Scrapbook Project

Orientation Booklet The inclusion of the orientation booklet at the beginning of this section could represent a fresh start, while the letters and photographs following it show the evolving relationships that help make the unfamiliar campus environment feel more like home. Historically, the orientation booklet was sent to students weeks before their arrival on campus, which likely heightened anticipation and excitement, giving the students a sense of preparation before even stepping on campus.

Letters The letters from roommates and a “secret sis” demonstrate early connections and support systems, while the picture of Lake Iola in Wisconsin may represent a place of personal significance, possibly linked to home. Altogether, these items illustrate her attempts to create a “home away from home.

Letters The letters from roommates and a “secret sis” demonstrate early connections and support systems, while the picture of Lake Iola in Wisconsin may represent a place of personal significance, possibly linked to home. Altogether, these items illustrate her attempts to create a “home away from home.

Room and Roommate assignment The housing assignment note with room number and roommate names, especially living in Hoyme, suggests her first step into shared living and the importance of that space. Historically, Hoyme Hall was built to house female students, and in the past, it accommodated three students per room, which is evident from the roommate assignment in the scrapbook. Today, Hoyme houses two students per room and accommodates both male and female students on separate floors.

Photograph The placement of a photograph, likely of a friend or roommate, next to letters from those same people suggests a relationship of growing familiarity and bonding.

America at that time The inclusion of physical photos and handwritten letters highlights the pre-digital era of personal communication when taking pictures with friends and collecting memorabilia in tangible forms like scrapbooks was a common practice. The accessibility of instant photos, likely from a Polaroid, points to the convenience of photo-sharing at the time without the need for formal development processes. This reliance on physical documentation and meaningful correspondence, like letters from a "secret sis," reflects a culture that valued personal, tactile connection and mementos.

Secret sis The letter from "Certified Plumbing and Heating" as her secret sis adds a playful, humorous element, implying that there may be some inside jokes or quirky traditions associated with the "secret sis" exchange, a common practice in dorm life at the time.

Relations? An inside joke maybe? The fragments in this scrapbook appear to relate to the social and academic aspects of her early college life. This is demonstrated by the new student orientation booklet, which marks her entry into college life, as well as the roommate assignment note, which marks the start of her living situation and possibly the beginning of her friendships. Letters from her roommates and the "secret sis" indicate continued interaction and bonding, possibly through inside jokes or personal support shared by close-knit groups such as residents of the same hall.

Differences Programs like SOAR (St. Olaf Orientation to Academics and Resources), which are a part of modern orientation, didn’t exist in the 1970s, as seen in the orientation booklet.

Fight Song The presence of the unchanged St. Olaf fight song "Um! Yah! Yah!" also reflects the enduring importance of tradition in college culture, as this song has remained the same since at least the 1970s.

Reflection This scrapbook reflects a time when physical letters and keepsakes were central to the college experience. A letter from the resident assistant, for example, feels personal and anticipatory, marking the student’s welcome to campus and her first connections to her dorm community. Today, much of that experience has shifted to digital communication, where students often receive emails instead of letters.

In my own experience, I related to this process of welcoming students since I was also once a resident assistant. However, my interaction was primarily via email rather than physical mail. Receiving an email from my own RA before coming to campus created a special feeling of belonging, just as this student likely felt with her letter from her "secret sis." The essence of these welcoming gestures remains, even if the medium has evolved.

Debbie's scrapbook This scrapbook reflects Debbie as someone who values documenting and preserving her milestones in life. She likely cherishes memories and enjoys being able to revisit significant moments, whether through letters, photographs, or keepsakes. Her detailed attention to the relationships and experiences that shaped her early college life shows someone who seeks to create and hold onto meaningful connections. Through her careful arrangement of photos and letters, she reveals a person who finds comfort in reliving the special bonds and experiences that made college feel like a second home.