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College Prowler

Athletics

There are a lot of athletes on campus, but you will definitely fit in if you don’t play a sport. Basically, sports at our school are not taken all too seriously. The athletes take them seriously when they are in season, but every athlete is also a student, and because we know that we’re not going to be professional athletes, we realize that it is also important to do well in school. This creates the general attitude about sports that they aren’t all that important, which might explain the lack of a strong fan base at the major sporting events.

Campus Dining

The food at W&L basically depends on what year you are. The Marketplace, mainly where freshmen eat, offers a wide variety of choices at each meal. Some upperclassmen choose to eat in the Marketplace during the rest of their time at W&L. Our Café, the short-order restaurant that is open most of the day, is great for meals and snacks. Many upperclassmen eat at fraternities or sororities. Each house has a different cook, and there is enough variety in the food choice to make it worthwhile. The meal plans are for those who may just want a few meals a week, as well as for those who can’t even boil their own water.

Campus Housing

My freshman room was a nightmare. It was far too small for a roommate and me to live in. We tried to work it out until Thanksgiving, but then we gave up. The room was just too small—we couldn’t even fit our two beds in the room without them blocking the door. On the other hand, when we contacted our Dean of Freshmen about the problem, she resolved all of the issues very quickly. We were each given our own rooms and life became a lot more pleasant. Freshmen are not alone—the administration is there to help them.

Campus Strictness

Local police are not at all student-friendly. I once got a ticket for unloading my car outside the freshman dorms. However, W&L security guards are wonderful and very helpful to students. Unless you park illegally—then your car will be towed.?

Computers

There are two computer labs in the library—one open all day and one open at night. There are also two computer labs in the Williams School of Commerce—one in Newcomb Hall, a huge lab in Tucker Hall (TMC), one in the journalism school, and a computer lab for the bio, computer science, and psychology departments (all open 24 hours). These labs are not staffed, but during the day you can inquire for help from the help desk, and after-hours in the library and science library there is someone on duty, but all they can really offer is printing paper.

Diversity

Students naturally tend to segregate themselves, mainly because of the Greek system. ‘I’m an SAE’ or ‘I’m a Chi-O’ is almost always attached to somebody’s identity, whether it’s good or bad. Don’t get me wrong, the Greek system is great, and I really enjoy it. But it certainly has its stereotypes.

Drug Scene

Several of my sorority sisters did not drink at the beginning of the year, some of them for moral reasons. Now I am the only member of my pledge class who does not drink. While I have never felt directly pressured to drink, W&L’s social scene largely revolves around alcohol. I think that many students are indirectly pressured to drink.

Facilities

Facilities on campus used to be crappy, but this year they have completely renovated Leyburn, Wilson Field, etc. The University is excellent about updating facilities as they get out-of-date. Commons is a great place to hang out, get some food, and generally waste time.

Greek Life

Fraternities and sororities (to a lesser degree) are the social scene. Official party nights are Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays—you are guaranteed to have a big fraternity party on each of those nights. Alternatives are few and far between; the University tries to lure students to low-key events like acoustic evenings or outdoor activities, but to no avail.

Guys & Girls

Fashion is kind of important if you want it to be. Obviously, if you show up wearing a brightly colored polo shirt, madras shorts, and top-siders you’ll probably have an easy time fitting in a certain group. If you’re a girl showing up in seven jeans, pearls, and a cute top, you’ll probably have the same easy time finding a certain group. If you show up with gelled hair, a tight shirt, and designer jeans, you’ll fit into a particular group. Cliquish, yes, but we all love each other.

Local Atmosphere

The Lexington area is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. The population is rural, but the town is charming, old, and full of intrigue. Everything in town is basically within walking distance, although a car is necessary to get to places like Wal-Mart. The outdoors are definitely a plus in the area—there is a river hotspot about a half an hour from town where you can go tubing, swimming, and sunbathing. And there are plenty of places to hike—we’re in the Shenandoah Valley, after all.

Nightlife

The parties are great, but they start and end early compared with other schools. People here go out from around 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. As a freshman, making friends with some upperclassmen who can give you a place to pre-game is a must. After pre-gaming, people normally hit whatever fraternity is hosting a DJ/band party. There are also the country houses, which are fun options when the weather is good. Also, I wish I had better equipped my wardrobe for theme parties. If I dressed up for every theme party, I'd be in a ridiculous outfit three times a week. Except for Macado's, the bar/club scene is non-existent. The fraternity dance parties and parties at off-campus houses more than make up for the lack of bars. Also, they keep the cost of a night out way down.

Off-Campus Dining

For the small size of Lexington, there are a surprising number of restaurants. Downtown, there are cafés and bistros, small markets, and quality restaurants for all types of food-seekers. There’s plenty of fast food, although ‘Lex’ could definitely use a Chick-fil-A. In terms of cultural restaurants, there’s Chinese, American, Vegetarian, French, Italian, Tex-Mex, and a new International foods store that carries sushi and all sorts of foreign delicacies. Most of the larger restaurants are locally owned, but we do have Applebee’s and Ruby Tuesdays.

Off-Campus Housing

Since housing is done by a lottery system, and rising sophomores get first pick and seniors get last pick, it is fairly difficult as a senior to get on-campus housing. There isn’t really a lack of space, but sometimes seniors end up ‘filling in’ empty rooms in apartments or suites with random sophomores or juniors who have these empty rooms. This is often less than desirable since people generally like to live with their friends. It all depends on when your number gets picked.

Overall Experience

I love W&L, but there are certain things about it that you need to like if you’re going to enjoy yourself. First, you have to be cool about being at a really small school. You have to be comfortable enough with yourself if you’re not from the South. Second, you should probably be okay with being in the Greek scene. Also, we don’t inflate grades here. Yeah, you might be really smart, but it won’t be easy. It’s well known that certain teachers hate on freshmen.

Parking

It is pretty easy to park around campus if you are a junior or senior because there is a parking garage right next to campus. Sophomores and freshmen live close enough to walk to campus, and freshmen can keep cars on campus, but they have to park them in a lot that is off campus.

Safety & Security

The police are pretty strict and are looking to give W&L students tickets; students learn quickly to drive the speed limit through VMI and to never walk outside a party where cops have congregated unless you are walking to the Traveler vans.

Transportation

Well, if by public transportation you mean your feet, then it's great! Honestly, I don't think I've seen a public bus or a taxi cab in Lex (although cabs are available). W&L does have Traveller, which runs at night to take students to and from the major party scences, a shuttle to Wal-Mart during the weekend, and campus security, which will give rides at night from campus to dorms.

Weather

There are four seasons in Lexington, although they all have their pitfalls. The summer is quite hot and humid. Fall tends to be pleasantly warm, although cold rains sometimes spoil things. Winters are mild, and most snow tends to fall while class is out of session for winter break. The weather is often mercurial and can change multiple times in one day.

Academics

Classes tend to be small and discussion-based. Freshmen can anticipate a lot of choice in their class selections, and professors and advisors who are eager to help them navigate individual classes and general education requirements. As you get into your major, you tend to know more and more of your fellow majors. Professors frequently consult upperclassman majors when they plan courses or consider changing teaching strategies. All professors administer and consult end-of-course evaluations (some even do midterm evaluations) to find ways of better teaching their students.