Enhancing the college experience
For many freshmen, the fall semester at college is the first time when decisions about going to bed, studying, eating and attending class are truly in their own hands. These formative few months of freshman year often shape a student鈥檚 entire college experience.
Freshman Council is the student leadership organization designed specifically for the needs of Houston Baptist University freshmen. This Council works to improve the freshmen experience. Each year in September, the聽 organization聽 takes applications, interviews students and聽 accepts members for the year. Then, officers are voted into positions and meetings are scheduled.
This year鈥檚 12 members want to emphasize the importance of traditions, such as Welcome Week鈥檚 tug-of-war competition and the beanie ceremony. Council President Ja鈥橪ynn Manson also hopes to get more freshmen involved in campus events. 鈥淲e want to get freshmen so active that they want to stay.鈥�
The Council has received more than 100 suggestions from fellow students about ways that the freshmen experience could be enhanced. They hosted an ice cream social and heard聽 ideas such as a Sadie Hawkins Dance, a slip-n-slide and a giant kickball game.
Organizations like Freshman Council exist to serve and to create an atmosphere of fun and friendship for students, but they also develop leadership skills, train in conflict resolution and teach students how to work as a team within a budget. HBU has more than 45 student organizations designed to enhance the college experience where a holistic approach to education, including spiritual, emotional and academic growth is integral to student success.
Visit HC.edu/studentlife to learn more about campus organizations and HBU traditions, especially if you have never heard of the beanie ceremony or the tug-of-war!
The tug-of-war is a battle between freshmen and upper classmen after opening convocation. This year, for the first time in 30 years, the freshmen won!