An electrical fire shut down dining services in the University Center last night.

p. The authorities received a call at 5:19 p.m. regarding the fire, which took place in the kitchen of the dining hall located on the second floor.

p. “Staff immediately called 911 and put the fire out with an extinguisher,” College spokes¬man Brian Whitson wrote in an e-mail to Resi¬dence Life staff. He added that the fire was started by a toaster in the kitchen. No damage could be viewed from the seating area of the dining hall.

p. Per Hoel ’08, a supervisor at the UC, con¬firmed that an electrical fire took place in the dining hall area. A fire extinguisher was used and the fire department was called to inspect the area. Two fire trucks arrived on the scene as students crowded around the outside of the building. University officials at the scene de¬clined to comment.

p. Students were allowed back in the building at 5:45 p.m., and the fire department soon de¬parted. Health Department officials arrived at the scene shortly afterwards. The dining hall is expected to reopen once health inspectors clear the area. According to Whitson, the UC dining hall was expected to open this morning.
“They’re probably going to have to throw all this food away,” one police officer said. “This hasn’t happened as long as I’ve been here.”

__Nichol stresses public mission, College’s need for resources and wise investment__

p. College President Gene Nichol discussed the school’s constant struggle for funding and the need to become more diverse in a State of the College Address that was full of praise but short on specific plans from a president whose future at the College remains unknown.

p. “If the College is to play the leadership role to which it is called, it has been essential that it become a more diverse institution — racially, economically, internationally,” Nichol said to the more than 300 people in the University Center Commonwealth Auditorium Tuesday night.

p. At a time when state-imposed $2.5 million cuts in the College’s budget have shaken confi¬dence in Virginia’s ability to support its schools, Nichol emphasized the College’s role as both “great and public” — a catchphrase that has come to represent his mission for the College. He indicated his plans to work with Provost Geoff Feiss this semester to launch a planning effort for improving the College’s financial pic¬ture, and he hinted at a follow-up fundraising initiative to the $500 million Campaign for William and Mary, which closed in June.

p. “We require new funding, new resources, more consistent and competitive support, the wisest and closest investment,” Nichol said. “We have yet to achieve the stable, competitive and productive economic infrastructure that we require.”

p. Nichol spent much of the speech touting the College’s recent accomplishments, including the 6 percent increase in applications for the Class of 2012, many student and faculty awards and the athlete graduation rate, which was the highest of any public university.

p. He made no mention of the College’s recent controversies, except to thank introducer Alan Meese, president of the Faculty Assembly, for leading the committee that determined the permanent placement of the Wren cross.

p. Nichol’s presidency has been surrounded by controversy since his 2006 decision to remove the cross from permanent display, and the Board of Visitors is currently reviewing Nichol to determine whether to renew his contract, which expires in June.

p. Many in the audience wore “I Heart Nichol” buttons that students handed out at the UC entrance, and several vocal Nichol critics were in attendance.

p. “It’s a cheerleading session,” said Karla Bruno ’81, who publicly retracted a gift to the College after the cross was removed.
“He didn’t address some of the serious issues facing the College,” she added, saying that she hoped he would lay out a plan for funding expensive initiatives like the Gateway program.

p. Seth Levey ’08, who was mentioned in the speech for leading the Road to Richmond trip, said he thought the address was outstanding and focused on the College’s two most important challenges: globalizing and seeking more revenue.

p. The address was the second for Nichol, who decided last year that he would institute an annual forum for talking broadly about the state and mission of the College.

p. “It’s one venue that’s available for everyone,” Nichol said to The Flat Hat following the speech. “I’m trying to set forth a statement about where we are on some fundamental fronts — where we can go and what we can achieve.”

__College announces list of potential ’08 grad speakers__

The student committee for selecting a commencement speaker listed J.K. Rowling, Prime Minister Tony Blair and Stephen Colbert as its top three choices for the College’s 2008 commencement speaker, according to committee chair and Senior Class President Nick Faulkner ’08.

p. Faullkner could not reveal who else was being considered, but he said that the rumors that Sam Sadler would be the 2008 Commencement speaker were unconfirmed.

p. The committee’s formal report explained the rationale behind its choices.

p. “From her humble background, we feel that [Rowling] would best exemplify what the College of William and Mary looks for in its students: hard work, dedication, creativity and a willingness to succeed.”

p. The committee praised Blair for his involvement in the Labor Party’s rise to power and his role in leading reform in the U.K.
“Regardless of students’ opinions of him, we feel that he would be fascinating as a leader of one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world,” the report said.

p. “The general consensus among the Student Commencement Selection Committee was that Colbert would provide a humorous and memorable speech, however it would be lacking in substance,” the student committee report said. “Nevertheless, Mr. Colbert would create a sensation on campus much like Mr. Stewart did a few years ago.”

p. According to the Daily Princetonian, Colbert is already slated to give a Commencement speech at Princeton University, and The Boston Globe has reported that Rowling will be Harvard University’s Commencement speaker.

p. However, Faulkner said he had heard rumors that one of the three picks had already agreed to come.

p. Each year’s Commencement speaker is chosen by the Board of Visitors and based on recommendations by a student committee and a faculty committee. The student committee is composed of seniors, graduate students and recent alumni. In an e-mail, Faulkner explained the process for selecting a Commencement speaker.

p. First, the student committee compiles a list of 10 possible speakers.

p. “We picked 10 individuals who we thought would deliver the best Commencement speech and who would be able to relate to the students the most,” Faulkner said.

p. He admitted that he wasn’t sure how much influence the students’ recommendations had.

p. This list is then sent to the faculty committee, which proceeds to edit and add to the list before sending it on to the Board of Directors. The board reviews both committees’ recommendations before making the final decision.

p. The official decision for commencement speaker will be released later in the spring semester. Last year, the BOV announced its decision March 30 to bring Robert Gates ’65 to speak at graduation.

Last Thursday, Michael Powell ’85, rector of the College and former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, announced his endorsement of Sen. John McCain for the presidency.

p. “I believe deeply in supporting people of principle who have the strengths of their convictions,” Powell said. “John McCain has always been guided first by what is in the best interest of the United States … I think Sen. McCain has the experience and the character to serve as Commander-in-Chief and to restore America’s place in the world.”

p. In addition to McCain’s experience with national security, Powell also pointed to the Senator’s strength regarding the economy, an issue which has recently taken the lead on the campaign trail.

p. “I believe Sen. McCain has always had a superb grasp of economic issues and understands what needs to be done to stabilize the economy but more importantly to steer the new economy in a direction that will provide opportunity, prosperity and economic security to all Americans,” Powell said.

p. The College’s response revealed differing opinions regarding the rector’s decision to publicly support a presidential nominee. Stephen Salvato ’10, chair of the College Republicans, was not particularly concerned by the endorsement.

p. “Powell’s decision to endorse McCain is fine by me,” he said. “Obviously, he is allowed to endorse whomever he wants and I see no reason to take issue with his decision.”

p. Salvato was quick to add that Powell’s views are not necessarily reflective of the views of the majority of Republicans on campus.

p. The Young Democrats expressed disapproval of Powell’s decision.

p. “I think it is a little inappropriate for Powell to take such a stance, merely due to the fact that he is a representative for the College and needs to think about what is in the best interest of the College,” Liz Pedraja ’09, president of the organization, said. “Associating the College with any candidate could be potentially damaging.”

Both Salvato and Pedraja pointed out that neither the College Republicans nor the Young Democrats are allowed to publicly support any candidate running for office.

p. Professor John Gilmour, who has taught in the government department for the past 12 years, weighed in on the debate. “I think the reason Powell [endorsed McCain] is not because he is the rector at William and Mary, but because he was the former chairman of the FCC,” Gilmour said. “Powell’s not a really important member, but a somewhat important member of the Republican Party.”

p. Gilmour expressed doubt that Powell’s decision could be detrimental to the College.

p. “I can’t think of how [the endorsement] would have an effect. If Mitt [Romney] won and was really petty, I guess we could be denied grant money from the National Science Foundation. But that is practically inconceivable,” Gilmour said. “I believe it’s helpful for the College to have people like Powell, who are strong public figures and strong supporters of the College.”

p. Powell expressed the possible benefits that the College would enjoy via a McCain presidency. “I think Sen. McCain understands the importance that the nation has a first-class higher education system,” he said. “I know he is concerned about the rising costs of education and the need to ensure everyone has an opportunity to go to college regardless of their socio-economic situation. I plan to be a voice on his team, advocating a redoubled commitment to higher education.”

__Editor’s Note: This article was edited Feb. 7.__

Carl Friedrichs, professor and oceanographer at the College’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science, recently received Virginia’s highest honor for professors. He is one of 12 recipients of the 2008 Outstanding Faculty Award (OFA), which recognizes the finest among Virginia’s faculty for their demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and public service.

p. Friedrichs, who has been a professor of marine science at VIMS since 1987, is the fourth faculty member from VIMS to receive an OFA from the state, and has consistently garnered exemplary student evaluations. His research covers a wide range of topics in geological oceanography, physical oceanography and marine science and touches on many issues of environmental concern. Friedrichs has been the author or co-author of 64 peer-reviewed publications and has been the principal investigator on 21 federally funded research grants totaling $5.8 million.

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. recently announced that it would be expanding its board of directors to appoint Timothy J. Sullivan ’66 as a member. Sullivan, who previously served as the president of the College, will serve as the eighth member of the non-employee board of directors.

p. Before serving as the College’s president from 1992 to 2005, Sullivan served as the dean of the law school and the John Stewart Bryan professor of jurisprudence. Sullivan received his bachelor’s degree from the College and his law degree from Harvard University.
Corinthian Colleges is one of the largest higher-education companies with campuses in 25 states and seven Canadian provinces.

**1932**
Final arrangements were made for the College’s purchase of Williamsburg City airport. The College, which had started aviation courses the previous year, decided to buy the airport since the building and equipment were more modern than what the College already possessed.

p. **1966**
With 13 wins, Dartmouth College came away with top honors at the Marshall-Wythe Debate Tournament that was held at the law school that year. The tournament consisted of one of the largest debate meets in the United States at the time.

p. **1971**
Crotty Brothers, Inc., the College’s food service company at the time, was legally bound to follow the City Hygiene Code which stated that males with long hair could work as long as a hairnet was used. Before the change, the service had disqualified any male with long hair.

p. **1984**
A bill was introduced into the General Assembly that would allow qualified students to gain automatic acceptance into state institutions such as the College and U.Va. The bill required the student to have a 3.5 GPA, a 1200 SAT score, a Governor’s seal on their high school diploma and the completion of a state-approved advanced education program.

__Bill allocates $3,993 to fund program, which will re-start Feb. 8__

p. The Student Assembly passed the Informing Students Act and the Steer Clear Reestablishment Act during Tuesday’s meeting.
Three pieces of new business were presented and Senate Chairman Matt Beato ’09 also conducted “past and passed legislation updates.”

p. The Informing Students Act, sponsored by Sen. Devan Barber ’08, requires the attendance of SA President Zach Pilchen ’09, Sen. Walter McClean ’09 or Finance Secretary Andrew Blasi ’10 at the women’s studies department Free Speech Panel Jan. 31.
The panel will be chiefly discussing issues regarding the Feb. 4 Sex Workers’ Art Show.

p. The Steer Clear Reestablishment Act, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Rojas ’10, was passed 18-0-1 and creates a new version of Steer Clear, under which drivers will be paid $8 per hour in order to establish a consistent work force.

p. The act was originally introduced with a cost of $1,842; however, it soon became evident that two drivers should be present in the car at all times, raising the cost to $3,993.

p. Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Constantine directed the College’s Office of Risk Management to assess the program for any possible liabilities, delaying the start.

p. Steer Clear will be available to drive students starting Feb. 8, and on future weekends it will be available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

p. In an addition to the agenda, “past and passed legislation updates” were given; Beato acknowledged that an article in the Flat Hat on the SA’s ability to follow up on passed legislation prompted the updates.

p. Of the 12 acts discussed, two have been successfully implemented: the Flu Shot Encouragement Act and the Campus Composting Act II.

p. Three pieces of new business were also presented. First, Eating Disorders Promotion Act, sponsored by Sen. Brittany Fallon ’11, which charges her with creating an informative brochure addressing eating disorders and locations from which to receive help on campus.

p. The second and third, the Funding Interference Act and the Reject HB 118 Act, were both sponsored by McClean.

p. The Funding Interference Act asserts the SA’s legal right to autonomously fund campus programs, while the Reject HB 118 Act urges the state senate to reject a law, which would give the general assembly more oversight regarding state colleges.

p. The SA was prepared to take a veto-override vote on the SIGN Referendum Act; however, Pilchen was not present at the executive cabinet meeting and could not sign or veto the legislation.

p. Pilchen will likely veto legislation that puts a referendum on the next general election.

p. The bill regards President Gene Nichol’s contract renewal before the next SA meeting Feb. 5.

It has now been more than 13 months since Robert Gates ’65 was sworn in as the Secretary of Defense. In that time, he has faced controversy, fired generals and attempted to decrease the military presence in Iraq.

p. The position was not Gates’ first nomination to President George W. Bush’s cabinet; Gates was the first choice for Secretary of Homeland Security when Bush created that department in 2002. Gates, however, declined the position so he could remain the president of Texas A&M University.

p. Gates did, however, accept the nomination to replace former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Nov. 8, 2006. During confirmation hearings in the Senate, Gates told Sen. Carl Levin that he did not believe the United States was either winning or losing the war in Iraq. Gates was confirmed and sworn in Dec. 18, 2006.

p. Controversy soon surrounded the military when in February 2007 The Washington Post published several articles focusing on wounded soldiers and their families; the soldiers were allegedly neglected and mistreated at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. As a result of the ensuing scandal, Gates fired Walter Reed commander Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman and forced the resignations of Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey and the previous commander of Walter Reed, Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley.

p. Gates said in June 2007 that he would not recommend the renewal of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace. Instead, he advised Bush to appoint Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Mullen to the position.

p. In Sept. 2007 Gates said that he expected the armed forces presence in Iraq to drop by more than 69,000 troops by the end of 2008, reaching a total of 100,000.

p. Gates now has less than one year until a new presidential administration comes to power. Military analysts point out that he does not have enough time to create sweeping new strategies for the United States’ various conflicts; instead, they say, Gates will simply continue to manage the military until next January.