Washington and Lee University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

https://www.wlu.edu/general-counsel/code-of-policies/discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation/non-discrimination-equal-employment-opportunity-statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Washington and Lee University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran's status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment.

Statement on Response to Bias Incidents
Washington and Lee University strives to be a diverse and inclusive community. It draws intellectual and social strength from the range of knowledge, opinion, belief, and background of its members, whether of age, ancestry or ethnicity, color, creed, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, immigration or citizenship status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, religious practice, sexual orientation, or veteran's status.

Bias incidents - - incidents that one could reasonably conclude may intimidate, mock, degrade, or threaten individuals or groups because of actual or perceived inclusion in any of the categories or statuses listed above - - can adversely affect the members of our University community and undermine the climate of civility and respect necessary to achieve and maintain a diverse and inclusive community. The University is therefore committed to responding promptly and effectively, as appropriate, to bias incidents reported by members of the University community.

https://www.wlu.edu/general-counsel/code-of-policies/discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation/statement-on-response-to-bias-incidents

In 2017, W&L created a new diversity statement and put it forth to the President and Board of Trustees. In Feb. 2018, this new statement was approved by the Board of Trustees:

Recognizing that diverse perspectives enhance the educational experience for all, we foster a welcoming and inclusive community of mutual respect and understanding. We are committed to recruitment, enrichment, and retention of faculty, staff and students who celebrate myriad experiences, cultures, points of view, interests, and expressions of identity. As engaged citizens in a global society, we seek opportunities to build community and empower our individual abilities through open, substantive dialogue.

We have two policies that guide procedures regarding support for those who have who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime:

University Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Other Than Sex (https://my.wlu.edu/general-counsel/code-of-policies/discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation/university-policy-on-prohibited-discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation-other-than-sex)

And the Sexual Discrimination and Misconduct Policy (https://my.wlu.edu/general-counsel/code-of-policies/discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation/sexual-discrimination-and-misconduct-policy)

Examples of supportive measures provided include:
- A Title IX coordinator and Assistant Title IX coordinator for employment who are there to assist with concerns/reporting/processes related to harassment and discrimination on the basis of protected categories, as well as sexual misconduct.
- The Carilion Employee Assistance Program: The EAP is a free, confidential service provided by Washington and Lee to assist employees and their family concerns or problems. These can include but are not limited to stress management, substance abuse, depression, anger, anxiety and grief both at work and at home. This program is completely confidential-W&L does not know who uses the benefit or what is discussed.
- The counseling center holds the 3 pm hour open daily for students with urgent needs.
- We also have access to My SSP: Student Support Program, which is available 24/7.
- There’s also “Let’s Talk,” which is a brief, drop-in session for students with counselors.
- The Student Health Center is also open 24/7, if an emergency arises after hours.
- Free Access to the Headspace app for students
- The University provides Discrimination Policy Advisors who:
- Serve as an advisor during the formal or informal process of allegations of violations of the University Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, Other Than Sex Policy and the Interim Sexual Discrimination and Misconduct Policy.
- Provide information about procedures and options to staff, faculty, and students who feel they are being discriminated against or harassed because of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran's status, or genetic information.
- Keep everything as confidential and private as possible
- We have the LiveSafe application, as well, which LiveSafe allows students, faculty, staff and visitors to: Share/report suspicious or dangerous activity information (can be done anonymously if the user chooses), Have peace-of-mind with SafeWalk, Summon emergency help, Access emergency information
- Links to resources and frequently asked questions can be found here: https://my.wlu.edu/sexual-misconduct-resources/faqs

Washington and Lee partners with QuestBridge, a national non-profit organization, to assist low-income, high-achieving students with college applications. QuestBridge connects students with admission and scholarships to W&L and 39 other partner colleges and universities. Almost 10 percent of each entering class at W&L is made up of QuestBridge students. (https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid/types-of-aid/questbridge/)

Additionally, we host Diversity and Inclusion Visit Experiences (https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/visit/dive/). DIVE offers an immersive campus visit experience to curious, committed, high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds. While on campus, prospective students learn about the transformative opportunities at W&L and the ways to make an impact on our community as a conscious, civic-minded scholar. The Diversity and Inclusion Visit Experience (DIVE) is a selective, two-day all-expense paid program for rising high school seniors with a focus on personal engagement with faculty members and current students, life in a residential campus community (including an overnight stay in a first-year residence hall), and a primer on W&L's admission and financial aid process.

The Max and Sylvia Weinstein Scholarship was established to recognize an entering first-year student with an exemplary academic and extracurricular record. It is a unique opportunity for students of the Jewish faith who hope to become involved in Washington and Lee's vibrant Jewish community. The scholarship is for full tuition and is renewable for four years of work at Washington and Lee, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average. (https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/additional-scholarships/)

We are also a member of the American Talent Initiative. https://www.wlu.edu/the-w-l-story/leadership/office-of-the-president/issues-and-initiatives/community/american-talent-initiative-ati/

As for faculty/staff...

Implemented recommendations from Recruitment and Retention Task Force to improve hiring of diverse faculty and staff;
Partnered with Human Resources to identify outlets for position ads to generate diverse applicants and increase support for trailing partners;
Joined the Consortium for Faculty Diversity and the Ph.D. Project to generate more diversity within applicant pools;
Increased emphasis on diversity-focused affinity groups within professional associations;
Developed new protocols for developing and reviewing diverse candidate pools;
Created an ambassador program to support diverse candidates throughout the recruitment process;
Founded Professionals of Color network with sponsored events throughout the year;
Established annual reporting from the College and Williams School to Board of Trustees on faculty composition and recruiting outcomes;
Established regular reporting to College faculty on W&L diversity data;
Published Groove, a monthly collection of Black-themed events at W&L and other institutions in our region.

https://www.wlu.edu/the-w-l-story/leadership/office-of-the-president/issues-and-initiatives/community/diversity-and-inclusion/

AIM Program
(Advanced Immersion and Mentoring)
The mission of the Advanced Immersion and Mentoring (AIM) initiative is to instill within incoming first-year students an increased sense of confidence and belonging. As Washington and Lee furthers its ongoing commitment to a diverse and inclusive community, the development of AIM as our Quality Enhancement Plan will provide meaningful support and foster connections for talented students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.

The AIM initiative will engage students, faculty and staff on the undergraduate campus in a three-tiered approach. One objective is the AIM Scholars Summer Program, being modeled after the former Advanced Research Cohort (ARC) Program for STEM fields with the goal of providing immersive academic opportunities across the liberal arts to empower a broad group of incoming first years (AIM Scholars) from varied backgrounds. (https://my.wlu.edu/provosts-office/for-students/aim-program)

Support groups for students on campus include:
Finding Our Truth: A weekly confidential support group held off-campus for those questioning or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Group is held at 4:00 p.m. on Fridays and is for undergraduates and graduate students alike who are searching for a confidential safe space to gain support and insight from peers seeking their own truths. https://www.wlu.edu/lgbtq-resource-center/resources/confidential-support-group

LGBTQ Peer Counselors: Our trained, friendly peer counselors all identify as members of the LGBTQ community. They are willing to share their experiences on campus and invite you to contact them any time with questions, concerns, or if you just want an ear to bend. https://www.wlu.edu/lgbtq-resource-center/resources/lgbtq-peer-counselors

Multicultural Student Association: The mission of the Multicultural Student Association (MSA) is to assist members of the Washington and Lee student body in developing an appreciation for and interaction with students of different social, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. MSA promotes and encourages diversity through social, recreational, and educational programming designed to bridge the gap between diverse groups on campus. We strive to support the recruitment and retention of qualified students and to provide opportunities to foster their success and happiness. https://www.wlu.edu/executive-committee/student-organization-resources/ec-recognized-student-organizations/msa

Pan-Asian Association for Cultural Exchange: PAACE provides an environment where students can come together to appreciate the different Asian cultures of the world. And in turn, we hope to be able to spread our love and appreciation for Asian culture to the Lexington community. Our primary goal is to reach out to those who are unfamiliar with the Asian culture and allow them to experience a taste of it here in Lexington.
https://www.wlu.edu/executive-committee/student-organization-resources/ec-recognized-student-organizations/paace

Knowledge Empowering Women Leaders: To complement and enhance the presence of women at Washington and Lee, through leadership training, service, programming and participation in Women’s Studies courses. https://www.wlu.edu/womens-gender-and-sexuality-studies-program/related-organizations

Student Association for International Learning: Student Association for International Learning, widely known as "SAIL," is an organization dedicated to addressing international issues within the Washington and Lee (W&L) community and sharing with the W&L campus new and different answers to social, cultural and political questions. Most importantly, SAIL promotes exchange between the diverse cultures represented at W&L. Simply put, "bringing the world to our campus" describes what SAIL does. https://www.wlu.edu/executive-committee/student-organization-resources/ec-recognized-student-organizations/sail

African-American / Black Alumni Mentoring Program
The African-American / Black Alumni Mentoring Program at Washington and Lee seeks to connect our current students with Washington and Lee alumni across the country. Mentors would provide a wide array of support and guidance as well as strategies for obtaining internships, graduate school admissions and post-graduation career opportunities. This program would not replace the resources available through existing programs and services at the University, but rather create additional ones to ensure student success.
https://my.wlu.edu/office-of-inclusion-and-engagement/diversity-resources/african-american-black-alumni-mentoring-program