University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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NOVEMBER 1938 17 THE NEW STUDENT IN- DUCTION SYMBOLIZES THE BIRTH OF A JAY HAWKER HERDED BY BELLOWING, blustering K-men and Ku Ku ' s swinging threatening but ineffectual paddles, the horde of freshmen gropingly stumble down dark, steep Eleventh Street and march into the horseshoe of the stadium to the tune of doleful band music. The program starts with nothing eventful or of particular interest. From time to time the thousand new students glance up toward the south. On the Hill a fire flickers, and contrary to the script, dies lower as the program progresses. Real star of the evening is Miss Hannah Oliver, professor emeritus of Latin, who in a firm voice that belies her many years explains the significance of the University seal. Then comes the inspiring part. Upon the Hill there suddenly appears two fires. The smaller starts moving jerkily down the slope. From one carrier to another it is passed until finally a breathless Sachem runs on the platform, passes the burning torch, which signifies the spirit and traditions of the University, to an alumni representative who in turn hands it to the class presidents. Finally in the possession of a representative freshman, it is used to light the fire. Then that freshman is capped by the Chancellor. And the new students have become spiritually part of the University, what it has been in the past, what it is now, and what it will stand for in the future. Some scoffed at the sentiment behind the freshman induction; others were mildly amused. But most frankly admitted that something inside them was moved not a little. Most experienced that indefinable something that every year draws many seniors and graduates back to the ceremony although it is far less entertaining than a dry lecture. But even before the induction college life was well begun for the freshmen. All took the psychological examination. They conferred with their advisers, confusedly filled countless registration and enrollment blanks, attended convocations, swarmed to the dances and receptions, timidly went to their first University class. Beginning of University life constituted one never-to-be-forgotten wee c for the freshmen.

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16 THE JAYHAWKER l All photos by Bert Brandt

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MMfl I No if ' s, mud ' s, but $ about ic. even, new student must take the psychological exam. Most are conscientious, but some purposely muddle through. Results: psychology department has some clinical material and the profs know what to expect. Freshmen (left) had a chance to get acquainted with Hill big-wigs and vice versa at the M.S.C.-Y.M.C.A. mixer the first Sunday. The following Friday the new women (right) picnicked at Pot- ter ' s Lake with their counsellors. Various churches and organizations also spon- sored other get-togethers. Probably most confusing of all activities for the freshmen was enrollment (left). The multiplicity of advisors, group re- quirements, tables, and lines left them bewildered. But they soon forgot about the whole thing as they danced at the first mid-week and the Chancellor ' s re- ception (right). Inspiring to some and dull to most was the first convocation. But almost all freshmen dutifully attended and even crowded (left) to get in. In the Union fountain (right) there were no freshmen during this convocation, but in a few months there will be a goodly number of them convening there.