A U.S. District Court Judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the College that called for the permanent return of the Wren cross to the Wren Chapel.

p. George Leach, a James City resident and alumnus of the College’s law school, issued his lawsuit last February, claiming that the removal of the Cross — carried out by College President Gene Nichol last October — impinged on his constitutional rights of free speech and religious expression.

p. Nichol — who was also named in the lawsuit along with the College’s Board of Visitors — said that he removed the cross to accommodate other religions. The cross was still available in the Wren sacristy for those who requested it, but was removed from permanent display.

p. Jerome B. Friedman, the presiding judge of the case, stated in his May 29 official opinion that Leach’s claims lacked standing, as the only claim to suffering was “pain and weeping.” Friedman said that the lawsuit’s claims were not sufficient to return the cross to the chapel.

p. “The plaintiff has not and cannot demonstrate that he has a concrete stake in the outcome of this matter, and therefore he lacks standing to make these claims,” Friedman wrote in his opinion.

p. Friedman also said that the cross removal did not violate Leach’s first amendment rights, as the chapel still accommodates religious expression.

p. “The Wren Chapel remains open for worship, the cross may be displayed on the altar at the request of the Chapel’s users, and nothing forbids the plaintiff from bringing a cross or a Bible of his own into the Chapel for use in exercising his religion,” Friedman wrote.

p. According to court documents, Leach was absent at his scheduled May 22 hearing for the case. He was to represent himself.

p. A March 6 compromise returned the cross to the Chapel, placing it in a glass clase with a plaque explaining the College’s Anglican roots and opening the sacristy for sacred objects of any religion.

p. The College held its 314th annual commencement exercises May 20, awarding degrees to 1,762 undergraduate and graduate students. College Chancellor Sandra Day O’Connor and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, ’65, were both in attendance, with Gates delivering the commencement address.

p. College President Gene Nichol opened the ceremony, recounting the past four years, which were often marked by misfortune.

p. “You came in on a hurricane, and kept up the pace. Converting Isabel into a two-week ‘hurrication.’ And the Preston Dorm fire into a lesson in commitment and community. Children of nature and fate,” Nichol said. “You touched your stricken sisters and brothers in Blacksburg in ways that taught and ennobled us all,” he added.

p. In his commencement address, Gates thanked the College for inspiring him toward public service. Originally a pre-med student, Gates switched his major to history after his freshman year.

p. “God only knows how many lives have been saved by my becoming Director of CIA instead of a doctor,” Gates said.

p. Gates encouraged the class to pursue public service, and resist national trends of apathy toward national politics. He also said that, while many understand their rights as American citizens, few realize their responsibilities.

p. “Young Americans are as decent, generous and compassionate as we’ve ever seen in this country,” Gates said. “That is what makes it puzzling that so many young people who are public-minded when it comes to their campus and community tend to be uninterested in— if not distrustful of—our political processes. Nor is there much enthusiasm for participating in government, either as a candidate or for a career.”

p. Before his address, Gates took part in the College’s ROTC affirmation ceremony in the Wren Chapel. Gates swore in six newly commissioned lieutenants, who are joining the army after graduation.

p. Senior Elizabeth Derby delivered the senior commencement address, noting the class’s academic diversity.

p. “Each one of us carries the secret of a million little triumphs, and let that be celebrated today,” Derby said. “Twisted in the double helix of our bloodlines, traced along the curves of our features, history — genetic, immediate, universal — is pulsing with our heartbeats, shimmering in every breath we take. In this moment we are past and present enmeshed, thrilling with time and the selves we have found at William and Mary.”

p. The College also issued several awards for public service and academic achievement. Seniors Chris Lemon and Richael Faithful were the 2007 recipients of the Algernon Sidney Sullivan, which recognizes character and service.

p. The College also awarded a Sullivan Award to Louise Kale, executive director of William and Mary’s historic campus.

p. Senior Laura Smith received the Lord Botetourt Medal, awarded annually to the student who demonstrates notable academic achievement. Smith, a double major in Music and Anthropology, earned a 4.0 grade point average while at the College.

p. Former Student Assembly President senior Ryan Scofield received the James Frederic Carr Memorial Cup, which recognizes excellence in leadership. Carr, the award’s namesake, was a College student who died in World War I.

p. Philosophy professor Alan Fuchs received the Thomas Ashley Graves Jr. Award, given annually to recognize an undergraduate faculty member.

p. Graduate student Kristen Emily France won the Thatcher Prize for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Studies. The award, named for former Chancellor of the College Margaret the Lady Thatcher, is awarded annually to one graduate student. France graduated Sunday with a Ph.D. in marine science from the College’s Virginia Institute in Marine Science.

p. Local health department officials have confirmed a Salmonella connection with the Williamsburg restaurant, the Green Leafe Café, the Daily Press reported.

p. According to the Daily Press, a “sizeable” number of people have been infected with the food-borne illness since late April.

p. May 1, The Flat Hat reported that rock band My Chemical Romance was forced to cancel several shows due to suspected food poisoning, after eating chicken wraps from the Green Leafe, which catered the band’s April 28 concert at William and Mary Hall.

p. The Daily Press also reported that then-owner Glenn Gormley has received death threats from “disgruntled” fans.

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p. College President Gene Nichol has established a College workers’ rights forum set for May 10 in the University Center Tidewater A.

p. The forum will address concerns for hourly wage workers at the College, specifically their right to organize. The forum will also aim to establish a more open dialogue between the College and its workers.

p. The forum comes almost two weeks after a May 1, Tidewater Labor Support Committee rally, which gave College President Gene Nichol a three-day ultimatum to address workers’ concerns about their right to organize.

p. The TLSC calls this the Right to Organize Code of Conduct Campaign. They want to ensure that the College will not prevent workers from organizing. They also hope to institute meet-and-confer sessions, where workers and employers would meet to address issues.

p. “The Right to Organize code of conduct basically says that the College and its subcontractors will not engage in union-busting tactics, and the College will engage in meet-and-confer sessions with its direct employees,” freshman Alex Leach, a member of TLSC, said.

p. TLSC works for all service, hourly-wage staff workers on campus, including housekeepers, dining services, groundskeepers and facilities management. Leach estimates that they work with around 70 to 80 workers.

p. They have collected over 700 student signatures in support of the RTO code. They have also been holding rallies and other events to raise awareness and have had meetings with the administration. At the May 1 rally, about 60 students and 40 workers attended.

p. “We marched to the President’s office to present him with the grievances that we had collected from the workers,” Leach said.

p. They told him he had three days to act upon the grievances or TLSC would institute direct action Friday when the Queen and national press were on campus.

p. “As you have seen, Nichol did eventually make a move, creating his forum for this Thursday,” Leach said. “I am personally pleased with the decision and think it is a good beginning step to helping worker’s grievances.”

p. The structure of Thursday’s forum has not been established, which is a source of dissatisfaction for the TLSC.

p. “This is something that TLSC is more disappointed about. Nichol has all the power over this forum, and we have not been included on how it will be structured. This is something we are disappointed in, and think is one thing that Nichol needs to work on, and is lacking in this plan,” Leach said.

p. But overall they are happy to see their campaign going somewhere.

p. “I feel this is definitely a more positive step in the right direction. Nichol is at least doing something now to address workers’ grievances, which we are glad about,” Leach said.

p. Queen Elizabeth II graced the campus today with a brief visit and was escorted by College President Gene Nichol, Chancellor Sandra Day O’Connor, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and others from the President’s House to the Wren Building, where she rang the Wren bell and became an honorary member of the Class of 2007.

p. Spectators filled the courtyard, trying to glimpse the woman who has reigned as monarch of the United Kingdom for 55 years.
And some even got to speak with her.

p. “I was extremely honored that she took the time to share a few words with me,” senior Sarah Rybak said, explaining that the Queen paused on her walk to the Great Hall to ask the student about her plans after college. “She was very soft-spoken and sweet.”

p. The Office of University Relations estimated that 6,800 to 7,000 people attended the event.

p. The crowd cheered when the doors of the Wren Building opened at 2:30 p.m., and a procession of prestigious College and government officials walked through, including Nichol, O’Connor, Board of Visitors Rector Michael Powell, Kaine and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bowling. Adorned in a purple dress with a large purple hat, the Queen entered and greeted the crowd with her signature wave.

p. “I think it is fair to say that your ancient college is delighted and proud to welcome you back,” Nichol said at the podium, referring to the Queen’s 1957 visit. “It is an honor beyond description to enjoy your company.”

p. He quoted O’Connor — whom he welcomed as the College’s chancellor from the same podium a little over a year ago — then spoke of the College’s strong historical ties and shared heritage with Great Britain.

p. Afterward, the William and Mary Choir sang “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit,” followed by a joint performance of the Accidentals and the Gentleman of the College, who rocked back and forth in a jazzy rendition of “Bring it on Home to Me.”

p. Then Class of 2007 President Jess Vance explained the tradition of seniors ringing the Wren bell after their last class of the spring semester. She asked the Queen to become an honorary member of the class, “complete with bell ringing.”

p. The Queen, followed by a large procession, walked down the Wren steps and around to the Great Hall. She stopped periodically to say a few words to people in the crowd, especially to the small children who found their way to the front.

p. Inside the Hall, she met many student representatives, including Student Assembly President and Vice President Zach Pilchen and Valerie Hopkins, both sophomores, and former SA President Ryan Scofield, a senior.

p. “She said that this whole experience made her feel a little like Rip Van Winkle,” Pilchen said. “It was fantastic.”

p. He said he thanked the Queen for making her trip carbon neutral, which means the trip paid for things such as tree-planting to offset the greenhouse gasses emitted by her transportation.

p. “It was surreal when the door opened,” Pilchen said. “I’m talking literally person-to-person with the Queen about carbon emissions. I’d say that’s pretty cool — not too many people get that opportunity.”

p. The Queen will now continue her trip to the United States as she travels to Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby.

p. After she left, Campus Police Chief Don Challis talked with The Flat Hat about the security measures that were put in place for the Queen’s visit, which included a strong Secret Service presence.

p. He said the State Police and British Police were also involved, and the campus police at the University of Richmond, George Washington University and Regents University sent officers to help out.

p. All spectators had to pass through magnetometers, which were put in place in several spots around the courtyard.

p. “It’s been a couple-weeks-long process, that’s for sure,” Challis said. “There are so many details that folks don’t think about that have to happen. There are so many what-ifs and contingency plans.”

p. Overall, Challis said it was a success.

p. “I’m very proud of everybody who worked on this — it was a team effort,” he said, adding that big-name people who require extra security often visit the College. “We’re not totally new at this game.”

Student Assembly Elections Chairman junior Adam Boltik has declared junior Matt Brown the winner of Wednesday’s revote for the Class of 2008’s vice president for advocacy.

p. Brown defeated junior Sharif Tanious, garnering 256 votes out of 413 cast.

p. Laura Rogers, a junior, also won the election for treasurer for the Class of 2008.

p. Both elections were overturned in April after appeals processes.

p. Brown was initially declared the winner by one vote after the SA’s March 29 election, but Tanious appealed the decision, saying that junior Bryan Jones — who is currently interning in Florida — was unable to access SIN and vote. Jones voted through e-mail instead, which the commission initially rejected.

p. After a review board meeting, the commission decided to authorize the e-mailed vote, declaring a tie between Brown and Tanious and calling for a revote.

p. Rogers also had her election overturned after Class of 2008 President Nick Faulkner, a junior, appealed the results, challenging the Election Commission’s decision to use a paper ballot due to lack of registered candidates.

__Pennsylvania show canceled due to food poisoning__

Last weekend did not end romantically for rock band My Chemical Romance.

p. The group was forced to cancel their Sunday night show at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania, after 16 crew and band members suffered “severe food poisoning,” according to the BJC’s Director of Public Relations Bernie Punt.

p. The band also postponed its May 1 show in Columbus, Ohio, and canceled its May 2 show in Pittsburgh, Pa.

p. A message on the band’s website, MyChemicalRomance.com, apologizes to fans for the cancelations.

p. “Several members of My Chemical Romance’s band and crew and members of Muse’s crew became violently ill after the show at William and Mary College [sic] in Williamsburg, Va. With multiple people scattered in hospitals between State College, Pa. and Columbus, Oh.,” the message said.

p. According to Punt, chicken wraps served at the College Saturday caused the illness.

p. The Green Leafe, located on Scotland Street, was the sole caterer of the event, and it served chicken wraps, Glenn Gormley, the owner of the restaurant, said.

p. Gormley also said that no one from the band has contacted the Green Leafe, and that he could not confirm if the wraps had caused the illnesses.

p. “I have no idea, I’m not a doctor,” Gormley said. “I know they had to cancel the show. No one contacted me about this.”

p. Joe Lowder, the College’s assistant director for student affairs, said that the band had informed him of the cancelation and the illnesses, but he could not confirm that they suffered food poisoning. He also noted that the band and crew members travel in a confined tour bus, which is prone to viruses and contagious diseases.

p. Lowder said that both the band and crew ate other food on Saturday, including pizza and a $200 order of Hooters.

p. He also contacted an epidemiologist after hearing of the illnesses, and was informed that many factors could have caused sickness, including the Norovirus.

p. The Norovirus, which is highly contagious and causes flu-like symptoms, infected dozens of College students last October.
“Food poisoning, from what [doctors] say, is very hard to pinpoint,” Lowder said.

p. No students reported any illnesses. The Green Leafe catered only to the bands and their crew.

p. According to the BJC’s blog on Community.centredaily.com, stage crews were assembling sound and lighting when they were informed of the band’s illness.

p. “We received word that several of the band members of My Chemical Romance and Muse had taken ill from some food they had eaten hours earlier in Williamsburg, Va.,” the blog said.
“Fans from around the northeast were already in line … waiting anxiously for their favorite band to take the stage.”

p. The blog also said that a promoter of the concert had e-mailed the crew of the BJC thanking them for their cooperation and assistance, specifically that of Dr. Doug Aukerman, a physician at Penn State.

p. The promoter said that Aukerman was “in effect, running triage” at the venue.

The Campaign for William and Mary raised $7.83 million in the fiscal quarter that began Jan. 1 and ended March 31, a drop from the record $26 million raised in the quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2006.

p. The campaign, the largest in College history, surpassed its $500 million goal in Dec. 2006, but dropped back below the goal when a donor revoked an approximately $12 million pledge.

p. The donor was angry about College President Gene Nichol’s decision to remove a cross from permanent display in the Wren Chapel.

p. The Office of University Development initially refused to release numbers for the quarter that ended March 31, but a Freedom of Information Act request yielded the data.

p. The College, however, would not release the total amount raised by the campaign.

p. Based on previously-released figures, The Flat Hat estimates that the campaign has raised a total $498.5 million, meaning that if past trends hold, the campaign will meet the $500 million goal by its June 30 end date.

p. The College also released a list of the largest contributions to the campaign. An unattributed $24,491,064 donation tops the list.
The revoked pledge would have been the fifth- or sixth-largest donation to the campaign and the seventh- or eighth-largest donation in College history.

A revote for the class of 2008’s vice president for advocacy and treasurer will take place tomorrow, according to Student Assembly Election Commissioner Adam Boltik.

p. Juniors Matt Brown and Shariff Tanious will take part in a runoff for the position. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Student Information Network’s website, sin.wm.edu.

p. Brown was initially declared the winner by one vote after the March 29 election, but Tanious appealed the decision, saying that junior Bryan Jones — who is currently interning in Florida — was unable to access SIN and vote. Jones voted through e-mail instead, which the commission initially rejected.

p. After a review board meeting, the commission decided to authorize the e-mailed vote, declaring a tie between Brown and Tanious and calling for a revote.

p. Treasurer candidate junior Laura Rogers also had her election overturned after Nick Faulkner, a junior, appealed the results, challenging the Election Commission’s decision to use a paper ballot due to lack of registered candidates.