A student will experience mixed emotions when attending university for the very first time.
Luckily, out of all the clubs, activities and sports, one event precedes them all, one that helps students cope with these feelings: orientation week.
In a transitional time, incoming students are overwhelmed with questions, and orientation week gives them the chance to get answers and to learn from other students who have experienced all that university has to offer.
Unfortunately, however, a heavy bias trumps the frosh scene.
For a student coming to a school they know little about, it would be tough to decide between three enticing choices: Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) frosh, Sprosh and EngFrosh.
Nevertheless, it seems that CUSA frosh is the clear-cut favourite in the polls.
This brings up a simple question: when there are three choices, why is one favoured?
Why are Sprosh and EngFrosh the underdogs?
In order to find out more, I asked students involved in frosh week to weigh-in.
Most people believed the number of students involved in CUSA frosh, whether participants or volunteers, was truly overpowering.
They agreed there can never be a valid comparison between all three orientation experiences when it comes to size; however, in terms of offerings and activities, people felt that the options were very comparable.
Whether you wish to paint yourself purple, go zip-lining or soak up some sun on Beach Day, each orientation offers many activities that should be advertised equally.
It seems unfair to let CUSA and the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) take control of the student experience just because the Carleton administration is involved in their frosh.
CUSA frosh is given priority over venue selection and a more accessible route for collecting funds.
Also, many people agreed that since Sprosh and EngFrosh have been labelled by their faculties, students who are not involved in business and engineering are less encouraged to partake in both Sprosh and EngFrosh.
People should be made aware that there is no exclusivity — all students are welcome to participate in any social orientation they like.
In the end, all three experiences offer a week-long event that is full of fun and exciting activities.
All I’m asking is that Carleton give all three social orientations equal opportunity to showcase what they have to offer.
—Ryan Kardish,
third-year business,
Sprosh “president
