Washington and Lee University
All first-year students at Washington and Lee University live in on-campus housing. The first-year residence halls are: Baker Hall, Davis Hall, Gilliam Hall, Graham-Lees Hall. A select number of suites are also available to first-year students in Gaines Hall.
The first-year residence hall floors are divided into sections of 12 to 20 students, each supervised by a trained upper-division student capable of giving sympathetic and informed guidance to new students. In keeping with the traditions of student life at the University, the regulation of residence halls life is based on the principle of student self-government. Except for regulations pertaining to health, safety, and alcohol and drugs, regulations governing residential life—quiet hours, inter-visitation policy, for example—are set by the residents of each section in statements of social responsibility.
Rooms with facilities for physically disabled students are available in both singles and doubles.
What is Provided in Each Room
Students provide their own bed clothing and other furnishings as desired. Window dimensions in all of the freshmen residence hall rooms are 48" x 64". Coin-operated washers and dryers are provided in the first-year residence halls for the convenience of students. Bed and bath linen may be rented for the year on a weekly exchange basis through a local laundry service which will contact incoming students over the summer. All of the articles mentioned above are available in the stores of Lexington for students who do not wish to bring them from home.
Essential Items Your Should Bring for Your Room
Items You May Wish to Bring
Storage
Trunks are not allowed to be stored in the residence halls rooms or hallways. Baggage should be packed with this regulation in mind. Empty trunks are stored in trunk rooms in the basements of the residence halls.
Prohibited Items
Hand guns, rifles, shotguns, blow guns, funnelators, cooking appliances, water beds, air conditioners, ceiling fans, candles, halogen lamps and refrigerators of more than 2.5 cubic feet capacity are not permitted in the residence halls. The only cooking appliance allowed in the dorms is a MicroFridge unit which contains a microwave oven, refrigerator and freezer. You will receive information separately about renting these units. (Rental refrigerators are also available from Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity on campus.) Pets are not permitted in the residence halls.
Air Conditioning Units
Students requiring air conditioning for medical reasons must complete a request process through the Student Health Center. If approved, you may purchase a unit that uses no more than 110 volts. The unit may only be installed by our Physical Plant personnel. The installation cost is $50.00.
MicroFridge
In order to satisfy the demand for refrigerators and microwave ovens, Washington and Lee University has approved the MicroFridge rental program. The MicroFridge unit consists of a microwave oven and a refrigerator with separate freezer in an integrated unit. The MicroFridge is the only cooking appliance allowed in students’ rooms.
The Melvin Corporation will provide rental information and the rental rate during the summer. Checks should be made payable to Melvin Corporation. Should you have any questions, please contact Mr. Jay Melvin at 540-463-3693 or melvincorp@ntelos.net.
Linens
Residence hall beds are extra-long twin beds. Below you can link to a web-site to order sheets, comforters, and mattress pads that meet our size and quality requirements. Your linens can only be ordered through July 29th, so act quickly. You may place your order by calling 800-957-4338 or pointing your browser to www.rhl.org/wlu.
The Roommate Experience
Approximately 40 percent of the first-year residence halls rooms in Baker, Davis, Gilliam, and Graham-Lees Halls are singles; the remainder are double rooms. Your housing assignment will be completed in June and July and you will receive the name and contact information for your roommate in by August 1.
We encourage you to make contact with your roommate to discuss who is bringing what to the room as room size and storage is limited. Roommates for the first year are assigned based upon completion of the questionnaire on the Conditons of Rental housingt contract sent to all incoming students upon admission to the University. Students from the same hometown or same high school are not assigned as roommates. Single room requests are granted based upon timely receipt of that form; Early Decision students receive priority.
Substance Free Housing Options
A limited number of substance-free halls are provided for students who refrain from drinking alcohol and/or who simply don't want to interact with those who are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Students residing on these halls agree to establish guidelines and community standards with fellow residents. Hall residents will work with their respective dorm counselor by participating, attending and supporting hall, campus and community programs and events aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and decisions.