Formation of the Residential and Social Life Working Group

To: The W&L Community
From: Rector Mike McAlevey '86
Date: Sept. 23, 2021
Re: Formation of the Residential and Social Life Working Group 

As part of the process leading to the decisions we announced in June, the Board of Trustees heard from more than 15,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents. One commonly raised question within all groups from whom we heard was whether our campus residential and social institutions promote accessibility, inclusivity and choice for all students. In the June announcement, we announced a plan for the Board to lead a review of this question.  

Today we announce the formation of a Residential and Social Life Working Group. This working group will assess the current structure, challenges and opportunities of W&L’s residential and social experiences and propose actions to foster a community in which all students can be engaged and included. 

The working group will be co-chaired by Trustee David Lehman ’99 and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Sidney Evans. The 15-member group will include representatives from the Board, the faculty and the administration, and will be assisted throughout the process by both a student advisory group and an alumni and parent advisory group, who will provide feedback and further inform the analysis. 

We undertake this review with open minds. The working group will explore such questions as:

• How do we support and enhance a residential and social experience that is conducive to student success, thriving and satisfaction?
• Are there ways that our residential and social experience, including Greek life and other student activities, could be more inclusive? 
• In what ways can we improve the residential and social experience for underrepresented students?

The working group will hold its first meeting in October 2021, and further updates will be shared by the chairs as their work progresses.