John W. Elrod Commons Renovation Washington and Lee University
“Physical capital matters, and this renovation will result in a literal space to build community. Having Student Activities and the Class of 1994 Office of Inclusion and Engagement in the same space as Greek life and the Title IX office is so important because it demonstrates the commitment of the university to the well-being of students outside the classroom.” — Ayo Ehindero ’21, former head intern for the Class of 1994 Office of Inclusion and Engagement and Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment Counselors
Since it opened in 2004, the John W. Elrod Commons has been the center of student life and activity on Washington and Lee’s campus. Named for W&L’s 22nd president, the building reflects Elrod’s vision for a stronger W&L community. With the renovation of the second and third floors, Elrod Commons will offer new opportunities and services to foster student success. The new and re-envisioned spaces are designed to fuel greater collaboration and maximize each student’s participation and contributions on campus. Center for Inclusion and Engagement (CIE) In one of the earliest projects arising from W&L’s latest Strategic Plan, the second level of Elrod Commons will be reconfigured to bring together the Class of 1994 Office of Inclusion and Engagement, Title IX and disability resources, Student Activities and Greek life. Resources currently spread over three floors of the Commons will move to the same level to more effectively serve students. The CIE will feature a programming area, a sacred space for students, a clothing and food pantry, and staff offices and meeting space. Adjacent
Architectural space concepts
to the center will be workrooms for student organizations and publications to gather, collaborate and fulfill their various functions.
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Sacred space: Designed to provide a sense of belonging for members of the W&L community from different faiths, this area will feature prayer mats oriented to the east and the flexibility for other configurations, as well as open seating outside of the sacred space for students to study or gather informally.
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Clothing and food pantry: Washington and Lee students are not immune to food insecurity. This space will not only help to meet basic grocery needs but also enable students to acquire clothing — including professional attire for interviews — facilitating a supportive, positive college experience for all students.
HIGHLIGHTS ◗
Programming space: At the heart of the center is a spacious room for programming that can seat 60 people or be reconfigured for breakout groups, meetings, trainings and social gatherings. Designed with student input, this space features comfortable seating for informal gatherings when not in use for events and activities.
“Elrod Commons is the center of W&L’s student life — we congregate there to work together, eat together and engage in student activities such as tabling efforts, fundraising drives and meetings. Bringing the Executive Committee’s office to the Commons will allow students to access their officers and representatives more easily and will strengthen W&L’s culture of student self-governance.” — Chase Calhoun ’21, 2020–2021 EC President
CIE (Diagrammatic Plan, Level 2)
CIE Event Space
CIE Sacred Space and Open Seating
Gallery windows will bring light into the interior of the Student Affairs section.
inviting environment. A large open area for meeting or informal use, an enclosed conference room and a smaller meeting room on the mezzanine provide opportunities for collaboration and gatherings. Staff offices on the exterior of the floor will feature natural light and comfortable space for meeting with students.
Student Affairs Level three of Elrod Commons has been designed for the offices of Student Affairs to be more accessible and to provide ample space for students to engage with staff. Gallery windows will bring natural light into the interior of the Student Affairs section of the third floor, creating an open and
Executive Committee Offices Another section of level three will become home to the meeting room and offices of the Executive Committee (EC), which is currently located in the Early-Fielding University Center. Two EC offices and a spacious meeting room will facilitate the work of this studentled and student-elected body, and a nearby break room will offer a respite during long meetings or hearings. Considering the role the EC plays in allocating funds to clubs and organizations, the move to the Commons will facilitate deeper connections between student leaders and the student body as a whole.
Architectural rendering of third floor open meeting area.
Call for Support Renovating and repurposing these three areas east of the atrium of Elrod Commons will result in a more efficient use of space. More importantly, it will support an initiative identified in the university’s Strategic Plan to include, engage
and connect all members of our community to W&L and each other. This project will require an investment of $4.7 million. Commitments may be paid over five years, and donors may choose from many exciting recognition opportunities.
To learn more about how you can support this important initiative, please contact the Office of University Development at 540-458-8410.