Lehigh University - Epitome Yearbook (Bethlehem, PA)

Page 18 text:

Expansion of the University ' s physical plant was enhanced this year by the completion of three fraternity houses in Sayre Park, and the announce- ment of the planned construction of four more. The Sayre Park area has been set aside specifi- cally for development as the University ' s frater- nity residence park. Eventually all frater- nity chapters will be housed in Sayre Park. The building rush in Sayre Park has also brought to the fore a new type of architectual development at Lehigh. In the past, most of the buildings on campus were of an improvised gothic design, with an exterior of native stone. The new fraternity houses in Sayre Park have an exterior of wood and red brick, and many of them are of contemporary design. The new residences tend to add an air of individuality to the stoney face of South Moun- tain. The initiative taken by the student body and government origanizations this year has led to momentous and happily heralded changes in many of the University traditions which seemed as immovable as the stone structures. Long the equivocal thorn in the side of the Lehigh engi- neer, C.E. 61 was always a required course for all freshmen in the uniform engineer year. Many of the freshmen would never again after their first vear come into contact with civil engineer- ing, and many were just not prepared for the ri- gors of C.E. 61 in their first two semesters. This year, it was decided to change the course from a freshman requirement to a sophomore require- ment with the stipulation that those students en- tering into certain areas of engineering would not be required to take the course. This change in the engineering curriculum allows many of the not- so-confident freshmen a greater period of ad- justment to the inconsistencies of college life. However, the greatest surprise to the student body this year was the abolition of the compul- sory Reserve Officers Training Corps program, and its replacement by a voluntary system. This decision of the trustees was in line with the trend Professor Robert Cutler is caught in an intense moment as he conducts the Glee Club in their fall Le H.F. Concert which more than 1000 people enjoyed. 14

Page 17 text:

This dink-wearing freshman flies in the face of Lehigh tradition by placing himself on a pedestal. The Class of 1962 brought Ahmad Jamal to Lehigh to play before a near capacity crowd in Grace Hall. Steps below the Library connect upper and lower campus. They serve as a meeting SL and a Hyde Park for more verbal undergraduates. 13

Page 19 text:

on many other campuses. Lehigh is not a land grant university, and the R.O.T.C. system was established here at the request of the trustees in 1919. The Department of Defense now favors a policy of self determination as to whether the R.O.T.C. program should be compulsory, espe- cially at non-land grant colleges. The adminstrative decision to abolish compul- sory R.O.T.C. was encouraged by faculty senti- ment. Before a decision was made, the faculty voted on substitution of a voluntary program for the compulsory one, this vote showed a very def- inite preference for a voluntary system. Shortly thereafter the adminstrators made their decision to abolish the compulsory two-year program. It is expected that the establishment of a voluntary program which is to go into effect in the Fall of 1961 will in no way inhibit the operation of the military contingent at Lehigh, for there has al- ways been ample interest in advanced military Students give IBM machines a hand in registration for classes by distributing schedules for Fall semester. During the winter, the card room of the University Center gets heavy use as many students while away the hours over the bridge and chess tables.