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Body searches, degrading practices: Hungarian freshman camp under fire for harsh treatment and military-style discipline
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Students attending the freshman camp of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) have shared troubling accounts of the harsh treatment they experienced. Reports from students described an atmosphere more akin to a military boot camp, with degrading practices, body searches, and even bathroom breaks measured with stopwatches.
According to Eduline, some students were so upset by the conditions that they left the freshman camp before it ended.
BME has since released a statement emphasising that student safety is their top priority. In response to the complaints, the university has set up a working group, which includes representatives from both university leadership and the student body, to investigate the allegations and review current regulations governing such camps.
Degrading conditions, no dinner in time, body searches
Accounts from students paint a grim picture of their experience at the freshman camp. Some described being forced to walk for an hour in the sun to reach the camp and being forbidden from rolling their suitcases—having to carry them instead. Others reported that they had to address upperclassmen formally, were not served dinner until late in the evening on the first day, and had to undergo mandatory body searches conducted by security.
On arrival, students were made to empty their bags, and even their medications were confiscated.
One student shared that on arrival, they had to shake out every single item of clothing from their bags, including underwear and socks. If students were fortunate, they were allowed to do it themselves; otherwise, it was done by an upperclassman. Food and beverages brought by students were thrown away, and painkillers and other medicines were confiscated. Students had to ask permission later in the evening if they needed their medication.
Access to bathrooms blocked by upperclassmen
The report also mentioned that the dorm rooms were co-ed, with around 13 boys to every 1-2 girls. Upperclassmen also slept on the floor of these rooms, supposedly to block access to the bathrooms, as students were restricted by strict rules about bathroom usage.
Another student recounted the strict bathroom regulations: only three breaks a day were allowed, and each lasted just one (1!) minute. After that, supervisors would shout at students to leave and make way for the next group. Showering conditions were similarly strict, with boys given just two minutes and girls five. These precious minutes had to cover showering, brushing teeth, using the toilet, and dressing.
Senior students degrading freshman students is unfortunately an old tradition that happens in many places. Usually its just an unofficial “party” organized by the students. Although I never understood what is so funny about degrading others.
First time I hear this kind of degrading of freshman students lasts for several days and is strictly planned, organized, supervised and funded by the university. Security taking away even medicinies… Unbelievable.
I would a turned around and left the camp at the first nonsense degrading order from these “supervisors”.
I wonder why some stayed for the whole duration of the camp? Peer pressure? Were the quitters threaten to be punished by the university?
These conditions sound worse than life on a naval submarine. Even there the navvies get longer than 2 minutes in the shower. Why even bother organising such a camp if this is the experience for freshers?