The bawdy House of Delegates weighs in.

The questions went on for 1 hour and 45 minutes, and the word "dominatrix" was mentioned only once.

We're talking about the House Privileges and Elections Committee and its grilling of four nominees of the governing board at the College of William and Mary.

You probably know the story. The campus hosted a Sex Worker's Art Show this week, and it frazzled the split ends of several lawmakers up here in the General Assembly. Given the previous controversy over the removal of a cross at the Wren Chapel (the cross was later returned) the committee decided to question three board members who are up for reappointment and one who is a new appointee.

Some lawmakers took the chance to ask about other topics. Maybe they didn't want to talk about sex. Maybe they realized that the four people before them were no more or less connected to the controversies than any other board member.

Del. Frank Hargrove, R-Hanover, asked whether the school permitted illegal immigrants. (Answer: No, not to its knowledge. What are they going to say, yes?)

Del. Dave Albo, R-Fairfax, wondered if the school was working on increasing the ratio of in-state versus out-of-state students. (Answer: Yes, they're sensitive to that.)

Del. Clarence "Bud" Phillips, D-Dickenson, asked if the board members would do everything possible to ensure that the university was seen in the best possible light. (Yes, they sure will.)

The delegates seemed impressed with the four members. "I hope this wasn't too unpleasant an experience for you," said Del. Mark Cole, the committee chairman, as the meeting ended.

But at least one lawmaker can still toss around purple prose. Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William, is no fan of university President Gene Nichol, who said the art show was protected on First Amendment grounds. Marshall's dislike goes back to the Wren cross controversy. Marshall wrote a letter to P&E committee members to encourage them to ask the tough questions.

Marshall's letter talked about Nichol's "inability to distinguish his tortured view of the First Amendment from the proprietary rights of the people of the Commonwealth."

He also asked whether "turning the public property of the College into a bawdy house venue for pimps, prostitutes and dominatrix (is) part of (Nichol's) employment contract?"

Marshall wasn't at the meeting, but one delegate read the salient portion of his letter.

Afterwards, Cole said he did not think the four are in danger of not being reappointed. We'll keep you posted.