Bulletin Spring‧Summer 2003

Traditions That Bond Cheng Ka-lai Programme Director of Campus Radio The Collegiate Tradition and Student Bonding Un i v e r s i ty students today may be apathetic to student un i on affairs, but programme director of Campus Radio Cheng Ka-lai believes that interest in extracurricular activities is still there. ‘During the run-up to elections for student clubs and associations, you see meticulously designed promotional items, posters, and pamphlets everywhere on campus,' she said. However she concedes that recreational ac t i v i t i es such as college anniversaries and singing competitions are more popular, while those related to Un i ve r s i ty po l i cy, public affairs, and politics tend to attract far fewer participants. As the University is stretched out on hilly terrain, the colleges perform an important function in fostering solidarity among the students, who would often speak affectionately about their own college, said Ka-lai. The collegiate system not only enhances interaction between students of the same college but also encourages healthy competition among the University's four constituent colleges. ‘ A tradition is something everyone can experience and partake in. We're all keen on attending college activities: Feast-for-a-Thousand, ann i ve r sa ry celebrations, and we e k ly assemblies, for instance. By contrast, the Chinese University Bulletin Spring • Summer 2003 16