Brock University students living off-campus will be hitting the streets to meet their new neighbours Wednesday.

The annual welcome wagon is a chance for students to introduce themselves and for the University and community stakeholders to provide information and resources.

Curtis Gadula, Brock’s Off-Campus Living and Neighbourhood Relations Manager, said thousands of students live in St. Catharines and Thorold throughout the school year and it’s important that they are not only good neighbours but also connected members of the community.

Students are encouraged to be a positive reflection of Brock in small ways such as saying hi, driving safely and being considerate to their neighbours.

“No. 1 is to be respectful,” Gadula said. “Students are reminded to be aware of their noise level and take care of their property. We want them to get used to acting like adults.”

He said nearly 2,500 students live in campus residences and the rest – nearly 16,000 – live in and around Niagara.

Students are also encouraged to become actively involved in the community and “generally be contributing citizens and give back,” Gadula said.

St. Catharines city councillor Joe Kushner, who represents St. Andrew’s Ward, said students add youth and vitality to the community.

“Brock students living in the community have certainly been an enrichment,” he said.

Kushner said the University’s commitment to working with the city, landlords and neighbours has greatly improved the off-campus experience for residents who share the community with students.

A crew of students, city councillors, city employees, police and University staff will be out in the community Wednesday evening to say hello and hand out welcome bags filled with information and resources.