Reinventing college orientation programs<\/p>\n
Ardimas Sasdi, Jakarta<\/p>\n
With the start of a new academic year less than a week away,
\ncolleges and universities are bracing themselves for freshman
\norientation. Campuses are replete with decorations, pamphlets,
\nbunting and banners to welcome new students.<\/p>\n
For their part, student boards have laid out plans for the
\ngreat annual event, which usually lasts a week. But monitoring by
\nthe writer at two Jakarta universities indicated no improvement
\nin organizers' preparations. Written, standard procedures, which
\nshould be followed by the participants, were conspicuously absent
\nand the basic approach of the organizers to the orientation
\nremained unchanged.<\/p>\n
The lack of written rules of conduct poses a risk following
\nsad experiences in the past, where poor planning was blamed as
\nthe main cause of negative excesses during orientation. In the
\nlast three years alone four freshmen have died during
\norientation.<\/p>\n
They included (in 2002) Suryowati Hagus Darayanto, 21, a
\nstudent at Jakarta-based Institute of Science and Technology
\n(ISTN), and Cecilia Puji Rahardjo, from Semarang-based Diponegoro
\nUniversity (UNDIP). The worst case occurred in 2003, when two
\nstudents from the State Administration College (STPDN) in
\nBandung, West Java, died during orientation. The four were proven
\nto have been killed by their seniors, who mentally and physically
\nharassed them for violating the orientation rules. Nationwide,
\nthe actual figure is believed to be much higher, as many cases go
\nunreported.<\/p>\n
What should be done? The incidence of the death of the four is
\na stern warning to organizing colleges and universities and a
\nstrong reason for change or reinvention of the program.<\/p>\n
The orientation, which is also known as a \"welcoming week\" and
\naimed primarily at helping freshmen make the transition to a new
\nuniversity life, should not only be a useful but also a happy
\nmoment for all participants, as in foreign colleges and
\nuniversities.<\/p>\n
Recent experience of the writer as a visiting scholar to the
\nUniversity of California at Berkeley, proved that the orientation
\nor convocation day can become a meaningful event. It was useful
\nto help students and scholars to get acclimatized to university
\nlife quickly. Age gaps and differing nationalities did not really
\nmatter at the university, known for the diversity of its
\nstudents. The convocation, which began with a speech from the
\nrector, was full of fun, and food was served. Participants sang
\nsongs, played games, exchanged greetings and sat together for
\nfood and drinks in a friendly atmosphere.<\/p>\n
But in a country like Indonesia where the emotion of the
\npeople is high and people fight with fists rather than arguments,
\nthe annual event, if not well-planned, has the potential to turn
\ninto a stressful occasion and even a nightmare for weak or
\nunorganized participants -- freshmen.<\/p>\n
The media have often reported that senior students slapped and
\nbeat freshmen for trivial violations. These incidents occurred
\nbecause senior students still regarded the orientation as hazing
\nand an opportunity for revenge for the unpleasant things they
\nexperienced a year or two before.<\/p>\n
The situation is getting from bad to worse due to poor control
\nby colleges and universities, although the orientation was useful
\nfor these institutions.<\/p>\n
Many experts still have a favorable view on freshmen
\norientation, but underline a need for reinvention of the program.
\nStrict requirements must be met so that the program can achieve
\nits real goal.<\/p>\n
First, the orientation must be a well-planned program and
\nfully supported by all parties at colleges or universities, from
\nthe rector down to directors and deans. The event is too big to
\nbe entrusted to only an assistant rector or dean for student
\naffairs, as was the case in many campuses.<\/p>\n
Second, reduce programs that involve physical activities and
\ndirect exposure to sunshine, which can easily make participants
\ntired and lose their self-control. Senior students must organize
\nthe orientation responsibly and forget that hazing should be like
\nit is at a military academy.<\/p>\n
Instead, organize more programs like visits to libraries,
\nlaboratories or sports facilities, and speeches on academic
\nmatters. Tell freshmen about academic expectations of them -- how
\nto manage time, take notes, read course materials effectively and
\nthen integrate the information.<\/p>\n
Third, the orientation should be made as stimulating as
\npossible. Hold discussions on topical issues like alcohol and
\ndrug abuse, the dangers of rape by acquaintances, diversity,
\ncampus safety, how to get along with a roommate or cope with
\nstress.<\/p>\n
Fourth, organize the programs in a relaxed and friendly
\natmosphere to allow free interaction between participants by
\norganizing games, anecdotes and food. The other vital key to the
\nsuccess of the event is the willingness of senior students and
\nlecturers to reach out and adopt egalitarian attitudes in dealing
\nwith freshmen.<\/p>\n
Last -- and possibly most crucial -- is that senior students
\nmust learn to treat freshmen with respect and dignity. The five
\nsteps demand fundamental changes in the orientation concept and
\nmodel, as well as the conduct of organizers.<\/p>\n
The author is a staff writer for The Jakarta Post and can be
\nreached at ajambak@berkeley.edu<\/p>",
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