Is life on campus boring? Hows Bethlehem?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Lehigh University
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<p>As JKlein suspects, Bethlehem is not “a nest of criminal decay.” Yes, there have been a few muggings in the past year or so. But the South Side of Bethlehem where Lehigh is located is generally quiet. Heck, there’s a middle school right across the street. </p>

<p>The South Side of Bethlehem, is, however, where most crime in the city occurs, although generally not in the immediate area of the university. And crime there is still relatively low compared to nearby Easton (Lafayette) and Allentown (Muhlenberg.)</p>

<p>As for the gambling/bank heist incident, that could have happened at any US university. Online gambling and poker have become serious problems among college-age young men across the US. Yeah, the solution was unique (to rob a bank to pay gambling debts), but was individual-specific. The vast majority of Lehigh students wouldn’t dream of any crime greater than underage drinking/recreational drug use.</p>

<p>And there IS substance-free housing that has grown in the past few years. I highly recommend that entering students who feel strongly about this issue sign up for it.</p>

<p>What to do besides partying? Well, for starters, there’s the Zoellner Art Center, a fabulous facility that brings wonderful acts to the US. Just last night, there was a student play (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead), plus the Russian National Ballet. Today, one of the Lehigh’s faculty members, pianist Eugene Abulescu, will perform in the afternoon; he conducts the Lehigh University Symphony. Earlier this year, Andrew Bird performed there. I know that larger draws play at the Stabler Arena, but I can’t supply info about that.</p>

<p>Sports? There’s a pool and a gym on the main campus, plus tennis courts and a track (and varsity fields) on the Goodman Campus, located on the other side of the mountain and easily reached by shuttle bus. </p>

<p>In Bethlehem, there’s the Southside Film Festival (in the spring, I think) and MusikFest over the summer for students who stick around. </p>

<p>And then there are the many clubs that operate on campus.</p>

<p>I would be lying if I didn’t say that frats and sororities aren’t a big part of campus life, but not everyone participates.</p>

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<p>Momwaitingfornew – Your statement about crime being worse in “Easton (Lafayette) and Allentown (Muhlenberg)” is very misleading.</p>

<p>While the overall crime rate in Allentown and Easton is marginally higher in those two towns than it is in Bethlehem, the neighborhoods in which Lafayette and Muhlenberg are located are quite nice and pretty safe. My daughter, who is at Lafayette, says you really have to go out of your way – to the south side or the west end – to visit the sketchy neighborhoods. I’m not as familiar with Allentown as a whole, but I am with the area around Muhlenberg and it’s in a ptretty nice residential part of the city. </p>

<p>I think what concerns people about Lehigh is that it is located in the part of Bethlehem located south of the Lehigh River, which has some pretty shady neighborhoods. This doesn’t mean there aren’t also some fairly nice “working class” neighborhhods adjoining the campus as well. I would agree that an extra degree of caution is in order when wandering off the Lehigh campus. On the other hand, any reasonably intelligent individual should be able to figure out how to navigate their way around the university area without undue fear. South Bethlehem is not Tijuana or Ciudad Juarez.</p>

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<p>^ Agreed that Lafayette is removed. Muhlenberg, though, is surprisingly close to the high crime areas. I never realized how close until I approached from the Allentown side instead of from Cedar Crest/78/22.</p>

<p>But that fact is that ON CAMPUS crime is low for all three. If you were to compare the cities, you’d find that Bethlehem has, in general, a lower violent crime rate. In Bethlehem, the high crime areas on the South Side are on the other side of 378 and then, on the opposite end of campus, closer to the steel mill (soon to be casino, which might be a bigger concern to parents.) </p>

<p>That said, if you choose a campus in a city, then you will risk a higher crime rate. At Lehigh, the primary risk is muggings (not at gunpoint, as one poster said, but still physical) and, as with all campuses, even in the suburbs, sexual assault. I doubt Lehigh’s sexual assault rate is higher than it is on most schools its size, but the three or so muggings that happened in the last year might be unheard of at, say, Dartmouth, which is in a small town.</p>

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<p>hey i just got accepted into the lehigh bs/md program. i was wondering about how the atmosphere is towards minorities and diverse students. i am from queens and my high school is extremely diverse. i have read about how lehigh students are relatively homogeneous and conservative and what not, any insight?</p>

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<p>I’ve had 3 friends that have attended Lehigh over the past 5 years. They’ve all had the times of their lives and all would have liked to stay even longer. Their is tremendous school spirit from both current students and alumni. The town is safe as long as you’re not stupid. I have not spoken to one sudent or alumni who were not in love with their time on the mountain.</p>

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<p>I live in Bethlehem so I can comment.</p>

<p>First of all Bethlehem is a great small city and consistently ranks well on those “best places to live” lists.</p>

<p>With that said the South Side of Bethlehem (where Lehigh is located) isnt the best. There are some fun college bars but overall the area around campus is more of a low income area.</p>

<p>North and Downtown Bethlehem are very nice. Full of moderate to well off hoods that are typical suburbia. Downtown is very historic and has a bunch of cool shops and restaurants.</p>

<p>Bethlehem is no NYC, but its a really good town!</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/lehigh-university/683464-lehigh-bloggers.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/lehigh-university/683464-lehigh-bloggers.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>students talking about life on campus. i’m sure they wouldn’t mid answering questions for anyone that has any.</p>

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<p>Life at Lehigh is NEVER boring. Never. True frat parties are a large part of the social scene but the parties are great and they mix it up with themes and stuff not to mention formals. Besides there are like 18 of them and they are all a little different so there is some variety. And beyond frat parties, there are off campus parties at sports houses which are pretty legit. My team threw a pretty sweet rave party this year. There ARE some good bars in town and karaoke every Sunday night at Casa Mia. And outside of parties the university occasionally has concerts and stuff which are actually fun. And if you really wanna mix it up you can catch the bus to NYC for $40 round trip which is actually pretty convenient once you know how it works. You never really know whats going to happen on any given night at Lehigh and thats what I love about it. Just go out, meet some people, make some connections and there is far beyond the basic frat/sports team party going on here.</p>