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The student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

The student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

The student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Jenny Hellwig
President Will Dudley will enter his eight year in his role this fall.

Q&A with President Dudley: Looking at the year ahead

President Will Dudley discusses the institution's silence on Israel and Palestine, how he navigates alumni blowback and plans for the upcoming year
Jenny Hellwig and Shauna Muckle
June 19, 2024
Ricardo Vergara will spend six years in prison and five on probation.

Former first-year sentenced to six years in prison

Ricardo Vergara, formerly ’26, was sentenced Monday in Rockbridge Circuit Court after pleading guilty to a rape charge
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-chief
April 8, 2024
Nour Alshaer, '22, is from Gaza and returned there to attend medical school.

Former student in Gaza fears for her life while saving others

Palestinian medical student Nour Alshaer, ’22, is helping wounded and starving Gazans. Alumni asking the administration to support her are met with silence
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-chief
April 8, 2024
Phi Zeta Delta’s letters have been scrubbed from the group’s former house, which has been converted to over-flow housing. Photo from September 2023.

Suspended fraternity Phi Zeta Delta sues W&L

Phi Zeta Delta is taking to court to challenge its suspension from campus
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2024
Mohammed Mourtaja, ’25, leads discussion at a People for Justice in Palestine talk. Photo by Veronika Kolosova, ’25

Student, faculty panels criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza

The events ignited conversation on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But professors say the fear of backlash for supporting Palestine remains
Erika Kengni and Jenny Hellwig
March 12, 2024
Students call for a ceasefire in Gaza at the CARE Rockbridge Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in
January.

Campus is quiet but not silent about Israel and Palestine

Students personally impacted by the conflict say their biggest struggle is getting an activism-shy campus to keep talking
Shauna Muckle and Jenny Hellwig
February 5, 2024
Former first-year pleads guilty to rape

Former first-year pleads guilty to rape

Ricardo Vergara's sentencing hearing is set for April 8
Jenny Hellwig
January 22, 2024
The Rockbridge Area Relief Association is one resource available to those facing homelessness.

Most Lexington hotels will no longer accept homeless guests

This comes at a time when demand for local housing assistance has increased. Local advocates say that building more affordable housing is their primary focus in alleviating homelessness
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-Chief
November 30, 2023
Virginia's new electoral map.

Republicans sweep Rockbridge County races, but Democrats win statewide 

Republicans swept two state House races and one state Senate race in Rockbridge County
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-chief
November 9, 2023
Ricardo Vergara will spend six years in prison and five on probation.

Grand jury indicts former Washington and Lee first-year on rape charges

Lexington police arrested Ricardo Vergara in February for allegedly sexually assaulting a fellow student a month earlier
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-chief
November 7, 2023
Rendering of the apartment complex planned to be built on the former Virginia Department of Transportation property.

New Lexington apartment complex to include affordable housing

The city, like the nation, faces a shortage of affordable housing
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-chief
October 27, 2023
The newly redrawn congressional districts in Virginia were made by court-appointed special masters.

What’s at stake in Virginia’s elections

The November election will be the first to use new district maps
Jenny Hellwig
October 23, 2023
The outside of the new bar and restaurant. The bottom floor will be home to Hardens, while the top floor will be residential.

Legendary Eats owners to open new bar and restaurant in Lexington

Bill and Jessica Harden hope to have "Hardens" open by early-to-mid November
Jenny Hellwig, Editor-in-Chief
October 10, 2023
A photo rendering of the inside of a chapel, mostly white but with brown accents. A central arch is filled by a set back white wall.

Lexington city official approves construction of University Chapel wall blocking Lee statue

Local building inspector denied original construction plans due to safety concerns. After two years, construction will begin in June 2023
Jenny Hellwig, News Editor
April 11, 2023

America’s mass shooting culture, fear, and ‘freedom’

"I have been lucky to not lose any friends to this epidemic. Many cannot say the same."
Jenny Hellwig, News Editor
April 11, 2023
A group of people, appearing mostly female, hold lit candles and walk in a loose line on a brick pathway under columned porches. The photo's lighting is dim and indicates twilight.

The other side of sexual misconduct programming

Audrey Blumenstock, '22, says being on the SPEAK executive team made her feel "muzzled" by the administration
Jenny Hellwig, News Editor
March 28, 2023
A large hall with windows and white and blue walls, full of dining tables and chairs.

Students react to dining alternatives in the wake of Marketplace and Cafe 77 renovations

Long lines and limited options were common student complaints with dining at Evans Hall
Jenny Hellwig, News Editor
March 28, 2023
Sorority houses, red brick buildings with white columned porches, seen through trees.

Greek organizations battle hazing charges

Confidential investigations spark campus-wide rumors with no clear answers
Bri Hatch, Jenny Hellwig, and Shauna Muckle
March 13, 2023

Behind W&L’s sexual misconduct processes

Unpacking the university's reporting routes and outcomes
Bri Hatch, Jenny Hellwig, and Shauna Muckle
March 13, 2023
Vergara direct messaged one of his victims and apologized after he assaulted her Oct. 1. (Screenshots shared by victim)

First-year student arrested on sexual assault charges

One victim said she reported Ricardo Vergara, ’26, to the Title IX office in October for a separate offense of sexual assault—but he faced no disciplinary action
Bri Hatch, Jenny Hellwig, and Shauna Muckle
March 2, 2023
Selby jumps on a car hood as a bystander urges him to stop. Photo courtesy of Dec. 2, 2021 video obtained by the Phi from an anonymous source

Selby had history of “vindictive, destructive” behavior before sexual battery charge

University administration failed to protect community from Selby, even after reported incidents
Bri Hatch, Jenny Hellwig, and Shauna Muckle
February 14, 2023
An image of a woman's face with digital clouds and circuits radiating from it

Faculty question how to adjust syllabi in the wake of ChatGPT

Two W&L professors drew large crowds to talks addressing the AI technology
Jenny Hellwig, News Editor
February 14, 2023

UPDATE: Student charged in sexual battery case no longer enrolled at W&L

Daniel Selby, a former member of the Class of 2025, left campus by Feb. 7, sources say
Shauna Muckle, Bri Hatch, and Jenny Hellwig
February 8, 2023
Many rows of solar panels form a cover over the middle portion of a parking garage top floor.

W&L launches new sustainability projects

W&L is taking steps to become carbon-neutral and reduce fossil fuel and plastic usage on campus
Jenny Hellwig, News Editor
February 7, 2023
The Lexington Police Department, a brick one story building with a white columned porch.

W&L student pleads guilty in sexual battery case

A Lexington court lowered a felony charge against Dan Selby, ’25, to a misdemeanor in a Feb. 3 trial
Bri Hatch, Shauna Muckle, and Jenny Hellwig
February 7, 2023
A Black man in a suit and tie gestures as he speaks.

Civil rights attorney discusses MLK’s legacy

Ben Crump emphasizes the importance of addressing injustice wherever it is found
Jenny Hellwig, News Editor
January 23, 2023

W&L launches new sustainability projects

The university is taking more steps to be carbon-neutral and reduce fossil fuel usage, while also banning the sale of single-use, plastic water bottles on campus
Jenny Hellwig, Staff Writer
December 13, 2022
Café 77, also known as "Coop," will be closed after February break for renovations. Evans Dining Hall will offer "late night" options to mimic the menu.

W&L’s Marketplace and Café 77 will close in February for renovations

Evans Dining Hall and expanded hours at other venues will fill the gap
Jenny Hellwig, Staff Writer
December 9, 2022
B.o.B performed for a group of around 500 students at the sold out concert. Photo by Kayla Monaghan, ’24.

B.o.B performance kicks off Fancy Dress weekend

The concert lead with the student band Meat Puzzle
Jenny Hellwig
March 29, 2022
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