West College is the oldest building on the Williams campus, built in 1790. In fact, it was the entirety of Williams College at its founding in 1793. The dormitory, infirmary, chapel, and classrooms were all in West College.
Today, West College is an upperclass residence hall, and it continues to play a central role in Williams tradition. Each year during Commencement weekend, members of the senior class plant ivy on West College lawn, followed by a reading of the Class Poem and performance of Class Song, and conferring of awards. This tradition is known as the “Ivy Exercises.”