A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 11 February 1957

11 February 1957: On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" the first meeting of the “Sentrale Eerstejaarskomitee (S.E.K.)”, or First-year committee, was held on campus.

First year students in Asterhof 1950s © UP Archives

The committee aimed to help first year students adjust to campus. The committee comprised of the student body, three academic personnel members (elected by the rector) and the student minister. One of the body’s first tasks was to help new students adjust in the first ten days at the institution. The S.E.K. did this by recommending and approving orientation programs that would inform, guide and protect the students. The committee for example determined that wet rags and screaming are not allowed when initiating female first year students.   

The UPA preserves the history of the University of Pretoria, all 113 years of its existence to date. We have an extensive photo collection, histories of the university (as featured above) and earlier copies of the senate, council and faculty minutes.  Please contact us on [email protected] to share your memories of Tukkies or access our collection virtually.