Orientation
Orientation has been a long-standing tradition at the beginning of nearly every year at Founders College. One has appeared in each of the handbooks detailing the event's celebrations as students socialize and get together for activities. Over the course of Founders' years, the college has expanded its orientation to extend it out to a week and then two weeks of events, adding in trips and parties as Founders College grew.
Starting in 1967, Founders' handbooks contained a single, small page outlying the orientation schedule for a minimum of 4 days. The events are simple and inexpensive: a hop dance at the coffee house, a jazz concert, an athletics night, a BBQ and folk concert, and a Frosh dinner with a dance. The most expansive event is the Monte Carlo night, which is described in later handbooks as being gambling night.
By the early 1970s, orientation includes more varied activities such as scavenger hunts, a crafts meeting known as Creation One, a discotheque, go-karts, and a horror movie night. By 1975, orientation expanded across a full week in September. The handbooks reorganized the schedule to look more like a chart and now concludes with a 4-hour trip to Stratford to watch "St. Joan."
In 1979 and the 1980s, Orientation expanded past a week and continues keeping tradition with past events such as a BBQ, movie night, and the Stratford trip. But it also includes a talent night and athletic events such as "Rill's Silly Olympics" in 1979.
Orientation in 1982 features a significant addition at the end of nearly two years in the form of a trip to Canada's Wonderland and a visit to a Blue Jay's game. This is indicative of a greater budget from the college to support the trip in addition to the other events throughout the 11-day orientation. By 1986, orientation now takes a full two pages in the handbook and includes a cruise on the Mariposa Belle from Toronto Harbour and a mini-golf tournament. Students get offered on all manner of trips and events throughout their first two weeks of the semester and have many opportunities and events to get together and interact.
Starting in 1967, Founders' handbooks contained a single, small page outlying the orientation schedule for a minimum of 4 days. The events are simple and inexpensive: a hop dance at the coffee house, a jazz concert, an athletics night, a BBQ and folk concert, and a Frosh dinner with a dance. The most expansive event is the Monte Carlo night, which is described in later handbooks as being gambling night.
By the early 1970s, orientation includes more varied activities such as scavenger hunts, a crafts meeting known as Creation One, a discotheque, go-karts, and a horror movie night. By 1975, orientation expanded across a full week in September. The handbooks reorganized the schedule to look more like a chart and now concludes with a 4-hour trip to Stratford to watch "St. Joan."
In 1979 and the 1980s, Orientation expanded past a week and continues keeping tradition with past events such as a BBQ, movie night, and the Stratford trip. But it also includes a talent night and athletic events such as "Rill's Silly Olympics" in 1979.
Orientation in 1982 features a significant addition at the end of nearly two years in the form of a trip to Canada's Wonderland and a visit to a Blue Jay's game. This is indicative of a greater budget from the college to support the trip in addition to the other events throughout the 11-day orientation. By 1986, orientation now takes a full two pages in the handbook and includes a cruise on the Mariposa Belle from Toronto Harbour and a mini-golf tournament. Students get offered on all manner of trips and events throughout their first two weeks of the semester and have many opportunities and events to get together and interact.
Founders Residence
Students in Founders College may live over at Founders Residence. This building is connected to the college, and has been around since 1967. It is made up of seven houses based after the Group of Seven. These people are:
- Harris - Lismer - Carmichael - Jackson - MacDonald - Johnson - Yarley In the Residence's early years, these houses contained a few items and contents for students, including a refrigerator, pop machines, a stove, pool table, and television sets. In later orientations, Residence was often used to hold parties and BBQ meetings as a way to socialize. Residence was famous in 1975 for being among the most well-kept and refurbished of places at York University. By 1982 Residence was also notable for its commons room and laundry facilities within each house. Residence had a "Don" for each house as well to help organize and sort out various problems students may have with Residence. Bunk rooms were also available around the 1980s, though rented at a modest fee. |
Sports
Sports are one of the most important parts to the leisure and social aspects of student life at Founders. Since 1967, athletics have had a role in activities and orientation for students. Since that same year there has been a ski club among the college's social groups.
Since 1981, Founders has an Athletics Office to organize inter-college sports for the fall and winter semesters. Fall sports in 1981 included baseball, football, tennis, water polo, soccer, golf, cross country, basketball, hockey, swimming, volleyball, and curling. Winter semester sports included broomball, volleyball, cross country skiing, badminton, squash, archery, and table tennis. Many of these sports were available for men, women, or co-ed. Competitive sports between these colleges were often referred to as Intramural Athletics.
By 1975, Founders College has been enough of a presence in the inter-college sports in its race to win the Torch. The college considers the Torch to be both an award to win and a reason to have fun. This later split into two leagues that usually happen after 4 PM:
- The Torch league is the competitive league where each college plays to win.
- The Flame league favours fun and participation. It is the league for more casual play.
By 1984, there are also Founders College Athletics Representatives designed to help coordinate and organize events. The intent of this committee is to encourage more Founders students to participate in sports and offers students the chance to help organize or coach the respective events of each league. By 1987, Founders College finally won the Torch and presented it at the College Student Council Office.
Founders athletic also provides awards for individual players and teams. At the End of the Year Banquet in 1984, students and athletes may be rewarded with the following awards:
- Male Athlete of the Year
- Female Athlete of the Year
- Male Participant of the Year
- Female Participant of the Year
- The Ted Rathe Award for team spirit
- Arthur Hackett Hip Award for the Founders winner of the cross country run
Additional awards were added in 1986:
- Falcon Award for the most dedicated and devoted to the athletic environment
- Organizer of the Year
- Rookie of the Year who showed outstanding participation and spirit
- Louise Young Award to the one with the greatest participation to honor the former Residence Secretary.
Since 1981, Founders has an Athletics Office to organize inter-college sports for the fall and winter semesters. Fall sports in 1981 included baseball, football, tennis, water polo, soccer, golf, cross country, basketball, hockey, swimming, volleyball, and curling. Winter semester sports included broomball, volleyball, cross country skiing, badminton, squash, archery, and table tennis. Many of these sports were available for men, women, or co-ed. Competitive sports between these colleges were often referred to as Intramural Athletics.
By 1975, Founders College has been enough of a presence in the inter-college sports in its race to win the Torch. The college considers the Torch to be both an award to win and a reason to have fun. This later split into two leagues that usually happen after 4 PM:
- The Torch league is the competitive league where each college plays to win.
- The Flame league favours fun and participation. It is the league for more casual play.
By 1984, there are also Founders College Athletics Representatives designed to help coordinate and organize events. The intent of this committee is to encourage more Founders students to participate in sports and offers students the chance to help organize or coach the respective events of each league. By 1987, Founders College finally won the Torch and presented it at the College Student Council Office.
Founders athletic also provides awards for individual players and teams. At the End of the Year Banquet in 1984, students and athletes may be rewarded with the following awards:
- Male Athlete of the Year
- Female Athlete of the Year
- Male Participant of the Year
- Female Participant of the Year
- The Ted Rathe Award for team spirit
- Arthur Hackett Hip Award for the Founders winner of the cross country run
Additional awards were added in 1986:
- Falcon Award for the most dedicated and devoted to the athletic environment
- Organizer of the Year
- Rookie of the Year who showed outstanding participation and spirit
- Louise Young Award to the one with the greatest participation to honor the former Residence Secretary.
The Cock & Bull
The Cock & Bull was one of the most prestigious places in Founders College. While the college had the Founders Coffee House in 1966, run by the Student Council with jazz concerts, folk recitals and stereo sets, the Cock & Bull was made for the 1970 school year as a discotheque and coffee shop. It had to be created during the summer of 1971 due to a fire which destroyed most of it. The repairs and redesigning over 1971 helped propel it into becoming one of the best coffee shops at York University in its time.
The Cock & Bull is one of the most common places to hold events during orientation. In 1972 it held a night of entertainment for students. In 1982, it had a barbecue and in the following years became a common place for nighttime meetings during the first week of college. Starting from around the 1979 school year, the Cock & Bull allowed to employ students in part-time jobs for money and to help involve themselves with college life. Experience was not a requirement for these jobs, only the desire to work at the bar. The place became renowned enough that by 1986 there was the Founders College Cock & Bull Scholarship for those who showed outstanding performance working for the place. |
Publications
Founders College is significant for its various student-based publications. These writings help involve students with informing other students of life in college and they are a critical way of how students interact with each other
- Pro-Tem was the early news publication made in 1962, focusing on events at York University and controversial events happening at the time. The publication ran through 1965 but struggled to stay relevant beyond.
- The Fountain was a one-page magazine posted bi-monthly which had been discontinued in 1970 and returned in 1972 on a weekly schedule. This publication was designed to detail upcoming events at Founders so students could keep up with social gatherings. This had planned to expand after its revival.
- The Finder was a student-published monthly newspaper ranging 7 to 12 pages per issue. This newsjournal covers events happening currently at Founders College and promotes its groups, events, and rooms such as the Cock & Bull. It was an overall broad paper that was able to publish about many topics. The 1987 and 1988 editions have been preserved in microtext format.
- The Phoenix was the newspaper in the late 90s, providing a more expansive outlook on events based around and outside York University as a whole, such as Founders College's fundraising to raise awareness on Hurricane Mitch. Known records which have survived and been preserved include the 1998 and 1999 editions.
- Pro-Tem was the early news publication made in 1962, focusing on events at York University and controversial events happening at the time. The publication ran through 1965 but struggled to stay relevant beyond.
- The Fountain was a one-page magazine posted bi-monthly which had been discontinued in 1970 and returned in 1972 on a weekly schedule. This publication was designed to detail upcoming events at Founders so students could keep up with social gatherings. This had planned to expand after its revival.
- The Finder was a student-published monthly newspaper ranging 7 to 12 pages per issue. This newsjournal covers events happening currently at Founders College and promotes its groups, events, and rooms such as the Cock & Bull. It was an overall broad paper that was able to publish about many topics. The 1987 and 1988 editions have been preserved in microtext format.
- The Phoenix was the newspaper in the late 90s, providing a more expansive outlook on events based around and outside York University as a whole, such as Founders College's fundraising to raise awareness on Hurricane Mitch. Known records which have survived and been preserved include the 1998 and 1999 editions.
Recreation Rooms
Founders College has both a Junior and Senior Commons Room. The Junior Common Room has been around since at least 1967. Found at the bottom floor of the college, this room began as a place for relaxing and talking, containing a fireplace, lounges and tables for playing cards. The common room rests nearby other places to relax, such as the card room, games room, and music room. The place is important for relaxing or quiet studying for younger students.
The Reading and Listening Room was made around 1971, with the listening section added in 1972. Starting out as a few turntables with headphones, over $5000 was invested into the listening room to include chesterfields, coffee tables, and new albums. The reading room already had chesterfields and work tables while also being a place for sources and essay references. By 1986, the reading and listening room has soft sofas and chairs with study carrels and tapedecks with over 200 titles available to listen to.
The Games Room in Founders College has been around since 1967. In 1973, the room was advertised on Founders' handbooks. The room offers games of table tennis and pool as a means to play and relax. Pinball machines were later added and featured in pictures and advertisements. The games room also includes a jukebox to play music.
The Reading and Listening Room was made around 1971, with the listening section added in 1972. Starting out as a few turntables with headphones, over $5000 was invested into the listening room to include chesterfields, coffee tables, and new albums. The reading room already had chesterfields and work tables while also being a place for sources and essay references. By 1986, the reading and listening room has soft sofas and chairs with study carrels and tapedecks with over 200 titles available to listen to.
The Games Room in Founders College has been around since 1967. In 1973, the room was advertised on Founders' handbooks. The room offers games of table tennis and pool as a means to play and relax. Pinball machines were later added and featured in pictures and advertisements. The games room also includes a jukebox to play music.
Founders College also has the Founder's Universal Sauna and Exercise Room, or FUSE for short. This room was made in 1977 with the help of the Student Council and offers extensive exercise machines and regiments at the cost of a $15 membership. The machines included here are a gym, rowing machines, bicycles, free weights and ropes, ballet bar, and a sauna to work off and relax with.
The 1986 handbook offers several more specifics about the FUSE room, such as holding two-thousand pounds of cast-iron free weights, dumbbells from weights of five to fifty-five pounds, and roughly eleven stations of machines and benches. It also warns that there will be some discomfort and hard work, but the effort will be worth it. In 1999, the FUSE Room was reopened after a massive renovation and repair job was needed due to a lack of maintenance: wood tiles were popped out, cushions had been torn, the sauna was not clean and equipment ceased to work. This lack of care caused membership rates to drop because people weren't using it. The room was renovated with carpets over wood, upholstered cushions, and a changed layout for the machines. Membership price also reduced to $2 per year. |
Founders College Student Council
Founders College had its own student council since 1975 and organizes and coordinates all functions and affairs with the assistance of York administrators. It was financed by the university administration in accordance to the number of full-term students active each year at Founders. They operated the various recreational and active rooms such as the Reading and Listening Room and the Cock & Bull. In 1975, the F.C.S.C was organized with the following members:
- President
- 1st Vice-President
- 2nd Vice-President
- Chairman
- Treasurer
- Social Affairs
- Cultural Affairs
- Men's Athletics
- Women's Athletics
- Secretary
In addition, the F.C.S.C had the following appointed positions in 1975:
- Director of the Reading and Listening Room
- Director of the Games Room
- Editor of Founders Newspaper
- Art Gallery Curator
- Chairman of the Cock & Bull Committee
By 1979, the student council added General Councillors, a 1st Year Representative, and Representatives for Founders on the behalf of the Central Student Government at York (CYSF). The F.C.S.C also makes arrangements for ski trips and organize people and staff for graduation.
- President
- 1st Vice-President
- 2nd Vice-President
- Chairman
- Treasurer
- Social Affairs
- Cultural Affairs
- Men's Athletics
- Women's Athletics
- Secretary
In addition, the F.C.S.C had the following appointed positions in 1975:
- Director of the Reading and Listening Room
- Director of the Games Room
- Editor of Founders Newspaper
- Art Gallery Curator
- Chairman of the Cock & Bull Committee
By 1979, the student council added General Councillors, a 1st Year Representative, and Representatives for Founders on the behalf of the Central Student Government at York (CYSF). The F.C.S.C also makes arrangements for ski trips and organize people and staff for graduation.
Academic Programmes and Research Facilities
Founders College contains a number of programs and facilities associated with academics that has expanded over time to associate with numerous cultural and social studies. From 1983 onward these are addressed and described in the handbooks. These started with:
- East Asian Studies Programme: a group studying the regions of China and Japan and offers a wide variety of interests and aspirations for students with an interest in this area of studying. Students are required to know the Chinese or Japanese ahead of time and have taken at least one pre-modern course related to the program.
- Women's Studies: an area of study supported with the York-YMCA Collection, the journal Canadian Women Studies/Cahiers de la femme, the Office of the Advisor to the President on the Status of Women, and the Annual Women Studies Lectures. This study also features a Honours Double Major combining a six-course major with a six-course major in this field.
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies Programme: one of the studies that may be pursued as part of a Honours Double Major degree in the Faculty of Arts. This field focuses on the subjects of the Latin Americas and has been around since 1975. It features a variety of extra-curricular activities including meeting speakers, lectures and films associated with the programme.
- Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean: established in 1978, this centre focuses on research of economic, political, and social matters associated with the Latin Americas and encourages research associated with structures and relations between that region and Canada. The centre also sponsors lectures, seminars and conferences for research and interaction with students, the faculty, and the subject matter.
- Office of the Advisor on the Status of Women: this office is responsible for the conditions of the college toward its female students and teachers. The office has focused on specific concerns like salaries of female faculty members and women in professional and managerial categories, circumstances of librarians and other female students, sexual harassment, and affirmative action throughout 1975 and beyond.
- East Asian Studies Programme: a group studying the regions of China and Japan and offers a wide variety of interests and aspirations for students with an interest in this area of studying. Students are required to know the Chinese or Japanese ahead of time and have taken at least one pre-modern course related to the program.
- Women's Studies: an area of study supported with the York-YMCA Collection, the journal Canadian Women Studies/Cahiers de la femme, the Office of the Advisor to the President on the Status of Women, and the Annual Women Studies Lectures. This study also features a Honours Double Major combining a six-course major with a six-course major in this field.
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies Programme: one of the studies that may be pursued as part of a Honours Double Major degree in the Faculty of Arts. This field focuses on the subjects of the Latin Americas and has been around since 1975. It features a variety of extra-curricular activities including meeting speakers, lectures and films associated with the programme.
- Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean: established in 1978, this centre focuses on research of economic, political, and social matters associated with the Latin Americas and encourages research associated with structures and relations between that region and Canada. The centre also sponsors lectures, seminars and conferences for research and interaction with students, the faculty, and the subject matter.
- Office of the Advisor on the Status of Women: this office is responsible for the conditions of the college toward its female students and teachers. The office has focused on specific concerns like salaries of female faculty members and women in professional and managerial categories, circumstances of librarians and other female students, sexual harassment, and affirmative action throughout 1975 and beyond.
Poiesis
Poiesis is the name for Founders College Art Competition. Taken from the Greek word meaning "rendering forth through art," Poiesis was created in 1975 as a way to show, acknowledge and celebrate the creative works and accomplishments of Founders' students and community. This competition is sponsored by the Founders Art Gallery and includes categories for the following works:
- Design
- Drawing
- Graphics
- Handicrafts
- Music
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Poetry
- Prose
While Poiesis gives rewards to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place work for each category, the event and competition is meant to share the creations of Founders' members with their fellow students.
- Design
- Drawing
- Graphics
- Handicrafts
- Music
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Poetry
- Prose
While Poiesis gives rewards to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place work for each category, the event and competition is meant to share the creations of Founders' members with their fellow students.
International Day
Founders College celebrates the many cultures represented among its thousands of students by bringing college students and members together for various cultural activities and events. One of the more significant events are International Days, hosted by cultural clubs, which celebrate their respective country of origin. In past years, there have been International Days for France, England, Scotland, Germany, Latin America and Greece. During the International Week of 1984, the cultural clubs of China, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Guyana were represented.
Student Clubs & Groups
Founders College houses many student-owned groups throughout its many decades of serving as an institution. These groups offer students a chance to socialize over shared interests and collaborate to create events and showcases of related topics. These include:
- 1965 Political Club: A place for politically-minded students to gather together to debate among each other and with the political clubs at Glendon Campus.
- 1965 French Club: An area for learning and understanding French conversation and culture, featuring French movies and plays in their native language.
- 1965 Philosophy Club: A high-quality place mingled by both students and staff who inform and discuss the problems requiring philosophical thought and debate, sometimes featuring paper or essay presentations.
- 1965 Drama Club: A hopeful group which uses the Large Lecture Auditorium to bring students together who share interest in all forms of dramatic activities and performances.
- 1967 Chaverut Club: A group intrigued to socialize and mobilize social action and debate about the relations between Jewish students and the overall community. These meetings are open to everyone.
- 1967 Varsity Christian Fellowship: A religious group discussing open lectures to show the relevance of Christian teachings within modern day situations and to simulate Christian living.
- 1967 Ski Club: An athletics group featuring weekend and day trips at a low membership price to go skiing. Also features various use of the newest equipment and demonstration films to prepare.
- 1987 York Chinese Students Foundation: A club and centre for Chinese students to engage in social and cultural activities, provides orientation information to the community, and helps bridge gaps and relations between Chinese and Canadian students.
- 1987 Malaysian Student Association: A club that promotes international understanding between the YMSSA and other organizations while helping new students adjust to Canadian life.
- 1987 Federation of Indian Students: A club whose goal is to create a healthy and constructive relationship with other organizations with hopes that York students will learn more about Indian people, customs, traditions and practices.
- 1987 York Cheerleaders: An organization related to Founders Athletics who travel with varsity teams to add spirit and fun to all sports that the college participate in.
- 1988 Karate Club: A group instituted to provide and teach self-defense for new students and to provide competitive spirit to participants.
- 1988 Finder News Journal: A small group who own and publish the monthly publication. They sought new people such as editors, reporters, writers, photographers, advertising managers, production coordinators and proofreaders to promote good will and health to the community of Founders College.
- 1988 York Amnesty International: A chapter that provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in volunteer work, letter writing, fundraising, educational seminars, and showings of documentaries for the protection of international human rights.
- 1965 Political Club: A place for politically-minded students to gather together to debate among each other and with the political clubs at Glendon Campus.
- 1965 French Club: An area for learning and understanding French conversation and culture, featuring French movies and plays in their native language.
- 1965 Philosophy Club: A high-quality place mingled by both students and staff who inform and discuss the problems requiring philosophical thought and debate, sometimes featuring paper or essay presentations.
- 1965 Drama Club: A hopeful group which uses the Large Lecture Auditorium to bring students together who share interest in all forms of dramatic activities and performances.
- 1967 Chaverut Club: A group intrigued to socialize and mobilize social action and debate about the relations between Jewish students and the overall community. These meetings are open to everyone.
- 1967 Varsity Christian Fellowship: A religious group discussing open lectures to show the relevance of Christian teachings within modern day situations and to simulate Christian living.
- 1967 Ski Club: An athletics group featuring weekend and day trips at a low membership price to go skiing. Also features various use of the newest equipment and demonstration films to prepare.
- 1987 York Chinese Students Foundation: A club and centre for Chinese students to engage in social and cultural activities, provides orientation information to the community, and helps bridge gaps and relations between Chinese and Canadian students.
- 1987 Malaysian Student Association: A club that promotes international understanding between the YMSSA and other organizations while helping new students adjust to Canadian life.
- 1987 Federation of Indian Students: A club whose goal is to create a healthy and constructive relationship with other organizations with hopes that York students will learn more about Indian people, customs, traditions and practices.
- 1987 York Cheerleaders: An organization related to Founders Athletics who travel with varsity teams to add spirit and fun to all sports that the college participate in.
- 1988 Karate Club: A group instituted to provide and teach self-defense for new students and to provide competitive spirit to participants.
- 1988 Finder News Journal: A small group who own and publish the monthly publication. They sought new people such as editors, reporters, writers, photographers, advertising managers, production coordinators and proofreaders to promote good will and health to the community of Founders College.
- 1988 York Amnesty International: A chapter that provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in volunteer work, letter writing, fundraising, educational seminars, and showings of documentaries for the protection of international human rights.