It’s hard to believe that much time has passed, but the start of frosh week saw Nipissing University welcoming the last of the ‘90s kids into their first year of university during the opening ceremonies Tuesday morning.
In the spirit of the ‘90s, twelve teams with names like Shania Frosh, Froshrates, Frosh Jam, Tamafroshies, and so much more, assembled on campus to be formally welcomed by key community leaders and the Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU).
“This week is an amazing week for all first years to get introduced to the school and the community,” said J’aime Brunet, NUSU VP Services. “A lot of people will tell you they were a lot shyer and this week really helps people break out of their shell. We call ourselves the frosh-fam because it really is like a family and an amazing environment to be around. Everybody gets to know people from different programs, different living areas and so much more.”
She was very excited for the new students to experience the plethora of activities slated for the week, including her personal favourite event—the Amazing Race—as well as the Muddy Olympics, Beach Day, Shine Day, and the Food Drive.
“We have so much planned for them this week,” she said. “We have such a great group of frosh leaders here who are passionate and determined to make this week the best week of the froshies lives. I really love Tamagotchi’s because that’s something we all played with in elementary school, other than that the Froshrats are great, we all chose the names, had the logos designed and it was so much fun.”
For frosh leader Monica Showell, it was a lot to look forward to in leading her team, Destiny’s Frosh.
“We’re Destiny’s Frosh and we’re super excited for this week,” she said as her team got ready for the first competition on campus after the ceremony. “It’s a time where students can look forward to being goofy, being accepted and when you’re put into a team with all these people, it’s a good time to get into that kind of fun.
Showell said the ‘90s theme was to welcome the last generation born in that decade, and giving them a warm, familiar, and nostalgic welcome.
“Our big thing is welcoming froshies into our community,” she said. “That’s what this week is all about and we want to pass that onto the new students. My first year I was a lot quieter, and it really helped take me out of my shell and has helped my social aspect in school it forces you to get out there and put it into the Frosh Week.”
One of her Destiny’s froshies, Allison MacNeil, from Ottawa, was excited to take part in the week of fun.
“For me, it’s a huge opportunity to meet new people, finds supports and have fun,” she said. “I’m pretty excited about this; Land Before Time was my thing when I was younger!”
The nostalgia was hitting her however, all the different team names catching her attention, all happy contenders for teams, including Tamafroshies and The Land Before Frosh.
Originally from a larger city, MacNeil said she was already enjoying the smaller, more connected community of the campus.
And although Brunet’s Frosh Week is long gone, she hasn’t been able to keep away from the experience, now coordinating the week for new students. However, the memory of her first experience has not been forgotten.
“My frosh week was amazing,” she said. “Our team was Frosh of the Round Table. It was a really great time. My favourite activity was the Amazing Race—I was so competitive about it. I met so many people from my team I wouldn’t have known otherwise. It’s amazing to think of how many people years later that I know so well I first met on my frosh team.”
Other team names pulling at the ‘90s nostalgia include:
Team 1: Shania Frosh (Shania Twain)
Team 2: Frosh-182 (blink-182)
Team 3: The Little Froshcals (The Little Rascals)
Team 4: Tamafroshies (Tamagotchies)
Team 5: Bill Nye The Frosh Guy (Bill Nye The Science Guy)
Team 6: Froshrats (Rugrats)
Team 7: Destiny's Frosh (Destiny's Child)
Team 8: The Mighty Frosh (The Mighty Ducks)
Team 9: Froshtendo 64 (Nintendo 64)
Team 10: Frosh Jam (Space Jam)
Team 11: Frosh Frosh Revolution (Dance Dance Revolution)
Team 12: The Land Before Frosh (The Land Before Time)
