Freshman Orientation Caught on Tape
Phil Cleary is a member of Gusties for Restoring America at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Before classes even start at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN, freshmen students are exposed to a series of orientation and thought reform activities to help them become more acquainted with the "college life."
While most all colleges have activities and events designed to help students get to know each other and the school they will be studying at for the next four years, what many students, parents, and alumni probably don't know is the type of activites to which students are actually exposed.
If they did, they might be surprised.
As a freshman student at Gustavus Adolphus College, I recalled numerous students, including me, who were petrified by the extent to which freshmen orientation was actually more like a series of thought reform experiences in which the boundaries of acceptable discourse on campus were shifted in favor of left-wing ideas, values, and culture.
That is why I've gone through the trouble of producing the video below.
Featured today are a few clips from the "Inside Scoop," an hour-long event during orientation that makes it on the "mandatory" schedule for incoming Gustavus students.
It contains a series of clips featuring sexually suggestive theatrics explaining to incoming students such things as: where to get free condoms on campus; how to signal to your roomate that you are busy having sex (so he waits until later to come in); and how to tell your roommate you're gay (as well as the appropriate response you are to take when recieving such information).
Caution: Video contains scenes and language not suitable for all audiences.
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As an alumna both of Gustavus Adolphus College AND the Orientation Program (as a 3-year Gustie Greeter), I can assure you that nothing is being "forced" on anyone. the CHOICE to be exposed to a broad, engaging, and sometimes controversial and uncomfortable world outside of one's hometown begins when the students choose to attend Gustavus, which is a self-declared "church-related, residential liberal arts college firmly rooted in its Swedish and Lutheran heritage. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. It is a community where a mature understanding of the Christian faith and lives of service are nurtured and students are encouraged to work toward a just and peaceful world." - From the Gustavus Adolphus College Mission statement.
Anyone, including Mr. Cleary, who was surprised to find acceptance and respect to be a vital characteristic of life on the Gustavus campus obviously did not research the institution well before making his decision to attend. If he failed to read and understand the mission statement, then he has no one to blame but himself. Which may be an uncomfortable realization, Mr. Cleary, but let me suggest that the sooner you accept it, the easier it will be.
If your fragile sensibilities are offended, so be it. But there has NEVER been a war or genocide caused because a country or group was too respectful or too accepting of another culture, race, religion, or sexuality.
Keep your hate to yourself.
Oct 04, 5:24 pm
As a Gustie alumnus and a former member of the I Am We Are theatre company, I think that the Gustavus community has nothing to fear from a few fringe elements wanting to stifle free speech and open mindedness. And I think it's good these videos are out there insofar as they provoke discussion and thought on these subjects, especially in a student community that may not always recognize its own privilege. IAWA has always performed these sort of socially aware productions, not just for incoming freshmen but for the student and regional communities at large… well now it seems that we have an even larger audience. Bravo to IAWA! We have nothing to hide.
Oct 06, 9:15 am
As an ELCA member and a Thrivent policy holder, I am disgusted to think that even one cent of my giving is going to this College. Have the students and staff of this college no respect for God? And ELCA leadership wonders why members are leaving the denomination in droves.
Oct 07, 8:40 pm
Truthinlove-
Why don't you come to campus and see what the presentation is REALLY about. Mr. Cleary, has edited out all of the context that was before and after the video clips shown here, including the most important parts of the presentation. I do not understand what kind of grudge Mr. Cleary holds on this campus, but I do not think that he is being a helpful member of this community. As a current freshman, and attendee of this skit, I can promise you that the skit was in no way offensive, anti-christian, or anti-ELCA. The fact is, the presentation was PROMOTING the views of the ELCA- openness towards the GLBT community, and people of all religions. This presentation was DEMOTING Anti-racial slurs, anti-cultural slurs, etc.
As a devoted christian, and ELCA member, I promise you that the video clip shown here was taken completely out of context, and in fact edited to portray these anti-elca ideas. The REAL presentation was actually very eye opening, and an experience that I would love to attend next year.
Oct 13, 11:20 pm
Coog, I appreciate the zeal with which you make your assertions. However it is important to note that in making such assertions you failed to formulate an actual argument.
Since the seminars were 50 minutes long, and the video here is 4:25, it is clearly and abundantly apparent that they are "edited." But that says NOTHING.
For example, movie trailers are 30 seconds long and are taken from a 120+ minute feature film. Yet you probably wouldn't say there is anything wrong with that (because it allows people to preview the content of the film without having to see the entire thing in order to conclude whether they'd like to see it or not).
Youtube videos are generally 1-2 minutes long if you want people to watch them. News media and sound bites are anywhere from 9-13 seconds. By making this video 4-5 minutes I have graciously included much more context that is generally standard practice in order that individuals like you not be able to get away with making such hasty and baseless claims about my motives and intentions.
The question then you want to address if you are to criticize me is not whether they've "been edited" but rather if they have fallen prey to misrepresentation.
Misrepresentation is easy to claim, as you have so quickly done here (and as so many others did with my video of a 9/11 protester). However, the truth revealed in my 9/11 video that nothing in fact had been "doctored" but my editing was fair and reasonable. That though is just one example. The point is the need for proof of misrepresentation rests on you -- which you have not even tried to posit; merely make hasty accusations and baseless assertions.
If you'd like to make an ARGUMENT for as to why these clips are misrepresenting the orientation seminars, I welcome you to do so. I will most certainly carefully consider it, weighing the merits of your argument and make a decision from there as to whether or not you are correct.
I don't anticpate you will, but the invitation is open that you "prove" I have "edited out all the context." Until then, we'll continue to assume that the scenes shown from the orientation seminars are from the orientation seminars and that there is little one can do to explain that away.
I mean, if you could, the college would likely have already done that already. But they are tending more towards my position than yours. Instead of offering a defense or an explanation, Gustavus's media relations director admitted to LifeSiteNews.com that there wasn't much one could do to explain away the situation, saying "I just don't think we're going to help ourselves by commenting."
Oct 15, 5:35 pm
You think the school is leaning towards your side? You must have been the only one left off of the school wide email sent by President Ohle, stating that YOUR actions do not fit within the Gustavus community. The email states:
October 13, 2010
First, however, I feel it is important for you to know my views and the institution's position regarding these incidents. Be assured, the incidents mentioned below are being addressed by me and discussed with many of those involved. Members of the President's Cabinet, Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, and our extended community of alumni and friends have all weighed in with their concerns. I realize that many of you may not be aware of these incidents. The first incident portrays the College's mission and values in a negative way due to the fact that two videos of this year's new student orientation have been circulating on the Internet. The two videos are edited excerpts from the presentations during orientation designed to encourage discussion about many issues all college students may face regarding differences in lifestyles and social issues. The clips only show the harsh and difficult issues students may face but do not indicate in any way the depth of discussion that takes place following the presentations. The second incident is more recent and involves some in the community who have openly disrespected others by painting over the rock that had been painted this week to express support for those celebrating "Coming Out Week." Both incidents are troubling and unacceptable in our community. I hope we will find better ways to share divergent perspectives and that all of us will take time to pause and think about the importance of our community and how everyone adds value to the Gustavus family. In that light, I have asked Provost Fienen and Vice President Stocco to work with faculty, students, and staff to find a time to have an open forum on these two incidents. I anticipate we will have a campus-wide forum to talk about civility and respect for others before the fall break. Regarding the painting of the rock incident, I want to commend the Student Senate for its prompt response. Be assured, both incidents are being addressed by those of us who have responsibility for the Gustavus community.To: Gustavus Students, Faculty, and Staff
From: President Ohle
My message today is one I wish was not necessary for me to write. At Gustavus, we pride ourselves in being a community open to all and rooted in the core values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith. For most in the community, civility is a virtue. Unfortunately, I must write today to share with you incidents that have taken place over the last few weeks that are in conflict with and threaten our core values.
Oct 18, 8:27 pm