Abstract:
There is a criticism in the university and society regarding the orientation program conducted
by the senior students of the universities for the freshers. Some group of senior students and the
Student’s Union activists try to carry out this "home grown" orientation program
uninterruptedly. The university administration tries to control this orientation program in
response to innumerable complaints made by the students subjected to this program. It has
resulted in creating a conflict situation between the university administration and the student
activists. The aim of this research is to find out the opinion of the university students towards
the above mentioned orientation program.
The students from the four Faculties of University of Kelaniya, i.e. Faculty of Social Sciences,
Humanities, Commerce and Management and Science of the University of Kelaniya were used
as a research sample. Hundred students from each Faculty were selected according to the
random sample method. Questionnaire, participatory observation, interview and case study
methods were used to collect data.
The orientation program conducted by the senior students has created controversy owing to
misunderstanding between students and administration regarding surreptous political
interferences in student affairs, unauthorised activities, and hidden agendas. This study
recommended that it is necessary to organize useful and systematic program that are transparent,
supportive, and helpful in getting to know each other and socialise within a framework of the
university life.
