a school of proud history, has frequently found itself rooted in its past rather than emboldened by it. As is so often the case, change is not something won easily or swiftly, or without cost, but it is, without a doubt, worth the effort. President Nichol was making choices that were both just and necessary to reflect the needs of the community.
After talking with many other recent graduates that I remain close to, as is the way of William and Mary alumnae, many share my view that this action by the Board of Visitors was one of cowardice, not vision. I notice how little concern there was for Timmy J, the happy drunkard president, but a president who acts in some ways unfavorable to the old-boy old guard network in pursuit of a better future is viewed as a threat. We don't want a puppet in the president's office when instead we could have a leader.
As a member of the William and Mary community, I believe we should support a president who may be controversial, but is so in a way that is clearly justified, and is certainly also an inspiration and an activist working to build a more diverse, capable institution for the future rather than rest on the reputation of the past. Would that I had the time to write more eloquently and at greater length, but brevity has its own value, and I'm certain there are many others who are sending similar messages to you, so I add my voice to theirs.
Once again, I am disappointed by the actions of the William and Mary Board of Visitors. We expect better from you.
And if you're really interested, here's the debate I've gotten into this with some nutcase:
http://www.snappedshot.com/index.php?url=archives/1636-VICTORY-Nichol-Leaves-William-and-Mary!.html&serendipity[csuccess]=true#feedback