Orientation Week (previously known as Initiation Week or Frosh Week) has long been one of the most hectic, exciting stretches of Dal’s yearly cycle. Originating in the earliest days of the university – the Gazette was already reporting on hazing controversies in 1870 – it is as much a part of the Dalhousie tradition as complaining about exams and bemoaning student apathy. While hazing has thankfully taken a backseat over the last fifteen years or so, our modern Orientation Week continues to fulfill the same primal right-of-passage impulse that motivated its humiliation-happy predecessors. The following stories and pictures chronicle over 100 years of Freshmen joining the Dalhousie family.
“RULES FOR THE GUIDANCE OF FRESHMEN” – Issue 29-1 – October 1, 1896
- Always touch your hat to a Sophomore.
- Always say Sir to Dr. Price.
- Don’t bring any of your Preston loves to the college halls.
- Speak the sacred name of Lord John rarely, and that with awe and reverence.
- Don’t suck sticks of candy or chew ginger-bread in the class room.
- Change your linen at least once a month.
- Semi-annual baths with pearline, sand and ashes are strongly recommended (To those unable to bath themselves Dr. and Mrs. Price will attend for a small fee.
- Freshies from South Shore will carry disinfectants in the toes of their boots.
- Cigarettes and canes carried by freshmen are an especial abomination to the profs. Therefore beware.
- Always lie to the professor, as this is a time honored custom among the verdants.
- Do not fail to carry in your cheek a quarter plug of black-jack ; for a stream of brown tobacco juice on the chin enlivens the verdant monotony of the Freshman’s countenance.
- Don’t converse with Freshettes without first obtaining the permission of a Sophomore.
- Pour all your sorrows into the ears of a Senior or Junior, for he can give you much sage advice in your struggle with this wicked world.
- Finally, covet not the good looks of the Sophs., but bear with patience the wonderful verdancy of your age. Then, after passing all your sups., and having qualified in the above rules, you shall enter into that state of perfect bliss which remains always the lot of a Sophomore.
“Freshmen Regulations” – Issue 70-1 – October 1, 1937
Freshmen shall, during the period of initiation speak to every upper classmate he or she meets on the Campus. The said Freshman or Freshette will address the upper classmate with the familiar “Hello.”
Freshmen shall during the period of initiation spend at least five minutes daily in the Dalhousie University Store; 15 minutes in the MacDonald Library and half an hour in the Gymnasium. This regulation has been made to acquaint you with the three major points of interest at Dalhousie.
Freshmen are obliged to supply all underclassmen with a match upon request.
Freshmen will be compelled to attend all meetings held for them. Attendance will be taken and whether it be a business meeting, theatre party or dance, the absentee will be severely dealt with.
Freshmen shall wear the regalia provided for them by the Sophomore committee everywhere within the borders of the Campus.
Freshmen shall link themselves with at least one of the following Dalhousie student organization –
Dalhousie Gazette.
Dalhousie Glee Club.
Dalhousie Band.
Sodales Debating Society.
Freshmen shall make an effort to contact some official of the organization in which he or she is interested and offer his or her services.
Failure to comply with the above set of regulations will involve the offender in a set of very unpleasant consequences. Alibis and excuses will avail you little. Your punishment lies in the hands of the Sophomore Initiation Committee.
Signed,
THE SOPHOMORE INITIATION COMMITTEE.
The Sophomore Initiation Committee would appreciate the co-operation of the student body in carrying out the list of regulations. The idea of having the freshmen speak to the upperclassmen has been made to establish a quick acquaintance between both groups. Let’s have your co-operation.
“Initiation Trials End For Frosh Delinquents” – Oct. 13, 1944
CROSSING THE FINISH LINE in last week’s dramatic “Vaseline Race” are Freshette delinquents, Ruth Manning and Marge Schwartz. Supported by the mike, “Prosecutor” Don Harris, is giving an awesome account of the proceedings to a sadistic assemblage of onlookers. Task of recording this event for posterity was assigned to R. Tuck, newly-appointed staff cartoonist of The Gazette.
“Frosh Scroungers Turned Loose” – Oct. 12, 1945
PROPERTY around the city was not safe last Thursday night as the Frosh class went a-scrounging with a scavenger hunt. Bob Roome met them in the Gym with a list of items to bring back, among which were a ten-cent stamp, a live house fly, a doll, a red pencil, a horse-hair, matches from Normans or the Green Lantern, and the venerable Gus.
The parties set out after their loot and thirty minutes later the winning group was back carrying all the spoils. The winning party consisted of Janice Thomas, Mary Lou Christie, Harlow Fielding, Howard Pye and Basil Bloomer.”
Pharos Yearbook, 1961
Pharos Yearbook, 1969
Ad for Dal Frosh, 1992
Issue 136-2 – Sept. 11, 2003
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