Frequently Asked Questions

What is evoLUtion?

evoLUtion is Lehigh University’s first-year experience, including the Orientation program and the evoLUtion seminar, which is required for ALL new first-year students. Transfer students will attend a separate orientation program.

Is Orientation Mandatory?

YES! During Orientation you will be divided up into small groups. All group meetings are required, including the evoLUtion seminar. If students do not attend the evoLUtion seminar meetings their Spring registration may be delayed. This is our chance to show students the ropes to college life and provide them with multitudes of resources to help them succeed at Lehigh, both in and out of the classroom. Students will meet faculty, upper-class student leaders, an academic advisor and learn about resources available while making new friends!

When is Move-In Day?

New first-year students move-in on Thursday, August 21, 2008. Housing information will be mailed to your home in July and move-in directions will be available on the Campus Portal in August.

When does Orientation officially begin for students?

Orientation will begin at 3pm on Thursday, August 21, 2008.

What is the Course Request Process?

At Lehigh, students complete the Course Request Process in June before arriving in August. Students will request courses necessary for their major, not for specific times and dates. In August, during Orientation, students will receive their finalized schedule with dates, times, professors and room locations.

Will there be any classes left when I request courses?

Your first year at Lehigh you will be required to take some introductory level courses that most upper-class students have already taken, so you are not competing with them during your course request process. Courses that you are required to take during your first year (e.g. engineering 1) will be scheduled so that all students needing those courses will get into a section.

When do I get my course schedule and how do I change it?

During evoLUtion check-in you will receive your finalized course schedule. On the Friday of evoLUtion, you will attend your Academic College Convocation and meet your advisor. Your advisor will help you make any changes to your schedule. You will not be able to make ANY schedule changes until Friday of evoLUtion!!!!

Prelusion

What is Prelusion and why would I want to attend?

Lehigh offers four pre-orientation programs, known as Prelusion, which start a few days prior to Orientation. These programs are designed to be fun and to help your transition to Lehigh by introducing you to staff and fellow new students. ArtsAlive, Outdoor Adventure Program, South Bethlehem Experience, Volunteer Experience are great ways to meet other new students with similar interests that want to make the most out of their college experience!

If my student is participating in a Prelusion program, do I have to come back for Thursday's Move-In Day?

No, you don't. Students participating in a Prelusion program will move in to their residence hall on Monday, August 18, 2008. We will have a condensed Family Orientation Program on Monday so you don't have to make the trip back to Lehigh on Thursday.

Family Orientation

What events are planned for families during Orientation?

Thursday afternoon is packed with information for family members regarding their student's transition to Lehigh. After the University Luncheon, we will have sessions on your student's development in college, academic and social resources, legal issues in college and more! The day will end with the President's Address and reception. Please review the family schedule on our website for updates. You will receive a complete schedule when you check-in for Orientation August 21, 2008.

I am a parent who has already been on a campus tour, what I am I going to learn at Family Orientation?

Parents and families will have a chance to meet with University staff and faculty during Orientation to help your transition to Lehigh. Your son or daughter will be calling you when they have questions so our Orientation program provides you with answers to your questions and your students. The Family Orientation Program will address topics such as legal issues, alcohol on campus, residence life and roommate issues, campus safety and student development through college.

When will students say goodbye to their families?

We encourage family members to stay through the Family Orientation program on Thursday, August 21 and then depart for home since the students have a very busy schedule for the next few days. We have scheduled a time for students and family members to meet at the student's residence hall and say goodbye on Thursday.

Other Issues...

When and how do I purchase my textbooks?

Families often inquire for information about textbooks with the aim of purchasing books from vendors that are not affiliated with Lehigh (including online sources) prior to students' arrival on campus. We do not require that books be purchased at the campus bookstore, which is a branch of Barnes and Noble, but we do urge care in acquiring books elsewhere because the student needs to have the same textbook edition used by others in the course. It has also been the experience of some students that returning or exchanging books can be very difficult over a distance. For first-semester students, purchasing books elsewhere can be especially difficult because you will not know your schedule until you arrive on campus; accordingly, you will not know, in many cases, which books you need.

When do I get my ID card?

If you sent in your form and picture to the ID office in the summer, then you will get your ID card when you check-in on Move-In Day. If you did not, you will need to go to the ID card office in Ulrich when you arrive.

Do transfer students need to attend Orientation?

Yes! This is where you will get your schedule and other helpful information. You will not be able to register for future semesters if you don’t attend!

What's around town & where can I stay while I'm here?

Everything you need to know about what's around town (banks, transportation, hotels, etc.) and regional information can all be found in our Regional Guide. It offers a wealth of local information that is useful for students and families.

How can I stay up to date with what's happening at the University?

The Lehigh Connection Newsletter is a newsletter that gets emailed monthly. It will help you keep up to date with all the happenings of the University. To sign up for the newsletter just click here and follow the steps.