Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 16 text:

FRESHMAN WEEK The largest class ever to attend Springfield College entered on Sunday, September seventh, nineteen hundred and sixty-nine, as the class of 1973, with a membership of five hundred and forty-eight eager and anxious students. They were put through a week of hectic, planned programs as set up by Pete Tapley, Program Chairman and Phyllis Lerner, Assistant Program Chairman. The General Chairman, Fred Bartlett, greeted the freshman at the opening convocation in the Field House, during which the freshman class was presented to the administrators, parents and Springfield College itself. Following the convocation there was a reception for all at the presidents' home. During the week the freshmen met in academic sessions, became acquainted with faculty and administrators, attended dances including a square dance. Black cultural programs, information sessions, took tiring physical fitness tests and became acquainted with each other. The freshmen memorized numerous traditions, school songs and cheers in order to prove they could withstand the intensified upperclassmen hazing. This included taking dips into the clear, clean, sparkling waters of Lake Massasoit, boys making love to trees, pushing beanies with their noses, acting like animals in front of Abbey Dorm, and girls marrying upperclassmen and having to kiss them to escape. The freshmen also had an outdoor picnic with the faculty and a banquet with their group leaders and administrators where slides were shown of various aspects of Springfield College. They had a coffee house displaying student talents and they spent the day at the College Campgrounds. The class of 1973 had more spirit than any of the classes yet to see Springfield and proved this by throwing their group leaders, soph, class members, Pres, of soph, class and the Chairman of Freshman Week into Lake Massasoit. Everyone dried off in the warmth of the bonfire lit by the Hosaga Indians and were cheered on by the Springfield College Cheerleaders. Freshman Week was a very exciting and different experience for every new freshman. It gave many of them the chance to meet new people and share many experiences. The class of 1973 put their best foot forward in spirit, cooperation and general friendliness in an effort to make Freshman Week 1969 the best and most beneficial week yet to descend on Springfield. Karen Swan Sue Ikeda