Freshers Week is being phased out by Scottish universities over fears the traditional event has become associated with risky behaviour and binge drinking.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday can reveal some institutions have already dropped the ‘Freshers’ branding – instead inviting new students to attend Welcome Week.
Others have pledged to axe the terminology to make the introduction to university life more ‘inviting and inclusive’.
The move follows calls for universities to do more to prevent excessive boozing and dangerous initiation ceremonies on campus.
Instead of the pub crawls and all-night raves once associated with starting university, student associations are planning a somewhat more refined programme of events this year.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday can reveal some institutions have already dropped the ‘Freshers’ branding – instead inviting new students to attend Welcome WeeK
At the University of Stirling’s first Welcome Week in September, undergraduates are being invited to take part in pizza and board game nights, rock and roll bingo, gardening sessions and a sober ceilidh
At the University of Stirling’s first Welcome Week in September, undergraduates are being invited to take part in pizza and board game nights, rock and roll bingo, gardening sessions and a sober ceilidh.
There has been an increase in drink-free events
The student union has also organised a trip to Ikea, a Sunday roast, a vintage fair and a plant sale, while students will also get the chance to meet alpacas on campus on the final day of the week-long event.
A spokesman for Stirling Student Union said: ‘Our activity is being presented as Welcome Week as we feel the title more adequately reflects what students are looking for during their first few days and weeks. Inclusivity is a large part of what we hope to provide with activities aimed at getting students together in relaxed social settings.’
Elsewhere, The University of Edinburgh Student Association is hosting its first Welcome Week, reminding participants on its website: ‘We do not use ‘Freshers’ terminology. All official content and events will be under the banner ‘Welcome Week’.’
It added: ‘Welcome Week offers something for everyone and we really recommend our undergraduate and postgraduate communities make the most of this week and try new things.’
Elsewhere, The University of Edinburgh Student Association is hosting its first Welcome Week, reminding participants on its website: ‘We do not use ‘Freshers’ terminology’
The guidance was prompted by the death of Ed Farmer (left, in the black and white jumper). The 20-year-old died in his first term at Newcastle University in 2016 after attending an agricultural society initiation where rounds of 100 triple vodkas were ordered
Among the universities that have pledged to move to the term Welcome Week in future is Edinburgh Napier, although there are still plans to hold a Freshers Fair this year.
However, the itinerary indicates it won’t be a rumbustious affair, with puppy yoga, painting picnics, ‘speed friending’ and ‘future me’ letter-writing on offer. Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) said: ‘ENSA has been calling it Freshers out of tradition.
‘We’re considering moving to Welcome in the coming years to make it sound more inviting to non-freshers and more inclusive.’
Lauren Chedgy, communications coordinator for the National Union of Students Scotland, praised the efforts of university unions to diversify.
We had a sober karaoke which people loved
She said: ‘There has been an increase in drink-free events which is in part to do with making it more accessible to those from cultures where drinking is not allowed, like say Muslim students, and also partly to be more accessible to students who struggle with drinking or who have quit drinking.
‘Part of their popularity comes from the fact it’s exclusively sober. The variety of activities is really refreshing and it proves that the idea of students being just these crazy party animals is completely inaccurate.
‘In fact, the NUS has adopted some of these activities. At our national conference this year we had a sober karaoke which people loved. You’d think people would not get up and sing but they sang their hearts out.’
Addiction support charity We are With You welcomed the move away from the Freshers tag. Spokesman Graeme Callander said: ‘It’s no secret Scotland has a troubled relationship with alcohol and Freshers Week is associated with excessive alcohol use.
‘Changing it to Welcome Week is a step towards changing that culture.
‘Language can play an important role in bringing about positive change but this doesn’t happen overnight. We need to increase awareness about the effects of binge drinking so students can make informed choices.’
In 2019, Universities UK – which represents 140 institutions across Britain – urged its members to do more to educate students about the dangers of initiations and excessive drinking.
The guidance was prompted by the death of Ed Farmer. The 20-year-old died in his first term at Newcastle University in 2016 after attending an agricultural society initiation where rounds of 100 triple vodkas were ordered.
