Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 18, 1993 TAG: 9305180270
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"It's likely to be one or two visits a year, to deliver greetings or make speeches," said William and Mary spokesman Ray Betzner. "The duties of the chancellor are not specifically spelled out in the charter, so we can't really say exactly what she will do."
The Board of Visitors selected former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as the school's 21st chancellor in its 300-year history, and the college announced the appointment Saturday in the presence of outgoing Chancellor Warren E. Burger, the former U.S. chief justice. His term expires July 1.
According to records provided by the college, the original charter called for the chancellor to be "the temporal and spiritual head of the college, whose advice must be sought on major issues of policy." The chancellor, in fact, outranked the college president.
But as time passed, the unpaid post became less influential, and since Washington held it in the late 1700s, it has been largely ceremonial.
Washington, in fact, initially rejected the offer to serve as chancellor in 1787, saying the obligation to visit the campus, even annually, was a burden.
"Although I know not specifically what these functions are, yet, sir, I have conceived that a principal duty required of the chancellor might be a regular and indispensable visitation once or perhaps twice a year. Should this be expected, I must decline accepting the office," Washington wrote from his home in Mount Vernon.
But he later changed his mind, citing his "heartfelt desire to promote the cause of science in general and the prosperity of the College of William and Mary in particular."
School officials say Thatcher has the same affinity for William and Mary, with its rich Colonial heritage, but she isn't likely to travel the 4,000 miles very often. Thatcher is William and Mary's first female chancellor and the first Briton to get the post since the Revolutionary War.
Recruitment of Thatcher was primarily the doing of William and Mary President Timothy Sullivan, Betzner said. Sullivan, who was unavailable for comment Monday, "kind of took it upon himself to do this. He had as much contact with Thatcher as anyone."
Sullivan's most recent meeting with Thatcher was during a lunch last month in England, when he was receiving an honorary degree in Scotland.
The Board of Visitors passed a resolution April 29 naming Thatcher, who's now a baroness, to a seven-year term beginning July 1.
Betzner said Thatcher has indicated that she wants to "continue the Burger tradition" by being somewhat involved in the college, though Burger's visits to campus were infrequent throughout his seven-year tenure.
Sullivan has even talked to Thatcher about teaching law. "Teaching is not a requirement of being a chancellor, but President Sullivan did talk to her about the possibility of doing that. Mrs. Thatcher does have a degree in law," Betzner said.
Thatcher, who was prime minister from 1979 to 1990, was last in Williamsburg in 1983 for an international economic summit.
She was unavailable for comment Monday. In London, spokeswoman Miranda Cracroft said Thatcher "has been away for a week, and she's up to her eyes in business. She's really not granting any press interviews right now."
Cracroft said she did not know of any trips being arranged to Williamsburg, but said: "Lady Thatcher has been in contact with the college. Certainly a trip is possible."
by CNB