Why Frosh Week needs to change
An interview with the VP Operations of Week Zero, an anti-frosh week

Frosh. The word is associated with positive energy, enthusiasm, and inclusiveness. It is a much needed fresh start for first year university students at what will become their new home for a number of years.
In recent years, however, frosh weeks across Canada have been mired in controversy. Unfortunately for many, it has not been the bright beginning they imagined. Frosh instead brings memories of hazing, bullying and fear.

Hiding behind the veil of tradition, students across Canada have been able to get away with offensive behaviour, such as racist and sexist chants and signs. This is often accompanied by excessive drinking. The slap on the wrists handed out to the offenders does little to address the bigger issue of ‘bro culture’, which is most evident in male-dominated engineering schools.

Week Zero is the orientation week at the Lassonde School of Engineering that strives to be an inclusive, safe and fun environment to help incoming students (Lassondians as they are called) transition into university. Week Zero is an “anti-frosh week” in some ways.
I had the opportunity to sit down with the VP Operations of Week Zero, Abdul-Rahman Shaikh, to try and figure out how frosh can be changed for the better.

Maira: Now more than ever, the students coming into university are increasingly diverse. While some are more outgoing and want to socialize, others prefer helpful study tips and advice during orientation week. How can frosh weeks accommodate that?
Abdul-Rahman: It’s important to understand that everyone is different. Frosh weeks need to create an inclusive environment with a balance of activities aimed at both extroverted and introverted students. At Week Zero, we group incoming students into teams based on personality traits that they choose: confident, creative, ingenious, passionate or rational. We also hold workshops to teach new students practical, hands-on skills that they can use in their time at Lassonde and the rest of their careers.
Maira: Frosh weeks have recently become more regulated in response to complaints over excessive drinking and inappropriate behaviour. Do you agree that this is a “war on fun” that does little to encourage responsible behavior?
Abdul-Rahman: Student safety should never be compromised. At the same time, you want to make sure that students are having fun. It’s all about making sure students are having fun in an environment where they feel welcome and comfortable. During Week Zero, we have leaders who have designated roles in ensuring everyone at Lassonde is safe. We also work with security to plan for scenarios where something could go wrong. And we take a lot of time to plan really fun activities where everyone is engaged.

Maira: A few years ago, leaders of a university’s engineering society were suspended over inappropriate and offensive chants at frosh events. How can schools make sure students in positions of authority don’t abuse their role?
Abdul-Rahman: People need to be proactive in discussing how to avoid incidents like that. It’s easy to get carried away in the exciting atmosphere of orientation week, so it’s important to remind student leaders about their role in the big picture — which is making sure the new students are getting the best possible transition into university. We hold specific training sessions for our Week Zero leaders to make sure they’re aware of all the regulations and remind them that they’re held accountable for their actions.

Maira: Why do you think engineering schools in particular have such a “bro culture” problem? What can be done to change that?
Abdul-Rahman: The bro culture problem at engineering schools is definitely related to the high ratio of men to women students. We’re moving towards fixing that problem, but obviously we’re not there yet. We really need to move away from the negative aspects associated with engineering culture and tradition. And I think we are. The more we change the culture to be inclusive, the more diverse people we will attract to the programs. Ultimately, it all comes down to everyone being engaged in the conversation about respect.
Maira: What does an inclusive and open space look like to you? What can students do to make engineering schools more inclusive and open?
Abdul-Rahman: You have to respect everyone’s values and beliefs and who they are.
To me, an inclusive and open space is about respecting one another and understanding that not everyone is in the same situation as you are.
It’s also important to choose the right words when talking to people, and to be friendly and welcoming to people you might not know, especially new students. We’re fortunate to have a number of great programs we run at Lassonde that help students learn about inclusivity and about the importance of respecting one another.
[Edited for brevity]

