First-Year Program

Welcome to the First-Year Program website at Washington and Lee University. Our web pages are designed to serve prospective, entering, and current students and their families with information about the many facets of the first-year experience at the University. Please feel free to browse and if you have any questions, we hope that you will not hesitate to contact us.

At Washington and Lee University, faculty, staff and student leaders work collaboratively to help students succeed. Our goal is to assist new students as they development academically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. There is a direct connection here between what happens in and beyond the classroom; you will find that our academic and student life programs are complimentary and interrelated.

The First-Year Program begins at the onset of the summer of the freshman year with mailings such as the New Student Guidebook and information pertaining to University Computing and establishing a W&L e-mail account. New students are strongly encouraged to utilize their new e-mail accounts and to check their e-mail frequently since this is the primary way the University conducts its business with students. New students will receive their residence hall assignment and the name of their initial liberal arts adviser electronically and will also pre-register for academic courses online. You may want to review the University Student Handbook.

First-year students have the option of participating in The Leading Edge pre-orientation programs--a variety of challenging and rewarding service learning and backpacking trips that take place in late August one week prior to Orientation Week. Pre-orientation participants evaluate these programs very favorably.

The 5-day Orientation Program introduces the newest members of our community to those Washington and Lee traditions which are central, both functionally and philosophically, 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.

The First-Year Program provides new students with resources, information, mentoring, programming and advising. The cornerstone of the FIrst-Year Program is the Residential Life experience, facilitated by the undergraduate Dorm Counselor (DC) staff. DC’s work very closely with first-year students and offer assistance as they learn about their new “home away from home.” DC’s provide a variety of fun and interesting programs and events for their residents and serve as wonderful academic and social resources.

Members of our Student Affairs staff take great pride in working as collaborative partners with our students. Please explore our website and feel free to call (540-458-8405) or e-mail us (dleonard@wlu.edu). We would enjoy talking with you!

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