Have university orientation games gone too far?
Photo: Lianhe Wanbao
FEATURE by Sherman Pun
University orientation games – love them or hate them? While some students live and breathe fun, others may not be as easy-going when it comes to breaching the proximity between members of the opposite sex.
It seems, however, that there is an increasing trend for freshmen orientation camps at the university level to involve games that would serve to provoke one’s sense of decency, all in the name of bonding.
Earlier last month, Singapore Institute of Management made waves and headlines with their freshmen orientation games that drew flak for their indecent and humiliating nature.
What started off as fun and games ended in tears for some, who felt that the activities were too raunchy for their comfort. Parents and netizens also voiced their concerns and questioned the motive behind such inappropriate games.
This is not the first time that an institute of higher learning has received bad press for failing to ensure that orientation games are carried out in a dignified manner. The National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University have previously been criticized for games and forfeits that involved obscene acts.
Some of the activities involved hugging, passing of coin-sized objects from mouth to mouth, lying on top of each other, or even taking up sexually suggestive positions, all with members of the opposite sex.
Parents and publics may be outraged, but more importantly, how do the students themselves feel about having to take part in such sexually-charged activities?
Rachel Lee, an undergraduate at NUS, shared that she could not bring herself to comply with the lewd forfeits during her orientation camp organized by the NUS Students’ Union.
“I left after the very first day with five like-minded friends,” said the undergraduate.
Other students who shared similar views said that they were uncomfortable with certain games but eventually caved in to peer pressure as they did not want to come across as anti-social or boring.
Not all students however, shared the same sentiments towards such bold orientation games.
“I don’t see a reason to get agitated. This is in fun and we laugh about it, there’s nothing sexual,” said Yvonne Ho, an undergraduate from NUS.
Orientation games may be fun and they could also help to promote friendship-building, but is there a need for games that involve excessive physical contact with members of the opposite sex?
While students offer mixed reactions towards the issue, camp organizers feel that bold activities that require students to step out of their comfort zones are most effective at breaking the social barrier between fresh faces.
“These games are only small elements and can boost the spirit of the camp,” said Choi Wen Ting, an orientation camp organizer from NTU. “University students are sensible enough to speak up if they are uncomfortable.”
The universities generally leave the planning of activities and programmes to their respective student organizing committees. However, complaints received are investigated by the school administration and disciplinary action will be taken against students who overstep the boundaries of decency.
Many have speculated that camp organizers aim to promote a match-making agenda behind all the sexually suggestive activities. After all, most of the students that turn up for orientation camps fall within the age range of 18 to 21, when many are beginning to find partners.
This is not an unreasonable claim given that many of the orientation camps are sponsored by the Social Development Unit.
Since it was established in 1984, SDU aims to promote dating and marriage among university graduates. It has since co-funded close to 250 events at the local universities.
To qualify for SDU’s sponsorship, organizers simply have to agree to romance-friendly conditions at their events. This includes aspects such as having a proportional gender ratio and ensuring adequate opportunities for members of the opposite sex to interact during activities.
With good intentions to break social barriers and promote cross-gender bonding, it seems orientation camp organizers are not simply out to humiliate camp-goers. The activities planned can help students build long-lasting friendships that will see them through their days in university, and maybe after.
University orientation games – love them or hate them? While some students live and breathe fun, others may not be as easy-going when it comes to breaching the proximity between members of the opposite sex.
It seems, however, that there is an increasing trend for freshmen orientation camps at the university level to involve games that would serve to provoke one’s sense of decency, all in the name of bonding.
Earlier last month, Singapore Institute of Management made waves and headlines with their freshmen orientation games that drew flak for their indecent and humiliating nature.
What started off as fun and games ended in tears for some, who felt that the activities were too raunchy for their comfort. Parents and netizens also voiced their concerns and questioned the motive behind such inappropriate games.
This is not the first time that an institute of higher learning has received bad press for failing to ensure that orientation games are carried out in a dignified manner. The National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University have previously been criticized for games and forfeits that involved obscene acts.
Some of the activities involved hugging, passing of coin-sized objects from mouth to mouth, lying on top of each other, or even taking up sexually suggestive positions, all with members of the opposite sex.
Parents and publics may be outraged, but more importantly, how do the students themselves feel about having to take part in such sexually-charged activities?
Rachel Lee, an undergraduate at NUS, shared that she could not bring herself to comply with the lewd forfeits during her orientation camp organized by the NUS Students’ Union.
“I left after the very first day with five like-minded friends,” said the undergraduate.
Other students who shared similar views said that they were uncomfortable with certain games but eventually caved in to peer pressure as they did not want to come across as anti-social or boring.
Not all students however, shared the same sentiments towards such bold orientation games.
“I don’t see a reason to get agitated. This is in fun and we laugh about it, there’s nothing sexual,” said Yvonne Ho, an undergraduate from NUS.
Orientation games may be fun and they could also help to promote friendship-building, but is there a need for games that involve excessive physical contact with members of the opposite sex?
While students offer mixed reactions towards the issue, camp organizers feel that bold activities that require students to step out of their comfort zones are most effective at breaking the social barrier between fresh faces.
“These games are only small elements and can boost the spirit of the camp,” said Choi Wen Ting, an orientation camp organizer from NTU. “University students are sensible enough to speak up if they are uncomfortable.”
The universities generally leave the planning of activities and programmes to their respective student organizing committees. However, complaints received are investigated by the school administration and disciplinary action will be taken against students who overstep the boundaries of decency.
Many have speculated that camp organizers aim to promote a match-making agenda behind all the sexually suggestive activities. After all, most of the students that turn up for orientation camps fall within the age range of 18 to 21, when many are beginning to find partners.
This is not an unreasonable claim given that many of the orientation camps are sponsored by the Social Development Unit.
Since it was established in 1984, SDU aims to promote dating and marriage among university graduates. It has since co-funded close to 250 events at the local universities.
To qualify for SDU’s sponsorship, organizers simply have to agree to romance-friendly conditions at their events. This includes aspects such as having a proportional gender ratio and ensuring adequate opportunities for members of the opposite sex to interact during activities.
With good intentions to break social barriers and promote cross-gender bonding, it seems orientation camp organizers are not simply out to humiliate camp-goers. The activities planned can help students build long-lasting friendships that will see them through their days in university, and maybe after.
