William & Mary has always been — and should always be — the College of William & Mary. Here’s why:
- Our community: “The College” tells us everything we need to know about William & Mary — it’s small, it’s friendly (collegial, even!), and it’s a place of universal study. “University” doesn’t make us any more unique. It doesn’t make us sound as special as we are.
- Our future: William & Mary’s character doesn’t come from its name or its rank: it comes from its people — people who choose a small scale, close relationships with faculty, and a campus community with no equal. If we try to act like just another university, will they find us?
- Our charter: “… for us, our heirs and successors … when the said College shall be so erected, made, founded and established, it shall be called and denominated, for ever, the College of William & Mary, in Virginia…” We are those heirs and successors. If we keep nothing else from the charter, let’s keep this.
