The EngFrosh '99 staff is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of each participant. Each EngFrosh staff member is an engineering student, in second year or higher.. Each member of the staff is interviewed and approved by the director of EngFrosh '99. In addition, each staff member is required to take a sensitivity training course. This course, delivered by trained professionals from various groups such as the P.A.R.T.Y. (Promoting Alcohol Responsibility Through You) group, the Womyn's Center, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) Center, the Paul Menton Center for Persons with Disabilities and other groups gives our staff the ability to effectively deal with a wide range of potentially sensitive situations. All of our events are organized to provide the same level of entertainment for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. None of our events is restricted to legal age participants; we welcome all of our participants to join every event. Last but not least, EngFrosh '99 is completely against hazing. All of our events are prepared for entertainment of and enjoyment by the participating frosh. We consider it our mandate to ensure that all of our frosh enjoy themselves to the fullest during EngFrosh '99.

And in case this isn't reassuring enough for you parents out there...

Hello, I am the mother of an Engineer. In fact, I have the misfortune of being the mother of the Engineer who is in charge of welcoming all the new Engineers. I am writing this letter to inform you, comfort you, and provide some advice.

First of all, take a good look at your son or daughter now, as they will never be the same again. I am overwhelmed when I think about how Lee has changed over the past couple of years. Your son or daughter will change in ways that you cannot imagine: change in ways that are good, change in ways that are not so good, but take my word for it, they will change.

You're probably feeling several different emotions right now. You're proud that they are going into an excellent program at a well-respected university, and are on their way to becoming a young professional. You're also a little nervous about the exact same thing. I know my husband is still nervous that our son might actually build something that people will rely and depend on. If they're moving away from home, then you're a little sad (and perhaps relieved). But don't think of it as losing a child, think of it as gaining a phone bill (they'll call you collect when they run out of money). If you live in Ottawa, then you're going to be living with late night study (or party) sessions, a little stress, and the occasional engineering friend showing up for dinner.

Lee has put an extraordinary amount of work into the Engineering Prep Week (September 5th through September 12th - a week before classes actually start). Engineering has come a long way to improve the image that it had many years ago. This is going to be Lee's fifth Prep Week, and he assures me that it is going to be the safest, most welcoming and most positive orientation week to date. The pressures to consume alcohol have been drastically reduced, and there is more focus on academics. Lee is actually smarter and more responsible than he looks (in case you meet him when you drop off your child).

Although it is not necessary to participate in EngFrosh, and there will be residence and off-campus groups vying for students to participate in their orientation weeks. I would strongly recommend to any parent that their son or daughter participate in the Engineering Prep Week. One thing that is excellent about Carleton Engineering is the brotherhood/sisterhood community available. EngFrosh is the best way to become part of the Engineering family. There are over a hundred Engineering students (including my son) arriving a week early to welcome and support their new brothers and sisters. The facilitators are giving their time (and in many cases a week's wages) to ensure that every first year student's needs are met.

Here is my parting advice: "Send old clothes for orientation week (keep the new stuff for classes), send lots of money, a few words of wisdom (that they won't listen to), a couple of prayers, kiss them good-bye, and hope for the best. Don't worry, they're in good hands!