University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

Page 14 text:

lax W' l 1 12 .-. -' Jr-71 1.1-bi 9-'sx..... 4-.av-was--fn: The meetings with the respec- tive deans throw the first light upon what college is really about. The scene darkens when the freshmen are told that they are here at school to study. This is quite a shock to some of them. The familiar cry of fill that group originated at one of these meetings and has thrived ever since. A There's nothing quite like en- rollment. The ease with which you surpass it depends entirely upon the Fates. That is, whether your last name begins with a letter that enrolls early or not. Late enrollment can be endured only if the right attitude is taken -the attitude of I don't give a . . The freshmen are caught coming and going, howeverjwith one simple decision to make. They have their choice of either afternoon or Saturday classes. D Payment of fees is a necessary factor in becoming a Kansas J ay- hawker. freshmen, unfamiliar with this angle of college were soon well initiated to it as labora- tory, uniform, quiz paper, and general taxation fees and assess- ments mounted higher. Gener- ally at this point, the freshmen write home. Financial insult to injury came this year with the additional 59 cents for federal tax. Spiritual rejuvenation in the manner of 'making freshmen K.U. conscious was by far the most important part of the orien- tation week. N e w students learned what it meant to thrill to the chanting of the famous Rock Chalk. They learned of ' the struggles of their illustrious founders. They learned the 'mean- ing of being a Kansas jayhawkerl -mn, .. Suchem Trump lights torch . . . -, . The relay . . . Carry on, class of '45! OCTOBER 1941 Climax to freshmen week came with the eighteenth annual new student induction in Me- morial stadium. It was in this ceremony that some 900 students were ofhcially incorporated into the University as energetic new jayhawkers. Alumni, upper class- men come back year after year to witness the re-enaction of the torch race from the Rock Chalk cairn. The most disinterested freshmen cannot help being im- pressed and inspired. Young jayhawkers, you have accepted some mighty important obligations in coming to this Uni- versity. lt is to you that the burn- ing torch of wisdom has been hurled. It is you who are to keep it burning for those who are to come after you. In the words of Hannah Oliver, oldest living graduate of the University, It may be that there are those among you who will extend the borders of light, who will dis- cover principles of mechanics and economics that will lighten the burdens of men who toilg scien- tific facts that shall satisfy man's craving to know more of the Universe, which from its farthest bounds has always held out beckoning hands to himg or some as yet unknown spiritual truths that will ennoble and bless the race. The hope, the faith, and the destiny of the University of Kan- sas is in you embryo Jayhawkers. Will you leave our alma mater greater than you found it? You are now on Mt. Oread . . . prove your right to be here. This is your challenge, these are the responsibilities you inherit ON BECOMING JAYHAVUKERS! pbotor I1 5' Ruppentbal ll .

Page 13 text:

OCTOBER 1941 11 Cn Becoming Jayhewlcers AYHAWKERIZATIONH of around 775 fresh- men neophytes each fall is no small task, but being one of those 775 to be ujayhawkerizedv is not easy either! Freshmen aren't as green as they used to be. They no longer believe the Student Union building to be a form of closed shop. They already know the A Cappela sings without a piano. No, the big problem isn't bleaching out the green in freshman, itis preaching in the spirit of Kansas! Many new students come here with some mighty false ideas about college life. It's quite a setback to some of them to find out college isn't all rah, rah! A great deal of that country club atmosphere went out either with the racoon coat or the beginning of the news reel. The jolt of the actual thing sets most freshmen to thinking. High school was never like this. Rush week was never like this. There's never been any- thing like this! University life is different, there is no question about that. It is for this reason that the University of Kansas has a freshmen orientation week-a week designed to help each new man during the change he goes through ON BECOMING A JAY- I-IAWKERY A feeling of affection for the old state U. gen- erally develops in a boy or girl even long before high school graduation. Maybe the folks went to K.U., maybe they went to Manhattang or perhaps the track team or high school band had been down for the Relays. Whatever the reason is, most stu- dents come here ready and willing to be trans- formed from a Podunk Piratel' into a Kansas Jay- hawker. To facilitate this transformation, every person on the Hill has a job to do. A propaganda war launched from the oflices of the registrar and men's student advisor opens up with a lively spring campaign. No less than twelve items, ranging all the way from self-addressed post cards to actual magazines, find their way during the course of the summer to each prospective student. The freshmen are encouraged to do everything from ZW lean Ummm being on time for meetings to buying their JAY- HAWKERS when they pay their fees. Time for arrival in Lawrence for the opening of school comes before the student realizes it. Packing for an around-the-world voyage has nothing on the packing the average freshman does to come to college. The neophyte's mind is a maze of uncertainty as he reaches Lawrence to begin his first big year in a real University. What will classes be like? Will the Chancelor like me? What will I say when I meet Helen Johnson? Will I feel out of place with- out a convertible? Needless to say, these questions aren't long unanswered. Men and women's rush week is the first big bombshell to burst over Mount Oread at the start of each school year. Freshmen boys drag out their National Honor Society pins and clear up their athlete's foot to make an impression. Freshmen girls drag out an old skirt, buy a new sweater, and pick out a pair of pearls. A source of fear and apprehension to most was the psychological examination required for entrance. I. Q.'s were given a good work-out in something like a four-hour session. The University administration believes in a gradual but firm preview to the horrors of finals. Physical examinations gave the freshman his first taste of the line If nothing else is learned at K.U., it is a certainty that the student learns the art of patience. Well, anyway, he learns to wait. The physical examination is trying, but necessary. Every- thing is expected, and everything inspected! Next on the program came registration in the basement of Frank Strong. There were lines again, even longer lines, but this time you had your clothes on. Instruction regarding neatness is always given, and the conscientious freshmen spend hours printing their card strings. Highlight and lowlight of regis- tration is having your picture taken. Everyone always resolves that next year he will be ready,' for the take, but next year never comes. A great deal of time is spent from here on out concealing your por- trait from the librarian and your classmates.

Page 15 text:

OLIOBLR 19-A1 13 plaotox by Yarnell 3'