During the late 60’s and early 70’s, the most popular campus social event of each semester was House Party Weekend.

Usually held the weekend following mid-term exams, it was a three-day party that belied the impression that Lehigh was an all-male bastion of education.  

The weekend started with the Friday afternoon eviction of one of the freshman dorms such as Drinker or Richards as well as one floor each in the Centennial Complex and parts of M & M to make room for the influx of underclassmen dates.  The dorm space was chaperoned by faculty spouse volunteers or staff and made it affordable to house your dates.  The only other options were to find a motel or hotel room at the few options available in the Lehigh Valley at that time. Once a date checked in, she needed to verify her presence by each midnight at the dorm in which they were housed.

Friday night often began with a concert such as the Isley Brothers, or other recent pop group that was hired by the student council or IFC.  Most upper-class living groups arranged the event to be started with a late afternoon cocktail party and dinner out (above). Most houses on campus were decorated for the occasion with a theme that was to carry through the weekend. 

In the fall, Saturday usually included a home football game, enhanced by the occasional win, which was followed up by another cocktail party. Tailgating was not a common practice during those times because most students did not have cars on campus or at their disposal.  Dress for the cocktail party would be considered business smart today.  

After the dinner hours, dress was relaxed, and the partying began. 

I can recall 15 -20 living groups hosting parties on any given House Party Weekend and the two requirements to gain access to any party on campus was a Lehigh Student ID and a date.  Most of the living groups sponsored a DJ or a live band playing the music of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Mama’s and the Papa’s and everything in between. 

Everyone had a great time going from house to house or holed up in their own living group if they were dateless.  I cannot recall instances of disorderly conduct or drunkenness. I think that the Lehigh men of those days appreciated their dates and respected them too much to behave in an ungentlemanly fashion. Getting drunk to the point of falling on your face just didn’t seem to occur in those days. It may have, but I can’t say that I experienced such actions during my years there. If a house member did over-imbibe, one of his buddies or housemates would be sure to take care of them and see that they returned to their living group. Serious misbehavior was relatively rare because we took responsibility for ourselves and each other.  

In the late 60’s and early 70’s, expulsion was a serious threat. All Lehigh men were aware that we were privileged to attend college and that our parents were heavily invested in providing us with an education. We knew that Lehigh was the key to a prosperous future.  No one wanted to be summoned to appear before the dean of students with their parents.  Expulsion was a serious financial blow to a family and was taken seriously by all. Further to that, expulsion would possibly expose you to the military draft, this was the height of the Vietnam War, and we all appreciated what that would likely mean. Too many of us had lost high school classmates and friends not fortunate enough to attend college. Again, attending college was a privilege. 

I am saddened that recognition of such a privilege is today taken for granted and drunken behavior seems to be acceptable to dates and fellow classmates. I am not decrying a good time, because as is witnessed in the photo of the fall of ’68 Smiley House partyers (above), we all were having a great time and have retained those memories.  Sunday, we cleaned up our houses, rested or picnicked if we had the energy to do so. By three o’clock, we were re-united with our room situations and back at the books in preparation for class on Monday morning.  

Fifty years later, I still say we had great times that have remained with us since those fortunate days.