Washington and Lee University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Under-Represented Groups

Support groups for students on campus include: GLBTQ Support Groups -GLBT Equity Initiative: G.E.I will serve as an advocacy group to promote equal rights, justice, and opportunity for all members of the Washington and Lee University community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Each member of the W&L community benefits from any and all measures to increase respect and acceptance of the differences within it. G.E.I will serve as an organization for students, administrators, and faculty committed to increasing respect and acceptance of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered members of the W&L community. (http://www.wlu.edu/x22804.xml) -General Trust Support Group: General Trust is a peer support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning undergraduate and law students. The group meets weekly and is facilitated by a University Counselor in a private, off-campus location. Participants take an honor pledge to keep all information about the group strictly confidential. The purpose of the group is to help gay, bi, or questioning students develop a supportive community of friends who know what it's like to be a sexual minority student at W&L. There is no pressure for anyone in the group to come out on campus. (http://www.wlu.edu/x51818.xml) -GLBQ Peer Confidential: GLBQ Confidential is a program of confidential, non-judgmental peer support for gay, bi, or questioning students. The GLBQ Confidential Peer Counselors know what it’s like to be a sexual minority student and are fluent with the special issues that these students experience on campus. Any student who has questions or difficulties related to sexual orientation can contact any of the GLBQ Peer Counselors at the number listed on the posters around campus. The Peer Counselors are there to talk and help, and can help with issues such as making connections with other students or decisions about coming out on campus. (http://www.wlu.edu/x51820.xml) -OutLaw (Law school support group): Outlaw is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex law student group at Washington and Lee University School of Law. Our mission is twofold: to promote a sense of community among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex law students and their allies and to educate the law school, University, and Lexington communities about the legal issues facing LGBTI individuals. In order to create a sense of community and a safe, welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex law students, Outlaw puts on social events for our members, works on events with the undergraduate GLBT Equality Initiative, and holds regular meetings. Outlaw seeks to insure that the experience of every LGBTI person and of their straight friends and allies at Washington and Lee University School of Law is a positive one. (http://law.wlu.edu/outlaw/) Multicultural Student Association: Seeks to secure a just and harmonious manner to resolve our disputes and promote ethnic cultural awareness among ethnic students as well as others through cooperation with students and faculty. We strive to support the recruitment and retention of academically qualified minority candidates, provide a social support group for minority students in fostering their success and happiness. (http://www.wlu.edu/x25730.xml) Pan-Asian Association for Cultural Exchange:  Hosting events within the W&L community and community at large, PAACE plans and coordinates activities creating awareness and appreciation for Asian culture. PAACE aims to introduce events and activities that will cultivate understanding and knowledge of the various Asian heritages and Asian-American backgrounds represented at W&L. The organization also seeks to provide an environment facilitating interaction within the Asian and Asian-American community. Working with other organizations and groups that promote diversity education and cultural awareness, PAACE endeavors to help make W&L a more integrated and globally aware campus. (http://www.wlu.edu/x25732.xml) Knowledge Empowering Women Leaders:  A student-run leadership program combining course work in Women's Studies with gender-related programming outside the classroom. KEWL encourages critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, fosters understanding of women's roles and contributions, promotes self-esteem and self-confidence, and increases awareness of obstacles women have faced and are facing in order to discuss strategies to address these issues. (http://www.wlu.edu/x25836.xml) Student Association for International Learning: SAIL is an umbrella organization focused on addressing international issues within the W&L community. Divided into four different student groups, we are interested in promoting the exchange of cultures represented at W&L. The groups include the Outreach Committee, the International Student Alliance, and the International Development and Relief Group. (http://www.wlu.edu/x25733.xml)

W&L does not have specific programs for under-represented groups within the faculty. However, the University Ombuds can serve in this role: http://www.wlu.edu/x33462.xml. In addition, the University Committee on Inclusiveness and Campus Climate has recommended contracting with a Diversity Training corporation that may create support groups for faculty.

W&L does not have specific programs for under-represented groups within the staff. However, the University Ombuds can serve in this role: http://www.wlu.edu/x33462.xml. In addition, the University Committee on Inclusiveness and Campus Climate has recommended contracting with a Diversity Training corporation that may create support groups for staff.