Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation
Academics
Technology
Pre-Orientation Programs
Family Orientation
Housing
Miscellaneous
Orientation
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 for First-Year Students?
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!
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!
When is Move-In Day?
New first-year students move-in on Thursday, August 22, 2013. Housing
information will be mailed to your home in July and move-in directions
will be available on the Campus Portal in August.
What should I bring with me?
Check out the What
to Bring to Lehigh page for a complete list of things you might
need to bring with you on Move-In Day.
When does Orientation officially begin for students?
Residence Life meetings will be held at 2:00pm and Orientation will
begin at 3:00pm on Thursday, August 22, 2013.
Who are Orientation Leaders?
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are returning upper-class students who have
been trained to help new students make a smooth transition into the
Lehigh community. There are 77 OLs who will each be assigned to a
small group of students and will be able to help answer questions,
guide you through Orientation, and will also help facilitate the
evoLUtion Seminar sessions.
Academics
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, without needing to know specific times and dates that courses
are offered. 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 Orientation check-in you will receive your finalized course
schedule. On the Friday of Orientation, 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 Orientation!!!!
When do classes start and end?
Classes will begin Monday, August 26, 2013. Check out the academic
calendar .
When and how do I purchase my textbooks?
During Orientation we will set aside time for you to buy
your books at the Lehigh Bookstore, which is a Barnes and Nobles
affiliate.
Since students don’t get their class schedule until they arrive for
Orientation, its best to wait so you know what courses you are
actually
enrolled before purchasing books. Many Lehigh students actually choose
to rent
their books from the bookstore at a reduced cost.
Technology
How do I get my PIN or LIN if I lost them?
You should receive your PIN and LIN in your acceptance letter packet.
If you are unable to find them or have lost your PIN and LIN
information, please call the Office of the Registrar and they will
help you get the information you need. Registrar’s Phone Number:
610-758-3200
Are the Lehigh network and software compatible with PCs or
Macs?
The network and software are generally compatible with both PCs and
Macs. However, there are a few instances where Engineering students
will need a PC or to use public sites in order to use the necessary
software.
If I am
buying a new
computer, what kind should I purchase?
If you are in the market for a new computer check out this
website with purchase information http://www.lehigh.edu/computing/buy/main.html.
Pre-Orientation Programs
What is Prelusion and why would I want to attend?
Lehigh offers 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. Prelusion is a great
way 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 19, 2013. We will have a
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
22, 2013.
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 both 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 22 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.
Is there a Family
Orientation if my student is participating in Prelusion?
`Yes! We have a Family Orientation scheduled for
Monday, August 19 for those families who are dropping their student
off early
for Prelusion. The information is the same as Thursday’s family
sessions.
Housing
How do you determine first-year housing assignments?
Assignments are done on a first-come, first-served basis according to
the date a student accepts admission by paying the enrollment deposit.
Room types within a building are assigned in order of single requests,
doubles, triples, and remaining singles. Rooms are assigned by square
footage with the largest rooms assigned first... but we are only
talking about a few square feet difference from out largest to
smallest rooms.
How do you determine first-year roommate pairings?
Students need to complete the housing application on the campus portal
between May 13th and May 31st. Once it is determined which building
the student will be assigned in, the students are then matched
according to the information they provide on the application.
Therefore, it is important that students complete all requested
information to enable us to make the best match possible. If students
mutually request to be together, they will be assigned together.
Single rooms will be assigned by request. Hobbies and interests are
compared for possible similarities with other students.
When do I find out where I’m living?
Room assignment, roommate name(s), address(es), and arrival
information will be forwarded in early July. The assignment and
roommate information will not be available before that time.
Can I request a roommate?
Yes, you may indicate your roommate request on your residence
application/contract. If you have already submitted the application
and would like to update it to include a specific roommate request,
you need to send an e-mail to inrsd@lehigh.edu.
Housing and roommate assignments are processed at the end of May so
you need to submit your request before that date in order for it to be
considered.
Miscellaneous
When do I get my ID card?
You will submit your ID card photo on the campus portal in the summer.
You will get your ID card when you check-in on Move-In Day. If you did
not complete the application in advance you will need to go to the ID
card office in Ulrich when you arrive.
What's around town & where can visitors stay while
they’re 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.
What banking options are available?
Lehigh University students have several banking options located in
Bethlehem, many of them can be found in our Regional Guide. Lehigh
students also have access to a full-service Wells Fargo bank branch
and ATM located in the University Center.
Who do I contact with other questions?
For additional questions not addressed here, please contact the Office
of the First-Year Experience:
Phone: 610-758-1300
Fax: 610-758-6132
E-mail: fye@lehigh.edu