Other College Chapels, Other Crosses

It may be of interest, in the context of this issue, to examine another Colonial College Chapel, Kirkpatrick Chapel, at Rutgers University. There is a cross always clearly displayed at the alter of the Chapel, even in this most non-sectarian public university and New Jersey atmosphere. One may equally visit Princeton University chapel and view a cross on display at the alter. With these examples, the question is why does President Nichols feel that he is the self-appointed judge of taste. How does he have the authority to dictate this change in policy?

It is a desecration of the chapel and a lack of respect, for President Nichols to arrogantly remove this object of Christianity without consultation of the Board of Visitors or any other body. At the end of the day, the Wren Chapel is a Christian chapel comparable to both Kirkpatrick Chapel and Princeton Chapel. I am not the most religious person, but this unfeeling abhorrent tyrannical act even offends my senses. It is in this chapel, that I was inducted into my sorority. We did not feel uncomfortable or hindered by the cross. Not all members of the sorority were Christian.

The act greatly concerns me for the larger ramifications for the college. Certainly a Stalinist tactic does not bode well for consensus making, vision or leadership skills. It is at times like this, when seemingly smaller liberties or rights are trampled, that the process of diminishing democracy begins. The best way to stand up to a bully is not to go like Neville Chamberlin, with a cane and follow a policy of appeasement, but rather to resist and stand for the absolute right for this cross to be displayed 24-7. There is not even room for an ounce of compromise. One has to question President Nichol's fitness for his current position. Perhaps he, not the cross, should be the object removed. Perhaps there are some who are "uncomfortable" in his presence as one might easily be, in the presence of any royal despot, tyrant or dictator.

Jane L. Franks
Class of 1975