idic5

Can anyone comment on how residence life is at LU, by res hall?

Please comment on Kohler first. Accepted D seems to be more interested in Kohler due to its substance free designation.

What is the definition of 'substance' in the substance free phrase?

In general, what are the rules the LU admin has for alcohol use on campus, and how prevalent is this use at LU?

Finally, are res halls populated with students who in similar programs of study, such as consertatories, English . etc?

musicmomic

My D only has experience in 2 halls thus far. She was in Trever last year and is an RA in Hiett this year. My take is that residence life is pretty decent. The RAs put together programs and a good number (but certainly not all) residents take advantage of them from time to time throughout the year. The residence halls are clean and well-maintained from what I have seen.

The alcohol use on campus is what I would call "relaxed" meaning that it is not promoted in any way and underage drinking is discouraged but some students have alcohol in the residence halls and there are a few fraternities on campus so there is alcohol there also. To my knowledge, the administration does not do random checks for alcohol in rooms, for example nor would they expel an underage student for underage drinking, I don't think. My observation is that alchohol use is common on campus but not as central to campus life as it is on, say, a Big 10 campus. The students tend to stay on campus and do not, in any large numbers, frequent the bars downtown that I can tell. I think this is a very good thing. Campus security has a pretty strong presence and if students are found to have had excessive alcohol, security will get them to the ER -- this is NOT a common occurrence but it does happen from time to time. Overall, my sense is that the role of alcohol on campus is moderate. My frame of reference is my own regional university experience and midwest Big 10 campuses (very strong alcohol presence). To my knowledge, the substance-free rules are followed in Kohler. For some residents, that means they do not drink or otherwise indulge and for others, it probably means that they do but don't want it happening where they live.

To your final question, residence halls are not segregated by groups although many conservatory students do request residence halls closer to the conservatory for convenience.

Good luck -- we think Lawrence is a wonderful school.

joecollegedad

is the housing deposit refundable - in case the admitted student decides not to enroll?

joecollegedad

another question: when is the housing selection form due?

when is the housing deposit due?

alextakashi

Kohler is called "tower of purity" given it's the tallest building in Appleton, and "substance" free meaning no alcohol,tobacco or other weirdo stuff. (but u can get drunk outside, and return to the hall with alcohol in your stomach)
musicmomic, so your D is a sophomore? or she lived in Trever for couple years?
basically Hiett is the junior/senior hall for it is luxurious and is like an apartment!(very nice, but almost impossible for sophomores to get in)
Trever is slightly far out from campus, but will be close to the campus center in 2009, (living in trever is what we call the off-campus hall)
alcohol is not the main thing, but existence of it is inevitable. and yeah, most students don't frequent bars in downtown, cause we're college students and we're poor! haha cheers~

overseas

Son is in Hiett this year and it is very, very nice. I mean very, very nice with a view of the river through the floor to ceiling window. He started out in Plantz and loved it and then Sage.

pinksand

Freshman daughter is in Ormsby and loves the close knit community and social life. They spent a relaxing weekend together at Bjorklunden last week...

overseas

Ha, my son was at Bjorklunden as well with the internationals.....he sent photos from the bus wind screen out into the wild, white yonder.....

neumes

Bjorklunden sounds very cool--do your kids go there often?

overseas

Usually a couple of times a year with different groups.

pinksand

I saw pictures also from what looks like a frozen tundra- presumably the lake. But inside it's warm and cozy. Several groups go every weekend it seems- classes, clubs, dorms, etc. It's a nice extra. I hope my d gets to return in the spring.

idic5

alex: out of curiousity, in the student world of LU, how are the substance free members viewed? Completely the same as any other student, or might they be considered like a 'different class' perhaps? ("Those students") I notice the 'tower of purity' epithet.

Just wonderin'

excited419

I was wondering the same thing. I don't drink or smoke (just a personal thing) and if I go to Lawrence I would be interested in the substance free dorm. What is it like? How are substance free students viewed?

dyserenity

There are a few jokes about Kohler; how it kind of is in the shape of a beer can and of course the tower of purity joke. However, it's actually a really nice dorm. The RAs there hold a lot of events in the dorms so there is a social scene there with other like-minded people. However, there also are a lot of other students sprinkled throughout all the dorms who don't drink or smoke. I live in Colman and my roommate doesn't drink, at all, ever. It's also really easy to avoid places where alcohol is going to be at. Most of the time, the sponsored parties on campus won't have it; you usually have to go out of your way to find it if you're underage.

People are in general respectful of other's choices here. Most people, if you say you don't smoke or drink, will be cool with that. There is occasionally the rude person or two who presses the issue, but most people here who smoke or drink won't pressure you to do it. If you ask nicely, they won't smoke around you either. The tower of purity comment is more of a joke than a jab at someone.

excited419

Thanks, although I do have a social life I have been nervous about a sterotypical college experience. Its good to know that I can avoid that.