Far from being elitist, Knox College traditions ensure students are welcomed into a supportive family atmosphere, past and present residents say.
The Presbyterian Church's move to ban initiation ceremonies, scrap elitist symbols and tighten rules on alcohol, as reported in yesterday's Otago Daily Times, has been opposed by many.
• Knox College: Ex-students have their say
Readers voiced their support of the institution and its long-standing practices in various letters to the editor yesterday.
A young woman returning to Knox for a second year said people developed a love for the place that could not be easily explained.
Another said Knox received more returning residents than any other university hall in New Zealand; testament to its vibrant and positive culture.
Former Knox student Michael Bridgen wrote about his "fresher" experience at Knox in 1994.
"Certain of the traditions were daunting, to a person from a country town new to so many people, but none were observed in other than good faith and good fun. In fact, in the spirit of colleges everywhere, many traditions evolved to the purpose of challenging and breaking down just those initial sheer faces of bashfulness."
In one practice, second-year Knox residents paired with freshers and became "grandmothers and grandfathers" to their younger counterparts, in turn providing advice and friendship.
The relationship was designed to make first-year residents feel welcome and included in activities, particularly during Orientation.
"I have never found Knox to be anything other than welcoming, nurturing and supportive and cannot think of any justification for these changes," recent resident Rebecca Gates said.
She said the traditions and rituals to be changed were the very things which attracted and united residents "no matter our schooling, social background, gender or race".
"These common ties and experiences are what glues us together and draws almost all of the residents back for a second year."
More than 1000 people have joined an online group established in defence of Knox traditions.
A comment from one group member likened proposed changes to a marriage divorce.
"Knox is a very tight-knit and extensive family, and while most 'exies' are upset, the current students are unfortunately the `children' who will have to suffer the most out of this situation if nothing is done about it."
Most correspondents accepted the alcohol changes as inevitable and practical, but found scrapping other traditions unnecessary and potentially damaging to the college's reputation.
"The vast majority of Knoxies, past and present including myself, accept that change must be made to keep the Knox culture up to date, valid in today's society, and safe. Alcohol reform is part of this, and something that we all agree with. What we all strongly object to are the sweeping changes clearly designed to eradicate our traditions," Simon Holliday said.
Mr Holliday, who arrived at Knox as a farm boy from a modest family, said all types of people were accepted into the college and friendships made there lasted forever.
"The supposed elitism of Knox is not elitism in a negative sense, it is pride. Pride that is justified, and earnt," he said.
Former resident Jack Liu said to change rituals more than a century old would be like "driving a bulldozer across the college and destroying the magnificent infrastructures".
"Don't fix what is not broken. Leave Knox alone!"
