<p>soo ive been hearing that frats are basically that main source of social life at lehigh. frat parties are fun but doesnt that get a little old after a while? what else do ppl do? is bethlehem a fun townnn?</p>
<p>you're correct. frat parties=social scene (at least for freshman year b/c you're not allowed to have a car). however, if you're involved with clubs and other organizations, you'll be busy doing stuff with them. lehigh offers comedy shows, concerts, and cultural events most of the time for weekends, but most people resort to frat parties.</p>
<p>just know that this is really not an "urban" area as bethlehem is classified as. the college town is somewhat limited and it's hard to find stuff to do for the weekends apart from parties.</p>
<p>ohh that kind of sucks. well are the parties good at least lol?</p>
<p>Catch a bus to NYC (pick up in Hellertown) or Philadelphia
Go skiing - Blue Mtn</p>
<p>What are the restrictions on having a car on campus? Can anyone have one after freshman year?</p>
<p>I have a question...i don't drink...i manage to have a good time with my friends and go to parties too but is that what its like at college too? am i gonna manage to fit in at these frat parties if i dont drink?</p>
<p>bumpppp???</p>
<p>Freshmen are not permitted to have cars on campus but many seem to find a way around it ;) After freshman year anyone can have cars although parking is a bit of a pain.</p>
<p>Bring a gun, if you're going to wander off campus at night. South Bethlehem is not safe. STudents have had cars stolen, been held up/mugged at gunpoint, etc. </p>
<p>Interestingly, north Bethlehem is rather nice. Kind of a yuppie/Bohemian mix of really good restaurants, some sidewalk cafes (in summer) and other trendy hangouts. It is very safe. That's where the annual street Musikfest is held (and Celticfest and every other kind of "fest"). That's where Barack Obama showed up during the general election campaign, walking the streets and popping into cool pubs. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, Lehigh is in the "other" part of Bethlehem. It's not as bad as say where Temple U is located in Philadelphia but it's bad enough. The immediate area a block off campus is tolerable. There are a couple of bars, couple of Chinese restaurants, etc., okay but nothing fancy. But if you decide one night to go for a stroll a few blocks from campus, here's a safety tip: keep your head on a swivel, wear a Kevlar vest, carry a Glock (with the safety off), oh yeah, and move fast.</p>
<p>omg thats scaryy lol...whats the worst thing uve headd in terms of crimee happen to a Lehigh student</p>
<p>don't worry, eri196. my daughter doesn't know anyone who's been a victim of a crime while at Lehigh. don't listen to Plainsman.</p>
<p>also, k3fujimt, my daughter is like you--loves parties, and doesn't drink, and has a great time.</p>
<p>ok good thats encouragingg to hearr! im the only girl in a family of brothers so my parents are a little paranoid about safetyyy haha</p>
<p>anyy otherr comments on the social lifeee?</p>
<p>
[quote]
It's not as bad as say where Temple U is located in Philadelphia but it's bad enough.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Temple is safe. Lehigh is safer. I wouldn't worry about safety at Lehigh, seriously.</p>
<p>Here are some facts:</p>
<p>LEHIGH UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
36 University Drive
Bethlehem PA 18015-3062</p>
<p>On Campus* In Dormitories Residential Facilities on Campus In/On Non-Campus Building or Property On Public Property </p>
<p>INCIDENTS '06 '05 '04 '06 '05 '04 '06 '05 '04 '06 '05 '04
Murder 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Robbery 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1
Aggravated Assault 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Burglary 4 2 1 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Manslaughter 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sexual Assault (Forcible) 2 6 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sexual Assault (Non-Forcible) 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sexual Assault (Anonymous) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 </p>
<p>ARRESTS<br>
Liquor Law Violations 161 76 101 83 38 39 0 0 0 78 38 62
Drug Abuse Violations 9 7 16 9 5 16 0 0 0 0 2 0
Weapons Possession 00 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 </p>
<p>These are crime stats ON campus. Off campus in certain neighborhoods near campus the numbers go way up.</p>
<p>And this is really interesting: Gambling</a> Blamed In Bank Rob Case, Lehigh Students Shocked At Arrest Of Sophomore Class President - CBS News</p>
<p>Some more facts instead of Dr.mom's one person opinion and insults. I sincerely hope things have changed on campus because my D is applying to this school: Statement</a> of Mr. And Mrs. Howard Clery, March 14, 1990</p>
<p>My daughter has applied to Lehigh. I haven't visited the area yet but plan to once she is accepted. Therefore, I've been reading these posts very carefully. We live in suburbia & we have our share of crime, along with the neighboring high crime areas of Ft Lauderdale and Miami. I have yet to hear of a community w/in the U.S. that does not have some type of crime. Yes, blighted urban areas will have more violent gun crimes such as robbery and gang related activity, just as the "burbs" will always have domestic violence, robbery, murder, etc. Even small town America, with it's increase in Methamphetamine use, has seen a rise in all types of crime. I have a difficult time believing that Bethlehem, PA is a nest of criminal and decay, any more than other areas of the northeastern U.S. But I reserve judgment until I see for myself.</p>
<p>There is no reason to be wandering the streets of Bethlehem at night anyway....</p>
<p>so does almost everything happen on campus?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Plainsman - C'mon...what kind of advice is that??!! We all know your thoughts on Lehigh, even though you have no real knowledge of what happens in Bethlehem other than what you read in the paper or watch on TV. If you don't want your daughter to attend Lehigh that's fine, but please, STOP with all your nonsense!
Is Lehigh perfect, no, but it's not the devil's lair either.</p>
<p>back to the social scene/ partying lol...
In theory I love the idea of lots of frat parties and that whole scene -- but is it literallyyy the ONLY thing to do, every friday and saturday? Or every so often do people go to the city or out other places? I'm just scared its gonna get old reallyyy quick. OR are the parties amazing enough that they don't get old fast ;) ??</p>
<p>I'm not applying to Lehigh, but I visited. One of the things that turned me off was the lack of things to do around the area. Step off the campus and the surrounding area is VERY different from Lehigh. Even just walking around in the afternoon I didn't feel super-safe, but then again I'm a sheltered girl from the New England 'burbs. I know someone who's a sophomore at Lehigh this year, he said everyone definitely stays on campus for fun. There aren't really any popular bars (or even bars where Lehigh students would be welcome), and zero clubs if I believe, in Bethlehem. I got the feeling that there was a little bit of friction between Lehigh and the area - lots of stores that were literally within eyesight of campus had Penn State flags hanging up in the windows. Just my two cents.</p>