<p>It is still sad to read that this subject still gets brought up regarding Lehigh in this day and age. From what I've heard from my own kids, their friends both in and out of the Greek system and alumni it appears there is virtually no racism going on at Lehigh. Minorities participate with no problems in the frats and sororities and room in the dorms with little or no different problems than other students. What I've had heard is that the school's Diversity Program has in the past caused some separation of groups but this is no different than what is seen at other colleges or professional schools where either athletes, foreigners or Affirmative Action students are often admitted having much lower academic credentials. I must believe minority students not admitted via any Diversity, Affirmative Action or Athletic type programs surely feel these types of programs do more harm than good as they often believe others might group them with those less academically qualified students admitted. In elite colleges where athletes or minorities may often be admitted with less than stellar academic credentials, friction or just segregation often exists between these students and the rest of the student body who believe these students really didn't deserve admission. It certainly should not in any way be considered racism.</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s not considered racism. It’s called envy, jealousy, assumption and ignorance on the behalf of those holding these sort of ‘grudges’ saying one is not good enough because they have no idea how hard the other has worked to get where they are, and may end up out doing them in college.</p>
<p>It’s not all numbers, it’s the work you put in. And in any application, people will know how much work the other put in. It’s not only at school, or with extracurriculars, but how you are able to express yourself and your determination. That’s where the best shine, the smartest will be successful, but the most determined will be rememberd.</p>
<p>The feeling some people have toward students accepted through Affirmative Action type programs is most probably resentment and not envy or jealousy. In this decade there is absolutely no justification to continue any of these programs that were so prevalent in the 60’s and 70’s. The vast majority of people applying for admission to colleges, medical schools etc. believe their admission should be based strictly on their academic and EC activitivies and that a person’s racial or geographic diversity should not provide them an unfair advantage with admissions committees. If a person just doesn’t have the grades for Lehigh they can simply apply to Lafayette and if a person doesn’t have the qualifications for med school they should just seek out another profession but they shouldn’t gain an advantage over more qualified students just because they may come from Idaho or are considered a minority. Nobody wants to hear that their surgeon or pilot were part of affirmative action programs.</p>
<p>The oldest kind of affirmative action seems to be making a real comeback: [Rich</a> Students Will Get More College Acceptance Letters in 2010 - Yahoo! News](<a href=“http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20100115/ts_usnews/richstudentswillgetmorecollegeacceptancelettersin2010]Rich”>http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20100115/ts_usnews/richstudentswillgetmorecollegeacceptancelettersin2010)</p>
<p>Affirmative action has been argued ad nauseam on College Confidential, so I’m not going to continue it here except to say that it provides cultural and economic diversity on campus. No one complains about first generation college students being given a leg up in admissions. Unless you are a minority (I’m not), you cannot know the obstacles one must overcome to succeed at a Lehigh-like level. Besides, the bottom of any given Lehigh class is largely white, not filled with minority students, which suggests that the “didn’t deserve admission” perception of minority students is a myth. Just like whites, minority students are at the top and all the way down to the bottom, depending on the effort expended.</p>
<p>As for racism, it exists everywhere, both overtly and not, although I believe it is lessening with each new generation. Minority students know that they cannot escape inherent racism by simply picking the “right” college since racism is no longer institutionalized (by law) but rather individualized – some people are accepting and others are not. What matters is whether a minority student feels comfortable in a given environment, whether he can find friends and activities that enhance his college experience. I would say that yes, he can at Lehigh. But also, like white students, he may not. Not everyone loves the college where they begin their higher education. </p>
<p>Lehigh is largely white – we cannot deny that – although the diversity is improving. Students mix freely and divide themselves not by race but by interests, the way it should be. The biggest concern for a minority student is whether he or she can feel comfortable without a significant portion of the student body coming from a similar background. If that’s not an issue, then that student will receive an excellent education, without prejudice.</p>
<p>@Greybeard, I hope this is a only temporary situation.</p>
<p>@WaitingDad</p>
<p>Their was no true point to this thread but you bashing or as you say, ‘resenting’ Diversity Improvement Programs. Obviously, there is a diversity issue if nearly 70% of the school is Caucasian… -_-</p>
<p>Diversity type programs (ethnic and geographic) would not cause “bashing” if colleges only recruited students that were equally academically qualified to succeed at an institution. Lehigh for example last year accepted approx. 3600 students of which 113 applicants had SAT scores below 1100 and another 249 with scores in the mid 1100 range. (I know of 2 female students that had mid 1300 SAT’s but were rejected.) Colleges and professional schools surely want to admit the most qualified students available but often have to accept diversity (ethnic and/or geographic) students with lesser credentials (GPA, SAT’s, Class Rank). To accept a student that has lower credentials because of their race or where they’re from is just plain wrong. The playing field should be kept level. These students most likely will struggle to succeed and often have to leave their institutions. There is a college out there for every student that wants to attend. Not everyone is a candidate for the Ivies and not everyone can afford a private school. It should not matter what a persons race is or where they’re from. Just as many schools claim to be “need blind” they should in addition attempt to remain blind to a person’s race or geographic locale when accepting students.</p>
<p>SAT scores are only a small measure of a student’s potential. Numerous studies have shown cultural and gender bias in the test, as much as ETS tries to minimize it. Also, privileged students often receive tutoring to prep for the tests that others, either in economically disadvantaged or non-educationally oriented households, do not get.</p>
<p>WaitingDad, are you a minority?</p>
<p>Lehigh is racist.</p>
<p>Criticals… Family is 2nd generation italian-american, russian-american and polish-american so definitely considered a minority.</p>
<p>^Way to sneak past Tokenadult’s Affirmative Action radar!</p>
<p>You really should just join the FAQ where folks will be happy to (re-) hash it with you!</p>
<p>LOL, Shrinkrap!</p>
<p>And bluewords, might you be saying that because you go to Villanova? :)</p>
<p>I’m a (white male) senior at Lehigh, and I can vouch that there is certainly some racism at Lehigh. I do not believe the institution itself is racist whatsoever, but some of its students certainly are. </p>
<p>Earlier this week, a “hostile and racist symbol was found scratched into the
metal surface of an elevator in one of our academic buildings” (as described by President Alice Gast in an email that went out to all students). This is not the only case either.</p>
<p>The most notable event concerning racism I can think of happened last year right after Obama was elected president. There were multiple reports of students shouting racial slurs at other students from their cars. Many students did not even feel safe walking home. President Gast responded by calling a town hall meeting to discuss racism at Lehigh and what we can do about it. The response was massive, with hundreds of students (may have been 1000+, I don’t remember) piling into an auditorium for the meeting. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, there is nothing that Lehigh can do to prevent racism (afterall, it is something that occurs person to person, not over a whole group of people), but there have been efforts by the school to educate against it and stop it. Also, it must be emphasized that the majority of students here are not racist. I’ve heard fellow students talking about racism in fraternities, but the Greek system has supposedly responded and improved substantially. There has undeniably been an effort to expell racism - it’s just not a simple task. Still, I wish students were more active against it. I feel that since it doesn’t effect many students, too many still tend to ignore it.</p>
<p>Also, I’d like to note that many minority students surround themselves with only fellow students belonging to the same minority and aren’t welcoming to others. This is self-imposed segregation and hinders any progress we may have in ending racism. If you aren’t willing to branch out and meet all sorts of people, you are part of the problem.</p>
<p>Food for Thought:</p>
<p>[Google</a> Map of incidents of racism on college campuses](<a href=“http://theloop21.com/news/map-incidents-racism-college-campuses]Google”>http://theloop21.com/news/map-incidents-racism-college-campuses)</p>
<p>What an excellent, thoughtful post, Mirrorrorrim! Thank you for sharing what is happening on campus.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the behavior you note above happens everywhere, often where people least expect it. It would be great if several minority (and current Lehigh) students would post here about their personal experiences at Lehigh so that prospective students can hear their feelings about the general atmosphere.</p>
<p>Posted this at Muhlenberg post but decided to share it here too:</p>
<p>I echo Belgiancow post but my daughter is still a Junior. We visited Muhlenberg and Lehigh University yesterday and we did NOT see 1 single colored student ever! But we did not feel out of place (we are from South East Asia) Everyone was very friendly very accepting. Then we went to Lehigh however that was another story. Even though we spotted a few Asian student the vibrations were very unwelcome. Even the parents who came to visit with their kids just like us were extremely unfriendly and obnoxious almost.It was like the parents teach their children to be mean. We walked out of the info session. We will not go there even if my daughter got a full ride. But Muhlenberg had a warmth and the Dean of Admission was an amazing speak. All positive about it. I’m sure your son will be made welcome and be happy there. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>“Then we went to Lehigh however that was another story. Even though we spotted a few Asian students the vibrations were very unwelcome. Even the parents who came to visit with their kids just like us were extremely unfriendly and obnoxious almost. It was like the parents teach their children to be mean. We walked out of the info session.”
junior_mom…You must be joking!!! If you get all those strange feelings from a simple info session then you certainly shouldn’t give $50K/yr to Lehigh. Enjoy boring Muhlenberg.</p>
<p>WaitingDad: Probably I will send my kid to 'berg where she will be loved and nurtured but certainly not to Lehigh. This is my second kid and always pay retail never ask for finaid anywhere. I certainly will NOT pay over 200k where my child will not be welcomed.I have read the entire thread and realized you must be a Lehigh parent. I understand your patriotism towards your kids school. You are a great advocate for Lehigh and thats great!</p>