Freshen up – SU to lobby for Freshers’ Week

After years of pressure the University of Warwick is considering introducing a Freshers’ Week.

Currently one of a small minority of UK universities not to have one, the University is considering plans to implement a week free from academic commitments in time for October 2013.

The current system sees new students beginning their studies immediately after the arrivals weekend, which has raised concerns that other important aspects of university life such as settling in, making friends and joining societies could be sidelined. Most universities have a week, or sometimes fortnight, during which students are free to settle in without the added pressure of imminent seminars and lectures.

“Throwing students into a purely academic environment is somewhat superficial”, said Students’ Union (SU) President Leo Boe, “it implies that’s all university is about.”

“We acknowledge that first and foremost students come to study, but Warwick
offers more than a degree, it offers the complete university experience.”

Following encouragement from many departments within the University, the idea of having a week free from academic commitment was raised at the last Union Council. A unanimous vote demonstrated strong support for the proposal.

First-year student Jessica Devine was in favour of the motion: “Warwick is the odd-one-out. Every other university seems to have a stand alone freshers’ week, I was shocked when I learnt that we didn’t – it didn’t seem fair.”

The hike in tuition fees is also a motivating factor for the introduction of a Freshers’ Week. With prospective students increasingly fastidious in their search for the best university experience Boe feels that the University needs to capture the attention of applicants in 2013, and that a Freshers’ Week will demonstrate the University’s commitment to providing a well-rounded graduate experience.

“Gone are the days when university was simply about getting wasted”, said Boe, “a commitment free freshers’ week would enable students to fully explore everything Warwick has to offer.”

Limited opposition to the idea suggests the proposal could be a success.