In the new academic year, students matriculating into NUS will experience a Freshman Orientation Programme (FOP) unlike previous years.
Firstly, the 35th NUSSU Executive Committee has decided to incorporate a carnival element into the annual Rag & Flag Day on 8 August 2014. With the theme titled “Carnival of Dreams”, all students are able to participate in this year’s Rag & Flag through the setting up of a carnival booth to do their part for the community. Students can expect to see not only freshmen participating, but seniors participating in the traditionally freshmen-only event as well.
With the implementation of the carnival held in University Town (UTown), NUSSU hopes that this initiative will bridge the chasm between the beneficiaries and the larger student body who has never gotten a chance to work closely with the recipients of the proceeds. Various beneficiaries will be coming down to UTown this year to enjoy the carnival with the students to humanise the beneficiaries as part of the Beneficiary Engagement Programme. In previous years, beneficiaries were invited to be part of the performance thus students were unable to interact with them. The new platform will then allow all participants to form that initial connection to their adopted beneficiary as this will likely be their first opportunity for meeting.
Each of the Participating Bodies (PBs) is allocated a beneficiary for them to engage with. By bringing the less-privileged to a secured and barrier-free place like UTown, more students can look forward to connecting with the different beneficiaries and may feel even more compelled to help them. NUSSU also hopes this will encourage greater involvement from the senior students as their participation are deeply appreciated where they will get to spend in the good name of charity, heightening the community spirit simultaneously.
The typical flag collections will also be optional for the various faculties to decide for themselves whether to continue going out to the public as a faculty to raise funds as some faculties have highlighted feelings of apathy from students over the years. This re-positioning of Rag & Flag comes amidst the culmination of students’ feedback and is a bold move that NUSSU is willing to make in order to reinforce and sustain the spirit of altruism. While students have expressed their concerns over the significance of Flag Day, it is imperative to remember that the collection of money from the public is beyond that of a heritage and culture, but a demonstration of the strong solidarity and concern for the community at large by students of NUS.
As a world-class institution, we pride ourselves for being able to develop compassionate people with talent and it is fundamental that we stay true to our values and not allow flagging to be merely a transactional relationship between the PBs and the beneficiaries. Rag & Flag Day is a time where NUS students gather to contribute back to the very same society that has nurtured us.
Moving forward, we can keep our eyes peeled for Rag & Flag 2015 as NUSSU is expected to hold Rag & Flag beyond school compounds in conjunction with our nation’s very own 50th birthday celebration.
Secondly, the Matriculation Fair set at July each year will no longer be held as NUS moves towards a digitalised system and matriculation cards will be sent to students by post instead. To help student societies publicise their activities, a platform will be set up by NUSSU, called the ”Student Life Fair” on 14-15 August 2014. This event will take place in the Multi-Purpose Sports Halls at the Sports and Recreational Centre where student clubs and societies can continue to attract membership and promote their causes. The Multi-Purpose Sports Halls will be swarmed with displays from the different clubs and exciting activities for students to learn what NUS has to offer. The event this year is not only opened to freshmen but to all seniors as well. Students looking to add more spice and vibrancy into their varsity life are strongly encouraged to join in the fun and excitement throughout this sensational two-day event!