What is DisOrientation/Rad Frosh or Alt Frosh?
DisOrientation/Rad Frosh/Alt Frosh Week is an alternative Frosh Week promoting campus-based activism and social justice organizing which hosts workshops to share activist knowledge and resources and aims to build capacity for organizers and community members. It generally includes creative DIY and skill-building workshops, fun social gatherings, and celebrates the environmental and social justice gains made by student & community organizers over many years.
Topics can include decolonial and anti-capitalist histories, housing/tenant rights, history and introduction to student lobbying tactics, conflict resolution, radical campus or community walking tours, DIY art and creative activities, food justice and farming, and so much more. The week/events bring together folks challenging racism, colonialism, queerphobia, transphobia, patriarchy, and all forms of oppression to introduce new and returning students and community members to local activist communities.
History
The beginning of DisOrientation/Rad Frosh/Alt Frosh can be traced back to a broader movement among students, alongside community members, seeking to challenge the status quo of university life. Traditional Frosh events often prioritize social activities, such as parties and drinking, which some students found alienating or unrepresentative of their values. In response, student activists and groups began organizing alternative events focusing on mental health, decolonization, environmental and social justice. This shift was not just a reaction to the partying culture but also represented a desire for a more critical engagement with the realities of university life, including systemic inequalities and the commercialization of education.
Purpose of DisOrientation/Rad Frosh/Alt Frosh
The primary purpose of DisOrientation/Rad Frosh/Alt Frosh is to create a welcoming environment that emphasizes the importance of community and social awareness. Events typically include workshops, discussions, and activities that address issues such as racism, sexism, LGBTQI+ rights, mental health, and environmental activism. By engaging students in these critical conversations early in their secondary school experience, DisOrientation aims to cultivate a sense of responsibility, and agency and encourages them to think critically about their roles in both their university and broader social and societal contexts.
Why should we plan or go to DisOrientation/Rad Frosh/Alt Frosh Events?
DisOrientation/Rad Frosh/Alt Frosh provides a platform for students and community members to connect with like-minded peers, helping to build a community that values environmental and social justice. Many students may feel isolated or overwhelmed, they may be brand new to a city or a country, and these events can serve as a crucial support network, and skills-building space whereby connections made may last their adult lives.
These events introduce and empower students to engage with important social issues. It is aimed at immersing attendees in an array of activities, tours and social gatherings put together by local PIRG chapters with the help of local community organizations and student groups. It offers a transformative experience to immerse attendees in the realms of social and environmental justice, activism, action and knowledge, and incentivizes individuals to become active and politically engaged members of our local and international community, involved in collective action, as well as community and self-development! The skills and perspectives learned can be applied beyond their academic careers in the future.
By attending DisOrientation/Rad Frosh/Alt Frosh events, students contribute to a legacy of critical thought and collective action. This commitment not only enhances individual experiences but also strengthens the broader community, creating a ripple effect of positive change both within and outside university settings.