<p>Heyy everyone ~ I'm a new poster here sooo I'd love to answer any and all questions about W&L. I'm a freshman and I am very likely transferring OUT of W&L after the end of this term, sooo If you want totally honoest answers - I'm the one to ask. Lol.
I've had an interesting time at W&L to say the least- some great times, many good times, and several not-so-good times....and I've definately learned a lot in my time here.
Sooo, Here We Go! Ask away!</p>
<p>Why are you transferring? Be as specific or general as you want.</p>
<p>okayy so i wrote this whole Loooooong explanation to answer your question but it somehow got deleted. Grrr. So here is a very-much-shortened answer:</p>
<p>Fall term was great for me. I met a lot of wonderful friends, and had tons of fun at parties and various W&L events. Being "rushed" was strange, but I quickly got used to the idea (as everyone does).</p>
<p>Winter term was a different story. Rush Week didn't go well for me, and I withdrew from Rush rather than get a bid from a srat that I didn't feel comfortable with.</p>
<p>It kind of sucks being an "independant" here, when most of the other girls on your hall are getting dressed up for mixers and formal events several nights per week, and you are still resigned to the fall-term-ish plan of walking into random parties, where it seems like every other girl there is a member of the same sorority. </p>
<p>I only have one other good friend who isn't a new srat member, and she's an independant because she got "cut" from all of the srats only 2 nights into Rush week, and I have no idea why. She is a smart, outgoing, popular person who has had no problems making friends. (I also know of another indepedant girl who can be described exactly the same way, and also got cut from all) Sooo I really do not agree with a system in which any of these wonderful people are forced into a minority group of independants. As one, its not at all impossible to have a good social life. I have an older friend who is verry happy and verrrry social as an independant but it definately makes things MUCH more difficult. And frankly, I do not think that is fair.</p>
<p>Also, I have personally witnessed the Executive Committee (EC) conduct a very unfair honor-code-violation trial. Though I veiwed the honor code with much respect in the past, I can't be proud of the current system as I've seen it at work thus far.</p>
<p>to continue....</p>
<p>Like I've said I have several WONDERFUL friends here, and I've met many great people. But the people I've find myself seeking friendships with here are an obvious minority of the student body. I've found that most of the people I wind up being good friends with are from the north, not ultra-conservative, not hard-core partiers, open-minded, free-thinking, and unconcerned with "fitting in" to the W&L "mold". And while there are great ppl like that on campus, they defintely are the minority. At this point, I feel like I'd rather be on a campus where the types of people I want to be friends with are the Majority. </p>
<p>W&L can be a fantastic college for some people, and I feel like if I knew someone well enough I would definately be able to predict reasonably well whether or not W&L would be the right school for them. I have a younger friend who is looking at schools right now who I am encouraging to look into W&L because I strongly believe she will love the school and be very successful there. But sadly, it's not for me.</p>
<p>sorry to hear about your negative rush experience -- couldn't you rush in the fall. esp since you withdrew? I had many sisters who weren't ready for one reason or another to pledge freshman yr. and became invaluable members of my sorority (incl. president!)</p>
<p>very interested in the allegation of unfair trial - can you be more specific about why you consider it to have been unfair? it's always helpful to have facts rather than conclusory characterizations. was it something specific in the process or just the result that you consider unfair? what was the charge/outcome? did you personally attend the trial or witness the unfairness, or are you relying on someone else's report? something of a professional interest for me, not just as parent of incoming freshman.</p>
<p>to reply to esquette:</p>
<p>as far as rush, I do not think I want to be involved with a sorority now, after viewing so many negative sides of the sorority system. I know that had I joined a srat I probably would have been a big advocate of joining one....but sometimes I think its good to see the "other side". I now realize that I'd rather form friendships with people based solely on our interactions with eachother, not just because we are "sisters". I know that this would be possible at W&L but I know that it will be easier someplace else. </p>
<p>As far as the trial goes, sorry but I can't discuss that at this time.</p>
<p>But on a brighter note.... There are lots of things that I like about W&L so PLEASE lets not make this a "tell me bad stuff about W&L" forum, cuz I'm not here to do that. I just want everyone to know what they are getting into...heehee. Word of advice from a wise old freshman,</p>
<p>understandable on both counts</p>
<p>a friendly tip from someone who works in the justice system every day - you may be well served to avoid publicly complaining about the trial or judges until all final appeals have concluded, as difficult as that may be.</p>
<p>Seems like you are staying positive and keeping things in perspective while dealing with the downsides. It cannot be easy to have had your hopes and expectations disappointed -- so brava for you, HereWeGo!</p>
<p>HereWeGo, have you already been accepted to other schools, or are you going to try to be a January transfer? </p>
<p>I totally agree with your seeing the "other side," as I too got screwed by a fraternity. It's ridiculous to have a one ball system (where if one brother has a problem with you, even if he has never met you, [as happened to me] you do not get a bid). I had some great friends in this particular house, and they were super ****ed at this one kid for balling me. It's just very unnatural to have friendships be determined by such an arbitrary process. As a member of the newly started fraternity here (by my choice; I could have gone to an established house if I wanted to), I sometimes feel left out like you because we won't be having mixers, formals, etc. until next year when we get more members. </p>
<p>I, too, have made some great friends, but as you said those kinds of people really are the minority here. I did consider transferring but I just feel too devoted to the things I'm involved in that will hopefully improve life at W&L for everyone. Plus, at this point, I think doing a January transfer would be really hard, moving in the middle of the year...</p>
<p>Hey MorhanGH ~ I will likely transfer for the fall, the school I'm considering is cutting me a break because I was accepted there with a scholarship as a senior in HS. i WILL miss so many things about W&L though. I've made many good memories at this school, and will continue to recommend it to people I feel would be successfull here.</p>
<p>Forget my last post. In light of the recent atrocities I have witnessed, I cannot in good conscious recommend this school to anyone who values integrity. I'm sorry, but I cannot elaborate now. Let's just say I am very happy that I had already decided to transfer, because I would never wish to return to this place. Some things look pretty, perfect even, on the outside. Once you get to look deep inside "the system" and get to know enough important men and women though, you will find out how ugly it all really is. I couldn't ever be proud of a W&L diploma after knowing what I know now.</p>
<p>Again, I will discuss what I have witnessed at a later time ~ I promise to get the truth out.</p>
<p>HereWeGo is probably speaking of the Open Hearing that will take place tomorrow morning in Lee Chapel. When a student is convicted of an honor violation, he is allowed to call for an Open Hearing. If convicted there, it is placed on his record that he was expelled from the school due to an Honor Violation, rather than being able to write "left for health reasons," etc. on transfer applications.</p>
<p>This is the first Open Hearing in eleven years. We are not allowed to discuss these matters with members outside the W&L community, but I can say that the accused doesn't look to have a very strong case. I will be attending the hearing tomorrow and will simply post if it seemed fair or not.</p>
<p>Please don't let HereWeGo's posts change your feelings about W&L-- the people I know in the EC I regard with the utmost respect.</p>
<p>So sorry for your bitterness. Bad things happen - it's what you do about them that counts, that defines character. </p>
<p>With all due respect, HereWeGo, posting your feelings is perfectly legit, but one wonders why you choose once again to broadcast them in a public forum like CC without disclosing any of the underlying facts. </p>
<p>Some things a career in the courts has taught me: (1) examine the facts, not simply the argument, (2) people who experience the same event often do not perceive or report that event the same way, and (3) fairness requires that we reserve our verdict until all the facts are in -- there are always at least two sides to any dispute. So until you post facts along with your feelings, I shall respectfully decline to convict W&L of the "atrocities" you allege.</p>
<p>If MorganGH is correct that you are not allowed to discuss these things with people outside the W&L community until the matter is finally resolved, then HereWeGo would be well-advised to refrain from doing so on CC until after the open hearing and the ensuing verdict.</p>
<p>HereWeGo: how would you describe the type of student who would do well at W&L? How would you describe yourself in contrast?</p>
<p>MorganGH: what type of qualities do you see as lacking in the majority that you look for in friends?</p>
<p>Esquette, you have a very good point. I would love to wait until the trial that was supposed to take place tomorrow and then discuss what I witnessed but unfortunately, even that is not allowed. The EC threatens everyone involved with the case to not discuss it with anyone. But I believe that not discussing the problems with the current system would be the most dishonorable thing to do. Morgan, no offense, but you likely have heard a very skewed version of the case. I guarantee that I know many more details than you will ever know. I do not agree with this ridiculous system anymore, it just doesn't make sense to me. Why aren't we allowed to discuss the inner workings of the EC? WHy are they so secretive? Why can't parents and prospective students know what is going on? </p>
<p>I do not believe that there will be an open trial tomorrow. If we look at past examples, students ussually withdraw before an open trial after being harrassed and threatened by members of the EC. </p>
<p>If you are interested in this matter, don't take my word for it. Go to <a href="http://www.thetrident.org%5B/url%5D">www.thetrident.org</a> and search "Honor Trial". I believe that there are many interesting articles on the 2nd page of search results that a friend showed me. You will find these articles enlightening.</p>
<p>HereWeGo: There a message on the EC page that says the site is being updated. When I searched Honor Trial, I got two letters to the editor in result. When I clicked on the first, it flashed on the screen for a second and then the page couldn't be found. Is this just an isolated problem I'm having, or....Hmmmm</p>
<p>HereWeGo, clearly you have some inside knowledge of the case, or at least you claim to. Personally, I don't see why you would lie about that so I believe you - in which case you really should not be discussing it in this way. It is true that if past history holds again, there will be no open hearing tomorrow. If the accused person is truly innocent, I believe that they will probably go on with the hearing tomorrow in front of 12 random jurors, and the student body will get a chance to hear the facts before the jury makes a decision. Until then, I see no need to discuss the case further on a public forum.</p>
<p>Personally, although I have heard of past problems, I still believe in our honor system and in single-sanction. I will be very much surprised if I no longer believe in it after the events of tomorrow. We can debate the merits of EC procedure and single-sanction all you like, but it is unfair of you to expect us to accept your view of the Honor System here based solely on your statement that you "know many more details than [any of us] will ever know" about this case.</p>
<p>herewego, your claim that students have been "harassed" and "threatened" by the EC is ridiculous, dishonest, and irresponsible. please stop spreading mistruths about the most respected student-run organization at w&l. your statements rely on nothing but personal speculation, not substantive evidence, and thus do a disservice to everyone wishing to gain a genuine appreciation for what w&l represents.</p>