The Board’s Decision: Remembering the Students in Student Life
The Board of Trustees’ recent decision to amend the University Bylaws and modify the role of faculty oversight in non-academic student activities created a great deal of turmoil last semester. Some parties viewed it as retaliation for the faculty’s decisions to recommend Washington and Lee University change its name and to postpone Greek recruitment. Nonetheless, the Board explained the decision as a carefully considered alteration meant to reflect university processes in practice. Rather than the faculty, the Board holds “the President and the Vice-President for Student Affairs ultimately responsible” for supervision of student life.
Per their explanation, the Board did not redistribute control of student activities from faculty to students. They gave University administrators a more clearly defined responsibility over the direction of student activities. It is important for students to have mentors and advisors in the administration and faculty – these adults have valuable life experiences and expertise that helps students conduct themselves with integrity in preparation for the “real world.” However, the Board’s decision raises questions regarding student self-governance and independence.
Over the past year, Washington and Lee’s administration has sometimes exhibited indifference towards the experiences of its students. Instead of alerting students before making important decisions regarding student life, the University hosted town halls afterward, where it proceeded to steamroll dissenting student opinions. Instead of presenting factual statistics to support their decision to postpone Greek recruitment, members of SAC offered anecdotal evidence and shamed outspoken students for not caring about the health of the greater community. Members of SAC mentioned that the “vast majority” of faculty supported the decision and that they listened to the “loudest” voices. Without actual numbers, this sounds like SAC simply heeded the most passionate faculty members, in place of the ones that understand Greek life and who were aware that Recruitment was to be fully virtual, Bid Days are always sober events, and gathering limits prohibited large, in-person activities.
At the time, my main question was, “why encroach upon recruitment and other areas of student leadership out of fear that students will violate rules, when clearly delineated consequences for rule-breaking already exist?” The faculty’s decision doesn’t encourage better behavior in students or trust in the community. If anything, it fosters resentment and confusion over inconsistent COVID rules and standards.
Rather than limit student activity and self-government, the school should use its network of administrators and advisors to support students and encourage their activities. Student leadership in college trains students for social and professional dynamics after college. Autonomy inculcates virtue and promotes personal growth because it depends on individual responsibility. By giving students more authority over their own activities, the school would encourage accountability.
Concerns that more student leadership coupled with less faculty oversight leads to hazing, drunk driving, and sexual assault can be mitigated by the systems in place to keep students safe. Every Greek organization has accountability processes, the school has Title IX administrators, and students pay for a safe ride system in their tuition.
Students need to learn to channel youthful passion and take responsibility for their behavior before they leave W&L. Continued reduction in student leadership and increased administrative oversight weakens our access to hands-on learning, development of life-skills, and agency in our education. Freedom and the ability to prudently control one’s actions is the most valuable gift Washington and Lee can give its students before graduation. W&L is a small community, and we should encourage qualities in students that benefit the whole. More student self-government in areas related to student life guarantees that students have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
[The opinions expressed in this magazine are the author's own and do not reflect the official policy or position of The Spectator, or any students or other contributors associated with the magazine. It is the intention of The Spectator to promote student thought and civil discourse, and it is our hope to maintain that civility in all discussions.]