Since I just got the renewal e-mail for the Fourth Century Club yesterday, I'm assuming that all requests for donations go out at this time -- everyone's last minute chance to donate before the end of the year. One of the more astute alumni on this side of the cross issue pointed out something that had not yet dawned on the rest of us: Nichols is avoiding any contact with the alumni until after the end of the year, in order to minimize the damage to the year-end requests for donations.
It would be great to be able to send out a mass e-mail to the alumni mailing list, but for some mysterious reason, this function is no longer available. (At least, it isn't to the alumni who have been vocal about their opposition to the rmoval of the cross.) Obviously it would help our cause tremendously if the donations were significantly smaller this year, which would easily be true if we were able to get the word out. So please, do whatever you can to get the word out NOW, no matter how busy you are. (If you are a Christian, it's a pretty good way to spend some of your "Christmas" time!)
Here is a letter from a California alum who just became aware of the situation:
As an alumna living in California, I have just heard of the Wren Chapel controversy. At first I thought this had to be a joke. Even in the ultimate "PC" state, we allow crosses in our chapels. It is interesting to contrast this issue with the last controversy I was alerted to via email -–the dispute with the NCAA over the Tribe nickname and logo. In his October 10th letter to the college community, President Nichol strongly supported the tradition and reputation of the college but also stressed the importance of "setting priorities" and that "our fiercest challenges reside at the core of our mission." Is it a core mission of President Nichol to remove the cross from the Wren Chapel? If it is not, how much time, energy and financial support is being drained from our core mission due to his poor handing of this issue? I find it ironic that I received the email alerting me to the controversy on the same day that I received an email solicitation from The Fund for William and Mary entitled, "Remember the Magic..." In the past week I also received two letters from various college entities soliciting end of the year donations. I will reply to each of these requests with the same refrain, "No Cross, No Cash." Until the Wren Cross decision is reversed, I will not financially support the College. I believe that this is the most effective way to let President Nichol know how strongly I disagree with his decision. Margee Mulhall, 1984
3 comments:
My wife and I have joined your movement, and have sent a letter to the Fund for William & Mary announcing our decision not to support the College financially until the former Wren Cross policy is restored. While we reluctantly have come to this position, we hope that this decision will cause those in a position to influence this situation to change the policy, sooner or later. The materials on www.savethewrencross.org are persuasive, and tha cause sound. Keep up the fight! Andrew McRoberts '87
I agree, we must withhold donations until the prior policy is reinstated. But, as a W&M grad I do not want to punish the school because of one man's folly. Somehow those that have signed the petition need to demonstrate the impact of their stance. Options to consider should include creating an estrow-like account equal to what you would have pledged if there had been no change.
In the end, it's a sad chapter in the College's history, because all alums want nothing more than progress and prospersity for our beloved school.
BOV, do the right thing!
As other W&M graduates, my husband and I absolutely agree with your commitment to a "No Cross, No Cash" campaign. We have given to the College, the Alumni Society, and the Colonial Williamsburg fund-raising causes over the years, but that has stopped abruptly with President Nichol's faulty reasoning and lack of due process and respect for the history and traditions of W&M. We will be donating to other more worthy causes than to support a president that has an appalling lack of sensibility and respect for the beliefs on which the College was founded.
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