Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA, USA

Reviews

Susquehanna University

Megan from Wilkes-Barre, PA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The faculty at SU is wonderful. Everyone wants you to succeed. If going to class and taking notes aren't enough, professors are more than willing to take time out of their schedules to sit down with you to discuss the material until you truly understand (that is, so long as you actually show up for class!). Professors won't give you the answers flat-out, but will work with you until you understand on your own. The student-to-faculty ratio is about 13-1, so professors really get to know you. Though it may not seem like it at times, professors do have your best interests at heart and you do learn a lot.
Am enjoying being here
The people and surroundings that make up the Susquehanna University campus are what make it such a great place. The school size is approximately 2,000 students. With such a small school, students get to know each other well. There's always something going on, whether at Charlie's Coffeehouse in the Degenstein Campus Center, in the dorm, at the on-campus club Trax, or on Market Street in Selinsgrove which is approximately a half-mile away.
Bang for the buck
As with most schools, the education you pay for is the education you get. However, when it comes to extracurricular activities and meals, there are some areas I think could use some clarification. Not all meals are entirely covered in your meal plan. The Evert Dining Room in Deg is considered a meal, but in Clyde's or Benny's Bistro, some of your meal may be taken out of your Flex money (the additional money you get for meals, which is around $200 depending on your meal plan).
Tips for prospective students
Watch your Flex money. Most new students run out of it three weeks before the end of the semester, if not sooner. Ask the cashier on your way out of Benny's or Clyde's so you can keep tabs on it. Be prepared to work hard, but have fun at the same time. The Student Activities Committee plans several bus trips to NYC and Washington, D.C. for a small bus fee throughout the year, and hosts free concerts and comedians as well (Spring 2009 consisted of comedian Josh Blue, and two concerts, Ryan Star and David Cook, and Fabolous)
Great for these types of students
SU is known for their Business and Creative Writing programs, but I've heard wonderful things about their other programs as well. Anyone looking for a small, close-knit school would feel very at-home here.

Writer in PA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I'm just finishing up my freshman year and I must say I really enjoy going to school here. It feels like my home away from home and most everyone is really nice. The professors are great as well, they really care about their students and will go out of their way to help us out.
Tips for prospective students
My only tip is for you to come here! It's actually a really great school and I'm not just saying that because I go here. Like I said before, the professors really care about their students and you should take advantage of that and talk to them. Also, if you got into the honors program, accept it even if you don't want to continue it. You'll be happy to have taken Thought instead of the 100 level writing course.
Academic Rigor
For some perspective, I am a Creative Writing and Neuroscience double major. So the coursework for me is not difficult. I really enjoy learning and the professors push us to learn past what they are teaching in front of us. However, we have fourteen weeks in our semester instead of sixteen like most semester schools. This just means that our courses move faster than most other schools and if you're not on top of your homework, you will fall behind and it can be difficult to get caught up again.
Dorm Life
I love dorm life. We have four freshmen dorms and it's really nice just being in a dorm with freshmen. This means that the upperclassmen can't tease you for being homesick. All of the dorms are pretty modern despite this being an old school. They are really nice and the cleaning staff comes in Mon-Fri so the halls are clean almost all the time.
Food and Dining
The food isn't bad, but I don't think it's good either. We do have multiple places to eat on campus that you can use a meal swipe for. So we have a lot of variety on campus and there is some food place open all throughout the day. So you can eat according to your schedule.
What to do for fun
I'm a bit of a homebody, so I don't get out much. But there is a lot to do on campus. We have a lot of clubs that you can sign up for. We have events that go on almost every weekend and we also have a nightclub on campus that is usually open every weekend as well. If a loud scene isn't your thing, we also have a coffeehouse on campus that have weekly chill nights where you can play board games with a small group of friends and listen to calming music.
Bang for the buck
We have a terrifying price tag on this school, but almost everyone gets anywhere from half to 75% of their tuition paid for by the school for all four years as long as you keep your GPA up (it's usually 2.0, but check for yourself). And Susquehanna definitely uses every bit of that tuition to provide services on campus for students to use including but not limited to a career center, tutoring services, counseling center, writing center, etc...
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
It took me a while to catch on, but if you're in the cafeteria and someone drops a glass and it breaks, everyone claps. I'm not really sure why we do that, but it just happens. I also mentioned it before, but we have a nightclub on campus called Trax. If you're 21 or older, you're allowed to get one alcoholic drink an hour. If you're under that, you can get, essentially, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. There are also snacks during events. It's all free too.
Great for these types of students
If you want a great education at a small college with professors that care, then this is the place for you. Also if you want to get a creative writing, business, or music degree, Susquehanna has one of the top creative writing programs in the country (I can vouch for that), as well as a great business program. And our music majors just sound amazing.
Clubs and Activities
We have a ton of different clubs and activities. There is something for everyone, so it's really easy to get involved on campus and meet people with similar interests as you.
Greek Life
Our Greek Life is pretty great. All of our chapters support a philanthropy and it's not a huge deal if you're in a fraternity or sorority on campus. They aren't obnoxious and oftentimes they host events that I've heard are really cool.
Campus Safety
I'm not going to say we are 100% safe on campus, but I will say that as a young woman, I feel safe walking alone outside at 1am because I forgot to print something. I don't recommend walking alone at night though, but you understand my point. Also, there are different people (including public safety) that are able to help out in different situations that may happen. But in short, I've been here for a year and I haven't heard anything that has happened on campus that has made me fear for my safety. Of course, use common sense and lock your door at night and have a buddy with you at night if you can.

Hope from Savona, NY

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The students and professors are welcoming and really make the campus feel like home. Even in the first few weeks, I felt completely comfortable, and the faculty all make an effort to get to know all of their students. The small class sizes make it so that everyone knows everyone else and professors have an interest in your success.
Tips for prospective students
If you're thinking of applying here, don't be afraid to visit - specifically, schedule an overnight visit so that you can see what it would be like to live here and meet people here. Whomever you stay with will make you feel at ease and at home, introducing you to friends who will remember you if you do decide to go to school here.
One thing to take into account when deciding whether or not to come here is the school's location. It is in a fairly residential area, and the street on which it sits it filled with fraternity and sorority houses (a plus if you're looking for that). If you're looking for something to do off campus though, you're limited. There is a street about a half a mile away with locally owned shops and restaurants, but beyond that there is a main strip about a mile and a half away with a mall, Walmart, shopping complex, and countless franchises. There are shuttle buses every Saturday that go to this strip, but if you're looking to be able to go somewhere whenever you want, you'll need a car (which freshmen are allowed to have).
Academic Rigor
I would give this a 5-star rating, as the classes are challenging, but with the help of professors, nothing is impossible or too difficult. They will help with any issues you may have and genuinely want you to succeed, so it's nearly impossible to feel over-intimidated by coursework.
Dorm Life
Dorm life will never be the greatest thing. But SU's dorms are the best that I saw during my college search and I've been very comfortable in mine this year. The dorm rooms here are spacious in most of the residence halls, and the residence halls are kept very clean by staff who clean every day. The RAs here are also extremely helpful in any matters you may have issue with.They try to plan activities at the beginning of the year to help all of the residents get to know each other, including movie and game nights, ice cream socials, and random things like trivia or charades. The RAs also are trained to help with roommate problems, so if you're really resolutely different from a roommate, the RAs will help. No one has to be miserable here. People will look after you and have a vested interest in your well-being.
Food and Dining
I was really torn between 3- and 4-stars on this one. The food is not spectacular. It's inconsistent - some days it's really good, and other days it's really bad. This just goes for the dining hall, where there are a good number of options, but sometimes the staff really just misses the mark on a good meal. However, there are other options. There is a cafe that offers made-to-order burgers, sandwiches, fries, wraps, and other foods. Also, there is a cafe with Mexican food (tacos, burritos, quesadillas) and a cafe like Panera Bread that serves fresh bread sandwiches, soups, and pastries. There is also a campus coffee house that creates its own drinks (like a variation of butterbeer) Campus also added a Starbucks recently. WOOH!
What to do for fun
To be honest, there's fun for everyone, though it doesn't vary much from the average college fun. A lot of students go out for the weekend to different fraternity houses, but those who don't go out for the weekend have options available at the coffee house, which hosts movie nights of new releases, karaoke nights, concerts, and board game nights. There is also a dance club on campus called TRAX that students can go to for Saturday events. They host tons of parties that people come to for a few hours to dance off some steam.
Bang for the buck
SU is great for the academics, the professors, the class sizes (small - personalized), professional connections with alumni, internships made available, and the study abroad program. This school has so much to offer in every way, but students are truly helped throughout their college careers to become successful in the future with all resources imaginable. The study abroad program, called the GO Program, is amazing. Students are required to study abroad, so no one can be told that they can't fit it in. This is great, and allows you to go where you want to go for a chosen amount of time with funds if not full financial coverage through the school.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
As a small school, we have traditions and hang outs that bigger schools might not. Perhaps my favorite tradition here is Thanksgiving dinner, which is a dinner in the dining hall for all students on the day before students go home for Thanksgiving break. The dinner is served by professors, and SU's president speaks and serves as well. The experience is great and it feels like a giant family dinner.
TRAX is probably the most unusual place to hang out, but it's a great way to party safely or without overuse of alcohol. It basically provides students with dance parties with a live DJ every weekend. Awesome!
Great for these types of students
For students who are used to small class sizes or are looking for a smaller school SU would be perfect. Small class sizes allow each student to be successful and build personal relationships with professors.
It's also great for students who are very involved in volunteer work - SU has hundreds of clubs for volunteering.
Students who dream of studying abroad somewhere far away should come here. Advisors make it possible for everyone to have the college experiences they want, including where and when they study abroad.
Clubs and Activities
There are hundreds of clubs run by students here. They include volunteering, special interest, sports, academics, and nature clubs, among countless others. There is something for everyone, and if you are interested in a club that isn't around yet, start one! It's easy to start a club here, and you can easily get support and members.
Greek Life
Greek life is extremely prominent here. There are tons of fraternities and sororities on campus, and if you're interested in Greek life, you'll be able to find a cause that suits you. Since students here are so approachable, it's easy to meet and get involved with members of fraternities or sororities.
Campus Safety
Campus is extremely safe. There is a security called Public Safety whose job is to drive and walk around campus looking for students who need help. Public Safety provides rides to students who can't get back to their dorms, no questions asked, and has a number that is easy to call without judgement. They really care about the safety of the students here, and as long as you're safe, they don't need to know the rest. The students here, because everyone knows everyone else, are safe. Dangerous misconduct does not occur between students in general, and if it does, Public Safety and other students are close enough to each other to help.

Natasha from Poland, ME

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Susquehanna has a brand new central curriculum that really allows students to explore and broaden their horizons. Part of the new curriculum requires that every student studies abroad for at least 2 weeks though most choose to go for a full semester. The opportunity to study abroad forces students to step out of their comfort zone and truly understand the world with more awareness for other cultures. The professors are also very willing to help their students outside of the classroom. If you can't make their office hours they try their very best to be flexible and make appointments that work for you, even if that means they have to stay on campus longer or be there earlier than they planned. They sincerely care about whether or not you are understanding the material and are friendly, approachable people that want you to take as much away from their class as possible.
Am enjoying being here
Everything about Susquehanna makes me love it there more and more everyday. The people are friendly and easy to talk to for the most part. There is such an eclectic mix of people on campus that it is easy for anyone to find somewhere they are comfortable. There are plenty of clubs and sports teams and the campus also has a very active and prominent Greek Life. About 30-35% of Susquehanna is involved in Greek Life. There is everything from social to service fraternities/sororities as well as those dedicated solely to music. There is always something going on around campus; movies, dance parties, and once each semester a concert with a popular artist (last year Flo Rida and Iyaz came in the fall and DJ Pauly D had a dance party in the spring). For such a small campus there is a lot going on and its also a very easy campus to get around so nothing is really too far to walk to!
Bang for the buck
Education these days is expensive, and the tuition price for Susquehanna is no exception. Despite the pricey cost, SU opens a lot of doors for its students. They have an extremely high graduation rate as well as rate of acceptance to graduate schools and job placement after graduation. Room and board costs cover housing and meal plan which you have an option of 21, 14, or 10 meals a week plus the extra flex cash (the less meals, the more flex).
Tips for prospective students
Keep track of your flex because it goes pretty quickly if you're not careful. You can always add more (called Crusader Cash), but that;s not always something parents are willing to do since it costs them more than they are already paying. Java City was definitely the cause of me running out of Flex so quickly, so just pay attention to how much you're spending!
Great for these types of students
Susquehanna is ideal for students that are looking for a smaller school, and also for those who aren't completely sure what they want to do/study because the curriculum gives them a chance to explore all areas of study. If you like the idea of actually knowing people you see around campus and the idea of studying abroad than SU could be a great place for you.

Germantown, MD

accepted here and planning to attend soon
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I am totally in love with the school, I plan on attending this fall and I can say that the campus is beautiful. They have small classes so you have better contact with the professors. Also, the students are very warming and helpful.
Academic Rigor
I believe that there is an academic rigor at this school. This is coming from someone who took all AP sophomore - senior year. I believe that it is manageable as long as you stay focused and ask for help when needed.
Dorm Life
Most of the dorms have same sized rooms however one of the dorms has a smaller room size. Also, they have males and females separated by floor, wing, or every other room. You can request a single person room, doubles or triples.
Food and Dining
The food here is great, I have eaten there every visit I go to and each time there are different meals. There is a variety of meals and they are absolutely delish and that is coming from someone who is picky with food.

Rebecca

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I would definitely choose this school if I had to do it all over again. It is a beautiful campus, the teachers really care about the students, and there is a really great community feel to it. The science building is amazing for science majors, and I really love the faculty in my major. I have made lasting friendships that I treasure.
Tips for prospective students
Get to know the professors! They will really show you what a great school this is and how people really care about you personally here. If you visit the beautiful campus you are bound to fall in love with it!
Academic Rigor
The Central Curriculum requirements are good for getting you to take classes outside of your comfort zone. I really like the Environmental Science program at my school. You get personalized attention from the teachers, and actually get to know them really well because the department is really small. The new science building is amazing, and Environmental Sciences has our own floor! There are also opportunities for research with the professors! Classes in general are intellectually challenging and rewarding.
Dorm Life
The dorms are great-- lots of space and the RAs do a great job doing programming to get everyone out and meeting each other. There are nice common areas with pool tables or ping pong or a TV in each building, as well as a kitchenette. The laundry rooms and bathrooms are decent too.
Food and Dining
Food is better here than other campuses I've been to, but not the best. There are a lot of different places to eat on campus and Ele's (The Periodic Table) in the basement of the science building is definitely the best! It has Panera Bread style soup and salads and sandwiches. However, it is pretty expensive comparatively. Healthy food options like salads in Benny's can also go over the exchange limit (making you spend flex or cash) if you add protein, which is disappointing. Overall, there is great variety, but limited healthy and vegetarian foods. It is nice that the director of our Food Services is willing to work with students in order to take their feedback into account when making menu changes.
What to do for fun
There is also really great social programming such as concerts, Fall Frenzy and Spring Weekend Carnival, plus parties at the on-campus nightclub (that serves free alcohol to 21 and over students!- 1 per hour). It is also really easy to get involved in meaningful extracurriculur activities, or create your own club!
Bang for the buck
With financial aid, I feel that it was worth it for me to go here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
I love the campus traditions, such as the Thanksgiving dinner where faculty, staff, and even the president serve turkey and traditional foods. There is also Twas the Night before Christmas reading with the president and hot cocoa and cookies! Midnight caf is during finals, and you can go from 10-12 and get food from the cafeteria at night to eat while studying. MMM!
Great for these types of students
If you want to know all of your professors, have small classes, and meet really motivated people, this is the place for you.
Clubs and Activities
More than 100 clubs on campus, you can even create your own if there isn't something already for your particular hobby. There are also varsity and intramural sports, like Ultimate Frisbee and flag football.
Greek Life
If you are interested in Greek Life, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. If you have a good GPA it is easy to get into a sorority/fraternity. However, they don't have a huge influence on social stuff-- you don't have to be in one to be someone or have fun.
Campus Safety
Very safe! Well lit and there are always Public Safety officers walking around.

Danielle from Hooksett, NH

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Susquehanna's campus is unbelievably gorgeous and a perfect size. Located in central PA, SU prides itself on fostering a tight knit community of individuals of diverse interests. Because of this sort of interest diversity, it is hard to not fit in at SU - you inevitably will meet lifelong friends and mentors here.
Tips for prospective students
1. don't be discouraged by the high tuition, SU's financial aid office works with every financial situation to make a Susquehanna education possible.
2. don't be discouraged by the central PA location - there is always lots to do!
3. if you are to go to Susquehanna - embrace EVERY opportunity (there are a multitude!) because you only get out what you're willing to put in.
What to do for fun
The student activities committee (which anyone can be a part of!) always has events happening on the weekends and throughout the week. There's never really a dull moment. In addition some SU traditions that students love are: spring weekend, Christmas candle light service, President Lemon's reading of The Night before Christmas, faculty serving students Thanksgiving dinner, St. Patty's weekend, sporting events, and so much more.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Christmas candle light service, President Lemon's reading of The Night before Christmas, faculty serving students Thanksgiving dinner.
Great for these types of students
involved students looking to better themselves and their communities.
Clubs and Activities
SO many clubs for such a small campus.
Greek Life
About 20% of our campus is Greek and most people love it. It does not overwhelm campus and you don't feel like you have to go Greek to fit in, but the opportunity is available and I've never heard of anyone having a negative experience with it. The Greek community is very active and not your movie-scene Greek life - they take their organizations very seriously. In addition to the social Greek communities, there are two professional music Greek organizations(Phi Mu Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota) and one co-ed service fraternity (Alpha Phi Omega).

Valerie from North Wales, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a small school in central Pennsylvania located in a rural setting. Because of its small size, it has a lot of opportunities for the students and each student is not just a number. It is an absolutely beautiful campus and a wonderful place to get an education.
Tips for prospective students
Be aware that it is a small school and you will get to know many people very quickly because you will see the same faces around all the time.
Be open-minded because there are so many clubs and organizations offering events all the time.
Academic Rigor
The rigor of your academics really depends on your major. However, no matter what you are studying, Susquehanna has a lot of great professors that will give you a great education with some difficulty along the way. It is college, after all.
Dorm Life
After seeing many different dorms on my college visits, I think Susquehanna has decent-sized dorms. The closets are very spacious, which is probably more a plus for girls. The resident assistants are very helpful and although communal bathrooms are not ideal, the dorms are really not that bad. Also, each residence hall offers different settings (the amount of noise, number of students, location, etc.), so as a student you are able to choose which residence hall would be most suitable for you.
Food and Dining
There are technically five places on campus to get food. There is a cafeteria with a variety of options, a bistro with many made-to-order sandwich and wrap options as well as snack items, a coffee place, a Mexican food place, and a place that offers paninis and sandwiches. Between the five places, there is always a place to go. Also, there are many eateries off campus that are in walking distance if you want to grab a bite when the dining places aren't open. In addition, there are several restaraunts and places to get food that are only about a five minute drive away.
What to do for fun
There is always a lot of things to do on campus. There is a night club on campus and a coffeehouse in which both offer activities throughout the week. The Susquehanna River is only a mile away, so there are kayaking and other fun waterfront options. There is a mall only about five minutes away, as well as a movie theater. In the fall, there is the Bloomsburg Fair, which is only about a forty minute drive from campus. If you take the initiative to have fun, you will find fun ways to spend your free time.
Bang for the buck
Although it is a very expensive school, I think it is pretty much worth the price you pay. Also, the financial aid is very willing to work with families and generous with scholarships in order to make it easier to pay for.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The Thursday before Thanksgiving, the professors serve a big Thanksgiving dinner for the students. Also, there is a Candlelight Service in December, which is a really beautiful service with many great hymns.
Great for these types of students
Susquehanna is great for a lot of different students, whether they are quiet and reserved or adventurous and outgoing. It offers a great business program, music program, education program, and communications program. If you are interested in any of those, SU is a great place to look. However, if you are interested in another field of study, they have many other great programs as well.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many different clubs to get involved in no matter what you are interested in. Also, the student activites committee is constantly coming up with different activities for the weekends and on some weeknights. If interested in athletics, SU competes in the NCCA division three level, so that is an option for getting involved as well.
Greek Life
SU is not huge on Greek life, but about 30% of the student body is apart of it.
Campus Safety
As a student, I feel very safe on campus all the time. It is very well lit up at night, and it has public safety officers roaming around at all hours. As long as you are smart about walking around at nightttime, there is nothing to worry about.

Sarah from Pennsylvania

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
If Susquehanna University fits your criteria when looking for schools, it is close to guaranteed that you will find it to be wonderful. Don't let the sticker shock get to you- they give good financial aid here. If you're serious about your college experience, Susquehanna University is worth checking out.
Tips for prospective students
If you are still deciding on schools and have only looked at SU based on academics, I urge you to take a tour of the campus and schedule an interview. The campus is absolutely gorgeous, and the atmosphere is very pleasant. When I personally visited, I was very nervous about the interview, but anyone who is conducting your interview is not there to grill you, or ask you silly abstract questions. They want to see if you are a good fit for them, and, especially, them for you. It was by far the most pleasant interview I had in the college process. On the way out, grab some food at Benny's in the lower level of Deg!
Academic Rigor
It's fairly hard to explain exactly why I have given this school four stars, because it's not easy to compare SU with other schools. There are some really cool classes here, but some of them require more work than others. You will find that in any college. Biology is a notoriously rigorous major here, but you'll find that it prepares you really well for your career or graduate school, so it's worth it.
Dorm Life
I feel like the dorm life is better here because everyone is so up front about it. The rooms are bigger than the ones in many other college, so if you've visited other places before SU, it should come as a pleasant surprise. There are four freshman dorms, each with their own personality. Smith is the party dorm, Aikens is good for science students, Reed is fairly laid back, and Hassinger is a small, very close-knit dorm near the library. There is a very good chance that you will get into the building of your choice.
Food and Dining
For me personally, the caf is a hit or miss kind of deal. You might hit the jackpot and they serve your favorite food, or you might just end up grabbing something. However, the food is not terrible by any means, and the salad bar is phenomenal. There are other places to eat: Clyde's in the athletic complex does Mexican, and Benny's in Deg does sandwiches and grill. The Periodic Table has notoriously great paninis, and there is a Java City on campus also.
What to do for fun
SU is the perfect size, because there is a good amount of activity, but not so much that you're a face in the crowd. There is Greek life, of course, as well as volunteer fraternities. if you're into that kind of thing. There are clubs ranging from activist (Hearts for Homeless or WomenSpeak) to Interest (Anime Club or Bellydance Circle) and everything in between. There are some pretty cool intramural sports as well. It's also important to note that it is easy to start your own club, and you're bound to find other people with your interests. SU is also really great with providing entertainment: there are two concerts (with names like Cobra Starship and DJ Pauly D) each year, sporting events, theatre, art shows, lectures, musical performance, and anything in between. Also, Bucknell University is close by, and if you have a friend with a car it's easy to go to their events as well. For a small school in a small town, it's a pretty sweet deal!
Bang for the buck
If you utilize what has been offered to you, your experience will be one of greatness. There is a small staff-to-student ratio (about 13:1), and all of the staff are very helpful. Stopping by during office hours can give you a little boost if you're confused, and there is tutoring available all over the place, a Writing Center, a program to help with math, a Counseling Center for any needs, and the health center is a thing of wonder. The school's sponsored events definitely add to the value as well.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
President Lemons is notorious for remembering the names of nearly anyone he meets, and he is very approachable and caring. You can even see him unloading vehicles with everyone else on Freshman Move-In Day! He is truly valued at SU.
Great for these types of students
A lot of my friends that go to SU major in Business, Creative Writing, Bio, or Musical/Vocal Performance. However, I'm a Psych major, and I recommend it for just about everyone.
Clubs and Activities
There are a few limitations, of course, but overall SU has excellent activities for a school of its size. It is sooooo easy to start a club on campus as well. Popular clubs here focus on service and volunteering, but there are clubs for almost anything.
Greek Life
Greek Life is fairly popular here, but not expected by any means, and is a lot of fun if that's something you're interested in. The school holds a fairly unique view, however, that hazing is really unnecessary because breaking someone down in the name of brother/sisterhood does not empower them in brotherhood. That being said, the hazing policy is a little strict, but it serves a very good purpose.
Campus Safety
I'd say that safety is good in its own right. The surrounding area is a small town, so you don't have any of the crime or safety issues that would be present in an urban area. Crime and safety on the campus itself is never a big issue, either.