News in Brief
Compiled by Camille Thompson and Stephen Carley
MBA gains $11.3 million
The Master of Business Administration program announced the receipt of $11.3 million from Landmark Communications founder Frank Batten Sr.
Batten, who was awarded with an honorary degree from the College in 1996 for his contributions over the years, is the founder of The Weather Channel and a former member of the College's Board of Visitors.
The donation will create an endowment that will provide support for the School of Business Administration's faculty and students.
"Frank is a generous benefactor as well as a business leader of extraordinary vision, impeccable character and remarkable achievement," Larry Pulley, dean of the Business School, said. "I have been especially fortunate to be the recipient of his advice and counsel as we have developed our plans for business education at William and Mary."
This week's gift brings the total donations to the College's business school to $12.5 million over the past three years.
Batten and his wife also gave $32 million to both the Harvard Business School and Old Dominion University this week, according to the March 15 Daily Press.
Survey inquires about HBO
The Cable TV Advisory Committee is exploring options for adding HBO to the College cable plan.
The current student fee for the movie channel, included in Information Technology fees, is approximately $10, according to sophomore Jordan Blair, William and Mary TV operations manager.
Three options will be presented by the Cable Access Television Contract Negotiation Committee for students to vote on through a survey conducted by IT.
"There are three options being presented," senior and WMTV Co-Founder Elizabeth Korona said. "One, to keep room rates the same and not add HBO; two, to increase yearly room fees by $18 and add HBO but eliminate the movie channel and thereby eliminating WMTV and three, to have both HBO and the movie channel/WMTV. I am Strongly asking and urging the community to choose option three and not eliminate WMTV."
The committee was formed by Courtney Carpenter, the associate provost of IT.
The survey results will be presented to the Board of Visitors at their fees meeting in April and they will make the final determination, according to Blair.
Other suggestions have been made for improving service and offering HBO.
"[The committee gave] three options, I think that's not really the way to look at it," Student Assembly president senior Brian Cannon said. "We should start looking at other companies, really start bargaining with other companies instead of going back to the same company again."
WMTV currently shows 30 minute episodes three to four times daily that are switched out weekly, in addition to its unedited coverage of events such as Homebrew and Jon Stewart's appearance.
Blair speculated on the future of WMTV if HBO replaces the College movie channels.
"[William and Mary TV] would most likely cease to exist," he said.
Trellis preview benefits fund
The Trellis Restaurant held its annual Spring Menu Preview Dinner Wednesday, with proceeds benefiting the Campaign for William and Mary, the largest fundraising campaign in the College's history.
The event featured Trellis cuisine and a performance from the William and Mary String Quartet. The proceeds specifically benefited a College faculty support fund, the Alumni
Association and the Athletic Educational Foundation.
Guests chose from two options: a deluxe reception at Ganache Hill, internationally recognized chef and author Marcel Desaulniers' dessert test kitchen, as well as a five-course dinner at the Trellis for $200 a person or the Five Course Trellis Dinner for $75 per person.
"Connie and Marcel [Desaulniers] have always been strong supporters of the College and the community," Dennis Cross, vice president for University Development, said. "By hosting this special night they are once again sharing their enthusiasm for William and Mary, as well as for our ambitious campaign."
The event also featured a silent auction that included culinary items plus artwork from local artists and graduates of the College.
The Trellis features a different artist each season. For the Spring Preview, the paintings of Connie Desaulniers, '75, will be displayed and for sale with 15 percent of the proceeds going to the Campaign for William and Mary.
The Campaign for William and Mary's goal is $500 million for its faculty, students and core programs.