Diversity at Lehigh

LehighChemE
Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:01:35 +0000

Hey Jerseyshor,

Let me try to offer my perspective on diversity at Lehigh. First off, your numbers are incorrect. According to data posted by Lehigh admissions, the student body is about 75% white, not more than 85% as you stated. In addition, this data is from 2011, so I am sure that over the past year, diversity has increased the distribution of white students is a bit less than 75%.

Source: [Lehigh University: Undergraduate Admissions: Lehigh at a Glance: Students](http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/glance/students.aspx#Ethnicity)

In terms of student wealth, only 49% of Lehigh students have financial aid packages. I was also surprised when I saw that statistic. Note that this figure doesn’t include students with full ride scholarships, since it isn’t technically aid. However, even considering that, it means that a fair amount of Lehigh students are paying the full $52k+ cost each year, which stuns me.

Yes, there are many wealthy students on campus. But there is a majority of students that relies on financial aid and scholarships to be able to afford a Lehigh education. Lehigh is not grouped by financial class - wealthier students don’t click together with other rich kids. I really don’t even talk about financial aid or money with my friends up at Lehigh - I think to most students it doesn’t matter, and that’s a good thing.

Now, in terms of diversity, I can tell you this. I personally do not believe in achieving diversity for diversity’s sake. A good university should accept students from all backgrounds based on academic merit, not based on fulfilling quotas. And I think Lehigh shares in the spirit of this attitude. Lehigh has been shifting towards embracing diversity, but not as severely as other institutions. You get accepted to Lehigh because you’re smart, not because you’re black or white or any other race.

Even with this in mind, Lehigh is a very diverse place. I work in the Global Union, Lehigh’s link between small international clubs or globally-minded organizations and the Student Senate (the source of all their funding). Lehigh has many, many clubs for all different ethinic backgrounds and global interests. Students of different ethinicities can find an outlet in lots of these clubs - I’ve seen it happen firsthand. But these students can also get along fine with the bulk of other Lehigh students.

If you need any clarification, let me know.

Best,


Mike