Q&A: Lehigh Gryphons

Gryphons at Lehigh serve the role of resident assistants to students in on-campus dorms. Named after the mythological creature, Gryphons serve as a resource for students and perform duties such as holding hall meetings, room checks and planning events. A Brown and White reporter sat down with three Gryphons to discuss their position, experiences, and memories from their year in service.

Q: What made you want to be a Gryphon?

Sana Ali, ’17, Gryphon to Levitt House: First day of school freshman year, I totally knew I wanted to do it. Someone from my high school was a Gryphon and loved it, so I was like, “Clearly that’s what I want to do.” Then, I actually figured out what Gryphons are and what they do. You can meet new people and live vicariously through first year students.

Albert Woody, ’13, Head Gryphon to Brodhead House: Initially, I needed a second family aside from my wrestling family. It was a good opportunity to get involved in the Lehigh community. I’m glad I did it because I met a diverse group of people. The leadership role from being a Head Gryphon and professional development were really great. It was also really cool to work with the Residence Life staff and come up with ways to make Gryphoning better.

Shelby Wirtz, ’14, Gryphon to McClintic-Marshall House First Floor: At first, I didn’t think I would want to be a Gryphon, but then I was talking to some current Gryphons and other people who were applying and they convinced me to try it out. I knew I wanted a leadership role and to interact with other students, but I wasn’t sure what that would be. During the application process, I learned more about the role and really loved it and the impact I would be able to have.

Q: What has your experience been like?

Ali: My hall is really great. All my girls are super nice and outgoing. If they need something, they know obviously that I will be there for them. At the same time, they don’t unnecessarily bring things up or cause problems. They’re all really responsible, and I personally love my hall. They are all really great people, and I feel like I am friends with a lot of them. I really love them.

Woody: The best part is getting to know your residents. I enjoyed putting on events that I thought were interesting and I wanted to hear from them. For example, I put on a Super Smash Bros. tournament and we went laser tagging. I have been testing the budget with the CHOICE community (a housing community where students pledge to remain substance-free in the residence hall), and since it’s my last year, I wanted to go out with a bang and give them as many opportunities as I can.

Wirtz: It’s been amazing. I have been a Gryphon for three years, and every year has been different than the last. When I was in Lower Cents my first year, the hall was so close. I see them around and they are all still hanging out. The past two years in M&M have been similar, but different. Each hall has its own personality and vibe, and they all interact differently. It keeps me on my toes, but in a good way.

Q: How much do you do during an average week?

Ali: On a typical week, it’s usually dealing with anything that residents bring up to me. If it’s earlier or later in the semester, I’ll have G-chats (personal meetings with the residents). I’ll also have to change the bulletin boards, but that’s only once a month, so it isn’t a big time commitment. The big thing is once a week, we have a staff meeting where we discuss ways to improve how we Gryphon. There’s always little things too, like if someone wants to talk, that’ll take an hour or so.

Woody: I’d say, not including being on duty, I put in about ten hours a week.

Wirtz: Well we have our staff meetings once a week for about an hour. Even when you’re not on duty, the job mostly entails talking to your residents and working with your staff and co-Gryphons. You plan events and hall dinners. Sometimes some residents just come and hang out, which is more fun than work.

Q: What has been one of your favorite moments or memories this year?

Ali: Definitely orientation weekend. You could tell everyone was really excited to meet their roommates and meet people in the hall. They also think that we are super scary and have all this authority. They were all so excited so it made me excited, and I just wanted to give them every resource possible. Also, last semester we did this event where I got Chipotle for my hall, and we sat in the lounge and watched “Girl Code,” which was really fun.

Woody: Definitely winning the lip syncing competition, which happens every year at Gryphon training. Right now, my staff is in first place for the Gryphon cup, which is an award given to the best staff each year at the Gryphon banquet. I’ve never won, but it would be nice to leave Lehigh on a good note.

Wirtz: One of my favorite memories would be just sitting with a bunch of girls in my room and talking about something completely unrelated to school, whether it be people they’ve met or their social lives. It really feels like I am hanging with a group of friends, not residents. Those are the times when you realize they look up to you and trust you enough to want to have that type of conversation with you, and it’s just a great feeling to have.

Q: Do you have any funny stories?

Ali: Once, I was walking out of my dorm, going to my sorority house, and one of my residents actually came up to me and was like “Yo, like, are you looking to go out tonight? Are you trying to party?,” and I was just like “Honey, no, I’m your Gryphon. Don’t tell me these things.”

Woody: We were having some pet problems in Brodhead. This winter break, we had to confiscate a lonely hamster. It was just left there in his cage, and it was getting so big because there was food everywhere. So we ended up taking it and giving it to a cleaning lady to take care of. Moral of the story, no pets in the residence halls.

Wirtz: I think something funny that happens to every Gryphon is just when a resident catches you at the wrong time. Like if something crazy is going on at 3:00 a.m., and you’re trying to do work, but they come in really upset about their freshman problems. It’s funny to have to bring yourself back to freshman year when you have a bunch of free time and you’re much more carefree.

Q: If someone asked you why they should be a Gryphon, what would you tell them?

Ali: Definitely give it a shot because you never know. It will totally be a life-changing experience.

Woody: Be a Gryphon because it will transform your overall perspective of Lehigh and its student life. If you want to diversify your experience here, be a Gryphon.

Wirtz: If anyone wanted to be a Gryphon, I would say apply and see what happens. You never know what type of impact you could have on someone’s life. Just a brief G-chat or a casual conversation could really mean a lot to a resident and make them want to be a Gryphon, as well. It is such a rewarding and happy experience