https://www.wlu.edu/student-life/student-activities/greek-life/greek-organizations has links to fraternities (nationals) and sororities (W&L chapters).
The sororities appear to be highly, though not completely, racially segregated, based on the photos on the chapter web sites. Fraternity chapter web sites are not linked (the links go to national organization web sites). At other schools, fraternities tend to be less racially segregated than sororities, but may still be very racially segregated at some schools.
With 80%/75% of women/men joining sororities/fraternities, making them the presumed center of social life, it may mean that attending W&L risks resulting in the student’s social interaction being mostly racially segregated.
I find it odd that both the black frats and sororities are designated with not only wording to associate them as such but by asterisks as well. :-?
IMHO, a school named after Robert E. Lee, a Confederate general, wouldn’t appeal to many people, especially minorities. They sent me a fee waiver and I considered applying, but when I did some research and saw the preppy, conservative, fratty feel, I knew I’d never be comfortable there. By the way, I’m not a minority, but I do identify as liberal politically.
^^Similar reasons my next child out (Black) is not applying there, though we did our research and knew that academically she would be a fit. The area is said to be beautiful, though a little remote, another reason it is not right for her.
@greenteen17 The exact same thing happened to me. I got the application fee waiver from Washington & Lee which was appealing. However the whole Robert E. Lee factor was a turn off. Also I’m a black female and I felt like this school wouldn’t be a good fit for me at all.
My son is fairly liberal (I am not) and refused to even visit W&L because of its reputation as a conservative school. He carries the name of a noted Confederate general, so I dare say he would have been a fit. Maybe the grandchildren.
If W&L is different from other universities, I think that’s a good thing. Schools shouldn’t all be the same.
I agree with the general consensus it is all about the preexisting makeup of the school alongside what may be the perceived legacy of the school. It is hard to attract a diverse group of applicants to a school that is not very diverse in itself. Also something to consider: in general there are less Asian-Americans in general at smaller liberal arts schools, especially in the south when compared to its nationally ranked counterparts. Part of this may have to do with the fact that there is less name recognition to begin with and many Asian-Americans come from a close-knit community if immigrant families, which cause certain colleges to be more well-known than others. Another part may be the aforementioned greek communities or preppy conservative bent, which students may feel uncomfortable with. Personally when I was considering colleges, I did not want to go to a college that had little economic diversity or focused on partying, which of course varies among chapters and colleges, but when the majority is greek and are from upper to upper middle class families, it may not have the same appeal as colleges with more diversity or where a student may feel more comfortable. Washington & Lee tends to draw students who may be looking for a certain type of experience, which is fine, but that may not be fore everyone.