was the "Gateway William & Mary" program. It is a financial aid program that is "[d]esigned for women and men whose academic promise exceeds their economic means, the program will provide a combination of institutional, state and federal grants for low- and middle-income students who have the desire to attend a world-class university without incurring debt." Wren Cross controversy Nichol's October 2006 decision to change a long-standing university policy by removing a cross from permanent display on the altar of the Chapel in the Wren Building ended his first year as president in controversy. He explained that a cross in the chapel of a public university made some students of other religious traditions feel unwelcome in a place considered by the community to be an important part of campus. Under the new policy, the cross would be displayed only in the chapel during Christian religious services, or upon request, in an effort to make the space more welcoming to groups of mixed faith. After complaints were made, Nichol amended the policy so that the cross would be displayed on Sundays, and other Christian days of observance. Nichol became the target of criticism from a number of alumni, students, and benefactors for changing this policy. Nichol stated that he had received "several complaints," from students and parents because the college frequently holds student organization meetings in the chapel. Due to this decision, alumnus James McGlothlin revoked $12 million he had planned on giving to the college's capital campaign. Stories had surfaced that Nichol knew of the revoked donation before he announced that the Fund for William and Mary met its $500 million fundraising goal. McGlothlin's rescinding of the pledge pushed the fundraising back under $500 million, and he had revealed to former President Timothy J. Sullivan in an e-mail that he would take back the pledge. In response, Sullivan wrote: Nichol denied knowing about the revoked pledge before the announcement that the fundraising goal had been reached. The college initially refused to release the e-mail between Nichol and Sullivan, but capitulated to several FOIA requests. The e-mail read: After months of controversy, which saw conservative commentators and national conservative political figures speak against the decision, Nichol established a presidential committee to explore the issue. Comprising students, faculty, staff, and alumni, the committee was charged with examining the "role of religion in a public university" in general, and at William & Mary