<p>barrons,
I think folks in Virginia might see this differently as they may be celebrating his departure. Folks that I know in the state think that this guy was not a good fit for W&M and that his personal agenda became more important than the school's agenda. The press will side with the liberal viewpoint and paint the school's board as neanderthals, but the folks I know actually see this as a win for the school and for the people who really do care about W&M.</p>
<p>As a Virginia resident and having a son who has applied to W&M and also a husband who is an alumnus, I am happy to see Nichols leave the presidency of W&M. I think the majority of Virginians concur with this sentiment.</p>
<p>Maybe the original post in this thread should have been titled "Troubles at William & Mary Over".</p>
<p>I too am a VA resident with a son who has applied to W&M and is waiting to hear in early April. It is not his first choice and I don't think that will change with the Nichol's removal. Last week, the state legislature expressed its displeasure with the goings on at W&M by grilling 4 appointees to the board of visitors, 3 reappointees and 1 new member. Normally these appointees get rubber stamped. The BOV did not miss the point the legislature was making.</p>
<p>It sounds like the College of William and Mary was a bad "fit" for Gene Nichol?</p>
<p>Gene Nichol was a bad choice for the university in the first place. Just a day or so ago, my dad (my folks are alumni) sent in an angry letter explaining that he wouldn't be sending any more donations until Nichol was out. He did some things that made a lot of people very upset. I'm glad to see him go.</p>
<p>Sounds like Gene Nichol is pretty cool.</p>
<p>Even though he's a bad fit for W&M, he'd do well at somewhere a "tad" more liberal...plus, he's b*llsy, which is impressive.</p>
<p>I have never been more embarrassed about being affiliated w/ W&M than I am today. To have someone take on the hard choices and lead based on the most American of principles such as freedom of religion and speech, and then get thrown under the bus is beyond sad. He deserves much better than what happened and I thought W&M could stand up to the voices of ignorance.</p>
<p>Jefferson is truly weeping today.</p>
<p>More than that, Jefferson is rolling over in his grave.</p>
<p>Nichol tried to separate church and state, and, heck, he's got integrity by the pound: He refused to take money from the board in exchange for not talking about how his removal was political.</p>
<p>He is getting strong support from the students and faculty which given the state's position would define trouble.</p>
<p>That's good to hear.</p>
<p>Oh $hit. He was something I LIKED about W+M - made me a little less scared of the fact that when I asked about religious diversity, my tour guide told me about the majority of campus's participation in Ash Wednesday. The article makes it sound like what he did was great - I can see how he would be crossing a lot of lines, which leads to discomfort, but to make changes that's so often necessary! It's a lot easier for followers to say how the leader should lead...
Worst part is that as a reaction, the next one will probably be way more conservative.</p>
<p>Letter</a> from Gene Nichol about his resignation - News - inRich.com</p>
<p>hawkette,
care to back up what "personal agenda" you were referring to? so i heard his side of the story, now i'd love to hear yours.</p>
<p>He's a heck of a writer! Brilliant juxtaposition of the sex worker's art show with the cross in one of his sentences.</p>
<p>Just brilliant, brilliant flow!</p>
<p>Yes I noticed that too! I was seriously considering bringing the letter into my AP Lang class to share :-D. IF you've gotta resign, that's the way to go!</p>
<p>One irony here is that this guy presided over what may be the admissions process most biased against girls of any public institution in the nation.</p>
<p>I thought public universities were forbidden from displaying any religious symbols. Regardless, it seems like there was a bad fit between Nichol and W&M. His decision will be good for all parties involved.</p>
<p>Nichol was something I also liked about William and Mary. I almost applied ED (glad I didn't now) but the school is still nonetheless high on my list. Still, what I read about Nichol's agenda and long-term vision for the University. His firing is only Willam and Mary's loss.</p>