Written by Melissa Hammond
You could no more describe the “average” Hollins woman than you could describe the “average” piece of Chex Mix. You’ve got the pearl-wearing horseback riders; the artsy, modern dancers; the manga-crazed, fantasy-loving creative writing majors; the easy-going, faux-hawked lesbians; the busy, overachieving student government officers; and many, many others. One characteristic that unifies almost all Hollins women is a strong personality; the accepting atmosphere and strong sense of community on campus gives students the freedom and self-confidence to express themselves and flaunt an unconventional beauty. Though Hollins has distinct cliques, most students form friendships that bridge the gaps between those groups; at Hollins you don't have to hang out with just one group of people.
The lesbian dating scene is very present on campus. Hollins has a strong support system for lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersex, queer, and questioning women. Like any dating scene in a small community, it generates lots of gossip and drama. Those who prefer men seek out off-campus resources, such as neighboring schools (Virginia Tech, Virginia Military Institute, Roanoke College) or downtown restaraunts and clubs. Don’t expect to meet men at Hollins parties; the admissions office claims they “truck men in” from other schools for dances and parties, but this is not true. At Oktoberfest 2011, for example, approximately five men graced the dance floor, and most of them had come with their girlfriends.