EMAN BARE
News Writer

Imagine you are an engineering student, heading to the lounge for a break. You come to an abrupt stop when, there, blocking your path, is a blue Minneapolis Moline 1947 tractor.

You realize you’re looking at one of the Agricultural Students’ Association’s many pranks.

The ASA, founded in 1922, has long maintained a rivalry with the engineering students. Annual stunts occur each year involving vandalism of the opposing student lounge.

“Although we may have gained a reputation for being a rowdy group, the students of our college continuously strive for academic achievement and distinction,” said Erin Cuthbert, communications director for the ASA.

“In the past the U of S Agros have played a role in defining the student spirit found here on campus, and we strive to uphold the traditions that have been a part of our history,” said Cuthbert.

The College Splash, a water-balloon fight between engineering and agriculture students held in the Bowl annually, is one of the many competitions between colleges that the ASA partakes in.

In addition to being known for pulling pranks around campus, the ASA has also been involved in numerous charity fundraisers. Telemiracle is one of the events that the Agros fundraise for, raising over $2,200 for them this past year.

“Biannually, we bundle up and push our make-shift bedframe to Regina, raising money along the way,” said Cuthbert.

They also auctioned off the ASA executive in order to raise more funds.

Cuthbert moved to Saskatoon to attend the U of S because of the College of Agriculture’s reputation for being one of the best in the country. The college offers numerous career choices in the agriculture sector and with the high demand for students graduating in agriculture, there are many employment opportunities.

“The atmosphere in the agriculture college is laid back and relaxed,” she said, “and I never hesitate to ask a professor for extra help with my classes or even with what courses to take and when to take them.” Cuthbert also says that there are more women entering the college than ever before.

“In the past, 90 per cent of the ag student population was male, but now the ratio is almost an even 50-50,” said Cuthbert. Furthermore, in some disciplines, such as animal science, it is not uncommon for women to outnumber men with a ratio as high as 5:1.

In order to encourage mingling between students and professors, wine and cheese events are held many times throughout the year.

“As an agricultural student I have had the opportunity to get to know all my professors on a personal level, versus going to class everyday and never saying a word to him or her,” said Cuthbert.

—
image: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf