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Frosh isn’t exactly for everyone.
There’s the parties, the chants, the meetings, and a whole lot of social interaction you just might not be accustomed to. In an age where it’s easier to chat over Facebook or text someone rather than actually interact with another human being, all these events can be a little intimidating.
But in terms of Frosh, where we’ve been, and where we’re headed are completely different.
“New students moving in can expect a team of volunteers from the college and faculty levels to welcome them and help with their transition into York,” says Ross McMillan, assistant director of Student Community and Leadership Development.
“It’ll be a bit startling at first,” he adds. “But this is really about integrating people into the university community, and welcoming them because this is the largest transition of their lives.”
Let’s be honest, most of you new students are probably already lost and confused on campus. There’s certainly some innovation in terms of how students can utilize their smart phone, with York’s exclusive Guidebook app on Frosh Week. The app might actually be beneficial to returning students as well, with all the bus schedules and campus resources jam-packed into one place.
You could ask a stranger for directions, but the campus map is embedded in Guidebook as well. McMillan notes that this app is a new innovation for Frosh Week that was certainly not around back in his day. Not to mention, every frosh event was carefully laid out in the app. There’s information on the Stong Pit Party, York Orientation Day, and the world record attempt of most consecutive selfies taken as a group.
SCLD at York, alongside student leaders and the many colleges on campus, dictates the overarching goals and initiatives for student life on campus, while playing a massive role on how Frosh Week unravels at York.
McMillan notes that Frosh has changed quite a bit since he first moved in as an undergrad, a time period that he can only describe as a “long time ago.”
He specifically points to the elaborate training student leaders receive in preparation for Frosh. He explains that training is set up across two days and reflects on many big concerns students have.
“We do sessions on inclusivity, mental health, and positive space, with training on situational management and conflict resolution,” he says.
McMillan also says that today, frosh has more collaborative efforts from council leaders and different colleges. The overall message is for everyone to just come out to orientation, without claiming one of the college’s orientations is better than another’s.
“There’s a lot less inter-college rivalry, they’ve become friendlier, and you don’t see the same degree of pranks.”
SCLD has also taken notice that while there might be quite a lot of extroverted froshies that love a good dance party, there’s also quite a few introverts that this week of celebration has to cater to as well.
In recent years, Frosh is no longer only parties or events geared towards extroverts, but instead there are events for students that just might enjoy a night in, or the whole Netflix and chill type of evening.
“Frosh appeals to as many demographics as we can possibly cater to at one time,” says Spencer Wagner, the chair of the York Orientation Directors Association.
“If you are a reserved and introverted person like myself, it’s easy to find people to connect with on a one on one level.”
“We have large high-scale events like parties, and smaller low-scale events like dance classes, meet the prof events, and get to know your frosh bosses and leaders, which are one on one sessions.”
Wagner is heading into his fifth year studying sociology and has worked his way up through the Calumet college council. He skipped out on his very first Frosh in his first year, but is now heavily involved with planning the university-wide celebration.
“It’s honestly the best way on campus to meet new people,” he says. “I missed that opportunity and I didn’t realize it until my second year when I became a frosh boss. Even though there seems to be a lot of people, or it’s high stress, you will find something that you like.”
“I didn’t do it in my first year, so don’t be afraid to get a kit and try it. There will be a time during [Frosh] that you can sit down and have a one on one connection with someone. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone.”
And while York Orientation Day is aiming to house close to 6,500 students, there’s always the commuter students that still get in on Frosh festivities.
“We want this place to be your home away from home,” says Emily Rapley, the head frosh boss for commuters.
“We’re hoping that we can make it super fun for commuters as well,” she says.
“By being able to stay in the rooms in residence and common rooms with games, bedtime stories, and cheesy stuff like that, we want to make them feel like a group, and give them a group of friends they can meet.”
“Put yourself out there,” she says.
Now in her third year studying dance, her goal alongside the other commuter bosses is to welcome commuters and integrate them with their specific colleges and programs.
“Come stay for the sleepovers for at least one night. We hope you can feel comfortable coming up to any boss to inquire and have a good time while feeling safe.”
Whether you see university as the chance to unleash your inner party animal or see it as a chance to tap into your inner genius through York’s five massive libraries, frosh bosses promise that you’ll have an unforgettable start to your soon-to-be glory days of university.
It might sound cliché, but time does fly and there’s nothing worse than wasted memories. Excalibur will be on the lookout to see you in the Guinness World Records book for “most selfies taken as a group during Frosh,” so get your selfie game on. No excuses.
Michael Burton, Editor-in-Chief
Featured image courtesy of Michael Zusev
