Black Students' Thoughts on the Honor System and Recruitment

Black Students' Thoughts on the Honor System and Recruitment

Black Student Experience

The Honor System at Washington and Lee is one pillar of this institution that draws potential students in. Since 1901, the Honor System has driven the way of life on campus, deterring W&L community members from lying, cheating, stealing, or in general, breaking the community’s trust. In both the 1997 exit survey and the 2018 survey, students were asked their thoughts on the Honor System and the Executive Committee. In 1997, 70% of students believed that the Honor System was applied in an even-handed manner for black and white students and 60% believed that the Executive Committee judged cases fairly. The 2018 interviewees were split by class. While the senior class had their reservations, the underclassmen felt that the Honor System and the EC were fair bodies.
While the Honor system is one strength, other aspects of Washington and Lee help attract the best and the brightest to the campus. Historically, the minority population has been a miniscule percentage of the student body, and in both interviews, students were asked if the black student population is adequate. 93% of the 1997 interviewees and 100% of the 2018 interviewees said no. For student recruitment efforts, many students said that they would recruit or have recruited, but with the caveat that they do so, or would do so, by sharing their honest experience with prospective black students. Many want to see the numbers grow, but both 1997 and 2018 interviewees said that they want black students to make the choice for themselves.

Sasha Edwards

May 17, 2018

English

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