Year after year, freshmen are greeted by approximately 60 smiling faces each fall – the D’Lions. One of the oldest student organizations at UR, the D’Lions are a group of enthusiastic, eager upperclassmen that are committed to promoting school spirit and providing a comfortable living atmosphere in the freshman residence halls.
Selected in mid-March by a committee comprised of current D’Lions, the students live on freshman halls and work closely with the Resident Advisors and Freshman Fellows to help ease the transition to college life. D’Lions usually decorate their halls before the residents arrive, and the decorations usually adhere to a theme. Most D’Lions will change their theme throughout the year to help make dorm life a little more colorful.
Another key component of the D’Lion responsibilities is programming. Like the RAs, D’Lions are responsible for putting together hall activities throughout the course of each semester. These activities are designed primarily to entertain and build community within the hall. Some programs, like a pancake breakfast that was organized by senior Rebecca Cortesi last year, are rather small gatherings on the hall.
Others, like last October’s Halloween party sponsored by the Gilbert Hall D’Lions, are geared toward larger crowds, and many agree that these activities are often a success. “The Halloween party was really fun because we got to watch a great classic Halloween movie, paint pumpkins and socialize,” freshman Brian Hirsch said.
Upperclassmen are an important component to freshman housing, and many turn to D’Lions for advice or guidance about college life. “I love my D’Lion and think he is the greatest,” freshman Matt Fenichel said. “He is a good friend of mine and I hang out with him all the time.”
The D’Lions will be working together in organizing a campus-wide blood drive in February, an event that they participate in three times throughout the academic year.
If you are interested in becoming a D’Lion, check out the “rush” party on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in Friel Lounge. Applications will be available in all Residential Life offices on Jan. 24.
Sokol can be reached at
jsokol@campustimes.org.
