My research project topic is with regards to the recent article that published in The Straits Time on Aug 31, 2008. The title of the article is “Orientation – just fun or plain lewd”.
For all the three local universities in Singapore, orientation is held at the start of a school year (in July and August) to welcome freshmen. Most camps are organized and run by the students, and attendance for most activities is optional. In the past, during orientation, freshmen were often ‘bullied’. They were subjected to humiliating treatments or to do chores for the seniors. But now, orientation has taken on a more sexual slant. One of the game forfeit is where the girls had to lie down and the guys had to do push-ups over them. Another one is touching the chests of males. Games like passing M&M chocolates to one another using their mouths are played.
This issue was reported after a Straits Times reader wrote to complain about the ‘lewd and improper’ orientation. The reader felt that this type of orientation “give youth a very superficial idea about making friends and finding partner.” A family therapist commented that youth nowadays are bolder and have broken the social barriers. However he added on that there are at least 70% of the students are conservatives and if the sexually-charged activities are too extreme, these students will feel more inhibited.
The student organizers from the respective local universities felt that physical contact during activities is no big deal. Nevertheless, the universities said “they put a firm foot down on any demeaning activities.”
Different people have different views on this issue. The student organizers feel no big deal but other students’ views are not heard. Furthermore the family therapist mentioned that at least 70% of the students are conservatives. Is it really the case? Therefore an attitudinal survey is needed to study how the NUS students feel about the orientation.
The orientation activities may consider sexual to the public but it may or may not to the students. And since it is the students who are the one participating the orientation, I feel that the students’ voices should be heard first. And the result of the finding can then presented to the Dean who will then decide what to do for the following orientations.
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3 comments:
Hi jean,
Orientation serves to provide freshmen, of every new academic year, a preview to university life. Personally, I think that the orientation camp that I participated in as a freshman was rewarding and fun. Yet, I will have to say that some games that were scheduled for the orientation were not necessary. This is so as I believe that physical contact is not required to bond two individuals together. Friendship is, in fact, based on emotional and intellectual connections between individuals. Hence, I think this would be a good research topic as we would be able to evaluate the relevance of such games with the establishment of friendship between freshmen.
Hi Jean
I feel that your topic to find out what NUS students feel towards the Orientation programme is very relevant.
Having gone through a university orientation myself, I have experienced and seen such 'humiliating' activities taking place. Sometimes, the 'forfeits' suggested by the OGLs would cause freshmen to feel really uncomfortable. One incident happened to my female OG mate who had to unfold a small piece of paper held between her lips and the lips of a male. Being attached, she was very reluctant to do it but did not want to be a wet blanket.
I have also heard that Fright Night is actually forbidden in NUS. Nonetheless, many faculties are still carrying out this tradition. If my source was accurate, this year, a female student was so traumatised she ran straight through a glass door which shattered, and she ended up injuring herself.
Therefore, the survey can target freshmen or students who have undergone such orientation with uncomfortable moments. Their views and opinions would surely help to keep orientation activities in check, and ensure that they have not gone overboard.
Hi Jean,
I find that orientations helps to bond students together. Through the help of games, better teamwork and friendship could be forged. However, if it is to physical, some people may find it unacceptable. In views of the recent news report about NUS having games that are too physical, I believe that this is a topic worth investigating on. However, the group of students we find have to be rather specific since not everyone has attended orientations and know what it is all about.
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