REGINA – From the pranks to the partying, frosh week is a memorable time. But sometimes, it’s taken too far.
A video of Saint Mary’s University student leaders chanting about rape in Halifax has gained lots of media attention this week.
But at the University of Regina, it’s a much different story. The emphasis is on partying and drinking, rather than hateful pranks.
The students’ union works to make the transition from high school to university as smooth as possible; deliberately steering away from using the word ‘frosh’ and instead calling it ‘Welcome Week.’
“Although I understand it’s all in good fun, frosh week kind of created the idea that you’re going to have to do something embarrassing or you’re going to have to do something awkward – and that frightens some people,” said Nathan Sgrazzutti, University of Regina Students’ Union President.
It’s a message university administration agrees with.
“We are not aware of any malicious or violent activities this week – no, not at all,” said Thomas Chase, Provost and Vice-President for the University of Regina.
But hazing isn’t completely unheard of – especially at the high school level.
“The grade twelves took it upon themselves to take out paddles and paddle us in the butt,” said Adam Graham, a third year geology student at the U of R. He added, “It was painful, I had a purple behind for a couple days after that.”
And so Regina Police have this warning.
“Sometimes out of a desire to belong or participate, people will consent to be part of an activity. But there might be things that occur that might be beyond what they consented to,” said Elizabeth Popowich of the Regina Police Service.
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