Welcome to Washington and Lee University

Achieving Great Heights

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Table of ContentsWelcome, Class of 2014 ...............................................................................2

Information For Parents ................................................................................5

What You Need to Know Now

Summer Deadlines and Important Dates ...........................................7

The Leading Edge Pre-Orientation ....................................................9

What You Should Know About W&L

Career Services ................................................................................11

Dining Services ................................................................................11

Financial Aid ...................................................................................12

ITS (Information Technology Services) ............................................12

Mail Services ...................................................................................13

Student Health and Counseling .......................................................15

University Card ...............................................................................15

What You Will Learn About W&L

First-Year Program ...........................................................................16

Orientation Week ............................................................................16

Traditions.........................................................................................18

Generally Speaking ..........................................................................19

Residential Life ................................................................................21

Academic Advising ..........................................................................22

Social Networking ..............................................................Inside Back Cover

go.wlu.edu/confirmed

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WelcomeApril 15, 2010

Dear Member of the Class of 2014,

Congratulations on your decision to attend Washington and Lee University, and welcome to our wonderful community!

At W&L, faculty and staff work together to help students succeed. There is a strong connection here between what happens in and out of the classroom, and you will find that our academic and student life programs are complimentary and interrelated.

This guidebook is designed to link you to the people, programs and places that make W&L such a special place. Hopefully, you’ll utilize the guidebook to become familiar with our first-year Web site and to learn much more about what will soon become your home away from home.

You’ll notice that the guidebook is full of URL’s to our Web site. If you remember only one address for your summer, make it “go.wlu.edu/confirmed”, where you will find the New Student Dashboard—your place to start for all questions, deadlines, forms and details.

Again, welcome to Washington and Lee! I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

David M. Leonard Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Dean of First-Year Students

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Class of 2014April 15, 2010

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the Class of 2014,

On behalf of the student body, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to Washington and Lee University. These next four years will be immensely formative, offering a unique opportunity for growth as intellectuals and individuals of honor.

The notion of honor at W&L is embodied in our Honor System, which is “based on the fundamental principle that a spirit of trust pervades all aspects of student life.” The student body, through its Executive Committee (EC), has administered the Honor System since 1905, although the concept of the Honor System is much older. The myriad freedoms that students enjoy here, such as leaving belongings unattended and taking exams unproctored, are secured by the responsibilities that students owe in keeping the Honor System intact. All students are expected to uphold the spirit of the Honor System at all times.

In addition to administering the Honor System, the Executive Committee of the Student Body serves as the general student government for the University. The EC funds and supports student clubs and organizations and serves as intermediary between students and the administration, while also representing students to the broader community.

On behalf of the EC, we hope that each of you will find your ideal place in student life here at W&L, and we look forward to one of your classmates joining us on the EC in the fall. I wish you all the best as you begin life here in Lexington.

Sincerely,

Eric J. Hoffman, President of the Student Body

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Information for ParentsThis summer will be defined by excitement,

both as your student prepares for college and as you prepare to see your student off. Understandably, students and their parents have different questions in mind throughout this process. To that end, we have created a Web site specifically for you—a resource for the months and years to come. Please make it a point to visit the Parents’ Dashboard: it contains much of the information new parents and guardians at Washington and Lee will need to know.

go.wlu.edu/parentsYour student will follow the path set for

them on the New Student Dashboard. Feel free to become acquainted with this tool as it provides deadlines for forms and dates for what you can expect to receive from us.

go.wlu.edu/confirmed

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What You Need to Know NowThis summer members of the University community will be busy preparing for your arrival in the fall.

Most of what we do behind the scenes depends on information you provide us over the summer. All of that information is contained in this section. Go ahead and peruse it now, so you’ll know what you need to send us and when we need to get it back.

Don’t forget to read about the pre-orientation trips we offer—The Leading Edge —they’re popular, enjoyable and fill up quickly.

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Summer Deadlines and Important DatesWe’ve provided a separate and more detailedchecklist with this mailing; please put it in theinformation hub in your home, often the refrigerator.

April Emailaccessavailable,rollingbyconfirmationdate

June8 TheLeadingEdgeregistrationopens

June20 TheLeadingEdgeregistrationcloses

June30 Requiredformsdue,group1

July NetworkaccesssenttoW&Le-mail

July9 Housingassignmentssent

August Athleticarrivals,seecoachformove-indate

August1 Requiredformsdue,group2

August15 CreditTransferRequestFormdue

August29 TheLeadingEdgeparticipantsmove-in

September4 Allotherfirst-yearstudentsmove-in

November5-7 ParentsandFamilyWeekend

go.wlu.edu/confirmed

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The Leading Edge Pre-Orientation

APPLY JUNE 8-20You should consider The Leading Edge as an exciting beginning to your college experience. Students who

participate in one of the program’s two tracks, Volunteer Venture or Appalachian Adventure, remember that week as one of their fondest college memories. These pre-orientation trips are small and inviting, and give you the chance to hone your teamwork and leadership skills while encountering exciting challenges. Upper-division students lead the pre-orientation trips, so you will also experience the sense of community that will define your time at Washington and Lee.

The Leading Edge pre-orientation trips take place the week before first-year orientation begins. The University subsidizes the program; your cost of $200 will be billed to your student account on August 13. The online application period runs from June 8-20. Over 250 students from the class of 2013 applied last summer!

go.wlu.edu/theleadingedge

VOLUNTEER VENTURESpend a week in one of six cities becoming a part of

the community by living, learning and working with the individuals whose lives are impacted by poverty.

go.wlu.edu/volunteerventure

APPALACHIAN ADVENTURESpend five days hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Whether

you’re a beginner or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, your trip will be unforgettable.

go.wlu.edu/appalachianadventure

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What You Should Know About W&LEvery first-year student should know the basics of how to get around at W&L. Where do I eat? How do I get

mail? What if I get sick? Here are some of the essentials of living on campus.

Each section links to our Web site with details.

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University ServicesCAREER SERVICES

The Career Services office is conveniently located on the top floor of the Commons, and it’s the place to go for resumé advice, practice interviews and personality assessments.

Career Services provides the guidance and resources you’ll need to develop and implement both your academic and career plans. This office fosters an environment that encourages individual responsibility, creativity, open-mindedness and integrity.

go.wlu.edu/careerservices

DINING SERVICESStudents who live on campus eat at the Marketplace and

Café ’77/Emporium. (You’ll hear everyone call these places “d-hall” and “the co-op”.) D-hall serves full meals (all-you-care-to-eat), and you can go to the co-op for snacks, salads, sandwiches or a quick bite.

You should know that Dining Services has been a key player in W&L’s sustainability initiatives. We don’t use trays to save water on cleaning them, we use compostable take-out containers, and we’re eating more locally grown food every year! Not to mention fair-trade coffee, a great recycling and in-house composting program, food from our garden and donations of unused food to local charities.

See the Dining Services Web page for hours, weekly menus and details on your meal plan.

The required full board plan includes Flex dollars that can be used to supplement the board plan in the Café 77/Emporium, the convenience store in Elrod Commons.

go.wlu.edu/diningservices

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FINANCIAL AIDWith $17 million in undergraduate grants and scholarships

and $7 million in loans, financial aid can help meet the needs of qualified students. The assistance that the University renders is typically a combination of grants or scholarships, loans and work-study on campus. Financial Aid is usually met with grant or scholarship assistance; in addition, loans and work-study are available.

go.wlu.edu/financialaid

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (ITS)If you’re considering purchasing a computer to use at

school, University Computing publishes its recommendations on the ITS Web site, along with information for using Outlook Live, network access and storage, phone, cable TV, academic technologies and software resources.

Washington and Lee is proud to offer the following technological amenities to its students:

• Wireless internet is available in every residence hall and in most buildings on campus

• Computer labs are open around-the-clock• Printers are available throughout campus for your

convenience

go.wlu.edu/ITS

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MAIL SERVICESSince the Lexington Post Office is only a block away from campus, we don’t have a university-run mail

room for students. To rent a PO Box for the school year (something most students do), look for the sign-up table on move-in day.

Need to mail a large package to meet you at school for move-in day? No problem, just follow these guidelines: don’t send your package before August 17th, make sure that it can be carried by one person, that it weighs less than 50 pounds and that it’s labeled (with your name, residence hall and room number) on every side. Here’s how to address it:

Your Namec/o Campus Mail ServicesResidence Hall and Room NumberWashington and Lee University204 W. Washington StreetLexington, VA 24450-2116

While the Post Office handles all your letter mail, the school’s mail room handles any packages you might receive during the school year. If your parents want to send you a care package or you’ve done some online shopping, have the package addressed like the one below. You’ll get an e-mail from mail services when you need to pick something up.

Your NameResidence Hall and Room NumberWashington and Lee University204 W. Washington StreetLexington, VA 24450-2116

go.wlu.edu/campusmail

}This Information here

LETTERMAIL

PACKAGES FOR MOVE-IN

PACKAGES DURING

THE YEAR

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STUDENT HEALTH CENTERThe Student Health Center, on the lower floor of Davis

Residence Hall, provides outpatient care, and inpatient care of non-critical illnesses and injuries as well as on-call urgent care during academic terms. Emergency medical situations beyond the scope of care at the Student Health Center are evaluated and treated at Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital, just one mile from campus.

go.wlu.edu/healthcenter

UNIVERSITY CARDYour University Card is essential to everyday life on

campus. It will be used as:

• Your W&L student ID• Your card access to residence halls and campus

buildings• Your meal card• Your debit card for “general debit” and food purchases• Your credit card in the University Store, Auxiliary

Services, Copy Center and with approved organizations

go.wlu.edu/universitycard

WASHINGTON AND LEEU N I V E R S I T Y

204 W. Washington Street

Lexington, Virginia 24450-2116

UNIVERSITY COUNSELINGW&L students can receive counseling for any social,

academic or emotional problems. First-year students are encouraged to seek assistance from the Dean of First-Year Students, the staff of the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, the academic deans, a faculty adviser, the University Registrar, physicians and/or counselors. Counseling is useful for a broad range of issues including, but not limited to, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, sexuality, anger management, academic achievement, grief and family issues.

go.wlu.edu/counseling

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What You Will Learn About W&LWhile every student’s time at Washington and Lee is unique, there are several formative experiences that

bind the undergraduate student body together. These shared experiences form the foundation of your college career. From the very beginning of Orientation Week you will feel like part of a family—the sense of community that permeates the atmosphere of the University. This section provides the details about first-year orientation, an overview of residential life, and a taste of what you’ll encounter in the years to come.

FIRST-YEAR PROGRAMThe First-Year Program provides you with resources,

information, mentoring, programming and advising. The cornerstone of the First-Year Program is the residential life experience, facilitated by the undergraduate resident advisers for first-year students’ staff. RA’s work closely with first-year students and offer assistance as new students learn about their new “home away from home.” They provide a variety of fun and interesting programs and events for their residents, while serving as wonderful academic and social resources.

go.wlu.edu/fyp

ORIENTATION WEEK Orientation Week will introduce you, one of the newest

members of our community, to the Washington and Lee traditions which are central to the past, present and future of the University. The Honor system, undergraduate curriculum, student self-governance, clubs and organizations fair, educational and social events and meeting fellow classmates are just a few of the many highlights of the orientation program which takes place during Orientation Week, September 4-9.

go.wlu.edu/oweek

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TRADITIONSTraditions are what bring the student body together

as fellow Generals. We all come from so many different places, we all have different values and beliefs, and we all spend our time differently. The following are just a few examples of the many customs, stories and concepts that set W&L apart and bring students closer.

THE SPEAKING TRADITIONThe Honor System

Putting a Penny on Traveller’s Grave

Nabors Service Day

The Cadaver SocietyMock Convention (every 4 years)

Fancy DressSpring time on the Maury River

H i k i n g o n t h e W o o d s C r e e k T r a i l

Studying on the front lawn

Quality time with professorsParents & Family Weekend

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GENERALLY SPEAKINGEvery campus has its own language, and W&L is no different. You’ll pick it up in no time once you get here, but here are a few

to get you started.

D-hall the Marketplace, located on the bottom floor of Elrod CommonsCo-op/Café Café ’77/Emporium, located on the main floor of Elrod CommonsCommons Elrod Commons, the entire building or the living roomC-School Huntley Hall, the Williams School of CommerceJ-School the Journalism building“On the hill” on campusThe Colonnade made up of Newcomb, Payne, Washington, Robinson and Tucker HallsThe Quad the area between Davis and Gilliam residence halls and Baker office spaceEC Executive CommitteeSJ C Student Judicial CommitteeHV honor violationFD Fancy DressSciLi Science LibraryBob and George Robert E. Lee, George WashingtonCadavers secret societyLex Vegas LexingtonTraveller Safe-ride bus system

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RESIDENTIAL LIFE AT W&LAll first-year students live on campus in one of four residence halls: Graham-Lees, Davis, Gilliam or Gaines.

A resident adviser serves as a resource to a small group of students on a residence hall floor. RA’s are upper-division students who want to help make your first year at W&L an unforgettable experience. The Residential Life staff comes from a group of the best and most approachable student leaders on campus, so you’ll be in good hands while you’re learning the ropes at W&L.

John W. Davis Hall • Location: BDG Quad • Floors: Three • Coed: by Floor except 2nd floor, co-ed by room • Air-Conditioning: No • Room Types: Double • Rate: $3,780 (DB) • Residents: 84

Frank J. Gilliam Hall • Location: BDG Quad • Floors: 4 • Coed: by Floor • Air-Conditioning: No • Room Types: Singles and Doubles • Rates: $5,705 (SL); $3,780 (DB) • Residents: 90

Graham-Lees Hall • Location: Across from BDG Quad • Floors: 4 • Coed: by Floor • Air-Conditioning: No • Room Types: Singles and Doubles • Rates: $5,285 (SL); $3,500 (DB) • Residents: 251

Francis P. Gaines • Location: Behind BDG Quad • Floors: 4 • Coed: by Suite • Air-Conditioning: Yes • Room Types: Singles and Doubles • Rates: $6,480 (SL); $4,295 (DB) • Residents: 80 first-year students

go.wlu.edu/residentiallife

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ACADEMIC ADVISINGStarting your academic career at Washington and Lee will be both exciting and challenging. Your initial

faculty adviser will explain Foundation and Distribution Requirements (FDR’s), help you finalize your schedule for fall term and support you as you start to choose a major. This relationship begins over the summer, when you fill out an information form for your future adviser detailing your academic and extra-curricular interests.

You will pre-register for courses you think you’d like to take. The pre-registration process is a tool to gauge interest in classes, so it’s important that you complete this step over the summer. You will set your final schedule, however, with your academic adviser during Orientation Week. Orientation Week is full of opportunities to get to know your adviser, the first of which is the academic adviser dinner. Each adviser hosts dinner for his advisee group (made up of no more than six first-year students).

go.wlu.edu/academicadvising

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TwitterDave Leonard, Dean of First-Year StudentsJeff Hanna, Executive Director of CommunicationsScott Dittman, University Registrar

E-mailGenerally SpeakingMonthly e-Newsletter

Social NetworkiNg

STAY CONNECTEDFacebookClass of 2014 Group PageUniversity Fan PageCampus Activities Fan PageRegistrar Fan Page

WordpressWhat’s News BlogCampus Activities BlogFrom the Sidelines Blog @

go.wlu.edu/social_media

go.wlu.edu/confirmed

WASHINGTON AND LEEU N I V E R S I T Y

Lexington, Virginia 24450-2116

First-Year Program, Orientation and Residential Life

(540) 458-8405