The changing freshman experience

When new students arrived on campus this past fall, they already had an introduction to college life during a two-day orientation program. And a host of activities, known as Husky WOW (Week of Welcome), kicked off the semester to ease students’ transition to their home away from home. Alumni from the 1930s to 1960 will recall that they had to take a mandatory 1-credit course called Freshman Orientation — and those of the 60s and 70s will remember Freshman Week, when they arrived several days before continuing students to get their introduction to UConn. Many will fondly remember the Pied Piper Parade that led freshmen to a pep rally where they learned UConn songs and cheers. Whenever you came to the University — there was something planned to welcome you to campus.

These photos highlight how the welcome to campus has changed throughout UConn’s 123 years.

Right: Learning school songs and wearing your class beanie were required for incoming freshmen for decades at UConn. Seen here are freshmen entering in 1965 as members of the Class of 1969.
	Left: The Pied Piper Parade began in 1933 as a replacement for a tradition known as the Pig Roast, which had replaced the Freshman Banquet. Both required freshmen to hold an event by a certain date in the fall semester, and sophomores had to prevent it from taking place. Pictured is one of the Pied Pipers from the 1950s.
Right: A familiar scene for many UConn students is the temporary parking lot that formed, like this one in 1971, as students arrived to move into the North Campus residence halls. Opened in 1949, “The Jungle” was strictly freshmen in the 1960s until the early 1970s.
	Left: Students arrive for check-in at Nathan Hale Hall in 1978. Co-ed resident halls were introduced in 1971.
Right: The Husky Week of Welcome in August, which this year welcomed nearly 3,200 first-year students, features a variety of activities each year for families and students.

-- Mark J. Roy '74 (CLAS)