First Year Cup Policies


Obtaining Information About Events: First year students earn points by attending events that are First Year Cup Eligible. The major source of information on FY Cup eligible events will be emails sent to the first year class listserv by the Associate Dean of the First Year.  In addition, information regarding FY Cup eligible status is noted on emails and posters about various events, as well as on Student Activities posters, fliers, videonet and through AOL Instant Messenger.  The screen name is SLUActivities, so add this screen name to your buddy list.  A calendar of FY Cup eligible events can also be found on the FY Cup website: http://www.stlawu.edu/fycup/.  During the spring semester, only a few selected events will count towards the First Year Cup. These events will be advertised to first year students when the spring semester begins.

Determination of First Year Cup Eligibility: The decision of whether an event will be First Year Cup eligible is made by the First Year Cup Committee comprised of the Associate Dean of the First Year, the Coordinator for Student Activities and Leadership, the Associate Director for Residence Life, the Assistant Director for Institutional Research, and two student representatives—one from the sophomore class and one from the current group of First Year Council representatives.
In determining what events will be First Year Cup eligible, the Committee will be guided by the following criteria:

  • the event is open to all first year students;
  • the event is free of charge for all first year students;
  • the event encourages first year students’ positive involvement on campus and is consistent with St. Lawrence University’s Aims and Objectives; and
  • the Committee is notified by the organizing individuals of the desire for the event to be First Year Cup eligible in ample time to notify first year students of the event and its First Year Cup eligible status.

The fact that FYP faculty might require their students to attend an event does not render the event ineligible.  Also, events that are organized by a particular FYP college or colleges may also be First Year Cup eligible, but see the discussion under “Awarding of Points” regarding the special process for awarding points to the organizing FYP(s).

Awarding of Points: Attendance at each event is worth 10 points per person (unless otherwise noted).  For Intramural sports, FYP colleges receive 80 points per game. The points remain the same for post-season games, with the overall winner receiving an extra 20 points.  Also, each student on the Dean’s List after the fall semester earns 5 points.  Accumulated points are weighted based on the number of students in each college and the number of Community Assistants and Orientation Leaders assigned to that college.  In the circumstance where members of an FYP(s) organize a First Year Cup event, the FYP(s) earn the average number of points earned by other FYP colleges whose members attend the event.  This policy is in recognition of the possibility for unfair advantage on the part of the organizing FYP(s).  Orientation Leaders, Community Assistants and mentors are eligible to earn points for the FYP(s) with which they are involved; faculty may not earn points for their FYP.

Signing-in Process:  To earn points, an individual must sign-in at each event.  The individual must present his or her student ID at any First Year Cup eligible event and sign-in with the First Year Cup representative; the representative may be someone involved with the event or a student worker.  Sometimes the sign-in sheet will be posted at the entrance to the event.  For events in the Winston room, students must sign-in during the first half hour of the event.  At all other events (e.g. lectures, musical performances in Gulick Theatre, athletic events, etc.), students must sign in 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after the start of the event.

First Year Cup Intramurals: The two intramural sports for First Year Cup are Soccer (fall semester) and Broomball (begins in the fall and ends in the spring semester). Intramural sports are coordinated through the intramural office.  Participating FYPs must have a captain so that the intramural staff can contact them with game times and a location.  Intramural rules are posted on the Intramural web site: http://web.stlawu.edu/sports/intramurals/home.htm

Standings: Standings are updated on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.  They are posted on the First Year Cup bulletin board near the FYP Office and in the Student Center near the Student Activities and Leadership Office.  They can also be found at the First Year Cup website. 

First Year Cup Competition Period:  The First Year Cup competition period begins with the First Year Cup Festival on the Friday of the first week of classes in the fall semester.  The competion ends at Spring Break. 

Recognition for High Point Earners:  Recognition of points earned occurs at several points during the year.  These are the points of recognition:

  • The winners of the First Year Cup Festival are invited to a dessert reception hosted by the Vice President and Dean of Student Life, Joseph Tolliver, and the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, Valerie Lehr. 
  • The winners of the First Year Cup Soccer Tournament are invited to dinner with President and Mrs. Sullivan and to a hockey game to be viewed from the President’s box. 
  • The winners of the First Year Cup Broomball Tournament are provided with t-shirts and have a pizza party for their FYP.
  • The top ten individual point leaders and the top point earners from each FYP (if they are not in the top 10 already and if they have earned at least the average number of points) at the end of the competition period each receive a $10.00 gift certificate to the Brewer Bookstore. 
  • The FYP who WINS THE FIRST YEAR CUP is invited on a day trip, their FYP name is engraved on the First Year Cup Trophy, and they are announced at the Moving Up Day celebration.  A committee of first year students investigates and presents to the First Year Cup Committee three possible day trips for the winners during the fall semester.  One trip is chosen, and the winning FYP (and their CAs, OLs, mentor and faculty) enjoy the trip after spring break. 

Questions?  Contact the FYP Office (x5909) if you have questions about the First Year Cup policies.