STUDENT LIFE

The University s curricular and extracurricular activities are so
numerous and diverse that students must budget their time carefully to achieve
a desirable balance among the academic, social, and recreational phases of
their college experience.
The same code of honor that governs academic life also governs student
conduct. The University over the years has adopted many rules and regulations
covering academic matters and student deportment. But if students conduct
themselves honorably at all times they will have little trouble with the
University s disciplinary rules.
Washington and Lee students are courteous to each other and to visitors
on the campus. Both students and faculty traditionally exchange greetings with
one another and with others as they pass on the campus (the speaking
tradition ).
Washington and Lee graduates believe that the University s superior
academic preparation combined with the character building responsibilities of
student life mark Washington and Lee students with special distinction.

ORIENTATION PROGRAM

The Orientation Program is conducted each year to acquaint new students
with all phases of life at the University. It is held in September before the
opening of the fall term. The program provides an introduction to the work,
recreation, friendships, traditions, and ideals of the University.
Orientation and counseling sessions are conducted by faculty members,
administrators, dormitory counselors and upperclass students. Attendance at
the Orientation Program is expected, and students are notified during the
summer of the dates of the program.

COUNSELING

At no point during their undergraduate career at Washington and Lee are
students without access to counseling on any problems, social or academic,
which they may encounter. Students are encouraged to seek the advice of the
Dean of Students and his associates, the academic deans, faculty adviser or
the head of the department in which they are majoring, the University
registrar, the University chaplain, physician, or psychologist, in any matter,
academic or personal, when they feel advice may prove helpful.

WHERE STUDENTS LIVE

Because a common living experience has been found to be valuable during
the first year of college, all freshmen are required to live in dormitories
maintained by the University. Exceptions to this requirement must be obtained
in advance from the Dean of Freshmen, but exceptions are usually granted only
to students who wish to live at home or with relatives in Lexington.
The freshman residences are divided into sections of 15 to 20 students,
with each section supervised by an upperclass counselor, capable of giving
sympathetic and informed guidance to new students. In keeping with the
traditions of student life at the University, the regulation of dormitory life
is based on the principle of student self-government. Except for regulations
pertaining to health and safety, regulations governing dormitory life quiet
hours, intervisitation policy, for example are formulated by the residents of
each individual dormitory section in statements of social responsibility.
Approximately 60% of the freshman dormitory rooms in Gilliam Dormitory,
Davis Dormitory, Baker Dormitory, and Graham-Lees Dormitory are singles; the
remainder are double rooms. Rooms with facilities for handicapped students are
available in both singles and doubles. Each student is provided with a closet,
a study desk, a desk chair, a mirror, and a single bed of standard length.
Students provide their own bed clothing and other furnishings as desired.
Many upperclass students live either in fraternity houses or in private
homes or apartments. Several varieties of upperclass accommodations are
offered by the University. For upperclass and law students seeking on-campus,
apartment-style accommodations, the Woods Creek Apartments feature three-,
four-, and five-student apartment units, each with kitchenettes, living rooms,
and single occupancy bedrooms. There are 40 such apartments accommodating a
total of 178 students who live in a convenient but secluded part of the
central campus. The Francis P. Gaines Residence Hall is a 208-bed facility
that provides housing, primarily in attractive apartment-like suites, for
upperclass students. This residence hall will accommodate students who request
to be grouped together by interest. The International House and the John
Chavis Minority Student Center also provide limited residential
accommodations.
Since University liability insurance does not provide coverage for lost,
stolen, or damaged property in University residences, students and their
families are advised to see that their insurance coverage is adequate for such
risks.

WHERE STUDENTS DINE

Evans Dining Hall
Freshmen are required to take their meals together in Evans Dining Hall.
Upperclassmen and law students may dine in Evans as well. The main hall can
accommodate approximately 550 persons. Smaller dining rooms are available for
luncheon and dinner meetings of various student and faculty groups.
All three meals are served cafeteria style, with menus carefully planned
to provide well-balanced, nutritious meals. Many special holiday and theme
meals, along with exam time monotony breakers, are served throughout the
year.

General Headquarters Restaurant and
The Snack Bar
Many upperclass, law students and other members of the University
community dine at the GHQ or the Snack Bar. The Snack Bar, commonly referred
to as the Co-op is located in the Bookstore building near the Graham-Lees
Freshmen Dormitory. General Headquarters, an on-campus restaurant, is located
in the Early-Fielding Student Center. GHQ frequently offers entertainment,
including live bands, provided by the Student Activities Board.

STUDENT HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE

The University retains two Lexington physicians who have general
responsibility for student health and medical needs. They have an office and
a clinic in the Student Health Center on the lower floor of Davis Dormitory.
The physicians office connects with the 12-bed student infirmary on the
lower floor of Gilliam Dormitory. The infirmary is used for in-patient, bed
care of non-critical illnesses and injuries that occur during the college
year, excluding holiday and vacation periods.
The University physicians have office hours in both the morning and the
afternoon, Monday through Friday. Their services are available to students
without charge, throughout the academic year. Emergencies at night and on
weekends are treated in the Emergency Room of Stonewall Jackson Hospital,
located just one mile from campus; regular hospital and physician charges are
assessed for such emergency care.
A staff of six registered nurses assists the University physicians in
maintaining around-the-clock supervision of the clinic and the infirmary when
classes are in session. Outpatient services offered by the medical staff
include diagnosis, short-term treatment of non-critical illnesses and
injuries, rehabilitative services, and referral to medical specialists.
Individual and group counseling is available to all students on a
confidential basis. Two counseling psychologists work with students on a wide
range of topics including self-esteem development, concerns with
relationships, academic problems, sexuality issues, depression, eating
disorders, incidents of sexual assault, and substance abuse. Appointments are
made through the receptionist in the University Center. A consulting
psychiatrist is available to students on a referral basis for evaluations. The
professional counseling staff is also involved in educational programming for
dormitory counselors, resident assistants, peer counselors, health educators,
student leaders, and student organizations.
By University policy, all entering students are required to provide
evidence of some form of health and hospitalization insurance coverage to
supplement the medical care provided by the University Health Service. This
coverage may be in the form of an individual policy already in effect,
inclusion in a family policy, or enrollment in the optional group program of
accident and sickness insurance provided specifically for Washington and Lee
students.
In the Warner Athletic Center, the Department of Athletics and Physical
Education maintains a training room for the treatment of bruises, sprains, and
minor injuries that do not require the attention of a doctor. The training
room is used most frequently by participants in athletic and physical
education programs. A certified, professional trainer, who works closely with
the University physicians, is in charge of the facility.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Washington and Lee students are accorded a large measure of
self-government. The faculty and administrative officials give organizations
of student government full cooperation and support in the discharge of their
responsibilities.
The chief agency of student government is the student-elected Executive
Committee of the Student Body. The Executive Committee and its appointed
official committees are responsible for administering the Honor System and
supervising nearly all student-related campus activities. Academic and law
classes elect officers each year.
Consideration of possible breaches of the Honor System is a primary
function of the Executive Committee. The Honor System at Washington and Lee
is based on the fundamental principle that a spirit of trust pervades all
aspects of student life. The freedom given students stems from the
understanding that persons attending this University will act honorably. Any
student found guilty of a violation of the Honor System by the Committee is
required to withdraw permanently from the University. The only appeal from the
Committee s decision in an Honor System case is a public hearing before the
student body.
Any student who enters Washington and Lee is assumed to accept the
obligations of the Honor System as a way of life and conduct and to recognize
the full responsibility of the Executive Committee for handling Honor System
offenses.
A thorough Honor System orientation is provided by the Executive
Committee for all entering students during the Orientation Program. No
freshmen will be permitted to attend fall term classes until they have
attended that orientation and have acknowledged in writing their understanding
of the philosophy and policies of the Honor System.

OTHER STUDENT COMMITTEES

The Executive Committee of the Student Body conducts student body
elections and appoints a number of other committees to administer special
affairs. Important among these are the Student Activities Board, the purpose
of which is to provide entertainment and social activities for the student
body, and the Student Conduct Committee, an all-student committee composed
of class officers, which has jurisdiction in cases of alleged student
misconduct at Washington and Lee, in Rockbridge County, and on other campuses.
The decisions of the Student Conduct Committee may be appealed to the Board
of Appeals. Also serving the University in important ways are the Women s
Forum, Minority Student Association, International Club, the Outing Club, the
Student Recruitment Committee, Mock Convention Steering Committee, Contact
Committee, Kathekon (student alumni association), and other student
committees.

UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES

In addition to the committees mentioned above, students also participate
in the decision-making processes of the University through membership on a
number of University committees. The Student Affairs Committee, with
responsibility in the general area of student life, is composed of equal
numbers of students and faculty-administrators. Students are voting members
on the Faculty Executive Committee, the Committee on Courses and Degrees, the
Registration and Class Schedules Committee, the Lectures Committee, the
University Athletic Committee, the Student Health Committee, the University
Library Committee, and the Faculty Committees on Admissions and Financial Aid.

GREEK LIFE

Sixteen national men s fraternities are represented on the Washington and
Lee campus, including Kappa Alpha, founded here.
They are Beta Theta Pi, Chi Psi, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Alpha, Kappa
Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi
Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi,
Sigma Nu, and Sigma Phi Epsilon.
All of the men s fraternities maintain chapter houses. Slightly more than
80 percent of Washington and Lee male students affiliate with fraternities
which operate dining rooms and provide lodging for many members in the chapter
houses. In addition, a large portion of the social life at Washington and Lee
centers around the fraternity chapters.
Four national women s fraternities are represented on the Washington and
Lee campus Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi.
The system of women s fraternities, originally established at Washington and
Lee in January of 1989, is continuing to evolve in a manner which is
responsive to the needs and interests of the women students.
Greek organizations are under the supervision of the Interfraternity
Council, the Panhellenic Council, the Associate Dean of Students for Greek
Affairs, and the Student Affairs Committee.

INDEPENDENT UNION

Many Washington and Lee students do not affiliate with fraternities. The
Independent Union (Mavericks) provides a framework for the participation of
non-fraternity students in intramural athletics and for the sponsorship of
social and recreational activities.
UNIVERSITY CENTER ACTIVITIES

The Early-Fielding Memorial University Center includes the Fairfax
Lounge, meeting rooms, the Arlington Women s Center, office space for student
organizations, and the General Headquarters, an on-campus restaurant. A
varied program of social, recreational, and cultural activities is provided
under the general supervision of the Associate Dean of Students for Student
Activities, the Student Activities Board, and the management of the General
Headquarters.

UNIVERSITY FEDERATION

The University Federation sponsors organizations for religious and
community volunteer service. It is a nondenominational group in which all
students are welcome to participate, regardless of church or creed. Over the
years the Federation has sponsored a variety of programs of significant social
and religious interest, including cooperative programs with Lexington
churches, clothing drives, lectures, and seminars, work with underprivileged
children, tutoring in Lexington schools, and volunteer work with mental
patients. The activities of the Federation are coordinated by the Associate
Dean of Students for Student Activities.

RELIGIOUS LIFE

The general supervision of campus religious life is the responsibility
of the University Chaplain. The University recognizes the importance of holy
day celebrations and encourages all faculty to make any accommodations
necessary for students observances.
Lexington churches also serve the religious needs of Washington and Lee
students. Several of these churches have ministers whose primary work is with
students at Washington and Lee and the Virginia Military Institute. Churches
in Lexington include Anglican, Assembly of God, Baptist, Church of Christ,
Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and various
independent churches.
The Hillel Association, provides cultural, social, and religious
activities for Jewish students and for students interested in Judaic studies.
Events include monthly Sabbath dinners, lectures, films, discussions, a
Passover seder, High Holy Day services, and social functions. A member of the
faculty of the Department of Religion serves as adviser to Jewish students.
Jewish congregations in Roanoke, Staunton, and Lynchburg welcome students to
attend services at their synagogues. Transportation for High Holy Day services
is available through the office of the Dean of Students.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a nationally affiliated,
nondenominational Christian organization that has had a chapter at Washington
and Lee since 1964. The Fellowship emphasizes the bond between athletes and
religious faith.
Washington and Lee s InterVarsity Fellowship is a campus-wide
organization open to Christians of all backgrounds. Its purpose is to provide
a meeting time on campus for both fellowship and instruction to help students
better understand their faith.
Campus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational movement designed to
serve college students in all aspects of spiritual growth and leadership
development.

HONOR SOCIETIES

Many honor and professional societies have branches at Washington and
Lee.
The Phi Beta Kappa Chapter, Gamma of Virginia, was installed at the
University in 1911. Each year it elects a limited number of students of
outstanding character and superior academic records from all undergraduate
divisions of the University.
Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society for the recognition of high
scholastic attainment among freshmen.
Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor fraternity for students having
distinguished records in business administration. The Washington and Lee
chapter was founded in 1933.
The Order of the Coif recognizes distinguished scholarship among seniors
in the School of Law. The University s chapter was founded in 1950.
Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society, was founded at Washington
and Lee in 1914. The society recognizes leadership in campus
activities scholastic, athletic, social, religious, and literary.
Omicron Delta Epsilon is a national honor society that recognizes high
scholastic achievement in economics.
Pi Sigma Alpha is a national honor society recognizing scholarship in the
field of politics.
Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha is a national society for recognizing
leadership in forensic activities. Washington and Lee s chapter was founded
in 1961.
Mu Beta Psi is a national honorary fraternity recognizing leadership in
the field of music.
Pi Mu Epsilon is a national honorary fraternity in mathematics whose
purpose is to promote scholarly mathematical activity. Washington and Lee s
Virginia Theta chapter was chartered in 1993.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

Washington and Lee has chapters of several national professional
fraternities. Members are elected on the basis of interest and distinction in
the field related to the fraternity. The fraternities include Sigma Delta Chi
in journalism; Alpha Epsilon Delta in premedical studies; Phi Delta Phi, Delta
Theta Pi, and Phi Alpha Delta in law; and Psi Chi in psychology.

PUBLICATIONS

The University Publications Board, composed of student, alumni and
faculty representatives, is responsible for the student newspaper, yearbook,
and student literary and political magazines; it appoints the editors and
business managers of these publications.
The Ring-tum Phi, a student newspaper established in 1897, is published
and staffed entirely by students. It is independent of direct control by the
faculty or administration. It reports on all campus matters and provides a
forum for student opinion.
Trident, a student newspaper established in 1993, is published and
staffed entirely by students. It is independent of direct control by the
faculty or administration. It reports on all campus matters and provides a
forum for student opinion.
The Calyx is the University yearbook. It is a pictorial summary of
student life and events during the year.
Ariel is a student literary magazine published three times a year. It
contains works of fiction, poetry, and criticism. Any student may submit
manuscripts for consideration.
Political Review is a non-partisan student publication devoted to the
consideration of current political issues.
The Journal of Science is a student publication dedicated to the
discussion of current scientific, psychological, sociological, medical and
bioethical issues.
The costs of these publications are included in the Student Activities
Fee.
The Student Handbook, which is compiled and edited by students, is
available at the fall term matriculation. It contains a listing of all student
organizations and their officers, the constitution of the Student Body, and
certain University policies and regulations. It serves as a useful guidebook
to various aspects of student life at Washington and Lee.

WLUR-FM

WLUR-FM, the campus radio station with studios in Reid Hall, is a project
of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications. The station functions
as a laboratory for students in certain broadcasting courses, but staff
positions are open to all qualified students. It offers an
education-information format with a variety of programs ranging from popular
to classical music, discussions and documentaries, public affairs and news.
The station broadcasts approximately 19 hours daily. A faculty member serves
as general manager of the non-commercial station, and students make up the
entire supervisory, programming, and news staffs. Daily news programs are
compiled and broadcast by students, using state, national and world news from
the Associated Press and local news gathered by students enrolled in
journalism courses.

CABLE 2

Cable 2 is a fully equipped television studio and control room that
serves as a laboratory for television courses and presents daily news and
public affairs programming to the Lexington community through the Lexington
cable television system. The station is operated entirely by students under
the direction of a journalism faculty member.

MUSIC AND DRAMATIC
ORGANIZATIONS

The University Chamber Singers is a select 24-member mixed choir devoted
to performing the finest choral repertoire and, in even-numbered years,
touring abroad.
The University Chorus is the largest and oldest existing choral
organization at Washington and Lee. Comprised of 80 to 90 undergraduate and
law students, the group performs frequently in the Lexington area and on
campus. Highlights of the past season included the world premiere of Fred
Thayer s Ave Maria, Rutter s Requiem, and Mendelssohn s Elijah with the
University-Rockbridge Symphony Orchestra.
JubiLee is composed of 13 specially auditioned women from the choruses
and performs light and pop music for University and alumni events. The group
tours regularly.
General Admission is composed of 14 specially auditioned men and women
from the choruses. The group performs everything from spirituals to classic
hits and pop music for alumni and University events, as well as putting on
their own concerts and singing at other colleges and universities.
Southern Comfort is composed of 12 specially auditioned male singers of
the choruses who perform everything from barbershop to the Beach Boys. The
group appears regularly at banquets and alumni gatherings at the University
and elsewhere.
The Concert Guild, a student organization, sponsors the appearances of
internationally renowned classical artists in the Lenfest Center for the
Performing Arts. The events last season included the Mozart Orchestra of
Hamburg; Chanticleer; Empire Brass and the Beaux-Arts Trio.
Sonoklect, an annual week-long new music festival, features
world-renowned composers who give seminars and master classes critiquing the
work of W&L students and selected composition students from other
universities. The music of these composers and of the students is presented
in concerts by faculty and student performers and professional musicians from
various cities. Composers have included George Crumb, Earle Brown, Chinary
Ung, and Jacob Druckman.
The University-Rockbridge Symphony Orchestra, is comprised of university
students, residents from the community, as well as professional musicians
from the area. Students who play an orchestral instrument may join the U-RSO.
The orchestra performs three or four times a year and plays a wide variety
of literature. In the past, the U-RSO has hosted internationally known guest
soloists and conductors and has presented concerts in collaboration with the
University choruses.
The University Wind Ensemble consists of wind and percussion players who
perform outstanding band repertoire in concerts on and off campus. In the
past, the Wind Ensemble has toured overseas during the winter term vacation.
Chamber Ensembles, small chamber groups consisting of vocalists and
instrumentalists, are created from the membership of the orchestra and wind
ensemble to perform music from various historical periods. Occasionally,
student ensembles play for banquets, weddings, and other University and
community events.
University Theatre activities are open to all students who may wish to
participate in any capacity. Auditions are held at the Lenfest Center for the
Performing Arts and are open to all members of the student body, faculty, and
staff. The productions are free to students.

DEBATE ACTIVITIES

The University s Forensic Team has achieved outstanding recognition in
recent years. The team engages in 8 to 10 tournaments a year, using
Lincoln-Douglas, and audience-style formats. Yearly exhibition debates with
British debaters are sponsored. The University supports Delta Sigma Rho-Tau
Kappa Alpha (the national speech honorary).

CONCERTS AND DANCES

The Student Activities Board sponsors a number of concerts, dances, and
other entertainment during the academic year. These events bring to the campus
popular recording groups, name bands, and individual performers.

FILM SOCIETY

The Washington and Lee Film Society, an organization including both
students and faculty, each year presents a motion picture series which
includes a number of critically acclaimed foreign and American works. The
series is designed to expose both campus and community to noteworthy film
achievements and to present students with a variety of perspectives on
contemporary society.

ATHLETIC PROGRAM

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education
administers a program which features intercollegiate athletics, intramural
sports, club sports, and physical education courses for men and women. These
programs provide students fitness and recreation which complement the academic
curriculum. A University Athletic Committee composed of faculty, alumni, and
students oversees the intercollegiate athletic program and advises the
Director of Athletics and the President of the University.
Intramurals: Recent studies indicate that 75 percent of Washington and
Lee students participate in the broad intramural sports programs. W&L has a
three-phase program with coed activities and sports for men and women offered.
In the past, various undergraduate and law school student organizations have
fielded teams for competitions in basketball, bowling, cross-country,
football, golf, handball, lacrosse, racquetball, soccer, softball, squash,
swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
An aerobic exercise program is also provided. Participants pay a small fee
which covers trophies and fees for referees and officials.
Physical Education: All undergraduates, unless physically disqualified
by the University s physician, must satisfactorily complete five activity
courses to qualify for their degrees. More than 35 courses are offered. The
courses emphasize physical skill development, sportsmanship, and game rules
and regulations.
Intercollegiate Athletics: The University s intercollegiate teams all
follow the guidelines and philosophy established for the National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, which calls for an institution s
financial aid to be awarded on the basis of family need and academic merit.
The result at Washington and Lee is a strong, diverse athletic program in
which participants are motivated by their love of the game and their desire
to excel in competition.
Washington and Lee sponsors 13 varsity sports for men: cross country,
football, soccer, and water polo in the fall; basketball, swimming, indoor
track, and wrestling during the winter; baseball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, and
track and field in the spring.
The Athletic Department currently sponsors nine intercollegiate sports
for women at Washington and Lee: cross country, soccer, tennis, and volleyball
in the fall; basketball, swimming and indoor track and field during the
winter; lacrosse, tennis, and track and field in the spring. The women s
sports program may continue to grow as student interest dictates.
Most teams are directed by coaches who hold faculty status in the
physical education department. Student-athletes enjoy first-quality equipment,
uniforms, facilities, and support-staff attention. Sports schedules feature
challenging opponents from colleges along the Eastern Seaboard and Appalachian
regions.
The University is a charter member of the 13-college Old Dominion
Athletic Conference (ODAC), founded in 1976 and composed of small, private
institutions which belong to the NCAA Division III. W&L sports which compete
in the ODAC are men s baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf,
lacrosse, soccer, tennis, indoor track, and outdoor track and field. The
women s sports that compete in ODAC are basketball, cross-country, lacrosse,
soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. The conference recognizes team
champions, a player-of-the-year, and a coach-of-the-year in each sport and
selects a recipient for Scholar-Athlete awards for men and women.

ATHLETIC AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Washington and Lee is proud of its array of fine athletic facilities.
The J.W. Warner Center which is connected to Doremus Gymnasium, the
University s original athletic center, comprises the indoor facilities. The
five-story complex includes a 2,400-seat main arena, the Cy Twombly Pool and
its 500-seat gallery, a fully-equipped weight room, first-rate training room,
handball/racquetball/squash courts, sauna, exercise rooms, and locker rooms.
Wilson Field is the center of the outdoor facilities. The natural turf
field surrounded by a 400-meter artificial surface track and bordered by a
7,000-seat stadium is home for the Generals track, football, and lacrosse
teams. The University also offers Smith Baseball Field, a 14-court tennis area
with two lighted courts, five-mile cross country course, Liberty Hall Field
for men s and women s soccer and women s lacrosse, and several practice
fields.
Washington and Lee students may play golf on the par-71 Lexington Golf
and Country Club course and may skate and ski at The Homestead, Massanutten,
Wintergreen, and other nearby resorts.