Student rites of passage: Navigating tradition in a modern university

When a poster about a ‘freshers’ initiation’ lands in your inbox, it tends to spark one of two reactions. The first is excitement, a sense of community, and a step into the unknown. Yet this is also why the second feeling is usually one of nervousness. The novelty turns to wondering what an initiation actually means: what is it that you will have to face?

The University of Warwick, like most other universities across the country, follows certain traditions as part of its social environment. The issue that arises with these traditions stems from determining what boundaries must be set to allow the spirit of the university and the well-being of students to coexist.

Social events known as ‘adoptions’ or ‘rites of passage’ serve as initiation ceremonies into various societies. These rituals serve two main functions: they establish new members in the society while creating a sense of belonging through group bonding activities. Often, the events include dress-up activities and team-based games that encourage drinking for those who choose to drink. The research conducted at UK universities described these events as ‘entry rituals for new players who want to join their community’.

The moment the rituals slide into coercion, humiliation, or danger, the fun ends and the harm begins

None of this is shocking. Students will experience university life through initiation ceremonies that create opportunities for social relationship development. They break the ice. They help people integrate. They build team identity. The catch is that they only work when they are grounded in respect, choice, and safety. The moment the rituals slide into coercion, humiliation, or danger, the fun ends and the harm begins.

When first settling into university life, freshers handle many new pressures besides their academic work and exam schedules. They are adjusting to a new city, new friends, and a new version of themselves. A well-planned induction helps bridge that gap. By meeting older members of the society who share inside jokes while you collect a series of common experiences with them, you can find yourself with a support system. One researcher even found that many new members described their initiation as part of feeling accepted, not singled out.

Still, the risks are real. The national guidance system prohibits initiation practices that involve any form of participant humiliation or degradation, which also lead to physical harm, even if participants have given their consent. At Warwick, recent investigations revealed that some club ‘adoptions’ involved extreme alcohol, humiliation, and tasks where students felt pressured to comply. So where is the line?

choice, respect, safety, and transparency

The following represents my brief definition of the subject: choice, respect, safety, and transparency. Students have the ability to reject without their decision leading to social exclusion or doubts about their dedication.

The actual experiences of new students show that the treatment they receive goes against these expectations. Respect means no degrading tasks, no exploiting insecurities, no ‘laughing at you, not with you’. Safety is simple. No dangerous stunts, no pressure to drink, no physical harm, no exhaustion games. Fun is not supposed to require first aid. Transparency means telling people what they are signing up for. The purpose of initiation shifts from developing relationships to establishing authority when secrecy becomes the main focus. Warwick’s student union now requires approval for adoptions and stresses the right to opt out. That is encouraging. Surveys show that only about half of participants remember signing any form at all, which indicates that the system requires better consistency.

The message should be ‘you belong here’, not ‘prove you deserve it’

Here is what I would advise societies and clubs: create initiations that include rather than provoke. The message should be ‘you belong here’, not ‘prove you deserve it’. Make opting out socially acceptable. The decision of a fresher to skip a task should be honoured and completely erased from memory by the following day. Avoid alcohol-driven or humiliating activities. Silly costumes are fine. Forced drunkenness or degrading challenges are not. Explain the plan beforehand. Mystery is fun only when it is harmless. Focus on positive outcomes like bonding and teamwork, not on suffering for the sake of tradition. The method enables initiations to maintain their meaningful nature while keeping them playful and secure. The absence of this system leads to exclusion and dangerous situations, which creates problems for everyone and could result in major university issues.

Students must understand that they do not need to go through force or shame to obtain a community, camaraderie, or exciting experiences

In short, initiations do have a place in student life. The need for belonging exists as a fundamental human requirement. The need for camaraderie exists as a crucial element. The value of shared experiences becomes evident. And many societies do not even blink an eye if you reject a task or miss the event itself. But stories from other initiations create anxiety, and all societies should be held to the same standards of safety and respect. Students must understand that they do not need to go through force or shame to obtain the community, camaraderie, or exciting experiences as were mentioned. To first-years: join in, enjoy it, make memories, but never feel obliged to do something that makes you uncomfortable. To club execs: here is your test. If you cringe at the idea of your mum or your lecturer watching your initiation, you may be crossing the line. The activities should stay entertaining while people maintain their safety and develop positive social connections.