MUKUNDAGIRI SADAGOPAN
When our son was accepted as a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, we were asked to attend a two day orientation seminar. Accordingly, my son, my wife and I arrived at the sprawling campus on the day before the seminar. Cheerful and courteous student volunteers were swarming about, handing out lollipops as they directed the visitors to the reception area. We checked into an austere dorm room for the night.
The next day started with a sumptuous breakfast at the student cafeteria. Everyone then gathered at the university’s stadium for an "Information Fair". There were dozens of booths representing various academic, recreational, cultural, ethnic, religious and international campus organisations canvassing for membership. Then it was time for the opening session, where we heard the trustee, several professors and student representatives welcoming us.
What to expect
The message was simple: the freshmen could expect new experiences ranging from the pleasant or puzzling to the dismaying — but they were not alone, and had nothing to fear. They were among friends eager to help.
We split up into many small groups and met with student councillors and professors from the respective colleges (e.g., Liberal Arts and Sciences, Fine Arts, Engineering etc.) to get an overview of campus life. Then several men and women students shared their personal first-year experiences. There were more opportunities to mingle with the students at a reception at the Student Union, which was followed by a buffet dinner. The menu thoughtfully included many vegetarian items.
During a two hour variety entertainment at the university auditorium, the students enacted hilarious skits highlighting expected norms of behaviour, etiquette, conventions and rules. Some dormitory student managers presented skits on sexual harassment ("zero tolerance"). For girls, it gave tips on how to put a stop to unwanted attention. Many freshmen then went for flood-lit co-ed volleyball, basketball or tennis with their seniors. The next day professors explained academic expectations — prerequisite subjects, recommended course loads, hours of study per week, and the like.
Appreciative gestures
A student volunteer presented information on scholarships and aid programmes endowed by generous alumni, industrialists, corporations, sports and film stars. Some of these opportunities were not advertised anywhere else. An administrator presented the deadlines — to pay fees, to withdraw from a course without a grade loss, etc. The Student Body president led an animated discussion focussing on student conduct, discipline and penalties. He also described how to report grievances. The university has a strong and active Parents’ Association, intended to provide various comforts and services, such as delivering home cooked delicacies. In the next discussion, a student described housing options available to newcomers.
Students from the university’s fraternities and sororities made a presentation next. A campus bus tour of the hallowed lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, pool table (billiards) rooms, gym, bowling alleys, swimming pools, the university stadium, its out-door sculptures and other points of interest was most welcome. Finally a student farewell team served us coffee and cakes before seeing us off. This seminar took place during June 17 and 18 1992, but I remember it like yesterday. Not merely for the invaluable networking and survival tips, but because it started the new students’ unforgettable college days on an exciting and harmonious note. We are grateful to all those unknown senior students who were so gracious and considerate. During the entire two days there was no mention of "ragging".
To anyone thinking of ragging today, I have but one appeal. When you can direct your boundless youthful energy to inform, educate and help, why squander it on a negative act like ragging?
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