I am encouraged to see the administration moving quickly to tamp down some apparently unauthorized activities at a couple of fraternities according to the Brown and White. Unlike many other schools, Lehigh seems to take action before someone gets hurt, which is impressive.
Great job, Lehigh administration. I want them to have fun, but be safe.
After the recent student death at a Penn State fraternity, I’ll bet Lehigh is thanking its lucky star that their
own situations turned out differently. Some students may not like controls but they really are necessary to an extent.
@SonofAsa1
I don’t want to ruin the students fun, but it can change from fun to deadly very quickly. It can be a difficult line for the administrators to walk.
In addition to Penn State, there was also a fraternity member death in the South last week.
Nah they just want to end the IFC system - they won’t admit so but they have recently proposed closing it all down for a time. I don’t believe the school truly realizes how important the IFC is to entertainment, socializing, and moral for a large number of student…both members and non-greek.
Further more lining up students for group BAC tests will increase use of other drugs especially pharm and shutting down student campus parties will move parties and gatherings away from the university. Unfortunately I have seen these bad outcomes at other schools who are further ahead at ending fraternity systems.
http://www.hazingprevention.umd.edu/HazingPrevention/HazingStatistics.aspx
Actually more hazing in varsity college sports than fraternities. Let’s bubble wrap our precious snowflakes and end DI sports as well as fraternities. Our number one goal is their safety right?!?
Ok… Are you saying LU is trumping up charges in order to undermine the IFC?
To what end? Eventually getting rid of all Greeks? That won’t happen.
I was not part of it, but Greek organizations have been linked with Lehigh almost since the beginning. They can be an important part of the education you receive there. The parties are fun, too. They can also get out of control, though. Like it or not, some rules need to be followed.
And safety IS the goal. Party all you want…just don’t do dumb, dangerous things.
Here is the article from The Brown and White.
http://thebrownandwhite.com/2017/02/23/lehigh-lupd-hazing/
I think @sonofAsa1 is right. I have two kids in college and both are in Greek Life. It has been a very positive experience, but I do think that it is important that things are safe. Greek life is an important part of Lehigh and I haven’t heard anyone say they want to get rid of it, but I have heard plenty of parents express concern about the importance of safety.
Additionally, I think that that it is a positive that Lehigh has a reputation as a “work hard/play hard” school. However, it is often characterized by peers as an “out of control party school.” That makes it more difficult to recruit the type of student and parent that Lehigh is targeting. I think it is to Lehigh’s benefit to establish that Greek organizations have to follow the rules or they will be shut down.
Lehigh is NOT going to close down their Greek system! Everybody just relax. My son was in Kappa Alpha …these are kids just having fun. The new President Simon is not going to be like Gast was…she was way too stringent on the Greeks…never smiled or laughed. Chief Shupp is the greatest!
Lehigh IS a safe school. Here is an article:
4 Schools That Put Campus Safety First
http://www.safewise.com/blog/4-schools-put-campus-safety-first/
Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is proof that just because you might land on a few lists for being a school that likes to have a good time, that doesn’t preclude having a faculty and alumni that boasts honors like the Pulitzer Prize, Fulbright Fellowship and even a Nobel Prize. This private research university knows how to make the most of everything college life has to offer – from parties to academic acclaim to nabbing an “A” rating for campus security from “Reader’s Digest.” Lehigh was recognized for its innovative safety initiatives, including a text message alert system and new emergency preparedness website.
Other factors included the fact that Lehigh students who live on campus in dorms have the reassurance of full-time security and the abundance of blue light emergency phones strategically placed throughout the 2,350 acre campus. Lehigh University has been a champion of campus safety and crime prevention since the late 1980s, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Clery Act, which requires colleges to track and annually disclose crime information occurring on campus.
Much2learn: “I think it is to Lehigh’s benefit to establish that Greek organizations have to follow the rules or they will be shut down.”
Over the last 10 years Lehigh HAS permanently shut down several fraternities and sororities that have broken the rules. I think it is common courtesy if you asked if Lehigh had ever taken any action against a fraternity or sorority before you claim they haven’t. I am sure your daughter and her sorority would also appreciate that.
Much2learn: "However, it is often characterized by peers as an “out of control party school.”
Of course, you can find someone to say something negative about anyone or anything. And some people love repeating it over and over.
Much2learn: “That makes it more difficult to recruit the type of student and parent that Lehigh is targeting.”
Lehigh does not have any problem recruiting students!
http://www1.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/profile
Lehigh’s Class of 2020 will bring some outstanding traits to our campus. They are one of the most selective classes to ever be admitted to the University as well as one of the most diverse classes we have welcomed to campus. The Class of 2020 is comprised of students from 37 states and 29 countries across the world.
UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT
Total Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,080
Retention rate: 95%
Applicants: 13,403
Acceptances: 3,499 (26%)
And Lehigh’s retention rate of 95% tells the students who come to Lehigh are happy and they stay!!!
By the way, Lehigh recruits students not parents! Thank goodness!!!
@kikkydee " I think it is common courtesy if you asked if Lehigh had ever taken any action against a fraternity or sorority before you claim they haven’t. "
I am well aware that many houses have been shut down by Lehigh in the past. I did not claim that they have never taken action against any fraternity. Please read more closely.
I am also aware that there are times in the past years when the rules have not been followed and the Houses were not shut down. Possibly because the administration was not aware of what was happening. It seems to me that this year, the administration and police are engaged and working to ensure student safety. I think that is great. I want students to have fun, but I also want to be confident that the students are safe. I think that President Simon and the police are giving parents that confidence.
@much2learn “However, it is often characterized by peers as an “out of control party school.” That makes it more difficult to recruit the type of student and parent that Lehigh is targeting.”
@kikkydee “Lehigh does not have any problem recruiting students!”
Lehigh does well in recruiting, but they could always do better. When we visited the top concerns of parents related to the party scene and pledging and safety. Yes, Lehigh recruits students, as they should. In my opinion, a college needs to be the students choice. Still, parents need to be comfortable. They can have a significant influence on the choice of college, and at times, some of them may even exercise veto power.
Lehigh has excellent programs, an incredibly beautiful campus, outstanding students, a strong faculty, and good facilities. Lehigh is successful in recruiting students, but with all that Lehigh offers, I think Lehigh can continue to do even better. I think that the administration thinks so too.
President Simon, administrators, and police are conveying a clear message that they want students to have fun, and they understand that Greek life can really contribute positively to the college experience, but safety comes first, and the rules need to be followed. I think that is good for parents, students, and Lehigh.
Closing thread as it is now a conversation between 2 members.