Packing can be made a lot easier when you know what to bring and what to leave at home. Use this packing list to help you make some of those decisions and check out the housing website if you need specifics on your residence hall room.
Please make sure all boxes, suitcases, bags, and other items are clearly labeled with your name, building, and room number.
Where should I go to check-in?Please follow these directions when you arrive to assist us with traffic flow. You’ll check-in at Iacocca Hall on the Mountaintop campus between 8:00am and 11:30am to receive your parking pass and Orientation materials. Follow the color-coded directional signage down the mountain to your residence hall to pick up your keys and unload your belongings.
Will parking be available?Yes. Your parking pass must remain on your dashboard during the move-in process. Someone must stay with your car when you arrive at your residence hall. Staff, faculty and student volunteers will assist you in unloading your car. Once your car is unloaded, you will move it to your designated campus parking garage to allow others to unload (follow the directional signage to the closest parking location).
When can I finalize my dates to move home for the semester?The final exam period is from December 10 to December 18, 2024. Students should not make travel plans before December 18 until they have confirmed their final exam dates and times. Faculty are not expected to provide alternate exam dates for students who have made plans to leave campus before their scheduled final exams.
The schedule of final exams is posted no later than the end of the first week of October. The university creates the exam schedule after the drop/add period each semester, because the exam schedule is created to minimize student exam conflicts.
Residents are expected to depart from their residence hall within 24 hours after their last final exam. All residence halls close on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 9:00am. Students with extenuating travel circumstances can petition Housing Services for a later departure time.
YES! During Orientation you will be divided up into small groups. All group meetings are required. This is our chance to show students the ropes to college life and provide them with multitudes of resources to help them succeed at Lehigh, both in and out of the classroom. Students will meet faculty, upper-class student leaders, an academic advisor and learn about resources available while making new friends!
Do transfer students need to attend Orientation?Yes! This is where you will get helpful information and meet other transfer students. While you may have attended another college, it is important to understand Lehigh resources and expectations. It is great to make new connections as well! Certain sessions are state mandated and will be a code of conduct violation if not completed.
When will students say goodbye to their families?On Thursday, August 22, students should say goodbye to their families before 2:00pm when Orientation begins with the kick-off on the University Front Lawn. Students will look for their Orientation leader and group to sit with them on the front lawn. Instructions and group numbers will be available on move-in day. Families will be able to watch the Orientation kick-off before participating in Family Orientation but will not be with their student as they will be with their Orientation group.
On Monday, August 19, preLUsion programs start at 12:00pm. Unless otherwise indicated by your program coordinator, you should anticipate saying goodbye before 12:00pm. There will be a Welcome Lunch for parents during Family Orientation from 11:30am - 1:00pm. Family Orientation ends at 4:30pm.
*Times are subject to Change
When does Orientation begin for students?Orientation begins at 2:00pm on Thursday August 22, 2024. Students should expect to be busy with Orientation programming through the early afternoon on Sunday. Students will receive a detailed schedule with their Orientation group information in August and can utilize the guidebook app to customize their schedule.
Who are Orientation Leaders?Orientation Leaders (OLs) are returning upper-class students who have been trained to help new students make a smooth transition into the Lehigh community. There are 90 OLs who will each be assigned to a small group of students and will be able to help answer questions and guide you through Orientation. You can meet our staff on our contact page.
You will register for courses in July. Throughout the month of June important updates and information regarding the registration process will be posted on your student portal and will also be sent to your Lehigh University email address. It is very important that you monitor your email regularly, as we continuously send additional information to prepare you for registration. Keep an eye out for emails about when and how to register, videos reviewing how to utilize the registration system, and advice from your college advisors.
Will there be any classes left when I request courses?Your first year at Lehigh you will be required to take some introductory level courses that most upper-class students have already taken, so you are not competing with them during your course request process. Courses that you are required to take during your first year (e.g. Engineering 1) will be scheduled so that all students needing those courses will get into a section.
When do classes start and end?Classes will begin Monday, August 26, 2024. Check out the academic calendar.
When and how do I purchase my textbooks?Lehigh will be piloting a new course materials program, Learning Unlimited, that will reduce the cost of materials for undergraduate students and ensure they have all their materials across all courses prior to the first day of class. This is a three-year pilot program expected to reduce the cost of course materials by up to 50%.
Instead of purchasing materials a la carte, the Learning Unlimited course materials program will provide access to all required course materials for full-time undergraduate students before the first day of class for one low flat fee per semester. The program provides the faculty-selected version of all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and digital materials.
The Lehigh Store (formerly called the LU Bookstore) will provide each student with a convenient rental package for physical books and digital materials will be delivered directly to CourseSite. Students will automatically be enrolled in the program and have the option to opt-out of Learning Unlimited by the add/drop date.
Please see the Learning Unlimited webpage for additional information.
Can students alter their current fall course schedule in August, before the start of classes?Incoming first-year Students registered for classes in mid-July. Dates TBD. Registration will open again for adjustments once students are given their alternate PIN after they have an opportunity to meet with their advisor during orientation.
When do students have breaks during the semester?Here is the academic calendar. During the fall term, students have no classes on these days:
All residential facilities and dining remain open during Pacing break and Civic engagement Day. On campus dining options are not available during the Thanksgiving break only.