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Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Downtown Lexington is seeing businesses close, relocate and change ownership.

Appalachian Sage sold as downtown businesses shake things up

Businesses continue to play musical chairs with downtown storefronts. Two popular Lexington cafés have changes brewing
Josh Darrow
March 24, 2025
Sgt. Austin Reter was fired from Public Safety in January.

Former Public Safety Sgt. Austin Reter says he was fired over “false pretenses”

Students have taken to Fizz and started a petition calling for Reter’s reinstatement
Aiden Kelsey, Local Editor
March 24, 2025
Dean Tamara Futrell leads the Office of Inclusion and Engagement. Her title has been changed to dean of student engagement and leadership.

W&L rebrands Dean Futrell’s title amid federal DEI scrutiny

The university is making quiet changes as colleges nationwide face pressure over diversity initiatives
Erika Kengni, News Editor
March 24, 2025
Thirteen vehicles in the Davidson Park lot and along East Nelson Street were broken into on March 17, according to police. The Lexington Police Department asked community members to help identify the suspect in a Facebook post on March 19.

Unlocked vehicles open the door to crime near Davidson Park

Students reported one vehicle stolen and several others rummaged through. Public Safety and Lexington Police urge everyone to lock their cars
Cami Knott, Web Editor
March 24, 2025
Lizzy Nguyen, ’25, completes work in The Marketplace. Nguyen is one of many students whose plans were interrupted because a halt in fellowship funding.

Funding freezes put status of fellowships on ice

Amidst current pauses in federal funding, Washington and Lee students face potential loss of study abroad opportunities
Elizabeth Ososanya
March 24, 2025
Departments will cut their discretionary spending by 10% to close the university’s deficit.

Departments asked to cut budgets in the face of expected deficit

Cuts will affect every department differently. But all professors can likely expect a lower raise
Emma Malinak, Editor-in-Chief
March 24, 2025
Craig VanClief, left, served as the head of Public Safety for a year and a half. The university hired Alex Rabar, right, to take the role of interim director in January.

W&L quietly replaces VanClief and welcomes interim Public Safety director

Former Rutgers police captain Alex Rabar will temporarily fill the position as Washington and Lee University conducts its search for a new chief officer
Aiden Kelsey, Local Editor
March 10, 2025
Sunrise Sandwich and Breakfast Burrito costs rose this semester due to increasing egg prices.

Students forced to eat higher egg prices

W&L Dining Services have cracked down on costs of campus favorites like the Sunrise Sandwich to address national supply shortages
Josh Darrow
March 10, 2025
Students play in the snow on the Colonnade.

Last-minute closures cause confusion during W&L snow

W&L’s delayed snow day responses on Feb. 11 and 12 left students and faculty commuting in hazardous conditions
Cami Knott, Web Editor
March 10, 2025
Ryman Smith, ’27, Grace Rustay, ’27, Megan Hess and Steve McAllister discuss sustainable investing at a panel.

Panelists cast doubt on divestment. New student group says green investment is the better solution.

The Sustainable Innovation Investment Society plans to give students the tools they need to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to environmental activism
Emma Malinak, Editor-in-Chief
March 10, 2025
The Department of Education sent the "Dear Colleague" letter to all federally funded schools on Feb. 14. Image designed by Emma Malinak, '25, with graphics courtesy of the Department of Education and Flickr.

Department of Education letter threatens W&L programs related to race

The Department of Education gave schools 14 days to end all DEI programs. It’s been 21 days, and W&L has not made any official changes
Julianna Stephenson, Editor-in-Chief
March 6, 2025
A group of W&L seniors studies and does homework together.

W&L students thrive post-pandemic, professors say

Amid nationwide pandemic learning loss, the resilience and drive of W&L students allows them to succeed
Julianna Stephenson, Editor-in-Chief
February 17, 2025
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