<p>The Lexington Triad:
Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha Order, and Sigma Nu were all founded by Lexington students during Reconstruction. KA Order was founded at W&L, Sigma Nu and ATO at VMI. A monument now commemorates this trio.</p>
<p>Not much of a monument to be honest . . .</p>
<p>True. It's more like a concrete disc from the pictures. Where exactly is it on campus. I assume it's somehow straddling the two campuses?:)</p>
<p>Yup, right on the border of W&L and VMI, meaning only a small minority of W&L students ever see it (I happen to jog past it, that's the only reason I know where it is).</p>
<p>how are the fraternities rated...first tier, second tier, third tier?</p>
<p>which fraternities are considered the best and are they all southern in attitude?</p>
<p>don't even touch this one.</p>
<p>The point of fraternities and sororities is that that there are "good fits" for every student depending on interest, so that each house is important to the campus community. At schools like W&L, where most students rush and join, most who want to participate usually find one to enjoy. That's the only rating that counts in my book.</p>
<p>Artschoolmom, I can understand your concern regarding the Confederate uniforms. I would not rule out exploring other southern universities. There are many southern schools which have a more enlightened atmosphere and attitude. My child is a freshman at Emory (which has a KA Chapter). Although I have not investigated this, based upon my understanding of the sensibilities of the students at Emory, I don't believe they would condone such a celebration of the confederacy.</p>
<p>More enlightened? What is that supposed to mean? What Are you suggesting about W&L? And once again because Emory has a chapter of KA you will have the same issue there. Also emory's chapter of KA actually has a history of racial issues.</p>
<p>Just because most students at Emory are sensible, doesn't mean every single fraternity is. Just because one fraternity at W&L might not be, doesn't mean the rest of the students aren't. I had always assumed parents on this forum had more enlightened attitudes and didn't judge an entire school by a small group of people. I guess I was wrong.</p>
<p>true that.</p>
<p>I think more people who don't "fit the mold" should go to W&L. Go BECAUSE you don't fit in. It will make it a MUCH better place. Unfortunately I wasn't brave to attempt to change enough about the place while I was there, but I hope others do. Based on my new experiences, I say the more diverse, the better for the university and the student body.</p>
<p>is it really 2:30am?</p>
<p>Don't blame me if that post didn't make sense...</p>
<p>my question about which fraternities were the best etc. was not well put..I was interested in which ones attract the athletes, which ones attract the politicos, which ones are appealing to the intellects etc...i.e. who feels most comfortable where...</p>
<p>FYI artschoolmom - I attended Stanford and was a KA there. We had a spring party. Many of the guys wore Confederate unis and some of the girls wore Antebellum-style dresses. We had a portrait of Robert E. Lee hanging in the entrance of our house. These things had nothing to do with slavery or racism or anything other than the traditional values like honor, duty, loyalty and chivalry that were emobided by Lee. We had African-American brothers and African-American dates. It was nothing but good-natured fun. </p>
<p>I've been to W&L with my kids who applied there. It's a wonderful place and a fine school. But I'd be much more concerned about whether your child has a sufficient wardrobe of Ralph Lauren/Polo shirts, pants and shorts than I would be about latent racism.</p>
<p>clover, try not to go into W&L with preconceived notions about the frats. There will be plenty of opportunities to visit all the houses once you get there. Just find the guys you are the most comfortable with.</p>
<p>and because of delayed rush you will certainly have the time to do it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your comments whittierest. My college freshman son has already made his choice, but being the parent of a high school sophmore daugher and a seventh grade daughter, I have taken your comments to heart. My review of other posts on the W & L sight indicate that perhaps this campus is too preoccupied with what students wear to inverviews, sorority rush, parties, etc. I appreciate the benefits of a small liberal arts academic environment, but am not certain that my daughters could fit into the requisite lilly pulitzer, ralph lauren, pink and green mold.</p>
<p>W&L is not the only campus concerned about dressing for interviews. Go to any Ivy League school and listen in to a conversation among job-hunting seniors . . . school is not the only place where you are judged by how you dress (and I refuse to believe that there is any college where that does not happen)</p>
<p>My freshman General says if you look closely at the other girls (if you are so inclined), the outfits embody more of the preppy look than the actual labels. Yes, there are girls who wear Lily sundresses to football games. There are also girls who wear other brands as well. Not sure how the boys work it, but the girls in my daughter's dorm has bonded so much that they are always lending and borrowing clothes and accessories.</p>
<p>I think the only way to really judge any school is to visit.</p>