Carnegie Mellon University - Thistle Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Freshman Week September! and life at Carnegie Tech is suddenly in full swing. Freshman Week! Fun!! But also, orientation, tests and registration. Orientation meetings help to familiarize you with the college community. You learn about the Carnegie Plan and the kind of education you can expect at Tech. Advice is given which may help you to adjust promptly and satisfactorily to college work and life. At the dorms, too, you are oriented. Dorms have certain rules and regulations which must be followed to attain satisfactory democratic living. Women are acquainted with these rules at a party given by Women’s Dorm Council. Much fun is had at this party and many lasting friends are made at this time. Of course, some of the rules arc forgotten and you find yourself in “hot water” with the housemothers, but they are patient (bless ’em). A smoker is held by Men’s Dorm Council for the men living in the dorms. Any fellow who has the “gift of gab” will find an outlet for his talents here. As a freshman, you stand bewildered before the building that is to be your home for four years, and instantly you arc besieged by men who greet you and carry your luggage, and the fun beings. If you are a woman, you find yourself bewildered by all the talk of fraternities and blind dates; if you are a man you are asked to go to fraternity “smokers” and parties (dates supplied) Before you arc completely aware of what's going on, fraternity rushing is in action. Then, introductions to the various activities and organizations at Tech and a co-ed Freshman picnic at Schenlev Park. I Iere sports and square-dancing are enjoyed and many more new acquaintances are made. By Friday you are beginning to droop a little under all the strain and excitement, but Friday evening is the President’s Reception and you begin to perk up for the big weekend ahead. After the reception a dance is held in the Fine Arts lobby for freshmen only, and you begin to feel more like a member of a privileged group instead of one of the masses. The Kiltie Concert on the Fine Arts lawn on Saturday afternoon is quite enjoyable, especially when everyone joins in singing Tech songs. After the song fest you are welcomed at a YMCA-YWCA dinner for all new students. As Saturday night ends with parties and gay excitement, so also does Freshman Week, and you are now really a part of life at Carnegie.