University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

Page 29 text:

Some not-exactly-timid souls might well have been scared out of the whole idea of attending college when they received a little yellow folder last August called Program for Freshmen and New Students. The whol e thing must have seemed pretty confusing almost terrifying when viewed in prospect. But in retrospect, the poor freshman can prob- ably say he ' s a better man for it. That first week of school is an education in itself. The Uni- versity planned it that way. After all, any Great Adventure requires some kind of adjustment beforehand. And we dare any senior to deny that college is one of the biggest adventures of all. Freshman Week is supposed to aid in that ad- justment. The Freshman Counsellor system, for instance, was the chance for groups of younger men to meet an older one and ask him questions. And this contact didn ' t stop after Friday, Septem- ber 15 the counsellor still stands ready to help and advise. The women met in a large group in the ball- room the same day. Then, that evening, everyone gathered in the auditorium to hear Chancellor Malott ' s first address to University students. Next day the dizziest part of the round began, with psychological exams to wrestle with in the morning, registration immediately after and con- tinuing through the day (and on and on), physi- cal exams that might come any time during the day, and a sort of tense relaxation at the free Jayhawk Nibble in the evening. Sunday brought Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C.A. recep- tions and more or less of a day of rest. Monday morning brought meetings of freshmen by schools, with the College meeting in Fraser; Mon-

Page 28 text:

I to the THOSE I- ' IIIST DAYS MAY Hi: II t I I M ONES BUT THE NEW BOYS .llll.s LEAHN A LOT ABOUT K.I . Chief Freshman Counsellor Mac Wynne answers a last minute question (above). ... At top of page A new pledge moves in. ... A typical picture: Ex- high-school-seniors, just in town, look for a place to stay. . . . Sister helps brother enroll and like every other freshman does he need it! ... At bottom New students rack their brains over psychological exams. . . . Y.M.C.A. puts some punch into the pro- ceedings as they welcome new men. (That bowl wai an ever-present adjunct to early receptions) .... Frc-hrnan guests of the University munch hotdogs and baked beans at the Jayhawk Nibble . . . and listen, excitedly or listlessly, to an evening convocation.

Page 30 text:

till- new fill- dent, of 1939 -I. i nd on tin- rile if ( )| 1 North ( ' .ollepe. the - iiil.ul of knowl- edge leaps liun- i;ril -k vt.ud. Below: Tin- iilee rlnli- -.111 for tin-in as i 1 1 i stood around the fire. . . . And Se ;ird 1 ' leoon. represent- ing them, received the torch. day e ruing brought another convocation and a talk by Dean Lawson on Career Information. The tired beginner also had a chance to dance at the opening varsity well, some chance. Tuesday there was still an opportunity to register I if one had forgotten ) and enrollment be- H.MI in Robinson . m: here was the test of any fr-liinan ' - Mrength of spirit even those that got through quickly found they should have been more careful in choosing teachers. That night tliev went to the auditorium again to be formally introduced to campus leaders and various Deans. Wednesday was a breathing-spell for many, others still had enrollment lines to battle. Some paid their fees. Most walked over toward the Union Building that night to explore and dance well, try to dance. Finally, classes started. And that evening everybody adjourned to North College Hill (near Corbin Hall) to be inducted. In its externals, the Induction was merely tlie business of watching a firebasket and hearing a couple of speeches on Corbin Hill, then strag- gling down to the stadium to hear some more speeches and the band and watch members ) ' Sachem run panting down from the Ad building with a torch. But there was more to it than that. And maybe the seniors can feel it more deeply than the freshmen. The passing on of the torch from one class to another, the story of the University seal, the challenge of the Athenian oath there ' s a strange combination of significant history and vigorous, youthful immediacy in the ceremony of the Freshman Induction that shows, some- how, something of the real meaning of K.U. (Photos by An llnl t