Liberal arts education depends on discussions in which opinions are stated clearly, examined thoroughly, and revised in light of good evidence and argument. Learning to participate in respectful debates on contested issues, by genuinely listening to others and offering up one's own views for critical examination, is essential preparation for becoming an engaged citizen and a responsible leader. That makes it mission-critical at Washington and Lee.
- William Dudley
Activation Plan
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
Washington and Lee University recognizes freedom of expression as essential to intellectual inquiry and liberal arts education. Recent examples of our commitment include:
- Participation by President Dudley and senior leaders in conferences and events sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Institute and the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression;
- Messages to the campus community foregrounding the importance of intellectual pluralism and the University’s role in providing an environment in which all ideas can be freely exchanged and discussed;
- A series of faculty panels on the conflict in the Middle East;
- A Steamboat Institute debate on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies;
- A variety of events and speakers focused on freedom of expression and civil discourse;
- A faculty cohort dedicated to facilitating difficult conversations in the classroom and providing pedagogical resources for their peers;
- A discussion of values and how to handle conflict with others when values do not align in the University’s First Year Experience course.
Washington and Lee is also committed to civic education. Our mission statement commits us to preparing our graduates for engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society. W&L’s quadrennial Mock Convention engages over 90 percent of the student body in a mock political convention to predict the presidential nominee from the party out of power. In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, student organizations provided information on voter registration and absentee ballots. The College Democrats and College Republicans are actively engaged with their local political parties, and the university planned pre- and post-election panels to discuss the issues and results with faculty experts. In spring 2024, W&L will host the Congress to Campus program, providing students with an opportunity to engage with bipartisan teams of Former Members of Congress.
William Dudley
President, Washington and Lee University
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William Dudley
President, Washington and Lee University
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
Washington and Lee University recognizes freedom of expression as essential to intellectual inquiry and liberal arts education. Recent examples of our commitment include:
- Participation by President Dudley and senior leaders in conferences and events sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Institute and the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression;
- Messages to the campus community foregrounding the importance of intellectual pluralism and the University’s role in providing an environment in which all ideas can be freely exchanged and discussed;
- A series of faculty panels on the conflict in the Middle East;
- A Steamboat Institute debate on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies;
- A variety of events and speakers focused on freedom of expression and civil discourse;
- A faculty cohort dedicated to facilitating difficult conversations in the classroom and providing pedagogical resources for their peers;
- A discussion of values and how to handle conflict with others when values do not align in the University’s First Year Experience course.
Washington and Lee is also committed to civic education. Our mission statement commits us to preparing our graduates for engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society. W&L’s quadrennial Mock Convention engages over 90 percent of the student body in a mock political convention to predict the presidential nominee from the party out of power. In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, student organizations provided information on voter registration and absentee ballots. The College Democrats and College Republicans are actively engaged with their local political parties, and the university planned pre- and post-election panels to discuss the issues and results with faculty experts. In spring 2024, W&L will host the Congress to Campus program, providing students with an opportunity to engage with bipartisan teams of Former Members of Congress.
Liberal arts education depends on discussions in which opinions are stated clearly, examined thoroughly, and revised in light of good evidence and argument. Learning to participate in respectful debates on contested issues, by genuinely listening to others and offering up one's own views for critical examination, is essential preparation for becoming an engaged citizen and a responsible leader. That makes it mission-critical at Washington and Lee.
- William Dudley