About Justin King Expertise Strengths of school: the honor system, the manageable size of community, the friendly student body and faculty, and the balance of the quality of academics and fun.
Expert: Justin King Date: 6/6/2000 Subject: Student Body
Question I am interested in W&L and was just wondering a few things. I have heard that W&L`s student body is extremely conservative, in what ways is that statement true and/or false? What does the statement that W&L students have to dress up for class mean exactly? And my final question is with something like 85% of the students going Greek, is it possible to have a social life and not be Greek? Thank you so much for your help.
Answer Francesca,
Thanks for your question(s). I feel like I can provide a good response, even though I graduated 5 years ago now (yikes!).
First, let me say that W&L is a wonderful, wonderful place. If you have already visited, you know what I mean. If you haven't yet, you are in for a treat. I LOVED my 4 years as a student so much that I stayed an extra year as an employee (in the alumni office)! The more alumni you talk to, the more you will recognize the high regard in which we all hold our alma mater.
Having said that, let me answer your questions:
1) Yes, I would agree that the student body at W&L is extremely conservative. At least it was when I was a student. I think it is changing with the times, but it is slower to do so than many other colleges. By conservative, I mean that although you will find a variety of viewpoints and political ideologies, the majority of students is (or was) pretty conservative and probably votes Republican. Being a southern school with Lee as one of its founding fathers, conservatism thrives. I didn't find it to be a bad thing, but I am fairly conservative myself. If you want further discourse on this, please follow up with me (see email address below).
2) Where did you read that "students have to dress up for class"?! In the 50s, all of the students wore coat & tie (when it was all-male -- until 1985), but the freshmen wore beanies then, too (!). When I was there, a baseball cap was sometimes referred to as "the W&L comb."
3) Although the vast majority of the student body is greek, (85% males, 60-65% females) it is DEFINITELY possible to have a fun social life and not be greek. All students are welcome at all of the greek functions (except of course for the formal ones, where the members invite dates) and it is common to see students from all corners of the campus at a given fraternity party. I attribute the popularity of the greek system to the void of social alternatives in Lexington. In a small town with one decent bar (okay, maybe 2), where the underage students are unwelcome (owing to the strong honor system), there is frankly little else to do. Creativity can give rise to alternatives, however, and fraternity parties aren't necessarily the only option, just the most popular one.
I hope this has helped. Sorry to be so long-winded. I enjoy discussing W&L and would welcome the opportunity to elaborate. If you would like to ask more, just email me directly at: kingjt@wilkinson.law.ou.edu.
Take care and good luck with your college decision.
