W&M President Fired

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>Gene Nichol resigned today after W&M's BOV notified him that his contract would not be renewed. Obviously, the Board felt political pressure. It is a shame, given that they knew what they were getting when President Nichol was hired. </p>

<p>Most everyone I know at W&M really liked him but they were concerned about the future of the school. With a legislature still dominated by conservatives, there was a real concern about funding. Such is the hazard of being a state school.</p>

<p>I'm glad we have a strong BOV and one of the best presidents in the county in Pres. Casteen. He's not getting any younger, though, and it will be hard to replace him. I hope he is still around by the time I finish up at UVA.</p>

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<p>Why was Nichol forced to resign...why was his contract not gonna be renewed?</p>

3

<p>Fired, I guess, in the same way Patti Solis Doyle was "fired" by Hillary Clinton. Here's a link to Gene Nichol's resignation letter:</p>

<p>Letter</a> from Gene Nichol about his resignation - News - inRich.com</p>

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<p>Wow, that resignation letter was powerful. It sounds like Virginia can't take a W&M president who wants to bring the college into the modern age.</p>

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<p>BTW, W&M applications were up, attributable in part to UVA's decision to drop ED according to its admissions office.</p>

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<p>That's rather unfortunate. Seemed like a guy who ACTUALLY knew what he was doing.</p>

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<p>Oh my goodness. I wish there was a way to contact him so I could show support. Based solely on his letter, it seemed that he was a forward thinking, capable President who brought much to the College. His loss is such, such a shame. To have his family lives affected by his career and essentially be offered money to shut their mouths is so ridiculous. I hope that BOV will realize that they've just flung themselves and dragged the College back to the dark ages. This blows, I can't really put it in any other way.</p>

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<p>As a believing, devout Christian, I say thank God there are still leaders who remember why and how this nation was founded, and refuse to use their government jobs to advance one religion over another. My religion will thrive if government simply leaves it alone. Stay out. We have done fine without government support for 2,000 years, and we certainly do not need the Virginia legislature looking out for us.</p>

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<p>The real issue is that whether for good reasons or bad, he alienated important financial contributors. W&M is at a crossroads financially and they are in need of a rainmaker more than an idealist or politico. He drove away much needed millions by picking the wrong battles at the wrong time. </p>

<p>In any event, the whole episode leaves an ugly stain on W&M with plenty of blame to go around on all sides IMO. It's truly an embarrassment.</p>

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<p>What can you possibly say about any member of the Board of a public college which proposes to pay "hush money" to a fired President? Any Board member who doesn't resign should be prosecuted. Shame on Virginia.</p>

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<p>^^^ Yep, I agree and I think it ought to be investigated. There should be no room for attempts at that kind of smoke-filled, back room dealmaking. Nichol may have mishandled some matters, but he definitely did the right thing exposing their attempted bribe.</p>

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<p>The BOV released a statement last fall about the review process. It has been known for some time that there were questions as to whether or not he would be renewed. They asked for input from alumni, faculty and friends of the College. Nichol approved of this review process, I might add, and welcomed it. </p>

<p>Board</a> issues statement on review process | University Relations</p>

<p>The BOV released a statement last fall about the review process. They asked for input from alumni, faculty and friends of the College. Nichol approved of this review process, I might add, and welcomed it. </p>

<p>The BOV is trying to let Nichol go graciously by not speaking out against him. It just wouldn't be professional. However, Nichol did not choose the same road. Much of Nichol's statement was inflammatory and downright false. I very much felt that he was trying to incite chaos and division by playing on students emotions. He was not let go for any of the controversial issues he cited, and the College has been assured they will continue to bring diversity and the Gateway Program, etc. </p>

<p>Furthermore it is common to receive severance packages for transition purposes. If he chooses to call it hush money or a bribe, again, he is choosing to inflame the situation and that is certainly not in W&M's best interest.</p>

<p>The BOV is trying to let Nichol go graciously by not speaking out against him. It just wouldn't be professional. However, Nichol did not choose the same road. Much of Nichol's statement was inflammatory and downright false. I very much felt that he was trying to incite chaos and division by playing on emotions, all while skewing the facts. He was not let go for any of the controversial issues he cited, and the College has been assured they will continue to bring diversity and the Gateway Program, etc. Gene Nichol has brought many great things during his time, but he has also caused much division. It isn't a matter of William and Mary not wanting to move forward, but the fact they wish to move forward TOGETHER. The simple fact is that Mr. Nichol lacks the managerial and fundraising skills needed. </p>

<p>Furthermore it is common to receive severance packages for transition purposes. If he chooses to call it hush money or a bribe, again, he is choosing to inflame the situation and that is certainly not in W&M's best interest.</p>

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<p>A pox on both their houses - the BOV and Nichol. Both sides botched it and could not work together. Both sides were right AND wrong. One hopes that the new president, whomever that may be, will be able to bridge the abyss and bring the venerable college into the 21st Century while appealing to alums. Transition and change is difficult and college presidents are expected to be both educational miracle workers AND fund raisers. There is a reason for their high salaries.</p>

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<p>Well, one of the first things the new [url=<a href="http://www.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=8680%5DInterim"&gt;http://www.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=8680]Interim&lt;/a> President Taylor Reveley<a href="a%20UVA%20alum%20by%20the%20way">/url</a> should do is update W&M's website. Its look is pretty dated. That's the first thing many prospective students look at when researching W&M.</p>

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<p>


Here you go!: <a href="mailto:grnich@wm.edu">grnich@wm.edu</a></p>

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<p>"Well, one of the first things the new Interim President Taylor Reveley (a UVA alum by the way) should do is update W&M's website. Its look is pretty dated. That's the first thing many prospective students look at when researching W&M."</p>

<p>It's already in the works.</p>

<p>I might add that in the last few days much more information has become available and it appears that many (not all) students are backing down from their pro-Nichol, anti-BOV stance. Too many people read Nichol's parting words and took it as gospel, when, in fact, it was not. The campus is quieting down. Throughout the whole ordeal, I only had professor cancel class. I think, though some people were very upset, this ordeal has been blown out of proportion. Some of the media made it sound as though the majority of teachers and students went on strike when that is certainly not the case. I can tell you that there are just as many who support the BOV's decision and many more who just do not care. I would urge caution however to anyone who only bases their opinions on Nichol's statement as it seems many have.</p>