1940s and Beyond
Freshmen Frolics, 1935
After the Powlett Case of 1933, initiation was officially over at the University of Alberta. The tone of a welcome week for freshmen shifted after this period: instead of punishing freshies to rid them of their “freshness,” Freshmen Orientation Week aimed to introduce freshmen to campus life so they would become active members of the university community. [1]
New and old traditions blended over the years, with some activities from the initiation days carrying over, like the Frosh Parade, which was not cancelled until 1954. [2] The Sophomore Court turned into the Frosh Court, which became part of a Frosh Mixer dance in 1961. [3] The Wauneita Society maintained responsibility over women’s welcome activities well into the 1960s, including coffee mixers, a Formal Tea, the Nurses’ Mixer Dance, and even an “initiation” ceremony to induct female students into the Society. The Wauneitas also maintained use of the older term “freshettes” well into the 1950s. The element of embarrassment or of proving oneself was gone, however. [4]
Freshmen on campus Tour, 1942
“Freshie” button, 1937
The Golden Key Society was put in charge of organizing a Frosh Week for Freshmen Orientation Week social activities after a trial run in 1952. [5] The Students’ Union was responsible for coordinating orientation events with University administration for course registration, fee payments, and medical exams for students. [6] The Golden Key Society coordinated their events with the Students’ Union, the Wauneita’s Society, and SU committees, like Promotions. [7] The Students’ Union even conducted a freshmen survey to get feedback from freshmen which they used to continually improve Orientation Week. [8]
Events continually changed with student needs. Campus tours, which were a key activity of Orientation in the 1940s and 1950s were discontinued in 1960. [9]
To replace the face paint and outfits worn in the initiation years, Freshies were given hats that marked them as freshmen. Starting in 1952 the hats were standardized beanies that were intended to be something students could wear throughout their university days to show school spirit. [10] Freshies also received buttons marked with the year at this time, as well. [11]
Until 1955 freshmen were given a “Guide to Freshmen Introduction Week” that detailed Frosh Week rules, the orientation schedule, and other information for students’ first week on campus. [12] In 1956 this Guide was expanded into the Student Handbook that still exists today. [13] The Handbook includes the information that the Guide had contained along with a campus map and other information that would be useful throughout the year for all students. [14]
Frosh Week activities during Freshmen Orientation week were paid for by the freshmen: they were required to purchase a Frosh Card for $2 which would give them access to events. [15]
Wauneita Initiations, 1949
Wauneita Initiations, 1949
Frosh Week, 1949
Freshette tries on Special “Freshmen” hat, 1942
Some Orientation events were eventually cancelled by University administration after they became rowdy and caused problems. The so-called “Snake Dance,” a combination of a parade and street party that would spontaneously occur after the Orientation Week pep rally, caused property damage in 1952 when it crossed the High Level Bridge and student vandalized at least five cars downtown. Since the Snake Dance was not an official event, the Students’ Union made contingency plans to manage it if or when it occured again, such as having Students’ Union representatives guide it away from the High Level Bridge and keep it on University grounds and neighbouring streets. [16] While not an official event, it is clear from Students’ Union reports that they encouraged the Snake Dance and fought for it to continue after the 1952 incident. [17] In a 1951 Report on Snake Dance, the Golden Key Society noted that, “Above all, make Freshies think that it’s their own idea.” [18]
While the official Orientation Week had ended initiation practices decades before, some hazing rituals continued in unofficial capacities into the 1960s and 1970s.
Frosh, Engineering Week, 1968
Evergreen & Gold, 1970, p. 177.
At the same time, the Students’ Union was trying to make Freshman Orientation Week about becoming an adult. Freshmen Orientation Seminars were piloted from 1966 to 1968 before becoming a permanent fixture of Orientation for the following decade. The seminars, held during the summer before students’ freshmen year, encouraged students to think about the purpose of higher education as well as basic life skills like budgeting for living away from home for the first time. [19] Freshmen Orientation Seminars marked the more serious side that Orientation Week had taken on after the Powlett Case. While Frosh Week was still intended to be fun for students, the official tone had shifted considerably from the days of sanctioned public punishments of freshies.
[1] A Summary of the Plans in Progress for Freshmen Introduction Week, 1961, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-92.
[2] Freshmen Introduction 1954… A Report to Council, 1954, Golden Key Society, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[3] Gold Key Responsibilities During Freshmen Orientation Week, September 11, 1961, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-92.
[4] Frosh Week Planned as University Opens, 1956, Press Release, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[5] Gold Key Society member letter, September 16, 1960, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-83. & Report on Freshmen Introduction, November 8, 1952, Golden Key Society, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[6] Orientation Week Program, 1953, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[7] Gold Key Society meeting minutes, April 29, 1960, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-83.
[8] Committee Meeting on Freshmen Introduction Week & Report of the Students’ Council Member, October 13, 1955, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[9] Gold Key Society meeting minutes, April 6, 1960, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-83.
[10] Report on Freshmen Introduction, November 8, 1952, Golden Key Society, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[11] Freshmen introduction week 1956, September 23-30, 1956, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[12] Guide to Freshmen Introduction Week, September 18-24, 1955, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[13] Student Handbook, 1968-1979, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1981-172-50.
[14] Report on Freshmen Introduction Week, 1953, Golden Key Society, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87. & Freshmen introduction week 1956, September 23-30, 1956, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[15] Frosh Card cost of $2 was during the early to mid 1950s. Report on Freshmen Introduction Week, 1953, Golden Key Society, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[16] Report on Freshmen Introduction, November 8, 1952, Golden Key Society, Students’ Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[17] Freshmen Introduction 1954… A Report to Council, 1954, Golden Key Society, Students’ Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[18] Report on Snake Dance, 1951, Students’ Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-87.
[19] Report on the Freshmen orientation seminars pilot project, 1966-1968, September 1968, Students' Union, University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1984-130-103.