To initiate or not to initiate!

To initiate or not to initiate

In South African Universities it has been a long standing tradition to initiate first year students. Over the past few years the initiation process has been under the spotlight. Many feel that this is a violation of human rights. The initiation process was never intended to violate any rights whatsoever, but instead bring unity amongst first year students. This process involves first year students spending many difficult hours fulfilling various tasks. Profgrad would like to discuss the initiation process and how to prepare for it.

Fun: A very important aspect of initiation is to have fun. Many Universities have “Jool” to keep the fun of initiation alive. Students dress up, collect money, build floats and have a good time. This is what initiation should be about. At these events there is a great atmosphere and this allows for the opportunity for students to bond. At the end of the whole process there is a parade where the hard work finally pays off. The best float gets a prize and all the students are seen as equals. You will no longer be seen as an outsider but instead will feel more a part of the university than ever before.

Preparation for Life: The aim of initiation is to not only prepare you for university but also to prepare you for life in general. When leaving school you have very little life experience. An initiation is a great way to see that Life can be a cold dark world if you are not prepared. Having friends in the same position as you make it easier to cope with the stones life can throw at you. Initiation is there to help you make friends and associate with other students. Not all initiation practices are fair and just. See the article below to find out where initiation took a turn for the worst. 

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/initiation-ritual-to-be-scrutinised/158435.article

Authority: If an initiation ceremony is to be carried out, the responsibility of having a successful initiation lies with those who are carrying out the process. Fellow students who have completed at the very least their first year are usually the initiators. First Year students see this person as someone with authority. It is up to these individuals to keep the practice safe and not to violate any rights. Whilst being initiated you know that the authority figures have been through the same ordeal with their predecessors. This is why it should be an important ceremony to uphold as it has been a longstanding tradition. Always keep an open mind but know when thing are taken too far.

Do you agree or disagree with the initiation process?