Building Profile: Campus Square

Stats: Campus Square, an upper-class apartment complex, houses 244 students.  The co-ed buildings is divided into two-, three-, and four-person single-gender suites.  There are six Gryphons who serve the four-building complex.

Each apartment features single bedrooms as well as a living room furnished with a lounge chair, sofa, coffee table, end table, lamp and a TV cart. The kitchen includes a refrigerator/freezer, an oven and a range. A table and two chairs are provided in the dining area. Furniture in each bedroom includes a bed, desk, desk chair, bookshelf, dresser and a closet.  Check out floor plans here!

The sister areas of Campus Square are Brodhead and Warren Square.

Like the Campus Square Facebook page!

The People

Your roommates are really the people you’ll get to know. Building community doesn’t come as naturally as in first-year residence halls, but keep your doors open and attend the programs the Gryphons hold!  This will help you get to know other people in the building and make the most of the Campus Square community!

The Rooms

Campus Square is divided into four parts, A through D. Each building has an elevator, and there are lounges on each floor. There are also washing machines and dryers on every floor, making laundry very convenient.

Rooms in Campus Square are apartment-style, with several single bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room. Some room have four bedrooms, while others have two or three. The bedrooms each have a bed, desk with drawers, and a spacious closet with shelves and drawers. These rooms are not as large as those in some of the other buildings, but certainly roomy enough to encompass all of your belongings. Making the rooms seem even bigger is the space provided by the rest of the room. The living room is rather large, with a sofa, chair, coffee table, end tables, and TV stand. A kitchen table and four chairs fit nicely into the space, as well. The kitchen is connected to the living room. There is plenty of cabinet space and appliances include a stove and refrigerator, as well as a sink. Though the rooms do not come with a microwave, there is a good amount of counter space to fit one if desired. Down the hall is a private bathroom for the suite that is cleaned every month. There is a large closet in the hallway, and some shelves across from the bathroom. There is cable in every bedroom as well as the living room. Most of the suite, aside from the bathroom and kitchen, is carpeted.

The Location

Campus Square is conveniently located near the new post office, Johnny’s, and the bookstore, as well as many off campus restaurants and stores. Several class buildings are a close walk, though buildings at the top of campus are a bit of a walk. The bus stop on Packer Ave. is relatively close, making it easy to get to the top of campus and Iacocca. Fair-Mart is close, a short walk back after studying late. The Fud Truck is often parked nearby, and Brodhead dining hall is also close by, making it a good option for students with meal plans.

Suggestions:

Television
Bathroom Rug
Toaster
Microwave
Ice trays

By Megan Robertson, Ciera Rosario, and Rachel Whittemore, all Class of 2014 and residents of Campus Square for the 2012-2013 academic year.

 

Assistant Director Spotlight: Kate Conway

Area: McClintic & Marshall House and Drinker House

Undergraduate institution: Arcadia University, BFA Interior Design

Graduate institution: University of Delaware, MA Counseling in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs Practice

Dream vacation: If I could go anywhere, I would go to Hawaii. It is beautiful and has both activities to relax and explore – the perfect vacation combination.

Favorite food: If you know me at all, you know that I love PIZZA! I do not discriminate – I like it all, delivery, frozen, homemade…

Favorite thing about Bethlehem: I really love the industrial history of this area and I love that the area pays tribute to that past with areas like Steel Stacks.

What I do in my free time: In my free time I love reading, watching movies, spending time with family and friends, and bowling.

One thing you want to tell the residents of your area: Make the best of your time in college. It is a great time in your life when you are surrounded with friends all the time!

This is my second year working at Lehigh. I am one of the Assistant Directors of Residence Life and I oversee M&M and Drinker Houses. I live here with my fiancé, Dave and our dog, Molly. You can find me in my office in M&M or in Warren Square E, My office number is 610-758-2555 but email is even better: kec711@lehigh.

2013-2014 Housing Options!

It’s that time of year again!

If you are a rising 3rd, 4th, or 5th year student, check out this link for a timeline of the process of applying for housing for next year.

If you are a rising 2nd year student, check out the link above for a timeline and this link for the process of applying for housing next year.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, go to the website for Housing.

If you want to connect with LU Housing on Facebook, go here!  Or follow them on Twitter at @LUHousing.

You can also feel free to leave questions in the comments on this blog, and we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.

Gryphon Spotlight: Ram Sinha

Ram is a 2^nd year Gryphon in Campus Square A.  He’s the Gryphon the building and he hates to party. 

Area: Campus Square

Year and Major: BioE (Cell & Tissue); `14

Hometown: Warren, NJ

Three things that make me happy:

1. Seeing/Doing selfless acts
2. Scones
3. Friends and Family

One thing I can’t live without: Bananas

Favorite entertainment medium: Music, either chill or dance

Favorite thing about Gryphoning: Meeting new people with an assortment of backgrounds

Favorite thing about living in a residence hall: Being a part of a community

Other organizations/activities I am involved in: Colleges Against Cancer, Research

 

Back so soon?

Panhellenic Formal Recruitment begins today!  Are you one of the many women who are back on campus for recruitment, or just curious about what exactly recruitment is?  The following letter from Senior Assistant Dean Timothy Wilkinson, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, offers a great explanation of the recruitment process and includes advice for women participating in recruitment as well.

♦

Panhellenic Formal Recruitment is a process that Lehigh’s Panhellenic Council coordinates with the assistance of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. The Formal Recruitment process is similar to sorority recruitment processes across the nation. Each college campus works with the National Panhellenic Conference on a recruitment process that allows each Potential New Member (“PNM”) to meet and get to know each chapter, as well as each chapter to get to know each new member. Known as a “mutual selection process” Formal Recruitment allows each women, and each chapter to make mutually beneficial recruitment decisions.

Advice for going through Panhellenic Recruitment:

1. “PNM’s” are each matched up to a Rho Gamma, or Recruitment Counselor. Rho Gamma’s are members of Panhellenic Sororities that have disaffiliated from their chapter for Formal Recruitment in order to assist with recruitment. Rho Gamma’s have been training on the recruitment process, and are a great source of advice, understanding and counsel.

2. Understand the “mutual selection process”: Each of the chapters at Lehigh is only allowed to invite a certain number of women to join their ranks. This is known as “quota” and is a number that is provided to the chapters by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs in conjunction with the National Panhellenic Conference. Lehigh’s Formal Recruitment normally averages roughly 300 women, with each chapter having an average “quota” of 25 to 30 women. Chapters can never invite as many women as they would like, and have to make difficult decisions. The more sororities that “PNM’s” get to know, the better they will feel about their options later in the week.

3. Get to know which chapter is best for you: Formal Recruitment allows women to find the best chapter for them, not for their friends or residence hall floor mates. Ask questions about topics such as the financial commitments for joining the chapter; how involvement in the chapter makes for a better campus leadership experience; and what are the specifics of the new member process.

4. Read Accreditation Reports: Each chapter has a five year history of their successes and challenges, and this information is available right on the web! If you go to http://www.lehigh.edu/ofsa/reports.shtml. You can read up on all the chapters in the five areas of Accreditation, Intellectual Development, Community Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Development, and Facilities Management. These are the facets of a great chapter, and you can learn all about it.

5. Have fun! Formal Recruitment is a whirlwind! Don’t be afraid to laugh, have fun, meet as many people as possible and enjoy it! Our Panhellenic Community is truly one of the best in the nation, and we hope that you all find a place in it!

Best,

Tim Wilkinson
Senior Assistant Dean of Students
Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs

Gryphon Spotlight: Leah Paulson

Leah is a 2^nd year Gryphon in Campus Square D.  She’s the Gryphon on 3rd floor and is really talented at dancing, especially hip-hop.

Area: Campus Square

Year and Major: Global Studies & Spanish double major , 2014

Hometown: Media, PA

Three things that make me happy:

1. Subway performers
2. LL Cool J
3. Cake

One thing I can’t live without: a seesaw

Favorite entertainment medium: Nonfiction books in Espanol are a favorite of mine

Favorite thing about Gryphoning: Helping people discover who they want to be

Favorite thing about living in a residence hall: I have the chance to make friends! I love friends!

Other organizations/activities I am involved in: Club Rowing, RHA/RHC

Giving Thanks

Considering that I am currently celebrating my last Thanksgiving as a Lehigh student, I thought it would be appropriate to take time to reflect on some of the things I have been most thankful for throughout my Lehigh experience.  The following list is not exhaustive, but trust that it is heartfelt.

1. The ArtsAlive PreLUsion program organized by ArtsLehigh.  Not only did I learn about glass blowing and theatre make-up, but participating in a PreLUsion program gave me a head start on getting comfortable in my residence hall and getting to know other first-year students.  Special shout-outs to Silagh and Susan!

2. The great trifecta: LGBTQIA Services, the Women’s Center, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.  Through these offices, I have met some of the most amazing individuals, and I’ve learned just as much from being involved in these offices as I have in all of my academic work.  I have attended and presented at national conferences thanks to my involvement in the Women’s Center and the Rainbow Room.  Special thanks to the staff in these three offices and to Break the Silence and Spectrum members for being constant sources of inspiration and encouragement throughout my years here.

3. The English department.  Throughout my undergraduate experience, I always pitied my peers who honestly hated their classes and their professors.  Thankfully, I’ve never had that experience.  Yes, I’ve complained about the amount of reading I had for homework or the number of papers I had to write, but when all is said and done, I’ve always loved it.  The English department is full of amazing faculty and staff who have always been available to help me, from the day I declared my major in Vivien Steele’s office (doesn’t she have the best name?) to the day I presented my senior thesis.  All of my professors have been brilliant and they’ve all challenged me in their own ways, but special thanks to Barry Kroll, Ed Gallagher, and Seth Moglen for constantly pushing me to do my best work and confirming for me that teaching English is a valuable and powerful profession.

4. The opportunity to study abroad.  Even if you don’t think you want to go for a whole semester, go abroad with one of the summer or winter programs.  I chose the Lehigh in Ireland program, which I could talk about for hours.  Living abroad is one of the most amazing experiences, and I am so thankful that I got up the guts to go.  After spending the summer between my junior and senior years in Ireland, I got the travel bug.  I signed up for a Religion Studies course and got to spend spring break my senior year in Israel with my class.

5. The Dean of Students staff.  These people run just about everything that happens on campus that is outside of the classroom and even some of the stuff that is.  With that said, where would I even begin?  They include the staff members of my great trifecta, they include the Ofice of Residence Life, the Community Service Office, Office of the First-Year Experience and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Student Activities, Student Conduct, and all the offices that help you excel academically.  They’re a whole bunch of incredible people who want to make my and your Lehigh experiences as awesome as possible.  Special thanks to Dean Allison Gulati for lots of things, but among them, for sending me to LeaderShape, which was another amazing conference experience.

6. Last, but obviously not least, the Office of Residence Life and the Gryphon Society.  When people ask me what I do at Lehigh, I answer, “I’m a Gryphon,” which is normally followed by an explanation of what a Gryphon is (cooler RAs, of course).  A lot of people don’t understand why I would want to spend the entirety of my undergraduate and graduate careers living in a residence hall (shout out to my four years in Dravo and this year in Brodhead!).  After working with the ORL staff, my Gryphon staffs, and residents over the years, I have trouble understanding why anyone wouldn’t.  I’ve made incredible friends and learned so much about myself and others.  I’m a better person, a better leader, and I believe I’ll be a better teacher because of it.  I extend my deepest and sincerest thanks to everyone who has made this experience so wonderful.  I’m sad that it’s all coming to an end for me, but you can be sure I’ll stay in touch.

A happy Thanksgiving to all.
-Gina

Gina Mason, Class of 2012/2013G, is the Head Gryphon in Brodhead and the social media intern for the Office of Residence Life.  After graduating in May, Gina will be moving to Newark to teach English as a member of Teach for America’s 2013 corps.

♦

What others are saying…

How I had tons of fun, found great friends, met professional mentors, and started my career through life at Lehigh.

The Beginning: The first time I met my Gryphon she was walking down the hallway in a towel, having just finished a shower and heading back to her room.  She wasn’t expecting to meet one of her newest residents that day, as first year move-in was scheduled for a few days later.  I was there to participate in a pre-orientation program called Volunteer Experience and had arrived to start a three-day project helping to build a home in nearby Bucks County.  Like any great Gryphon, she excitedly welcomed me to the hall, regardless of the fact she was wearing a towel and had not yet finished with the door decorations and bulletin boards for the floor.

 

Best thing I did at Lehigh #1: Getting involved early, joining clubs, getting rejected from groups, joining different groups, and meeting lots of people all helped me get settled and find my place at Lehigh.

I had so much fun volunteering with other students and meeting people during orientation that I decided to get involved on campus right away.  At the club fair during the first week of school, I signed up to join a bunch of clubs, including a soccer team and an organization for LGBT students and their allies.  I auditioned for an a Capella group (and got rejected), went to speakers on campus, played frisbee outside of Taylor College, and went to BBQs hosted by our Gryphons.  I met so many different people and learned a lot about all that Lehigh had to offer.

 

Best thing I did at Lehigh #2: Finding a close group of friends to share the Lehigh experience with by being involved in campus life gave me a support system and created relationships that have lasted well beyond our time at Lehigh.

My second year at Lehigh, I was selected to be a Gryphon in Richards and helped welcome a new class of first year students.  I wouldn’t have even considered applying to be a Gryphon if I hadn’t gotten to know one of the professional staff members in Residence Life who suggested that I apply.  He encouraged me to get involved and by the middle of my sophomore year, I had responsibilities as a Gryphon, was serving on the executive board of a student organization, was co-directing a student production, and was involved with the Women’s Center, Multicultural Center, and Rainbow Room working to make Lehigh a more open and inclusive community.  The other Gryphons on staff became some of my best friends at Lehigh, friends that I am in touch with to this day.  The other students in the clubs I was part of also became my great friends, friends I have traveled with, lived with, and still turn to for fun and advice.

 

Best thing I did at Lehigh #3: Building relationships with faculty and staff members provided me with the mentorship and network of connections that helped me develop a strong foundation for my career.

By the time I was a senior, I had made connections with students, faculty, and staff from a variety of places across the university.  I completed an honors thesis with a faculty member in my major and learned important skills in research and writing.  I had connected with several staff members in the Residence Life office who had helped me secure a summer internship and provided advice about my future.  They served as mentors to me, and when it was time to think about life after graduation, they helped provide the window into a world that has become my career.

I didn’t know that the field of higher education administration even existed prior to coming to Lehigh.  Through my involvement as a Gryphon, working with student clubs, and on the task forces and committees I was asked to join because of my good relationships with administrators, I started to see that I could turn my passion for having a great college experience into a career.  I decided to use my Presidential Scholar award to spend a fifth year at Lehigh to pursue my master’s degree in educational leadership, which I completed in 2008.  During that time, I started a full-time position working at Lehigh’s Career Services, a job I was offered because of a connection I had made during my undergraduate time with a staff person in that office.  I had turned my newly found interests into the start of a great career.

I did eventually leave Lehigh, but only physically.  Since my time there, I have transitioned into professional roles at two different colleges and made steady progress in a thus-far successful career in higher education administration.  I am involved in local and national organizations that serve my profession and have received recognition for my contributions to the field.  I would not be where I am today if I had not taken advantage of the full offerings of Lehigh both in and outside the classroom, spent time with great friends, and devoted time to get to know faculty and staff beyond what was expected.  I carry with me all of the skills, relationships, and experiences I gained during my time at Lehigh.  It has proved to be an invaluable toolkit for me both personally and professionally, and was ridiculously fun along the way.

 

Chris Diggs works in higher education administration and is currently the Assistant Director for Student Affairs at Baruch College.  She graduated from Lehigh University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and religion studies.  She also received a Master of Education degree in educational leadership from Lehigh in 2008.  Chris is a native New Yorker and enjoys taking advantage of all that the city has to offer.

Studying Abroad: Reflections

Imagine this:

It’s fall semester and for the past year your roommate (and one of your best friends at Lehigh) has been talking non-stop about studying abroad in Ireland. She has filled out her paperwork, been accepted, and started preparing documents for travel. You’re feeling sort of jealous because you’ve always wanted to study abroad but now that the last moment to decide is actually here you’re having doubts about moving a few thousand miles away from everyone you know for the next half-year.

I’m here to tell you to do it.

While my roommate had a year to prepare I filled out an application, got accepted, and started making preparations only two months in advance of getting on a plane (while also trying not to fail my finals!) And do you want to know a secret? Up until the moment that plane was on the runway I didn’t know if I was going to go through with it. We left 3 days after Christmas during the December snowstorms of 2010 (if you remember them) and that day our plane had been cancelled and rescheduled for a week later, but my friend’s father found us seats on another plane – if we could get to Philadelphia in two hours. From that moment on I had two hours to tell my parents to turn the car around, three hours in the terminal to run back to the car and drive home, and 30 minutes on the plane to unbuckle my belt and tell them to let me off the plane. Many times I wanted to, but I did none of these things and I am so grateful to myself for having either the courage or the stubbornness to stick it out.

The first two weeks were rough, it’s true, and there were a few other times when homesickness would hit me pretty hard. But after the shock of living in a new place wore off, every day that I did something new (out of necessity or curiosity) helped me to become more confidant that this was a great decision. For the first month I barely traveled outside of my host city, but by the time I flew home five months later I had been to 14 cities in 6 countries, plus a few small towns and the Aran Islands. I am more confident in my own country now because of the things I learned abroad, and I am more confident in myself because of the daily tests I put myself through in order to thrive during that experience.

Making the decision to study abroad can be just as difficult as actually leaving, this I know intimately. But I also know that just moving to a new place can’t be the extent of your experience. If you do decide to take advantage of the fantastic programs Lehigh has to offer (and I shout to the heavens that I hope you do) then remember to get out of your host city and see the surrounding areas – visit smaller towns and talk to people your age and older, visit places with vastly different natural environments, and especially if you are in Europe take advantage of cheap flights and train networks. If you’re not from a city or not used to international travel, start with smaller trips like I did – getting to know Cork helped me trust myself to navigate Paris or Florence.  But most importantly, take that first leap and apply to a program. My friends and family believed I could do it, and I believe that you can do it. And I believe that you will come back to Lehigh with a renewed interest in life and learning and will get so much more out of your time in college if you take advantage of this opportunity.

Trip to the Aran Islands:

Trip to Florence:

Trip to Monte Carlo:

Trip to London (note: do not travel in London during a royal wedding)

Meghan Zwickl graduated in May 2012 with a B.A. in Political Science.  She intends to move to D.C. and work in either government or non-profit.

Gryphon Recruitment

Being a Gryphon gives you a chance to shape the Lehigh community. You are given a chance to provide feedback to university officials, provide advice to younger students, and meet other engaged Lehigh students. – Evan Baugh, Class of 2012

That sounds pretty cool, right?  Now that your interest is piqued, take a minute to read the message below from Taran Cardone, the staff member who coordinates Gryphon recruitment and selection.  Following that are some more testimonials by current and former Gryphons about why Gryphoning is the best job on campus!

♦

Hi everyone!

My name is Taran Cardone and I am serving in a new role for the Office of Residence Life (ORL). As the Director of Student Life Curriculum and Residential Staff Development, a large aspect of my work is selecting and recruiting the Gryphon staff with the help of the rest of the ORL professional staff. As an undergraduate student, I was able to serve as a Resident Assistant (we didn’t have a cool name like you all do at Lehigh!) for 3 years and loved every minute of that experience. I learned so much about myself, other people, and the kind of work that I wanted to do after college (which was helpful because I wasn’t too sure about what I wanted to do). Plus, I was able to practice important skills that I still use everyday in the areas of communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership. It truly was a life-changing opportunity for me and I, therefore, am eager to tell current students to explore that possibility for themselves!

Speaking of which, it is already time to apply to be a Gryphon for next year!  Please join us at the following information session to learn more:

Friday, November 9th @ 12:00 pm in University Center, 409

We would love to see you there and answer any questions that you may have! Feel free to also e-mail us at gryphon@lehigh.edu. Applications are due on Friday, December 7th, 2012 for the 2013-2014 academic year. Those interested in positions for Spring 2013 must submit their applications by Tuesday, November 27th, 2012.

Looking forward to getting to know you through this process!
Taran

♦

“Gryphoning will teach you how to build communities founded upon mutual appreciation of all members. Gryphons empower and encourage residents by caring for their well-being thus forming a comfortable and accepting atmosphere for their individual identities within a group.” – Andrew Josephson, Class of 2013

“Gryphoning gives you a sense of belonging and duty. Because of its supporting structure of peers and mentors, it gives people a sense of pride in the work they do and encourages people to better themselves. It gives introverts the courage and space to share their ideas, and extroverts the anchor and foundation to make their ideas come true. It doesn’t demand you to pretend to be anything that you are not. It doesn’t force you to fit it. Instead, Gryphoning gives every individual a chance to shine, to be cared for, and to take care of others.” – Jennifer Wang, Class of 2012

“Gryphoning allowed me to work in a unique environment, different from any RA at another school. Instead of just enforcing policies, I felt I was there as a resource for all residents as well as a friend. By Gryphoning at Lehigh, I opened up many doors for my future that otherwise would have remained closed.” – Brian Godshall, Class of 2012

“There are multiple reasons why I’d recommend people to Gryphon. First, I really found myself through Gryphoning. Second, Gryphoning is so much fun. Lastly, I’ve made lasting friendships and memories along the way.” – Ram Sinha, Class of 2014

“Although I had been at Lehigh for four years, the decision to Gryphon while pursuing my masters was one of the best choices I have made this year. I have been able to see an entirely different side of Lehigh and been able to interact with so many great students and staff members. I have also learned so much about myself and interacting with others.  No matter what career path anyone may take, these skills can be utilized in any profession. I would definitely recommend Gryphoning for anyone who wants to get involved more with Lehigh!” – Alyssa Siano, Class of 2012, 2013G

“When I first became a Gryphon I expected to gain leadership skills and help shape the residential experience of my residents. In retrospect, I gained so much more! I joined a family that continues to grow, evolve, and that always welcomes me back when I visit campus. The skills I developed and the connections I made with my residents and my fellow Gryphons are priceless. Oh, I also became awesome at making bulletin boards- thanks Gryphoning!” Adam Kohn, Class of 2011

“Gryphoning helped shape me to be the person I am today. When I first started, I was a shy and insecure, but through Gryphoning, I gained confidence, maturity, a greater appreciate for others, but also a greater understanding of what I stand for as a person.” – Daniel Bahner, Class of 2009.