Academics

The teachers at Lawrence are exceptional because they are not only very knowledgeable, they also know how to teach their knowledge to us. All the professors I have come across are very friendly and open to questions, and many of them are approachable enough to talk to on a personal level. Lawrence professors are great. They are always willing to help and be there for the students, and I think that is hard to come by.

Athletics

Basketball, due to its recent success, is popular, but otherwise there is poor attendance at other varsity sporting events. A lot of students tend to participate in intramural sports though.

Campus Dining

The food is pretty bad. There are a variety of options, but if you’re vegetarian or vegan, it’s limited. Downer usually has a variety of things for meals, but they’re only good once in a while. However, there’s always salad and fruit if nothing else is good. Lucy’s is generally better than Downer, but there’s less of a selection. The Grill has okay food, and they also have a variety of chips, energy drinks, etc. But if you order food, sometimes it takes them forever to get your order to you.

Campus Housing

Trever and Colman are the dorms farthest removed from campus, so people sometimes dislike those dorms. Colman’s best advantage is having Lucinda’s dining hall in the dorm. You don’t have to leave the building to eat. Sage and Ormsby are also pretty nice because they are older and normally have a good mix of students of all classes. Kohler, the substance-free dorm, is also the quietest. Plantz is the ‘Connie’ dorm because it’s so close to the Conservatory.

Campus Strictness

This really depends on where you are. If you are in the mostly freshmen dorms, it is much harder to get away with crazy parties than if you were at a house or the upperclassman dorms. It also depends on your RLA and if they’re going to call security on you. As far as drugs are concerned, campus security knows it happens and probably knows where as well. They don’t care as long as they are not around when you are using them. But do expect to be sent to J-Board if they catch you. As far as drinking is concerned, they are usually lenient. I’ve even been warned by them that the Appleton Police were a block away when I was outside drinking.

Computers

“I don’t know if the computer labs are always crowded because I’ve only used my computer and the computers in my residence hall, but I have heard that computer labs get pretty crowded around finals week. In general, I would recommend bringing your own computer; it is far more convenient. The network is usually pretty good except around highly accessed times like noon and 10 p.m.. Also, every now and then we have some setbacks where the network is down for everyone on campus, but in general, it’s fine.

Diversity

We are a mostly Caucasian campus, but about 10 percent of students are international students studying at Lawrence. There is a lot of acceptance of different groups around campus. The acceptance of gays at Lawrence is one of the highest in the nation. There are lots of different religious organizations and activist groups, such as Lawrence Christian Fellowship, Hillel (a Jewish organization), Glow, and Greenfire. For the most part, people are accepting of everyone, but there is no perfect world, so obviously there are some differences between individuals or groups.

Drug Scene

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug. It’s easy for students who are not 21 to get it, but it is monitored by RLAs. Campus security also keeps an eye on campus at night and on weekends to make sure people do not publicly abuse the privilege of drinking. It is a college campus, and people that are under 21 are not necessarily penalized for drinking unless they get out of control, at which point they might be reprimanded by their RHD or by the dean, depending on how out of hand they get. That also goes for people that are 21 as well.

Facilities

Björklunden is a beautiful weekend retreat lodge in Door County, right on Lake Michigan. A lot of professors will take their classes there, or entire departments might go for the weekend. Most people would never really think of Wisconsin as picturesque, especially because there are no mountains, but it really is a beautiful, special place in every season.

Greek Life

Greek life is about 20 percent of campus. There are five national fraternities, three national sororities, one music fraternity, and one music sorority. Greek life is an extracurricular activity, in my opinion. It’s not for everyone, but if you find a group of people you get along with and you like to do philanthropy or hang out with that group of people, then it’s a lot of fun. There is a no-hazing policy, and most groups are accepting to many different kinds of people.

Guys & Girls

Lawrence has a variety of good-looking and not-sogood-looking people. It’s the real world. We’re not all supermodels—we’re here for school. Some people show up in pyjamas to class, and some show up dressed to the nines—it’s all relative. Most people are accepting of who you are based on you, not necessarily what you look like. I’m pretty sure we’re closing in on a 50/50 ratio of men and women, but there are still more women than men on campus.

Local Atmosphere

Appleton is a quaint town that didn’t appear very interesting at first. But after being at Lawrence for a couple of years, I find that there is always something to do. College Avenue is great and within walking distance, and then there is the more commercial part of town where you could find anything that you need. At the same time, you could escape everything and just sit by the river, or do recreational things at High Cliff Park.

Nightlife

There are always room parties, which usually go on for a while. If they’re shut down, an RLA or campus security usually does it—the police rarely get involved, if ever. There are plenty of bars within walking distance of campus, including Dr. Jekyll’s, the Wooden Nickel, and Ravens, all of which are pretty casual. There are two dance clubs that you can go to, but they can be a little weird. There’s also a martini lounge, but that’s a bit pricey.

Off-Campus Dining

There are too many good places to eat off campus. If you don’t have a car, you can just walk down College Avenue, right next to campus. There’s Erbert and Gerbert’s, a sub shop open until 2:00 a.m. on the weekends; Taste of Thai, literally right next to campus; Peggy’s, an excellent upscale cafe that feels like you’re right in New York; and Victoria’s, a very heavy Italian place. If you have a car, there are all kinds of chains downtown.

Off-Campus Housing

About 90 percent of students live on campus because it is required. Lawrence is a somewhat-small school, but there is alternative living, such as house apartments, small group interest housing, or Hiett Hall (somewhat apartment-style). With different options for living as upperclassmen, it’s nice to be able to feel more independent and yet not have to live so far off campus that you are detached.

Overall Experience

I love all the people that I have met. The things I have learned academically and personally have helped me become the person I am today. I wouldn’t trade any of my mistakes, good times, bad times, etc., for another experience. I look forward to making a career for myself, and I think that Lawrence is preparing me by helping me figure out what I want to do and not telling me what I am supposed to do. I have found my passions and how to achieve my goals at Lawrence. Let’s just hope they work out!

Parking

There is a parking lottery every term. If you have three or more parking violations in the campus lots, you are not qualified to be in the lottery. However, there is a parking garage two blocks away on Washington Street, past the conservatory, where you can park. It’s a safe indoor parking garage that is super convenient. You are allowed to park in the school lots at night and on weekends, and during the day there is street parking close to campus for your convenience, but you can’t park overnight on the street.

Safety & Security

Security is the best. They are understanding and relatively lenient. However, I feel that campus is very, very safe, so I have no problems walking anywhere on campus at 2 a.m. In addition, security is available to take you anywhere if you feel uncomfortable.

Transportation

Public transportation exists, but the buses only run every half hour to every hour. Transportation can be convenient in the fall and spring but hellish to wait for in the winter. It’s not at all convenient to any grocery stores, but it’ll take you right to the mall. Also, you’ll never see any young professionals on the bus—it’s the sole transportation for the young, the disabled, and the poor.

Weather

During fall term, it can be anywhere from 75 degrees down to zero by the end of the term when winter begins. And during winter term, it can be anywhere from minus 10 degrees to 40 degrees. And then spring ranges from 40 to 90 degrees when summer begins. We get a wide spectrum of weather throughout the whole year; however it is very important to have a good winter coat and boots. It gets very cold and snowy at times, but the campus maintenance is really good about making sure to shovel sidewalks to make it easier to get around.