We, the faculty and staff of DSU, are excited to welcome
you, the incoming students, to Delaware State University! Most of you have completed the New Student
Orientation and we hope that your visit to campus has inspired you to be even
more excited about joining our community. If you missed the June NSO it’s not
too late! Register today for the last session on August 22.
College Orientation is a time-honored tradition for nearly
every American college and university, and DSU is no exception. To prove it, I
selected a 1957 Freshman Orientation Program booklet from the university
archives. I had recently heard a story from
an alumnus who recalled that his parents put him and all his belongings on a
public bus bound for Dover. Apparently at
that time in the 1980’s parents played an inactive role in orientation whereas
today, many parents choose to accompany their teenager. I was therefore curious to see how
orientation had developed over time.
Looking through the 1957 orientation program, I realized
that orientation was a week-long affair in which students were required to
undergo many more examinations than is currently expected. Such exams included a physical fitness index
exam, medical and psychological exams in the on-campus health center, and
academic placement exams in English, math, science, and the “Otis Test of
Mental Ability.” However, there were also a great deal more social events such
as a talent show, a Coke Sip Date Hour (Does anyone know what this is?), pool
parties, mixers, movies, teas, and church services.
In my opinion, the 1957 program makes the 2016 itinerary
look like all work and no play. What do
you think? How does the 1957 Freshman Orientation Program differ from your own experience at the 2016
New Student Orientation?
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