Reinventing college orientation programs

Reinventing college orientation programs

Ardimas Sasdi, Jakarta

With the start of a new academic year less than a week away,
colleges and universities are bracing themselves for freshman
orientation. Campuses are replete with decorations, pamphlets,
bunting and banners to welcome new students.

For their part, student boards have laid out plans for the
great annual event, which usually lasts a week. But monitoring by
the writer at two Jakarta universities indicated no improvement
in organizers' preparations. Written, standard procedures, which
should be followed by the participants, were conspicuously absent
and the basic approach of the organizers to the orientation
remained unchanged.

The lack of written rules of conduct poses a risk following
sad experiences in the past, where poor planning was blamed as
the main cause of negative excesses during orientation. In the
last three years alone four freshmen have died during
orientation.

They included (in 2002) Suryowati Hagus Darayanto, 21, a
student at Jakarta-based Institute of Science and Technology
(ISTN), and Cecilia Puji Rahardjo, from Semarang-based Diponegoro
University (UNDIP). The worst case occurred in 2003, when two
students from the State Administration College (STPDN) in
Bandung, West Java, died during orientation. The four were proven
to have been killed by their seniors, who mentally and physically
harassed them for violating the orientation rules. Nationwide,
the actual figure is believed to be much higher, as many cases go
unreported.

What should be done? The incidence of the death of the four is
a stern warning to organizing colleges and universities and a
strong reason for change or reinvention of the program.

The orientation, which is also known as a "welcoming week" and
aimed primarily at helping freshmen make the transition to a new
university life, should not only be a useful but also a happy
moment for all participants, as in foreign colleges and
universities.

Recent experience of the writer as a visiting scholar to the
University of California at Berkeley, proved that the orientation
or convocation day can become a meaningful event. It was useful
to help students and scholars to get acclimatized to university
life quickly. Age gaps and differing nationalities did not really
matter at the university, known for the diversity of its
students. The convocation, which began with a speech from the
rector, was full of fun, and food was served. Participants sang
songs, played games, exchanged greetings and sat together for
food and drinks in a friendly atmosphere.

But in a country like Indonesia where the emotion of the
people is high and people fight with fists rather than arguments,
the annual event, if not well-planned, has the potential to turn
into a stressful occasion and even a nightmare for weak or
unorganized participants -- freshmen.

The media have often reported that senior students slapped and
beat freshmen for trivial violations. These incidents occurred
because senior students still regarded the orientation as hazing
and an opportunity for revenge for the unpleasant things they
experienced a year or two before.

The situation is getting from bad to worse due to poor control
by colleges and universities, although the orientation was useful
for these institutions.

Many experts still have a favorable view on freshmen
orientation, but underline a need for reinvention of the program.
Strict requirements must be met so that the program can achieve
its real goal.

First, the orientation must be a well-planned program and
fully supported by all parties at colleges or universities, from
the rector down to directors and deans. The event is too big to
be entrusted to only an assistant rector or dean for student
affairs, as was the case in many campuses.

Second, reduce programs that involve physical activities and
direct exposure to sunshine, which can easily make participants
tired and lose their self-control. Senior students must organize
the orientation responsibly and forget that hazing should be like
it is at a military academy.

Instead, organize more programs like visits to libraries,
laboratories or sports facilities, and speeches on academic
matters. Tell freshmen about academic expectations of them -- how
to manage time, take notes, read course materials effectively and
then integrate the information.

Third, the orientation should be made as stimulating as
possible. Hold discussions on topical issues like alcohol and
drug abuse, the dangers of rape by acquaintances, diversity,
campus safety, how to get along with a roommate or cope with
stress.

Fourth, organize the programs in a relaxed and friendly
atmosphere to allow free interaction between participants by
organizing games, anecdotes and food. The other vital key to the
success of the event is the willingness of senior students and
lecturers to reach out and adopt egalitarian attitudes in dealing
with freshmen.

Last -- and possibly most crucial -- is that senior students
must learn to treat freshmen with respect and dignity. The five
steps demand fundamental changes in the orientation concept and
model, as well as the conduct of organizers.

The author is a staff writer for The Jakarta Post and can be
reached at ajambak@berkeley.edu