An Introduction to Housing and Dining

• Residential Life
  • First Year Housing
  • Upper-Division Housing
  • Law Student Housing
• Dining Services
  • Campus Dining Facilities
  • Meal Plans

College life isn't all academic, and where you live and what you eat are an important part of every student's experience. More than 50 percent of W&L students live on campus, with first-year and sophomore students required to live in University housing. Options for first-year students include single and double rooms in both traditional and suite-style residence halls, each divided into sections of 12 to 20 students supervised by a resident adviser.

Sophomore students have the option of suite- or apartment-style living, as well as single or double rooms in themed and Greek housing. Juniors and seniors may choose to remain on campus or live off campus, in downtown apartments or country houses. Regardless of their housing choice, the vast majority of students remain in Lexington on the weekends to enjoy the range of cultural, social and athletic activities the University has to offer.

First-year students are required to purchase a Full Board meal plan and take the majority of their meals in the Marketplace, an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located in the John W. Elrod Commons, close to first-year residence halls.

Upperclass students have several meal plan options which allow them to take their meals in any of the three campus dining facilities, as well as in fraternity/sorority housing and off campus. On-campus dining alternatives to the Marketplace include Café 77, a counter-service café serving freshly prepared sandwiches, hot foods and convenience items, and the E. Café, a kosher dairy café featuring bagels and spreads, a smoothie bar and made-to-order sandwiches.