Student Communications

We are excited to invite you to Lehigh University's 2025 Summer Webinar Series! These sessions are designed to introduce you to campus resources, support your transition, and connect you with key university staff. Whether you're a student or a family member, these webinars will provide valuable insights to prepare for the upcoming academic year.

Summer Schedule

REGISTER HERE for any or all of the webinars this summer!

• Office of the First-Year Experience Welcome & Kick-Off
  Tuesday, May 13 – 8:00 PM EDT
• Accommodations 101: Successfully Navigating the Transition for Students with Disabilities
  Thursday, May 22 – 12:00 PM EDT
• Completing Your Housing Contract
  Monday, June 2 – 6:00 PM EDT
• Academic Advising & Support for Students
  Tuesday, June 10 – 7:00 PM EDT
• Tech Talk for First-Year Students and Families
  Wednesday, June 25, 2025 – 7:00 PM EDT
• Pursuing the Pre-Health Track at Lehigh: Meet the Pre-Health Director and the Med Mentors
  Thursday, July 10, 2025 – 5:30 PM EDT
• Are You Move-In Ready?
  Tuesday, July 15, 2025 – 7:00 PM EDT

We hope you will join us! More webinars will be announced as the summer continues. Sessions will be recorded as appropriate and posted on our summer webinar webpage one week after each session.

Great news! Your Lehigh Student Portal is now live — linking you to everything you’ll need this summer as a first-year student.

Summer Checklist

You can now start working through the Summer Checklist, which includes important tasks to complete before August. Visit the Lehigh Student Portal to get started.

Register for preLUsion

Get a head start on your Lehigh experience by joining a preLUsion program, happening August 18–20. Registration opens today at 3:00 PM EDT and is available through the Summer Checklist or directly on the preLUsion webpage.

Note: Spots are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
 If cost is a concern, scholarships are available — don’t hesitate to apply on the preLUsion webpage.

Lehigh Email: Time to Switch Over

Your Lehigh email is now active! Starting tomorrow, all official university communication will be sent to your Lehigh address. Be sure to check it regularly so you don’t miss any updates.

Join Us Tonight – Summer Webinar Kickoff

Don’t miss our Welcome & Kickoff Webinar tonight at 8:00 PM EDT.
Register here to join us live!

Important Note:

If you don’t see the new portal info, you likely haven’t activated your Lehigh computing account yet. You’ll need to visit your Applicant Portal (where you logged in with your personal email) to set it up and receive your Lehigh credentials (e.g., abc123).

As summer approaches, we want to share a few important updates and reminders to help you stay on track.

Checklist Updates & Reminders

The Summer Checklist has been updated with new links and information. Please review the full checklist at go.lehigh.edu/lehighportal. Here are a few key upcoming items:

• Submit any dining, medical, or religious accommodation needs for housing due June 2!

• Housing contract opens June 4 -  the link will be available on your checklist and your email

• Orientation Information and Consent Due June 30 - Orientation is mandatory - this form notifies us of any physical accommodations your family may need when visiting for move-in, your restaurant choice for Faux Friday, your dietary restrictions, etc.

• Student Health Forms Due July 11 - forms must be signed by your doctor and vaccinations entered in the patient portal

• Sign up to attend a Student Sendoff in your area!

Summer Webinar Series

Join us for our upcoming webinars throughout June! Sign up now on our Summer Webinar Series page. Can’t attend live? Recordings will be available a few days after each session.

• Completing Your Housing Contract
  Monday, June 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM EDT

• Academic Advising & Support for Students
  Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM EDT

• Lehigh University Campus Safety Information and Resources
  Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM EDT

• Tech Talk for First-Year Students and Families
  Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM EDT

Be sure to check your Lehigh email regularly and revisit the full Summer Checklist on the portal for the latest updates.

The housing contract is now available on your Housing & Dining Portal and will be open until June 20. If you filled it out and want to change your preferences, you can simply fill it out again.

For step by step information on completing your Housing Contract, you can visit the Housing Services webpage  or watch the recording of the Completing your Housing Contract webinar if you missed it.

To explore more about first-year housing…

• Review detailed information and experience virtual tours of each residence hall
• View furniture dimensions
• View housing and meal plan rates. As a reminder, first year students are defaulted to the 240 Block Meal Plan, but can upgrade to the All Access 7.

We’ve added a new webinar about Dining at Lehigh this Thursday at 12:00 P.M. Learn everything you need to know about Lehigh Dining—meal plans, dining locations, nutrition resources, and more. You can register on the Summer Webinar webpage. The recording will be posted on the same page by the end of day Friday.

If you have a medical condition that impacts your ability to dine well on campus, we encourage you to reach out to our Registered Dietitian, Executive Chef, or General Manager. Many dietary needs can be easily accommodated. Additional documentation may be required for formal accommodations—the deadline to submit this was June 2, but please visit the Office of Disability Services if you have not already for detailed instructions and information.

PreLUsion, a collection of ten optional pre-orientation programs, is designed to jump-start your college experience! It welcomes you to campus 3 days before Orientation begins and allows you to connect to Lehigh by engaging with a smaller community of students and staff who share similar interests. 

Programs are filling quickly! If you are interested in participating, please be sure to fill out the registration as soon as possible.

If the cost of a preLUsion program is difficult to cover, there are opportunities to receive a sponsorship. The application is available on our prelusion website and due no later than June 22. 

Here's a preview of some of the exciting programs you can join that still have spots available!

Bridges to Bethlehem
Dive into hands‑on service projects—from food security to environmental conservation—enjoying meaningful community impact, fun evening outings, and exploring your new home, Bethlehem!

CSB Connect
Designed specifically for incoming Computer Science & Business honors students—team up with mentors and peers to explore real-world projects, tackle a campus-wide scavenger hunt, meet key faculty and leaders, and even cheer on a minor-league baseball game.

C.L.I.M.B
Join us for the C.L.I.M.B. (Creating Leaders Invested in Mentorship & Belonging) Mentor Program preLUsion, a unique opportunity designed specifically for incoming students to be partnered with one of our fraternity and sorority mentors and learn more about community service, leadership, and our community.

GlobaLehigh
Explore the global side of Lehigh by networking with Lehigh alumni working in international careers, meeting diplomats, and getting a behind the scenes tour of the United Nations.

Lehigh Women Engineers
Incoming engineering students dive into hands‑on lab activities, explore engineering departments, bond with peers and mentors, meet faculty (including the Dean!), and build a powerful network to jumpstart your success at Lehigh.

Lehigh 360
Lehigh 360 will introduce you to all of the incredible high-impact, beyond the classroom learning opportunities that Lehigh has to offer - opportunities in creative inquiry, entrepreneurship, global engagement, the arts, community service, study abroad, research, leadership and beyond!

Check out full descriptions of the programs on the preLUsion website.

We’re reaching out with an important update regarding the Orientation Registration Form.

Some of you may have experienced issues accessing the form—thank you for your patience while we resolved the problem. The good news: the form is now working! However, please note that it is not available on your checklist. Instead, you’ll need to log in to your student portal and access the form directly from there.

Orientation is mandatory, and completing this form is a key step in preparing for your arrival on campus. Please submit the form no later than June 30. It will collect important details including:

• Any family accommodation needs (e.g. mobility, hearing, or vision assistance)
• Your dietary restrictions and allergens
• Your choice of Faux Friday restaurant for the event (click the additional link within the form!)

If you have any questions or trouble accessing the form, please reach out to us at fye@lehigh.edu

The Health & Wellness Center is here to support your well-being during your time on campus. Our mission is to provide high-quality, compassionate medical care while respecting individual differences and maintaining a confidential environment. We also aim to empower students to manage minor illnesses and injuries on their own.

Our dedicated team provides care to approximately 6,000 undergraduate and over 2,000 graduate students. We offer a range of services, including:

• Acute care for illness or injury
• Routine health examinations
• Lab services
• Reproductive and sexual health services

To learn more, please visit our Services page. Students can make appointments by calling the Health & Wellness Center, or through our online chat forum. For more information, please visit Making an Appointment.

Health Insurance Requirement

Lehigh University requires all undergraduate and graduate students to have adequate medical insurance or to enroll in the university-sponsored health insurance plan.

Please note:

• The Health & Wellness Center does not bill or receive payment from insurance companies.
• Most services, including office visits, are provided at no charge.
• For services with an associated fee, students may pay in cash or charge their bursar account.
• Students are responsible for submitting claims to their insurance provider if reimbursement is needed.
• Receipts and encounter summaries are available via the Student Health Portal.

Incoming Student Paperwork – What You Need to Do

To ensure a smooth start, all incoming students must complete the following required health paperwork:

1. Paper Forms (sent home in the Welcome Kit):
    Your healthcare provider must complete and sign these forms.
2. Electronic Forms:
    Log in to your Student Health Portal to complete all required online forms.
3. Health Insurance Enrollment or Waiver:
   You must either enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan or submit a waiver. You can find more information, and to enroll or waive here.
4. Insurance Card Upload:
    Upload clear pictures of the front and back of your insurance card to your health portal.

For detailed step-by-step instructions, visit our Incoming Student Paperwork page.
Still have questions? Check out our Incoming Student FAQs.

Course registration is just around the corner and we know choosing your first college classes can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. Even though you’re not on campus yet, there are plenty of resources and people here to help you every step of the way.

Advising Support

A Lehigh staff member in your advising unit has already reached out to you via your Lehigh email address. There are virtual advising sessions OR webinars available depending on your college. If you missed our Summer Webinar on Academic Advising and Support for Students, you can watch the recording and view the slide deck on our webpage.

Preparing for Registration

Registration will start between July 21-23 and will close on July 31. You will receive an email in early July with your exact day and time. To prepare for the process, check out the following resources:

• First-Year Student Enrollment Website - for general registration information, how-to videos, and sample schedules. We highly recommend looking at their How to Register page!
• Check your Portal for the link to your course packet and helpful information from your college
• Attend a session with your academic unit or program, or reach out to them if you have questions!

What To Do When…

Deciding which courses to take in fall? Review your course packet, check the portal and your email for additional information, see the first-year enrollment website for sample schedules, and contact your academic unit.
Have questions about utilizing the registration system? Review the First-Year Enrollment website for videos on how to utilize the registration system and contact Registration & Academic Services.
Having trouble during the registration period? Use the Live Chat on the Registrar’s webpage to talk with someone in the moment.

Schedule Changes

Still unsure after registering? That’s okay! You’ll have the chance to meet with a college representative on Friday, August 22 during Orientation. Schedule changes can be made through the first week of the semester, so there’s time to get it right.

Disability Support Services

We encourage students with disabilities who would like to apply for reasonable accommodations and services to begin by completing the Disability Support Services Registration form now to avoid delays. More information about documentation guidelines can be found on the Disability Support Services website.

We are excited to welcome you to campus in about one month! Below is helpful information to inform you of what to expect for Move-In and Orientation. We will share additional details as we get closer.

Move-In

Move-In day is Thursday, August 21, unless you are signed up for an early arrival program or varsity sport. These include programs like preLUsion, Marching 97, ROTC, LUSSI, RARE, and International Student Orientation.

There will be a team of volunteers to assist you that day! 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 8am and 11:30am to receive your parking pass and Orientation materials. Please note that if you arrive right at 8:00am it may take some time to get you processed. Your patience is appreciated. You will follow color-coded directional signage down the mountain to your residence hall to pick up your keys and unload your belongings. Commuter student families are welcome to park at check-in and take a Lehigh Bus down to the Asa Packer Campus for Orientation.

All student health forms and paperwork must be complete before students can move in. You can see additional instructions about this process on the Health & Wellness Center website.

Your parking pass must remain displayed in your vehicle during the move-in process. Someone must stay with your car when you arrive at your students’ residence hall. Staff, faculty and student volunteers will assist in unloading your car. Please make sure all boxes, suitcases, bags, and other items are clearly labeled with your students’ name, building, and room number. 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).

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 for specifics on the residence hall rooms.

MOOV Shuttles

Shuttles will be available on Asa Packer campus going from the parking garages up to the residence halls. These shuttle stops can be identified by large yellow Orientation flags. If parking is full on the Asa Packer campus, there is additional parking up at Mountaintop campus where you will check-in and shuttles that can transport you back down the mountain.

Parent & Family Orientation

We will have a Family Welcome tent with information and refreshments outside of the Orientation Check-In at Iacocca Hall. All are encouraged to join us at the Welcome Lunch on the Clayton University Center Front Lawn from 11:30 - 1:30pm. You’ll say farewell at this time as the Orientation Kick-off starts at 2pm and you will be engaged in programming for the rest of the weekend. Family Orientation will occur simultaneously on Thursday and will wrap up by 5:00pm.

Please see the Family Orientation Schedule for additional details. 

Are you attending an early arrival program? Don’t worry! We host the same Family Orientation on Monday, August 18. The times will vary slightly, but the schedule is available on our website.

We’ve added a few important items to your Summer Checklist, so be sure to log back in and stay up to date! Here’s what’s new and what you need to know:

Complete the First-Year Survey

The First-Year Survey is now available in June on your checklist! Please take a few minutes to complete it by July 31. Your responses help us better support your transition to Lehigh.

Upload Your Photo for Your Lehigh Pass

You must submit a photo of yourself in advance to be used on your Lehigh Pass. The picture must be a color, head-and-shoulders photograph of you facing the camera with a plain background. We cannot accept photos with filters, or where you are wearing sunglasses, hats, or anything that would make it difficult to determine your identity.Lehigh uses a system to make photo uploads quick and easy:

1. If you haven’t done so already, set up your Lehigh University email account and multi-factor authentication.
2. On your phone or computer, follow this link to access your eAccount and the CloudCard online photo submission tool.
3. Sign in using your Lehigh username and password.
4. Follow the instructions in the system to either upload an existing photo from your camera roll or take a new photo. The system will either accept your photo or ask you to try again if your submission doesn't meet our requirements.

We reserve the right to refuse any photo, due to poor quality, unacceptable content, or other variables.

Reminder: Health Forms Due July 11

If you haven’t submitted your health forms yet, they’re due this Thursday, July 11. Review step by step instructions on the Health Center’s website.

Check Out the Summer Webinar Series

Our Summer Webinar Series is a great way to prepare for your transition. Head to go.lehigh.edu/webinars to explore upcoming sessions and register.

We’ll continue to add items to your checklist throughout the summer, so please return to it regularly to stay on track.

Orientation Is Almost Here!

Orientation kicks off at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, right after the Welcome Lunch at 1:30 p.m., and runs through Sunday, August 24. It's mandatory and designed to help you get to know campus resources, meet new people, and start your Lehigh journey on the right foot.

The full schedule will be posted on our website in August, and once you've received your Orientation group info, you’ll be able to personalize your experience using the Guidebook app. For a day-by-day preview, check out page 16 of your Welcome Kit.

This year’s Orientation theme is Crafting Our Communities with Care. You'll explore what it means to be part of the Lehigh community and how you can support yourself and others along the way.

Faux Friday & Reading is cLUtch!

Lehigh is proud to be part of the South Bethlehem community. You’ll learn more about our home during Orientation—including hearing from our mayor at University Convocation! That evening, you'll enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, then head to the Southside Greenway for free ice cream and a laid-back community vibe.

Don’t forget to bring a new or gently used childhood or teen book for Reading is cLUtch! Write a short, uplifting message inside the front cover—we'll donate your book to local kids in South Bethlehem.

Represent Your Class Onstage at The Rally! 

The Rally is one of Lehigh’s most cherished traditions and marks your first official class event. During this special moment, the Class of 2029 will be welcomed into the Lehigh community and presented with your class flag by alumni from your adoptive Class of 1979.

Interested in representing your class on stage and accepting the flag? Submit a short video sharing why you chose Lehigh and what it would mean to accept the flag on behalf of the Class of 2029.

Send your video to Sam Perry (sap722@lehigh.edu) by Friday, August 1.

Until now, your journey may have been outlined for you. You may have taken a predetermined path to arrive here at Lehigh. But this journey is different. This journey is directed by you. The path is yours to create, a blank page full of countless possibilities. You decide who you want to be, what kind of relationships you’ll build, and how you will make an impact in the community. And we hope bLUeprint will be a tool for you in that journey.

bLUeprint is all about making the most of your experiences. Just like your faculty have syllabi and goals for your classes, bLUeprint is like that for your learning outside of the classroom. We know that so much of our learning comes from those everyday moments and experiences in college – the conversations over dinner; interacting with your hallmates; your involvement in students clubs, research, internships; and everything in between. It is so easy to run from one thing to the next - to go four years without articulating exactly how you’ve grown and in what specific ways those moments have impacted you, your identity, and your trajectory. bLUeprint is meant to encourage those moments of pause and reflection. It is meant to encourage and challenge you to think deeply about where you come from, who you are and who you want to be. This is your opportunity to create your experience. 

The Five Foundations are the goals we want you to explore and question. 

• Creative Curiosity encourages exploration of new ideas and concepts. Students are empowered to take control of their own learning, and develop the skills necessary to be lifelong learners and innovative problem solvers.

• Self Concept encourages students to strengthen self-worth by understanding their own identities and values and expressing oneself authentically.

• Healthy Connections begin with taking care of yourself and thriving relationships take attention and care. Students are encouraged to reflect on helpful and harmful connections, establish personal needs and boundaries, and practice demonstrating empathy in their care for self and others. 

• Critical Consciousness is about acknowledging, questioning, and challenging structural inequities and understanding diverse perspectives. We encourage students to reflect and empower them to become active citizens who engage in collaborative efforts to make positive change in their communities. 

• Strategic Adaptability recognizes that students are navigating in constantly changing environments. Students are encouraged to build skills in problem-solving, flexibility, and decision-making by learning from failures and taking risks.

We want you to DISCOVER the Five Foundations and EXPLORE what they mean to you. We want you to CONNECT your ideas and experiences, and APPLY what you learn to real world issues and situations, but you won’t have to do that alone. There are people here to help you design the best possible college and post-college experience. They are all around you - at your orientation, in the residence halls, in offices and student organizations across campus. 

We’re excited to be a part of this journey with you!