Washington and Lee University

Through the University's diversity and inclusion initiatives, an admissions counselor "focused on diversity recruiting" was hired and athletics liaison roles were established "to support coaches’ efforts to recruit a more diverse class of student athletes."

Following the Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions, the University President stated, "Our commitment to diversity... remains unchanged."

As part of the First Year Readings, the university provided three articles by Ibram X. Kendi to all first-year students arriving at the university as the common reading assignment for students to engage in conversation and discussion sessions.

As part of the Provost’s Office Initiatives, Activism and Black Life is a yearlong series of events and discussions featuring topics on Anti-Racism, Race and Policing, and American Racial Injustice.

First-year students will undergo a Diversity First Pre-Orientation program “as an interactive educational experience discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

The 2023 Freshman class was required to attend a 2.5-hour mandatory training titled "Continuing Education: Diversity, Inclusion and Community.” Students were told by University representatives that those who did not attend "would be reprimanded."

Sophomore students are required to take the "Perspectives Seminar" which "encourages understanding of the ways that various identities, including but not limited, to gender, sex, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or class have shaped experiences and systems in the United States and beyond."

A "DE&I Passport" is now a part of the general education requirements and will ensure "students engage in experiences that include but are not limited to courses, lectures, panels, debates, organizations, trips, and projects related to diversity, equity, and inclusion."

The university states that it is "committed to responding promptly and effectively, as appropriate, to bias incidents reported by members of the University community."

The University has "implemented Diversity and Implicit Bias training for senior administration, new employees, new supervisors, and members of search committees."

The University created several new positions including an "associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion" and "three full-time staff positions to the Office of Inclusion and Engagement."  

Following the nationwide protests of 2020 and requests from students, faculty and alumni, the Board of Trustees at Washington and Lee University “decided to expand diversity and inclusion initiatives and make changes to campus buildings, practices, and governance” by specifically dedicating $225 million for Strategic Plan priorities, redesigning the university diploma, and renaming Lee Chapel to University Chapel.

As part of the Washington and Lee University Strategic Plan, the university has invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and has “allocated $10M in additional funding from the endowment to accelerate this work.”

The $40 million endowment earnings will be dedicated to "enhancements to the curriculum and enrichment of the experience for all students at W&L." A portion of the funds will be used to "support a new academic center for the study of Southern race relations, culture, and politics."

The Diversity and Inclusion Visit Experience program is offered twice a year to "students of color," "students who are undocumented," "first-generation college-going students," and students with financial hardships. The program aims to provide "opportunities, resources, and support for diverse students on our campus."

University is offering a writing seminar on "How to Overthrow the State".

In an April 2024 report titled “No Graduation Without Indoctrination: The DEI Course Mandate,” the organization Speech First “investigated 248 colleges and universities across each state” and found that “[more] than two-thirds include DEI academic requirements,” including Washington and Lee University. According to the report (pg. 16), the university's "entire general education curriculum is aligned with DEI principles" and " includes a '[DEI] Passport,' where students engage in experiences related to DEI to fulfill the school general education requirements."

A resource guide on "anti-racist pedagogies" was assembled for faculty and staff. The guide includes "The Race and Pedagogy Journal," "Go-To Readings for Anti-Racist Pedagogies," "Every Work of American Literature Is About Race," "Pedagogical Strategies to Acknowledge and Discuss Institutional Legacies of Racism," and other anti-racist resources.

A Black/African Diaspora Alumni Mentoring Program is available for undergraduate students.

The Board of Trustees changed the name of Robinson Hall to "Chavis Hall in recognition of the first African-American to receive a college education in the United States." Lee-Jackson House was renamed Simpson House, choosing to "honor the first woman to become a tenured professor at the university."

Lee Chapel was renamed "University Chapel," and interior changes were made to "physically separate the auditorium from the Lee family crypt and Lee memorial sculpture." The University also discontinued the celebration of "Founders Day," which was "traditionally held on the birthday of Robert E. Lee."

The University hosts an annual event called "Donning of the Stoles." Founded in 2006, the ceremony "celebrated the academic and personal achievements of students of African descent." As of May 2016, the graduation ceremony "extended its invitations to all students from marginalized backgrounds, encompassing various aspects of diversity."