Washington and Lee University - Calyx Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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1988: A Busy Year of A 239-year tradition ends, fraternity rush is altered, a new dorm is completed, W L improves national status, FD causes a ruckus and the mock convention caps off a banner year. The 1987-88 school year at Washington and Lee was a year of fervent activity, as numerous changes took place both externally and internally on the W L campus. The completion of Gaines Residence Hall created not only an additional place for W L undergraduates and law students to live, but with its eventual completion in Dec- ember, a new building comprising both the old and new in its architectural design quickly found its place within the W L community. On a more personal level, the third class of coeds arrived in Lexington in September, result- ing in the all-male senior class ' being outnumbe- red by the coed classes for the first time in W L history. However, with the full integration of women into W L activities, the transition pro- gressed fairly smoothly. Fraternity rush was rescheduled in September from two weeks to only one this year, the result being cries of protest from fraternity members and freshmen males alike, both arguing that neither could make informed choices as to pledg- ing from only bnef contact with one another. Causing further student protest, the W L fac- ulty voted in February to take the Interfratemity Council out of the rush scheduling process, giv- ing the Student Affairs Committee the authority to set up the rush calender for the 1 988-89 school year. IFC President Mark Farley said a deferred pledgeship, beginning dunng winter term, was almost certain to be included in next year ' s cal- endar. In November. W L received two honors. USA Today chose W L as the 23rd choosiest college in the nation. Colleges were ranked ac- cording to the percentage of applicants accepted for the 1986-87 school year. U.S. News and World Report chose W L as the 25th best liberal MOCK EMOCRATIC fllCO arts college in the nation. The rating of colleges j in this report was based on a survey of college presidents across the nation. Fancy Dress was at a controversial all-time high in March with the Minority Students Association voicing strong opposition to the ball ' s theme. The Reconciliation Ball of 1865. The MSA eventually staged a boycott in regards I to what it considered the celebration of a period ' ■ in which blacks were oppressed. The Student Activities Board said the theme was chosen as a celebration of the Civil War period ' s influence upon the tradition of W L. adding that the Fancy Dress Ball is a social event, not a politi- cal one. Just two weeks later, the 1988 Mock Demo- 1 18 The Yeari Jteview fi

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' ♦ ' ' , ' : - ?i The Year in Review ' .; ' ? -f ' fi iiaii. -SySf ' '

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Change and Growth cratic Convention was held. The event has been called the most realistic and accurate of all the mock political events held at the nation ' s col leges. Holding fast to what many consider a re markable track record, delegates spent two chaotic days convening before nominating Mas- sachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis as the next Democratic nominee for president on the second roll call vote. Tennessee Senator Albert Gore was quickly nominated vice president. As spnng term approached, the hectic pace slowed a bit as students, especially graduating seniors, spent sunny afternoons at Goshen and late nights at The Palms. Thus, in June of 1988 the last all-male class graduated from Washington and Lee University, ending a 239-year tradition of all-male status. i i r- ' fC- r -V ' 1 Opp. top: The banner announcing The Reconciliation Ball hangs outside Doremus Gym. Opp. bottom left: Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young gives the keynote address at the 1988 Mock Democratic Convention. Opp. bottom right: An excited crowd cheers on The Generals in the Homecoming football game. Top left: Sophomore Mike Meers an- xiously awaits another rush date. Top right: The Covington High School Band marches in the Mock Convention Parade. Bottom right: Sophomore QB Philip Sampson consults with Coach Fallon during the Homecoming game. Tlie ear in Review 19