Uni Orientation Camp

AsiaOne, Aug 27, 2009

Why are uni camps still so risque?

A netizen recently expressed concern over what he deemed ‘sexually suggestive’ photos taken at an orientation camp.

 

In an email to Singapore’s citizen journalism website, STOMP, he claimed that he chanced upon the pictures online, which he said were taken during an orientation camp at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

 

One of the photos showed a girl bending forward to eat a banana, placed suggestively over a standing male student’s denim-clad crotch area.

 

According to the contributor, such actions will “make our young think that sex is a very open thing”.

 

He called the actions “totally unacceptable”, and continued: "Imagine knowing that your daughter is doing such things to guys in school.

 

"The shame that she will bring to the family."

 

All freshman orientation camps are screened: NTU

 

In a reply to STOMP over the photo, an NTU spokesperson said all orientation camps are screened and organisers are asked to remove any inappropriate activities.

 

According to the spokesperson, activities which "cause embarassment or loss of dignity or well-being to another student" - also known as "ragging" - are considered an offence.

 

He said NTU will be meeting with the student organisers to investigating the matter. 

 

Lewd acts committed at orientation camps

 

Reports of 'lewd acts' being carried out at university orientation camps are not new.

 

A Straits Times report last year revealed that freshman at the National University of Singapore (NUS) were not spared either. 

 

According to a female student who was interviewed, "girls had to lie down and the guys had to do push-ups over them" during one activity.

 

While some students deem such physical acts are "no big deal", others condemn these sexually-charged activities.

 

Universities contacted however, say "they put a firm foot down on any demeaning activities" conducted.

 

However, why do orientation camp organisers still continue with such risque themes despite repeated warnings?

================================================================================


ST, Aug 31, 2008

From fun to sleaze

 

PASSING FOOD FROM MOUTH TO MOUTH

Class, attention: Many camps across universities adopt a version of this game.

Grin and bear it: The students sit in a circle, alternating between the sexes. The first student places a biscuit such as a love letter in his mouth and the student next to him takes it from him in the same way.

The biscuit is transferred from mouth to mouth. Alternatives involve passing smaller food items such as M&Ms which involve closer contact.

Passing (re)mark: 'With the biscuit forfeit, it may be a bit embarrassing initially but later you laugh about it. However, M&Ms would make it very awkward and maybe that is crossing the line a little.'

Truda Kwan, 20, student of Humanities School, NTU

 

POLE DANCE

Class, attention: Done at NUS and NTU.

Grin and bear it: Students of opposite sexes perform this dance where one acts as the pole and the other must dance around him or her suggestively.

Sometimes, students of the same sex are called upon to perform the dance for comic relief.

Passing (re)mark: 'I didn't feel pressured to do it and it was just in the name of fun. Everybody knew that and no one got the wrong idea.'

Ansley Toh, 19, student from School of Design and Environment, NUS

 

EGG RACE

Class, attention: Done at NUS.

Grin and bear it: Campers have to transport an uncooked egg from one point to another without breaking it.

The catch: They have to support it only between their faces or chests, making close contact inevitable.

Another variation involves a balloon filled with water.

Passing (re)mark: 'Games like this aren't very physical on the whole and so I didn't see any students getting squeamish about it. It's very useful to help bonding anyway.'

Victor Wong, 21, student from School of Design and Environment, NUS

 

WHIPPED CREAM FORFEIT

Class, attention: Done at NTU.

Grin and bear it: In this forfeit, a guy usually sheds his shirt and whipped cream is sprayed on his torso. Others are required to lick it off, usually females.

Passing (re)mark: 'This is quite an extreme forfeit and some people can feel uncomfortable if they are asked to do it. We don't use it in our camps and prefer to opt for milder forfeits instead.'

Choi Wen Ting, 22, Cultural Activities Club games programmer, NTU

 

PUSH-UPS

Class, attention: Done at NUS.

Grin and bear it: In this forfeit, the female is usually made to lie on the floor while the guy does push-ups over her.

Passing (re)mark: 'Such activities are sleazy and I violently object to the idea of them. I don't think this should be part of the camp's objective.'

Yvonne Ong, 20, law student at SMU