Campus Living
PROFILE:
Mike Hodsdon
Michael Hodsdon, an aspiring industrial engineering student, had a number of schools to choose from when he was in search of a university – RPI, MIT, Penn State and Rochester Institute of Technology topped the list. But an enthusiastic recommendation from a high school teacher, coupled with a trip to Bethlehem to stroll South Mountain campus, sealed the deal for the Chelsea, Maine native.
“When I mentioned interest in a career in engineering, his immediate reaction was ‘Lehigh is a great engineering school... you should check it out.’ I went home excited and mentioned Lehigh to my dad, and it turned out that his best friend from work was a Lehigh IE grad in the 80's,” he said.
Leaving behind the comfort and familiarity of home can be a daunting, sometimes frightening experience for students. Soon enough, however, most students adjust to their new home, and recognize residential life at Lehigh as one of the most rewarding components of their university experience.
At Lehigh, a residence hall is not simply a "dorm." Instead, it is a place to make new friends, study, relax, socialize, sleep and attend interesting and educational programs.
All of the university's residential options for first-year students provide a safe, well-maintained and welcoming space to live, study, socialize and learn alongside other students.
A variety of living options beyond residence halls are also available for upperclass men. Many students are drawn to the Greek Life, and choose to live in one of the university's 20 fraternity houses and eight sorority houses. Students may also opt for themed housing—such as the Green House, the Substance-Free House and the Global Citizenship House—or for the intellectually vigorous living and learning experience provided in Taylor College (now home to the new South Mountain College).
There are also Campus Square, Sayre Park Village and Trembley Park—all of which offer the unique residential experience of living in an apartment-style setting with a private kitchen and bathroom.
No matter where you choose to live on campus, you'll be in constant contact with the staff of the residence halls—talented, supportive people who are trained and willing to help you with any problem you might face at any time of the day or night. Our staff is also committed to encouraging personal growth through educational programming and advising.
Our Gryphons—as these residential advisors are called at Lehigh—have been an integral part of the residential experience for the past 50 years and are committed to helping make your Lehigh experience a positive, stimulating and rewarding one.
Integrated into the student experience is the philosophy that intellectual honesty and mutual respect are not accidental values but are, instead, at the very heart of our purpose. For students and professors alike, there is a presupposition that the pursuit of truth is what defines our role in society and protects the freedom to teach and to learn.
A key component of the development and maturation process that takes place while students are at Lehigh is the acceptance of personal responsibility. An overarching goal of campus living is to provide a healthy, safe and educational residential environment that allows you to live interdependently and respectfully with others. Breaches of those bonds of trust are customarily dealt with by the Office of Student Conduct. The purpose of this office is not to punish students for transgressions, but to educate them and assist them in understanding and accepting their obligations as citizens of this academic community.
