Navigating the Lehigh Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide

Lehigh University provides its students, faculty, and staff with a comprehensive online portal designed to streamline access to essential information and services. This article delves into the functionalities of the Lehigh Student Portal, its historical context, and its significance within the university's technological infrastructure.

A Historical Perspective: From MUSIC/SP to the Campus Portal

Before the advent of web-based portals, Lehigh University relied on a system called MUSIC/SP to provide similar services. Developed by McGill University and marketed by IBM, MUSIC/SP was operational from 1985 to 1992. This system laid the groundwork for future digital initiatives aimed at enhancing the student and faculty experience.

The current Campus Portal was built using Luminis, a web application framework originally developed by Campus Pipeline. Campus Pipeline was subsequently acquired by SCT, which is now known as Ellucian. The Luminis framework allows for the organization of various "channels" tailored to a user's specific role within the university.

Single Sign-On (SSO) and Channel-Based Organization

A key feature of the Lehigh Student Portal is its single sign-on (SSO) interface. This allows users to access multiple services with one set of credentials, simplifying the login process and improving security. The portal organizes information into channels based on a user's role (e.g., student, faculty, staff), ensuring that individuals have quick access to the resources most relevant to them.

Banner: The Backbone of Lehigh's Information System

The Lehigh Student Portal relies on Banner, an integrated information system that supports various university business processes. The Banner system manages a wide array of data, including student information, accounts receivable, financial aid, alumni relations, finance, and human resources.

Read also: Lehigh Grads and Employment

Self-Service Banner (SSB) is the online interface that provides personalized content based on an individual's role at Lehigh. Accessible from any device, SSB empowers users to manage their information and complete essential tasks efficiently.

Functionalities for Students

Students can leverage SSB to:

Register for courses
View financial aid information
Access their class schedule
View grades

Functionalities for Faculty

Faculty members can utilize SSB to:

View class rosters
Enter grades
View student academic details for advisees

Functionalities for Employees

Employees can use SSB to:

Check pay stubs
Set up direct deposit
Check leave balances
Download tax documents

Campus Life and Resources at Lehigh University

Understanding the campus environment and available resources is crucial for student success. Here's an overview of key aspects of life at Lehigh:

The Lehigh Campus

Lehigh University's campus spans 2,358 acres across three contiguous campuses on South Mountain. The campus features a mix of modern facilities and historic stone buildings, encompassing over 3.6 million square feet of classroom, laboratory, office, and living space. A virtual walking tour is available for those who wish to explore the campus remotely.

On-Campus Housing

All first-year residence halls are conveniently located near classrooms, dining halls, the fitness center/gymnasium, and libraries. First-year and second-year students are required to live in university housing. Most rooms are doubles, with a limited number of singles and triples available.

Lehigh aims to create an engaging residential experience, with 95% of students staying on campus on weekends. Residence halls are secured 24 hours a day, requiring card-key access for entry. Lehigh also provides walking escorts and a van service for added safety.

Student Activities

Lehigh offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including:

Politics and student government
Music and dramatics
A newspaper and a radio station
Community service
Religion
Sports and intramurals

Approximately 30% of students are affiliated with Lehigh's Greek system, which emphasizes scholarship, leadership, and service.

Safety and Security

Lehigh University prioritizes the safety and security of its students. Lehigh police officers patrol the campus in vehicles, on foot, and on bicycles.

Academic Information and Support

Lehigh University provides a robust academic environment with various resources to support student success.

Class Size and Faculty Interaction

The average class size at Lehigh is 28 students, with 81% of classes having fewer than 35 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, fostering close working relationships between undergraduates and their professors. Faculty members are committed to teaching and often involve undergraduates in research projects.

Internships and Co-op Opportunities

Nearly all Lehigh students participate in internships or co-operative learning programs. These experiences provide firsthand knowledge in their field of interest. Students intern in various settings, often off-campus with leading companies. Top engineering students can participate in a cooperative education program that includes eight months of paid work experience while still graduating in four years. Many co-op students receive job offers after completing their program.

Approximately 42% of Lehigh students study abroad, expanding their academic and cultural horizons.

Academic Support Services

Lehigh's Center for Academic Success offers subject-specific tutors and group study sessions for most first- and second-year courses. Academic Support Services provides assistance to students with disabilities and consultation on academic concerns. Students with documented disabilities can contact Disability Support Services for support. Professional staff are available to help students develop skills in time management, study techniques, stress management, and test-taking.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Understanding financial aid and scholarship opportunities is crucial for managing the cost of education.

Financial Aid Notifications

Students who complete their financial aid application by the deadline receive their financial aid notification along with their letter of admission. They can also view their financial aid award online through the Banner link on the Lehigh Portal.

Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admissions and are noted in the admission decision letter. These scholarships are highly selective, with approximately 30% of applicants receiving both admission and a merit scholarship.

Applying for Financial Aid

Students must reapply for institutional need-based and Federal financial aid each year. Eligibility is evaluated annually based on a family's financial and household information, as well as changes in the costs of attendance. Factors that impact need-based eligibility are detailed on the Undergraduate Financial Aid page. Students must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Performance for aid renewal. Complete financial aid applications for institutional aid are due by March 15 for currently enrolled undergraduate students. Students who submit their application after the deadline may not receive institutional need-based financial aid.

Changes to Aid Packages

A student's need-based financial aid award is specific to an academic year. If a student's family's income, assets, and household information remain consistent, their need-based financial aid eligibility will remain similar each year. However, changes in factors such as family income or the number of siblings enrolled in undergraduate college will affect the Expected Family Contribution and, consequently, the student's financial aid award.

Contacting Financial Aid Counselors

Students can contact their assigned financial aid counselor for assistance. Counselors are assigned based on the student's last name.

International Students: Visa and Immigration

International students receive immigration and visa materials via Federal Express or DHL after submitting their non-refundable enrollment deposit and enrollment paperwork. It is important to include any requested immigration and visa materials from the admission packet.

Transfer Credits and Deferral

Transferring Credits

Courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges that have an equivalent course at Lehigh, and in which a grade of "C" or better was earned, are eligible for transfer credit. Students should ask the College Board to submit their AP scores to Lehigh. The Lehigh Course Catalog provides information on the specific scores required to receive credit for Lehigh classes. Scores from the new online format for AP exams are honored according to existing policies.

Students who earn the international baccalaureate may be granted credit in higher-level or advanced subjects with scores of 5 or better or "B" or better. All students will have their credentials evaluated individually for specific course equivalency. Students should ask the IB office to send official results to Lehigh.

Numerical scores for IB coursework completed without the exam will be honored as if the student had taken the exam.

Official ACT/SAT and AP scores shared with Lehigh that qualify for credit are reviewed and granted credit prior to the start of the semester.

Deferring Admission

While most students enroll in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation, some choose to defer their enrollment to pursue unique experiences such as travel, experiential learning, or volunteer work. Students who have deferred their entry often report feeling more prepared for the challenges of college and possessing a broader perspective.

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