Group of Upperclassmen Works to “Improve” Freshman Experience

The typical freshmen FoCo runway experience of being judged at the hands of upperclassmen, who often judge freshmen and occasionally mutter, “don’t trip” and “worst class ever,” may be too intimidating for some, according to a group of upperclassmen currently trying to abolish the FoCo runway altogether or at least make it a more positive environment for first-year students.

Alicia Roth ’13, who is leading the group, explained to the Dunyun the roots of her cause, “Last fall I was carrying a full tray of food down the FoCo runway and I tripped on a backpack. I fell down, spilling the food, and a few upperclassmen shouted, “worst class ever” and “pick up the food.” It was traumatizing.”

“I want FoCo to be a more mutually enjoyable,” continued Roth, “Sure upperclassmen like laughing at awkward freshmen as they walk down the runway and occasionally heckling them if they trip, but freshmen don’t necessarily enjoy it. Who cares if it’s a shared experience through the entire class or that every class before them has gone through it, it’s just mean.”

Herbert Ankiel ’12 sympathized with Roth’s cause, “It’s about showing the freshmen that we care about them, not ostracizing them. Sure maybe only one or two freshmen have traumatic FoCo runway experiences each year, but that’s one or two too many.”

Ankiel also pointed out the contrast between the first FoCo experience and DOC first year trips, “You get back from trips and you have this misguided notion that upperclassmen care about you. Then you walk down the runway and it’s like you're being judged and jeered.” Ankiel suggested that upperclassmen come to FoCo and greet the freshmen that they know in a positive manner, shouting positive reinforcement and perhaps even painting themselves so the freshmen would know that they are there specifically there to support them.

Hannah Mondale ’11 was also excited for change to come to the FoCo runway, “I’ve been appalled by the treatment of freshmen who walk down the runway. The mean glares they get, the upperclassmen that look them up and down, it’s just too much. I've personally spent two hours per day in FoCo shouting positive encouragement to freshmen and making sure the runway is clear to avoid any tripping. I'm hoping this movement can take the burden off of me to be the only good person.”

Roth added that her efforts to make the freshmen FoCo experience more welcoming have already produced results, with the runway being expanded 2 feet to give freshmen “more breathing room” and “limit tripping.”

In an editorial in the D, Shea Nichols ’14 claimed that the group had gone too far in their efforts, since the runway represented a Dartmouth tradition, and added, “people need to stop being bitches.” Everyone on campus not quoted in this article has echoed this sentiment.