Washington and Lee University
Q: I am excited to know where I am going to be living--when are room assignments sent?
A: Room assignments are sent to your W&L email address no later than August 1st. We often get them out sooner, and all assignments (except rolling changes) are sent on the same day.
Q: My student wants to participate in one of The Leading Edge pre-orientation programs. We cannot come to campus twice to assist with move-in as we live too far away. What do you recommend?
A: It is not necessary for a student's family to come to campus more than once for move-in. If your student applied to participate in The Leading Edge and has a confirmed spot on one of the trips, plan to come to campus on Sunday, August 30th. The residence halls will be open for move-in between 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM. At 2:00 PM, students depart on their Leading Edge trips, and there is an informal meeting for parents in Lee Chapel with the Dean of First-Year Students and the President. Students will have the opportunity to settle in to their rooms when they return on Friday, September 4th.
The move-in day's schedule is exactly the same on September 5, which is the date to come to campus if your student did not choose to participate in The Leading Edge. Also, On Saturday, September 5, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, ALL INCOMING STUDENTS (first-years, transfers, international students, regardless of arrival date) officially CHECK-IN to the University during a process that takes about 30-45 minutes to complete as they follow a path through the Early-Fielding Building.
Q: When will I get the forms that have to be completed before my son/daughter enrolls (for example, the medical forms, etc.)?
A: The New Student Guidebook will be mailed to all new students by June 1, 2009 and contains all the forms that need to be completed before enrolling. Within the Guidebook is additional information that will be helpful when planning the first year at Washington and Lee. Information will also be available in PDF format so students have an exact copy of the Guidebook to access forms necessary for matriculation.
Q: May I choose my residence hall?
A: You may state a preference but, as stated on your housing contract, no housing assignment can be guaranteed. If you want to state a preference, you may do so on your housing contract, or send a letter to the Office of the Dean of First-Year Students.
Q: How can I return some of these forms when I don't know my room assignment?
A: You will need to hold those forms until after you receive your room assignment (no later than August 1st).
Q: When will I receive my housing assignment?
A: After August 1. We cannot begin housing assignments until all students confirm and return their housing forms.
Q: What size sheets should I bring?
A: Bed sizes in the first-year residence halls are all extra-long twin size beds.
Q: When is Parents' Weekend?
A: October 30-November 1, 2009
Q: I've heard local accommodations are already filled during Parents' Weekend. What can I do?
A: Local accommodations tend to book a year in advance for Parents' Weekend (which is good advice when making plans next year). 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 $100 a night to the local Habitat chapter in exchange. To make a reservation or to ask a question about Habitat Hotel, contact Nellie Rice at nrice@wlu.edu.
Q: As a parent, I want to know more about what the substance abuse policies are at W&L?
A: Washington and Lee believes strongly in providing an environment that stresses personal and academic growth for students. Read University Initiatives for Substance Abuse for complete information.
Q: Tell us about booking flights home during the holidays.
A: For Thanksgiving Break, you are safe to make flight arrangements for late afternoon the Friday before Thanksgiving. The same does not hold true for Winter Holiday as students can leave as soon as their last exam has ended. Most exams are scheduled by the students - some are actual in-class exams. Many students decide to take all their exams early in the week so they can leave early. Others spread it out over the entire exam period. I recommend this second option but, really, students may not feel prepared to have this conversation before arriving and talking with professors.
Q: How does the University Card work?
A: Currently the handles studen funds with the University Card, in the form of both general debit and food debit. The recommended amounts are $200 and $100, respectively, per semester. The food debit must be used this school year. Increments of $25 can be placed on the card. The student can bring in the card to the Business Office after school begins and put money on, or you can call or e-mail the Business Office and it will be charged to the student's account. The University Store takes Visa, MasterCard or Discover for book purchases.