New students will have access to apply for housing once you have confirmed your admission to W&L and received an email from the Office of the Dean of First-Year Experience. Information packets will simultaneously be sent to confirmed students weekly via USPS beginning in April. Housing assignments and roommate contact information will be sent to your W&L email account TBD.
Some furniture dimensions may vary. The measurements listed are for most furniture within First-Year halls.
Trunks/foot lockers are not allowed to be stored in hallways. Baggage should be packed with this regulation in mind. Empty trunks, footlockers and luggage may be stored in trunk rooms in the basement of Gaines.
Hand guns, rifles, shotguns, blow guns, stun weapons, paintball guns, other weapons, use or storage of self-balancing two-wheel motorized boards, self-propelled electric scooters and similar devices, also known as Hover boards, swagways, IO Hawks, Skywalkers, etc., fireworks, funnelators, cooking appliances, water beds, non-approved loft beds, 3D printers, air conditioners, space heaters, ceiling fans, candles, incense, halogen lamps, air conditioners, cinder blocks, extension cords and multi-prong adapters except power strips with circuit breakers that are UL 1363, alcohol for all students under age 21, all drugs as defined as "controlled substances" under Virginia state law, and refrigerators of more than 2.5 cubic feet capacity are not permitted in the residence halls. The only cooking appliance allowed in the dorms is a MicroFridge unit (see below) which contains a microwave oven, refrigerator and freezer. Information about renting these units is available through the Melvin Corporation Website. All Washington and Lee housing facilities are smoke-free. This includes, but is not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vapors, oils, hookahs or any other smoking devices. Smoking is not permitted in any areas of the residence halls or houses, including student rooms, hallways, balconies, porches, and stairwells. Smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of any building containing residential units.Pets are not permitted in the residence halls. Service animals are allowed on campus and in housing as an accommodation for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and University policy. Emotional assistance animals are allowed in housing if approved in advance as an accommodation for a documented disability in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, Virginia Fair Housing Law, and University policy and protocol. All on campus residents are required to comply with the policies, guidelines, and expectations for students outlined in the Washington and Lee Student Handbook.
In order to satisfy the demand for refrigerators and microwave ovens, Washington and Lee University has approved the MicroFridge rental program. The MicroFridge unit consists of a microwave oven and a refrigerator with separate freezer in an integrated unit. The MicroFridge is the only cooking appliance allowed in students' rooms.
All First-Year residence hall beds are EXTRA LONG (XL) TWINS. Residential Life has partnered with Residence Hall Linens to provide Washington & Lee students and families with a convenient, affordable way to ensure you have sheets that will fit the extra-long mattresses in our residence halls. Proceeds from this program are used for programming in the residence halls. Shipping is free for all Value Pak orders, and there are more than 26 color combinations available. Plus, linens are delivered to your home during the summer so you don't have to worry about waiting in line at the store. Order now for the best selection - popular colors can sell out quickly! Please visit the RHL website http://www.rhl.org/wlu.
Very few first-year residents will live in single rooms; the remainder are double or triple rooms. First-Year students will receive the name and contact information of your roommate (if you are assigned to a double room) during the second week of July.
We encourage you to make contact with your roommate to discuss who is bringing what to the room as room size and storage is limited. Roommates for the first year are assigned based upon completion of the housing application provided to all incoming students through the Student GHQ. Single room requests, along with other room preferences, are granted based upon timely receipt of the housing application with Early Decision students receiving priority.
Washers and dryers are available in both First Year residence halls. See Laundry Services.
Alcohol and other drugs are not permitted in FY residence halls at any time, but Substance Free Housing (Sub Free) goes a step further. Selecting Sub Free Housing indicates you will abstain from using alcohol and other drugs at all times, and that you wish to live with other students who will do the same.
Coed Housing means you will be on a hall with men and women as hallmates assigned to the same RA, as opposed to a hall of all men or all women. Roommates will always be of the same gender, and none of the bathrooms are coed.
It is recommended that students obtain renter's insurance. The University assumes no liability for personal property lost through theft, fire or water damage, or other acts of God. All students are strongly encouraged to secure renters insurance while living in on-campus housing. Contact a local insurance agency to get a quote and begin a rental insurance policy. These are usually inexpensive and protect your property against damages which the University does not. More information can be found here.
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