Daughter to VMI?

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StuckinNY

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Nov 22, 2019
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Great site-tons of info. I have some questions as a father who has a daughter who wants to attend VMI. While I am pretty sure she has the intelligence, work ethic, mental toughness and physical ability to make it through, I have concerns regarding the number of females and their treatment. We would anticipate her being on the rifle team. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of life as a female Keydet? Any resources you could point me to? Any considerations we should make? Also as a Dad doing his research, I have been checking out the Clery Act reporting for the schools she is interested in. Some of the stats regarding rape, assault and stalking at VMI rival much bigger schools with a greater number of females and overall populations. While I realize these stats are self reported, VMI's numbers aren't much different than some of the larger colleges such as the University of Tennessee. In short, if VMI is in my daughter's future will she be judged on her merit and at the same time be in a "safe" environment?

Thank you in Advance
 
First of all welcome!
  1. Can't speak to VMI but my DD went to the AFA & there she was told that the overwhelming amount of these types of incidents occur when alcohol is present. Therefore, one should stay out of those situations for this as well as the fact that you are responsible to report infractions observed to leadership. Why put yourself in such a situation as to report (some would say snitch on) or risk someone else reporting, placing you on scene, & have to answer as to why you didn't report? She probably won't turn 21 until senior year anyway so again no reason to be at these parties/bars.
  2. I know of one underage cadet who had 1/2 a beer on July 4th, was reported & placed on 6 months barracks restriction. Had to stay on campus for Thanksgiving break. And that was at USAFA! Imagine what VMI would do!
  3. At the AFA sexual assault reports are taken & counted against the institution even if the incident occurred prior to becoming a cadet. Don't know how other schools do it.
  4. Lastly, if your DD called Admissions & asked to speak to some female cadets the office would make that happen. If she could arrange a visit to VMI or attend an open house, DD would also have the opportunity to ask about that & anything else.
  5. Also, does your DD plan to commission? I ask as my DD said not everyone at VMI plans to.
  6. Feel free to PM once you have the required # of posts.
Good luck!!
 
StuckinNY said:
Great site-tons of info. I have some questions as a father who has a daughter who wants to attend VMI. While I am pretty sure she has the intelligence, work ethic, mental toughness and physical ability to make it through, I have concerns regarding the number of females and their treatment. We would anticipate her being on the rifle team. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of life as a female Keydet? Any resources you could point me to? Any considerations we should make? Also as a Dad doing his research, I have been checking out the Clery Act reporting for the schools she is interested in. Some of the stats regarding rape, assault and stalking at VMI rival much bigger schools with a greater number of females and overall populations. While I realize these stats are self reported, VMI's numbers aren't much different than some of the larger colleges such as the University of Tennessee. In short, if VMI is in my daughter's future will she be judged on her merit and at the same time be in a "safe" environment?

Thank you in Advance
Click to expand...

I was a cadet at VMI when it went coed. VMI pursued coeducation with the mindset that everyone male/female would be treated the same and have the same opportunities to rise on merit. I feel overall they have done a great job at that pursuit. I just looked at the numbers and not sure if you are viewing percentages or raw numbers but it looked like 1-2 reported sex crimes a year. That is out of a student population of about 1700 which sits at about 10% female/90% male for context. What isn't clear is of those 4-6 cases in the last few years how many were founded and what follow up was. I do know of two cases and from the outside the Institute handled it well. What I can tell you is this.

1. There are one to two staff members constantly on duty in barracks 24/7 to ensure good order and discipline as well as a cadet guard team.
2. The design of barracks (much to cadet's chagrin) leaves very little privacy. Rooms don't lock and window shades are down only when changing but that gives new meaning to the idea of the entire cadet community is acutely aware of what is going on in barracks and will respond if they see a problem. Cadets really do police their own through both the regimental and class system.
3. VMI has had significant growth in the on post police force and has a robust title IX enforcement team as well. So the measures are all in place to actively discourage threats to cadet well being.

I am sure bad stuff still happens as it does when you get a large group of individuals who don't have fully formed reason and judgement and reflect the society from which they are drawn but I think the environment is such as to identify and discourage untoward behaviors early and frequently.
 
Thank you so much for the replies. Yes drinking does result in bad decisions by both parties. My daughter told me one of the reasons she wants a military school is to avoid all the drinking and partying that goes on at most colleges. As a Dad, that was music to my ears.

I totally agree that the reported stats do not reflect outcome or how the case was eventually resolved. It does seem the small size of the school and the lack of privacy could be viewed as a positive in regards to safety. I recall reading that female rooms have fewer cadets in them--is that the case? I also hope that in this day and age that things that were once swept under the rug would no longer be ignored.

How are things off campus in Lexington? Interactions with Washington-Lee students?


As a former law enforcement officer, guess I may over analyze things a bit too much when it comes to safety---especially when it comes to my kids.

Once again the insight provided is appreciated.
 
And another thing, there's no outside non-campus personnel roaming the grounds after visiting hours as might occur at public campuses. People who attend a party & prior to leaving, check out what else isn't locked down, etc.
 
StuckinNY said:
I also hope that in this day and age that things that were once swept under the rug would no longer be ignored. How are things off campus in Lexington? Interactions with Washington-Lee students?
Click to expand...

Speaking to the Title IX side, things are not swept under the rug. Any cases brought forth are handled with speed and discretion, a feat given how small and tightly connected the Corps of Cadets is.

As a rat, she won't have any if at all interaction with W&L Students. Rats are only allowed off-post on Sundays, and even then, most of the time they just sleep.
 
Since a current female Cadet hasn’t replied, I figure I’d reply. I’m a male 1/C Cadet. I agree with what has been said. I find overwhelmingly that Cadets are judged on their own merit. I can think of many female BRs right off the top who are extremely well known/respected because they’re great people and great Cadets. I can also think of many males in this category. I can also think of Cadets of both genders who fall at the other end of the spectrum. Unfortunately some people slip through the cracks of any organization.

Ditto the alcohol comments. Really just about all of the more serious conduct offenses of the past year originated from alcohol.

I know all of that really echoes what has been said, but if you wanted to ask questions of a current Cadet, that’s mainly why I replied. Feel free to PM me as well if you prefer.
 
Thanks for all the responses. Some of my concerns are being eased. I am glad the campus is secured so learning can be the main focus. When we visited this past summer, I found it interesting that the campus sits in the open. We are local to West Point and are on base dozens of times a year. While I wasn't expecting the background checks, searches and security of a federal facility, I was a bit amazed at being able to walk right into the bookstore. Not that it's a bad thing, just different than expectations.

So what I am hearing is that VMI has a valid system in place for handling complaints. The campus itself is "safe" and just as with all places where young people gather, alcohol causes issues.

Thanks to everyone for the insight--it helps--daughter is wearing a VMI shirt right now-- Happy Thanksgiving.
 
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