The College of William & Mary has removed the cross from the altar in its chapel in response to the structure's frequent use for nonreligious events.
William & Mary President Gene Nichol released a statement to the college community saying that he has "not banished the cross from the Wren Chapel. The Chapel ... is used for religious ceremonies by members of all faiths. The cross will remain in the Chapel and be displayed on the altar at appropriate religious services."
However, Nichol continued that "the Chapel is also used frequently for College events that are secular in nature -- and should be open to students and staff of all beliefs" and "must be welcoming to all."
William & Mary was founded by a royal charter for King William III and Queen Mary II of England in 1693, when church and state were "almost indistinguishable," said Louise Kale, whose official position is Executive Director for the Historic Campus. William and Mary became publicly supported by Virginia in 1906.
The Chapel is located within the Sir Christopher Wren building, which also houses classrooms and areas for public events, Kale said.
Today, the Chapel is primarily used in historical tours of the campus and alumni weddings, Kale said. However, "the Chapel is open to any student organization that wants to use it," she added.
Many secular groups do take advantage of the space. Phi Beta Kappa performs its initiation ceremony in the Chapel and many musical groups enjoy the Chapel's acoustics, Kale said.
Although the University Chapel is not located in the same building as University classrooms, it is used in many of the same ways as the Wren Chapel at William & Mary. While the University Chapel is used by various religious groups, it also acts as everything from a place for alumni weddings to an area used by student music groups for practice on the merit of its acoustics.
Some University students voiced their opposition to the enactment of any similar measure regarding the University Chapel.
Although she has never attended an event at the University Chapel, second-year College student Sarah Cannon said she would not support taking down the cross "because it's a chapel ... it's religious in nature. If the secular event had a problem with it they could find another venue."
Others who have attended events in the Chapel shared similar opinions. Second-year College student Elizabeth Mueller attended the initiation for Kappa Delta in the Chapel, and was not offended by the religious setting.
Second-year Engineering student Ilgaz Toros, a practicing Muslim, agreed.
"The fact that it is a religious place shouldn't be denied," Toros said.
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