Cross Removal a "Core Mission?"

Another letter to the Washington Post.

To the Editor:

I write regarding the unnecessary controversy created when the College of William & Mary's new President, Gene Nichol, ordered the cross removed from the College's Wren Chapel back in October, reversing the former policy that provided that the cross would be removed on a case-by-case basis if a person or organization requested use of the chapel "cross-free."

As an alumus of the College, I find myself ashamed of my school for the first time. The existing policy was long-standing, and addressed the issue in a fair and even-handed way. President Nichol's unwise, unilateral decision to remove the cross was unnecessary, and left the College with a controversy and a black eye. In giving in to the NCAA on its silly concern over WM's feather logo, Nichol explained that we must focus on our core mission. Then, two weeks later, he changed long-standing policy that lasted through many W&M Presidents. He removed a cross that had been there for 70 years, from a chapel that has been in use for Christian worship for close to 300. I am saddened that my schools new President has decided that removal of a Christian symbol linked to the long history of the College founded as an Anglican seminary in 1693 is part of the College's new core mission under his leadership. Shame on him for harming William & Mary's reputation over something plainly not at the "core" of the College's mission.

I am proud to join the thousands of student, alumni and others who have signed the petition at savethewrencross.org to bring back the former policy and restore the Wren cross. Please sign the petition and tell President Nichol that removal of a Christian symbol at the heart of the founding of the College over 300 years ago is not at the "core" of what the College should be doing.

Andrew McRoberts, Class of 1987