One Year Later: How Have Orientation Camps Changed Since the OSA Took Charge
Getting the deets from KE VII's orientation camp
University! The place to mingle (at arms length distance), hang out (in a large group), play games (not involving your heart), and reveal fun things about yourself (just facts, not skin). Ever since the OSA (Office of Student Affairs, for the grossly uninformed) reformed their guidelines for camps, many have bemoaned the loss of autonomy, freedom and trust that the university grants their young students. Creepy old men also have considerably less material for their… bedtime stories. To see if the change in OSA regulations have really impacted the joy of the freshmen camp, we decided to head down to one ourselves and get first-hand feedback from both seniors and juniors on their experiences.
Introducing: the King Edward VII Hall Welcoming & Orientation Committee (KEWOC) camp.
Gabriel, Architecture, Committee Member (Y2)
What are the differences between this year and last year’s camp?
Previously, the camp was more self-run. After, the OSA had to vet through everything. Camp committee members and OGLs were required to attend a leadership course regarding the purpose of camps, which direction the camp should move towards, as well as how to inspire freshies with hall and campus life.
Do you think your camp is better than other camps?
I personally don’t know but I heard from my friends that KEWOC is more fun. Everyone was very entertained by the way the camp was planned as there were more games and the camp spirit is there. The OGs will also stay up to talk to each other and plan for performances.
For other camps, they’re more chill during the day. It’s only at night that the “fun” starts. (The Bullet would like to know EXACTLY what kind of ‘fun’ happens at night. Enlightened readers please do drop us an email.)
How has your committee coped with the enhancements by OSA?
The committee managed to find a way to meet the expectations of OSA and at the same time, hype up the freshies’ experience. Additionally, the freshies now have an option to opt out of any games they’re not comfortable with, without fear of getting judged.
Also, the professors have banned playing with food, so activities like pocky stick games are not allowed anymore. SP (Secret Pal) games are less touchy and it is more like speed dating where the freshies just talk to each other blindfolded. SP games are still useful in helping the freshies become less shy and make friends as they can lose the awkwardness and say anything they want.
Leong En Yi, Nursing, OGL (Y2) / Krystel, Business, OGL (Y2)
What are the differences between this year and last year’s camp?
K: It is more strict now and changes to the line-up have to be made. For example, there is no more couple or mass dance this year.
EY: We cannot have fright night anymore and the school is very particular regarding cheers. Sometimes, OSA goes around taking photos in plain clothes. All the camp seniors must wear a tag as they will go around to check.
K: We still have fun, just that it’s a different kind of fun.
Why did you choose to be an OGL?
EY: To get to know future neighbours/freshies so that I won't FOMO.
K: Last year, my OGLs were close to the freshies, so I want to be that kind of senior as well.
Why did you choose to join KE7 and not other halls?
EY: I’m okay with this hall because of its location. But I also like how chill the people are, and I can participate in any activity without feeling pressured, can try new stuff easily.
K: Unlike other halls, there are no barriers to joining activities and CCAs even if you don’t have experience.
Do you think your camp is better than other camps?
K: Of course. We even bring a pail around to make noise.
Benjamin, Pharmacy, Freshie / Adrina, Pharmacy, Freshie
Why did you choose to join KE7 and not other halls?
B: Honestly, it is near my faculty and one of the easier halls to get in.
A: I heard it was a chill hall.
Honest opinion of this hall (after being here)
A: Some of the rooms are quite rundown, a given since it is the oldest hall in NUS. Generally, it is fine. However, it’s very forest-y here and there are a lot of mosquitoes. I already got 9 bites on my legs.
B: It’s better than I expected. I heard that it was the oldest hall in NUS but my room was okay, not bad. The recreational room and study room here are also quite cool.
How many eye candies do you have from this camp? Are the seniors or freshies more attractive?
A: So far I only noticed one. Seniors got more cute guys.
B: Zero eye candies CUZ GOT GF.
Clement, FASS, Freshie
How did this camp match up to your expectations?
The camp is not bad so far, considering I've been to previous camps already. It defied my expectations. My block (CD) the people very fun.
How many eye candies do you have from this camp? Are the seniors or freshies more attractive?
Three eye candies, seniors more cute.
Have you thought of your uni attire?
I won't conform to hall fashion. They say FASS like fashion show, so must dress better.
Benjamin, Science, OGL (Y2)
What are the differences between this year and last year’s camp? There are a lot more regulations and it feels like everything we do is being watched. Not as free as last year, but in spite of that, still got fun and new stuff. The regulations helped in a way since the camp committee has to be more creative in planning the activities.
Why did you choose to be an OGL?
I think it's good cuz last year my OGLs were very fun and our block became very bonded, especially my OG. I want to do that for the freshies. Also, my friends in block comm decided to join together.
Any eye candies from this camp? Are the seniors or freshies more attractive?
Not really, a few attractive but like that lor. I would say...freshies more attractive...cuz there are more of them. Bigger pool higher probability.
Zi Yang, Business, KEWOC Head (Y2)
How did the camp turn out for you?
I believe that even if the camp didn’t go well, as long as committee members had a good time, I’ve hit my KPI. I’m proud of my committee and freshmen and OGLs. They all did a very good job.
What are the differences between this year and last year’s camp?
Due to last year’s incident, both the OSA and Hall Master have upped their standards. They will tell us what we can and cannot do, but understandably, they have students’ safety in mind.
Now, fright night is not allowed no matter mild it may be. Then again, different people have different thresholds so even if there’s one person with a threshold of zero, it’s a no-go.
Most absurd rule in place?
Wastage of water and food is not allowed. Hence, we had to collect rainwater over a period of two months in order to play water games. Also, we cannot use food at all, including leftover food colouring from last year, so we were advised to throw it away rather than use it.
Do you think your camp is better than other camps?
I can’t speak for other camps. But I know we are supposedly the worst hall, with a lower budget and stricter profs. We are very guai one, always follow the rules.
All I can say is we did our best with what we have, and I’m confident that we are the best KEWOC ever.
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We came to the camp expecting a mountain of complaints about the new changes - but instead we discovered that students, much like that foot fungus of yours, are more resilient that we thought. I guess the changes did some good after all.
Any other creative alterations and adaptations to orientation camps that you know of? Don't be shy, let us know at thebulletcampus@gmail.com!
