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Washington & Lee University
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Washington & Lee University - Diversity - College ProwlerCollege Prowler1.54

Diversity

D+
Where does this grade come from?View all Diversity rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Diversity Grades:

Quick Stats

African American 3%
Asian American 3%
Hispanic 3%
International 5%
Native American 0%
White 85%
Unknown 0%
Historically Black College/University? No
Tribal College? No
Out-of-State Students 86%
Common States of Residence
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Texas
Student Age Breakdown Under 18: 6%
18-19: 41%
20-21: 35%
22-24: 12%
25+: 7%
Female Faculty 37%
Male Faculty 63%
Faculty Diversity African American: 4%
Asian American: 3%
Hispanic: 1%
International: 0%
Native American: 0%
White: 90%
Unknown: 1%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Washington and Lee has acquired a partially-deserved reputation for being a place where everyone talks the same (in a southern drawl), dresses the same (sandals, pastel polo shirts with popped collars), votes the same (Republican), and looks the same (white). However, much of that may be changing. The percentage of minority students has been on the rise and is around 10 percent. A dean of multicultural affairs was hired last year to spread the word that W&L welcomes minorities. There have been serious discussions about forming an African American Studies program, which would involve faculty and students from a range of departments, including history, politics, music, and English. There are also rumblings about students forming chapters of historically African American sororities in the near future, but this seems to be farther off.

In keeping with the “nostalgic for Reagan” motif, W&L harbors an active and well-connected chapter of College Republicans, officially the largest student group on campus (they “put the ‘dubya’ in ‘dubyanell’”). But the Young Democrats showed a lot of life in the 2004 election season, working local fundraisers and bringing speakers to campus. W&L fosters a vibrant and growing community of clubs and organizations, from the Boxing Club to the Knitting Club to the Williams Investment Society, in which students wheel and deal with $1 million of the University’s endowment. While students find diversity in interests, the numbers really don’t lie; W&L just isn’t too diverse, but it is working on it. The $100 million Johnson Scholarship has allowed many different backgrounds of student to attend, and everyone at the University seems to be embracing it.

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Washington & Lee Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Diversity at Washington & Lee University

cscrun19

'15

Business Administration and Management

1.9
C-

Diversity?

W&L also known as White and Loaded. Enough said. But if you're looking for diversity beyond the color of someone's skin, W&L is definitely home to many people from many different backgrounds and locations. It has a great student body!

Oct 19, 2011

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Diversity at Washington & Lee University

herperderper

'14

Latin and Ancient Greek Studies

2.7
C+

Not Much

There is currently not a huge amount of diversity on campus, but it is not difficult to be a minority here.

Oct 05, 2011

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Diversity at Washington & Lee University

salpup

'14

English

3.5
B

Diversity: "White and Loaded" Not Always the Norm

While W&L is still deeply enamored of its bow-ties, khakis, pearls, and Vineyard Vines, there is definitely diversity on campus. This diversity has been an upward trend of late. As a First-Year myself I know students of all different backgrounds and ethnicities. A very stern talk given to all First-Years at the beginning of the year, warning against racist behavior, might make one think that this behavior is common but as far as I can tell that is simply not true. (Then again, I am white and loaded so my opinion can only go so far). Yes -- there are still the white and loaded at W&L (who else would pay for all the parties?) But people of all backgrounds are welcome.

Nov 14, 2010

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Page 1 of 6

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How diverse is the student body in the following areas?

How diverse is your personal circle of friends in the following areas?

How accepting is the campus community as a whole toward someone who falls into the minority (ethnic, sexual, or religious)?

How would you best describe your personal political beliefs?

How would you best describe the political beliefs of campus as a whole?

Facts

Gay Pride

There is not a large gay presence on campus, but many students here seem fairly accepting of others who have come out. A chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance was established in the fall of 2002, and since then has brought a lot of attention to the issue.

Political Activity

W&L students are no longer as reliably conservative as they once were—there is now some competition on the political front. During the 2004 election year, Young Democrats helped to get out the vote for the local party, and College Republicans countered with their own speakers and volunteer drives. But the political scene is typically fairly low-key: students from both sides can cooperate and mingle with each other. You hardly ever see a protest or demonstration of any kind.

Economic Status

From all appearances, this is a well-off campus. However, do not be discouraged if you do not feel you fall into one of the traditional income brackets. The University has been using the Johnson Scholarship to allow academically deserving students to pursue their education at Washington and Lee regardless of their income.

Most Common Religions

Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist, in declining order. The General’s Christian Fellowship and Reformed University Fellowship are the two largest Christian groups, and they often attract about 100 people for services. Students declaring a religious preference hit 70 percent in 1998, but that percentage has now declined to 55 percent. Just over half of all undergrads list a Christian religious preference.

Minority Clubs on Campus

Minority students are very active in several organizations that know how to have good, clean fun. The Minority Students Association helps to promote minority recruitment and sponsors an annual cabaret, complete with great food in a swanky setting—bring a date and dance to soul and R&B music till the wee hours. Club Asia, after getting off the ground just recently, put on a very cool cultural fair (hint: lots of martial arts weapons). The Student Association for International Learning (SAIL) helps international students get accustomed to Lexington. It also sponsors a Model United Nations and international relief projects, as well as internationally-themed parties.

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at W&L

Name: Zachary John Barbieri

Hometown: Wayne, NJ

Major: Accounting and Philosophy

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