Shifting from tradition, growing into inclusivity
While Orientation Week at the University of Toronto has become synonymous with ice breaker activities and social events, it is inevitable that the long-awaited week brings years of rich college tradition to a new graduating class. From commencement speeches to multi-college events such as bed races and Varsity cheeroffs (the competitiveness is real!), such distinctive traditions connect fellow students and alumnae from different walks of life and make one’s first year experience unique.
Vic, in its extensive history as a federated college, has had a number of Orientation Week traditions that have since been discontinued. While events such as Orientation Week plays and the Scarlet and Gold formal continue to this day, the Victoria University Students Administrative Council (VUSAC) also wants to focus on creating programs that understand the needs of the changing student body.
Traditional Ceremonies, also known as “Trads”, have become synonymous with the notion of wearing formal clothing over academic robes. Previously, they required male and female students to partake in individual services. Formerly gendered residences such as the all-male Gate House were known for their gruesome rituals involving first-year students and practical pranks throughout Orientation Week. Gate House was later made into a co-ed residence in 2008. Formal events such as Scarlet and Gold permitted alcohol on-site.
The Strand sat down with Orientation Co-Chair, Cynthia Wong, to discuss Victoria College’s efforts in increasing awareness towards inclusivity during this year’s Orientation while reflecting on past programming.
What specific initiatives does Vic have in place to make orientation accessible and inclusive for all attendees?
The executive is committed to making Orientation as accessible and inclusive as possible. Continuing from last summer, we had an Equity Steering Meeting. This opened up the umbrella because we want to make safe spaces for students within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as spaces for students of colour. We looked at specific events over the week and made sure we were planning through an equitable lens to make sure it’s a comfortable space for everyone. We had a lot of great feedback during that session as well as from external parties. We also looked through improvements which could be made to leadership training.
Some other initiatives include parallel programming, where students have the option to attend either high or low energy events, and commuter billeting, which allows students who do not live in residence to have the same experience and opportunity to attend all events. In addition, we’re not enforcing a formal dress-code for events such as Scarlet and Gold, and Traditional Ceremonies.
From your experience, how has the orientation week experience changed since your time as a first-year student?
The biggest change to Orientation for me was when it changed from five days to three days. It became a lot less overwhelming, and a lot more transition-focused. I think it’s important to educate students and provide a space that will allow them to be comfortable and learn how to get into the “university” mind set. Traditional Ceremonies have undergone a lot of change since my year, after being de-gendered, and then being moved to the Isabel Bader Theatre. We incorporate as much tradition as we can from previous years, including the book signing and sand, and I hope a lot of students still enjoy it as much as I did!
What factors do you keep in mind when planning and executing events?
There are many factors that we keep in mind when planning these events. In general, we always look at student safety, reducing barriers, the budget, as well as any potential collaborations with other colleges and student groups. Whenever we plan something, we always look for feedback to see if we can continue improving!
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