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The W&L Spectator
The W&L Spectator
News
Opinion
Academic
Cartoons
Interviews
About
Search
Subscribe
News
Opinion
Academic
Cartoons
Interviews
About
Search
Subscribe
Featured
The Single Sanction is the Essence of the Honor System
Feb 19, 2026
The Single Sanction is the Essence of the Honor System
Feb 19, 2026

The two institutions are inseparably linked, a reality we must acknowledge to improve the Honor System.

The ongoing debate over what the Honor System is and should be, particularly as regards the Single Sanction, is an extension of broader discourse regarding the nature of society itself.

The progressive view frames society as a collective that should be organized to promote shared goals to engineer progression towards an improved social state. In this framework, individuals are judged only with reference to the collective and have no responsibility beyond that of the collective interest.

The conservative view holds that the individual is society’s basic unit, and that, as an organization of individuals, the structure of society should maximize individual freedom by promoting personal responsibility. It is upon this principle that the Honor System was founded.

Feb 19, 2026

News >

Featured
As Endowment Underperforms, W&L Questions Investment Approach
Feb 27, 2026
As Endowment Underperforms, W&L Questions Investment Approach
Feb 27, 2026

University Investment Committee examines Makena Capital partnership and conservative investment strategy after endowment underperformance contributes to budget constraints.

Feb 27, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Guy Benson
Feb 4, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Guy Benson
Feb 4, 2026

As part of The Spectator’s America 250 speaker series, Benson will discuss his experience as a professional journalist and the need for a free press in the era of America’s 250th anniversary.

Feb 4, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Jonathan Arnott
Feb 3, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Jonathan Arnott
Feb 3, 2026

The Spectator and the College Republicans will host Jonathan Arnott, a British politician and former Member of the European Parliament

Feb 3, 2026
W&L Faculty Pay Declines Relative to Peer Institutions
Jan 19, 2026
W&L Faculty Pay Declines Relative to Peer Institutions
Jan 19, 2026

Washington and Lee experiences declining faculty pay compared to peer institutions, but still outperforms with cost-of-living adjustments.

Jan 19, 2026
Catherine Herridge Speaks on Press Freedom and Integrity
Dec 18, 2025
Catherine Herridge Speaks on Press Freedom and Integrity
Dec 18, 2025

In the face of challenges to First Amendment rights, Herridge argues that independent journalists may carry the torch for the future of press freedom.

Dec 18, 2025
President Dudley To Resign, Take Claremont McKenna Presidency
Dec 5, 2025
President Dudley To Resign, Take Claremont McKenna Presidency
Dec 5, 2025

The longtime Washington and Lee president’s tenure is set to end in the summer of 2026. 

Dec 5, 2025

Opinion >

Featured
From Omaha Beach to the Colonnade
Feb 22, 2026
From Omaha Beach to the Colonnade
Feb 22, 2026

Mr. Thomas P. Rideout ‘63 describes his recent trip to the French World War II memorial and military history in universities.

Feb 22, 2026
Court Packing: Democracy’s Dagger
Feb 21, 2026
Court Packing: Democracy’s Dagger
Feb 21, 2026

A core threat to the rule of law moves in silence, and it is up to us to expose it.

Feb 21, 2026
Open Up “Open” Hearings
Feb 20, 2026
Open Up “Open” Hearings
Feb 20, 2026

We must address the needlessly and self-defeatingly secretive process.

Feb 20, 2026
The Faithful Speak, the Sovereign Trembles
Jan 27, 2026
The Faithful Speak, the Sovereign Trembles
Jan 27, 2026

Moderate Catholics are one of the most consequential segments of the electorate.

Jan 27, 2026
The Department of Education Must Go
Dec 3, 2025
The Department of Education Must Go
Dec 3, 2025

The crisis of the national debt and repeated failures show that the Department of Education must no longer exist.

Dec 3, 2025
Open Hearings Jeopardize the Honor System
Nov 24, 2025
Open Hearings Jeopardize the Honor System
Nov 24, 2025

We must reform Open Hearings before their flaws irreparably damage the Honor System's popularity and integrity.

Nov 24, 2025
Preserving Our Community of Trust
Nov 23, 2025
Preserving Our Community of Trust
Nov 23, 2025

Nine practical observations to save the Honor System from two former Executive Committee presidents.

Nov 23, 2025
Our Nixonian Moment
Nov 19, 2025
Our Nixonian Moment
Nov 19, 2025

The prosecution of former FBI director James Comey is a clear and present danger to the Constitution.

Nov 19, 2025
The Realist Case for Palestinian Statehood
Nov 6, 2025
The Realist Case for Palestinian Statehood
Nov 6, 2025

United States national security depends on the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Nov 6, 2025
What is an Honor Violation? The White Book Can’t Tell You. 
Nov 6, 2025
What is an Honor Violation? The White Book Can’t Tell You. 
Nov 6, 2025

To save the Honor System, we must reintroduce an objective foundation of morality and truth.

Nov 6, 2025

Academic >

Featured
Lexington Reacts to Lee’s Death
Oct 16, 2025
Lexington Reacts to Lee’s Death
Oct 16, 2025

October 12 served as the 155th anniversary of the death of Robert E. Lee.

Oct 16, 2025
Washington Given Command
Oct 13, 2025
Washington Given Command
Oct 13, 2025

George Washington confides in his wife about the daunting task of commanding the ragtag Continental Army.

Oct 13, 2025
A Presidential Defense of the Honor System
Aug 26, 2025
A Presidential Defense of the Honor System
Aug 26, 2025

Former university president challenges law professor’s censure of Honor System.

Aug 26, 2025
Historical Highlight: A Student Under General Lee
May 7, 2025
Historical Highlight: A Student Under General Lee
May 7, 2025

An aged alumnus looks back at the stern yet kindly leadership of President Robert E. Lee.

May 7, 2025

Cartoons>

Featured
Washington Takes a Ride
Nov 17, 2025
Washington Takes a Ride
Nov 17, 2025
Nov 17, 2025

Interviews >

Featured
Rockbridge-Area Election Candidates Discuss Their Races
Dec 19, 2025
Rockbridge-Area Election Candidates Discuss Their Races
Dec 19, 2025

Statewide race results reveal sweeping changes, but  local races mostly preserve the status quo.

Dec 19, 2025
Mary Kissel’s Advice to W&L Students
Dec 12, 2025
Mary Kissel’s Advice to W&L Students
Dec 12, 2025

The former Pompeo staffer and journalist advises students on curiosity, credentials and their careers.

Dec 12, 2025
President Dudley Reflects on Uniqueness of W&L
Nov 22, 2025
President Dudley Reflects on Uniqueness of W&L
Nov 22, 2025

Dudley argues that institutions like the Honor System and Speaking Tradition continue to positively shape W&L’s culture. 

Nov 22, 2025
Alumni Congressmen Discuss the Honor System
Nov 12, 2025
Alumni Congressmen Discuss the Honor System
Nov 12, 2025

How the Honor System has shaped two alumni in the halls of Congress.

Nov 12, 2025

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“My only object is to endeavor to make them [students at Washington College] see their true interest, to teach them to labor diligently for their improvement, and to prepare themselves for the great work of life.”
— Robert E. Lee, August 4, 1866
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