The leadership abilities of Gene Nichol, president of the College of William & Mary, have recently come under fire by some William & Mary alumni as well as several state delegates who are concerned about the president's decision to remove the historic Wren Chapel cross and allow the performance of the "Sex Workers' Art Show."
Nichol's critics have also called into question the lack of action William & Mary's Board of Visitors has taken in holding the president responsible to the college.
According to Del. Mark Cole R-Fredericksburg, chairman of the House's Privileges and Elections Committee, the Privileges and Elections Committee held a meeting yesterday morning with four nominees to the Board to discuss concerns about Nichol's abilities.
"There's been some concern among House members and William & Mary alumni about the direction William & Mary has been heading in the past few years and the leadership down there," Cole said. "We thought it would be appropriate to have [the nominees] come to discuss these issues."
Del. Bob Marshall R-Manassas, said that the president's decisions have had a detrimental effect on the college's ability to attract donors, citing donor John McGlothlin's decision to revoke his $10 to $12 million gift to William & Mary as a result of the October 2006 removal of the cross at Wren Chapel.
"William & Mary lost rankings, money and support because of Nichol's actions," Marshall said.
Marshall said he also felt Nichol's decision to allow the "Sex Workers' Art Show" to take place on campus Monday was in poor taste.
In a statement released Jan. 28, Nichols said he would allow the performance because of the protection given to it by the First Amendment. He said aversion to certain speech or practices is not reason enough to prohibit a performance, noting he believes censorship has no place at William & Mary.
According to the show's page on MySpace.com, the performance offers a mix of cabaret, drag and burlesque to present different perspectives on "sex work," including a celebration of prostitution.
Marshall said he believes the free speech defense does not hold, contending that obscenity statutes suspend the performance of such material.
Cole agreed with Marshall's sentiment, arguing in a letter written to several state delegates that Nichol's decision is "turning the public property of the College into a bawdy house venue for pimps, prostitutes and dominatrix."
Nichols is not alone in believing the performance is protected by the Constitution, though. Del. Joe Morrissey D-Alexandria said the show should be allowed at William & Mary, noting that a spectrum of views should be given free reign in academic atmospheres.
"The expression of views in an academic environment is healthy, promotes learning and should be encouraged," Morrissey said. "All views should be expressed, not just religious. When we do that, it makes for a better learning environment."
Cole said the meeting between delegates and Board nominees yesterday went well, adding that he hopes the nominees will address the delegates' concerns.
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