Student Activities FAQ
Do you offer an ROTC PROGRAM?
What FITNESS CLASSES does W&L offer?
Are there VARSITY SPORTS at W&L?
What's the difference between CLUB and INTRAMURAL SPORTS?
I haven't been "recruited." Can I still PLAY SPORTS at W&L?
Who is eligible to play INTRAMURAL SPORTS? How many people play IM sports?
What is the OUTING CLUB?
What INTRAMURAL SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES are available for students?
Does W&L have a GYM?
What is the FANCY DRESS BALL?
I've heard LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS are already FILLED for NEXT YEAR'S PARENTS AND FAMILY WEEKEND. What can I do?
When is PARENTS AND FAMILY WEEKEND?
What sort of SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES are there at W&L?
What is RELIGIOUS LIFE LIKE at W&L?
How do I join a STUDENT ORGANIZATION?
What is there TO DO on campus?
Do you offer an ROTC program?
Information on our ROTC program may be found here.
What fitness classes does W&L offer?
Fitness classes are taught by certified instructors each term through Campus Recreation. For more information on the group exercise, please visit their website.
Are there varsity sports at W&L?
Yes, W&L supports 24 varsity sports each year. We are a Division III NCAA intercollegiate athletic program, which emphasizes academics over athletics.
What's the difference between club and intramural sports?
Sport clubs are student organized groups that participate year-round at a non-NCAA level, such as archery, badminton, boxing, cycling, skiing, tennis and lots mores . They keep regular practice schedules, maintain their own equipment and manage their own schedule of competition against teams from other colleges. Intramural sports are hosted year-round for on-campus teams to play each other, and the sports offered change by season. One week it's floor hockey, the next it's table tennis.
I haven't been "recruited." Can I still play varsity sports at W&L?
Generally, yes. The best way to get recruited is to contact the coach. They'll let you know what you need to do to try out for a varsity team.
Who is eligible to play intramural sports? How many people play IM sports?
All students and employees are eligible to participate in the IM program. Fraternities, sororities, residence halls, and random groups of friends all field teams for their favorite IM sports. You might even have the chance to square off against your professors or coaches, who often play IMs, too.
What is the Outing Club?
W&L's Outing Club is an organization for students who want to participate in a variety of outdoor activities, including: climbing, paddling, backpacking, scuba certification, and day-trips for cycling, hiking, climbing, fishing. The list goes on and on. Your 4-year membership costs $40 and entitles you to access all Outing Club equipment and to participate in all day-trips. There are activities planned throughout the school-year and during most breaks. Classes are scheduled during all three terms and are taught based on student interest.
What intramural sports opportunities are available for students?
We sponsor about 25 different intramural sports each year. Ranging from IM kickball and wiffle ball to IM tennis and flag football, there truly is an IM competition for everyone!
Does W&L have a gym?
The Richard L. Duchossois Athletic and Recreation Center houses three gymnasiums, racquetball and squash courts, an indoor track, locker rooms and our state of the art Fitness Center. All of our campus exercise facilities, including the Fitness Center, are open to the entire W&L community. The Fitness Center was remodeled recently and includes treadmills, elliptical, bicycles, free weights and full time staffing in case you have questions.
Ready to take to the trails? Storm the tennis courts? Once the weather brightens up students and community members regularly put to use our outdoor facilities as well, all of which are available for the varsity and non-varsity athlete alike. Wilson Field is the home of Generals' football, men's lacrosse and our track and field programs. Towards the ruins, W&L has built practice fields, a turf game field, and plowed a trail for our cross country teams.
What is the Fancy Dress Ball?
Think that other school down the road has a cool librarian? Think again! Fancy Dress is W&L's annual black tie ball that was started over 105 years ago by the campus librarian, Annie. (The library card catalog system is also named after this hip librarian!) Over the years we've seen everything from Colonial balls to 2010′s "Moulin Rouge." And with a budget rumored to total $80,000 it's no wonder party goers forget they're still in Lexington. Regardless of the theme, one thing is for sure, Fancy Dress is W&L's favorite social event!
I've heard local accommodations are already filled for next year's Parent and Family Weekend. What can I do?
Local accommodations tend to book a year in advance for Parent and Family Weekend (good to know for making next year's plans). Your best bet now is to look in Staunton or Roanoke. However, our student affiliate of Habitat for Humanity has a fund-raiser called Habitat Hotel in which over 40 parents took part last year. Habitat Hotel raises around $10,000 towards the construction of a Habitat House in Lexington. Faculty and staff open their homes to families for the weekend, and families donate to the local Habitat chapter in exchange. Click Here for more information.
When is Parents and Family weekend?
Information regarding Parents and Family Weekend is available at go.wlu.edu/pfw.
What sort of service opportunities are there at W&L?
Most students on campus are involved with giving back both to the university and the community. Some service opportunities incorporate outreach efforts nationally and abroad.
The Nabors Service League (NSL) is a student-run service organization that fosters a campus-wide spirit of community service and engagement. NSL, named in memory of Jonathan Nabors, W&L Class of 2002, was created in Jonathan's memory as a network for volunteerism, with the goal of connecting members of the W&L community with service opportunities in Lexington and Rockbridge County. Also, the active fraternities and sororities support philanthropy and civic engagement for a variety of causes from education to healthcare. Many students choose to continue their lifestyles of service by pursuing alternative post-graduate options such as the Peace Corps, Teach for America and fellowships like the Fulbright.
The Shepherd Poverty Program is an interdisciplinary approach to solving the epidemic of poverty. This program focuses on helping truly disadvantaged communities and empowering individuals with the resources and knowledge to implement change via policy, business, and hands-on experience.
Click here to find out more about service opportunities at W&L.
What is religious life like at W&L?
Even though W&L is not a religiously affiliated institution, students will find a number of ways to explore and develop their spiritual lives both on and off campus. A great variety of multi-faith student programs are coordinated by the Office of Religious Life that connect with local faith communities. Washington and Lee University maintains its commitment to moral and spiritual values in an atmosphere free of sectarian favoritism, inviting and serving individuals of all faiths.
How do I join a student organization?
Joining a student organization is as easy as walking through Elrod Commons during lunch, where these organizations typically have tables set up. During first-year orientation, there is also an activity fair where all 130 clubs on campus will have representatives to answer questions. If one of our many clubs piques your interest, talk to a current member and he or she can provide you with specific information for new members. If you don't see an organization that represents one of your passions, then talk to our Director of Student Activities. The Director can help guide you in establishing your own club and receiving funding from the Executive Committee.
What is there to do on campus?
There are over 130 clubs and organizations at Washington and Lee. This usually means our students have a difficult time deciding which clubs to get involved with, not finding things to do! Options include fine and performing arts, community service, fraternities & sororities, multicultural and international organizations, publications and media, political, religious and sport clubs, and student government. Here's the complete list. Recent campus visitors and speakers have ranged from Billy Beane (former baseball player), to Jimmie Allen (ACM New Male Artist of the Year). Our tradition of student self-government at W&L means that students get to decide which activities will take place and which guest speakers will visit. For a calendar of events on campus, including speakers, concerts, movies, service opportunities and other campus activities, please see the University calendar and be sure to look through the Student Activities website.