Lehigh University Freshman Dorms: A Comprehensive Guide for the Class of 2029

Congratulations on your acceptance into Lehigh University's Class of 2029! As you prepare for this exciting new chapter, understanding your on-campus living options is essential. Lehigh's residential life is a cornerstone of the college experience, offering opportunities for fun, growth, and a strong sense of belonging. This guide will provide you with valuable information about freshman dorms, move-in procedures, dining options, and more, to help you navigate your first year at Lehigh.

Move-In and Arrival

Mark your calendars! Move-In Day is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025. You can move in between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Upon arrival, head to Housing Services at 63 Rathbone Hall (balcony level - access via stairs after parking) to check in. Be sure to keep an eye out for further details regarding the move-in process and protocols for the Spring 2025 semester, which will be shared by Housing Services. Housing offers will be released after January 1, 2025.

The Residential Experience: Building Community

At Lehigh, your education extends far beyond the classroom. The residence halls are more than just a place to sleep and study. They are vibrant communities where you'll connect with fellow students, explore your identity, and engage with society. Each residential building fosters a sense of community through common spaces where students can meet and mingle. Consider it a crucial aspect of Lehigh that transforms a campus into a close-knit community - your community. So, introduce yourself to your neighbors and connect with your Gryphon (resident advisor).

Housing Contract: Your First Step

As outlined in Section 2 - Live Lehigh of your Lehigh Welcome Kit, completing your online Housing Application by June 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM is one of your First-Year Student responsibilities.

The submission date of your contract does not affect your placement or grant you priority, but you must submit it by the deadline to be included in the process. The Housing Application will be accessible on the Lehigh Portal under the Summer Checklist, starting Wednesday, June 4 at 8 AM (EST).

Read also: Lehigh Grads and Employment

Step 1: Access and Sign the Contract

You can access the online Housing Contract after completing these steps:

Submit your enrollment deposit to Admissions.
As a First-Year student, you will not be selecting a specific residence hall. However, you can make a few selections that will influence your placement:
- Accommodation Housing Requests: If you have a medical condition or religious need that requires special housing placement, indicate that you have been in contact with the appropriate office. Refer to the information on Accommodation Housing Requests for specific instructions.
- Select your gender preference: Choose from single-gender, co-ed, or all-gender floor options.
- Preference a single room: Indicate if you wish to live by yourself. Keep in mind that single rooms are limited and not guaranteed.
- Indicate if you are interested in Themed Housing: If you do not select a theme, or if there are no more spaces available in that theme, you will be automatically placed into regular housing. You can indicate interest in up to 3 themes. If you're not interested in joining a themed community, you can skip those questions.

You will also choose a Meal Plan in this section. All First-Year students are required to have a meal plan through the University.

Dining Options: Fueling Your Studies

Lehigh offers three convenient methods for students to purchase food:

Dining Dollars: This declining balance is accepted at all Lehigh dining locations.
GoldPLUS: GoldPLUS functions as an optional debit card and is accepted at all Lehigh dining locations as well as many local off-campus restaurants and services.

On-Campus Living: Dorms and Amenities

Most Lehigh students live on campus, which provides opportunities for fun, growth and belonging. For undergraduate students at Lehigh, the first two years are typically spent living on campus. Living in a dorm with a roommate is a classic college experience and an essential piece of your first year. You will likely make your first college friends in your residence hall, running into them in the hallways, bathrooms, and lounges.

Each room is furnished with a mattress, desk with chair, bookshelf, dresser or built-in drawers, and a closet or wardrobe. Wireless internet access is available throughout all residence halls in both bedrooms and common areas. Within the residence halls, common areas include lounges, kitchens, study rooms, laundry rooms, and game rooms.

Lehigh University dorms are similar to most college housing options. Most on-campus residence halls include singles, doubles, and suites. Floor plans vary from residence hall to residence hall. The Lehigh University dorms dimensions depend on the residence hall.

Themed Housing Communities

Lehigh offers Themed Housing Communities where students can live and learn around a certain topic of interest. All students live in learning-enhancing environments that promote diversity and embraces excellence, encourages insightful faculty-student interactions and works to develop a strong sense of community.

Transitioning to Upperclassman Housing

After your first year, housing options expand. You can remain in traditional dorms, move into on-campus apartment-style living, or find a house on South Mountain. As an upperclassman, many students choose to move off campus.

Off-Campus Housing: Planning Ahead

The process of finding off-campus housing can seem daunting at first, because unlike on-campus housing, there is more personal responsibility and the gentle hand-holding of the school is gone. The most important advice is to PLAN AHEAD! The time to start thinking about living off campus is the fall before you plan to move. At first it may seem absurdly early to be thinking about the next year, but that will give you some wiggle room, and the longer you wait, the harder it gets. This approach gives you the most options because if you are looking to live in a house, the best ones are the first to go.

An apartment close to campus is also a great option. There are a variety with multiple buildings and companies to lease from. The pros of a house include a porch, yard and ability to live with more people. With an apartment, you may get some amenities in your building like a gym and laundry room, and you can live alone or with a smaller number of people. The second most important lesson would be to make sure you and your new roommates share the same priorities. When looking at houses, there are many things to consider. It can be tricky if one person is aiming for the lowest price point while others are looking for the best amenities or security.

Another essential is to use your peers as resources. When you come to college you meet a lot of new people and it is beneficial to have a diverse network when looking for advice. Being friends with an upperclassman will pay off! Lehigh put together a list from students of their advice for living off campus. Every company with houses to lease from will list the best they have to offer online, but you want to talk to upperclassmen who have experience living off campus to see if they liked their house, or if there were any issues. Ask around to see who likes their landlord and who doesn't.

Off campus housing also gives you the opportunity to stay in the area over the summer whether you are working nearby or just want to spend some extra time on Lehigh’s gorgeous campus. The independence of living off campus is a nice stepping stone before joining the real world after graduation day.

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