Brock University’s annual Move-In Day is like a well-rehearsed orchestra performance. But instead of highly trained musicians, this symphony is performed by a small army of volunteers.

The Move-In Day tradition at Brock has evolved over the years, and on Sunday, Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. nearly 2,400 mostly first-year students will be moved into their residences across the Brock University campus. The Brock residences are 100 per cent sold out this year, with a waiting list set up in case any spaces open up.

Move-In Day has always been a one-day blitz but it became more challenging in 2003 when the available space at Brock grew to 2,400 beds from 1,800 with the opening of the Lowenberger and Quarry View residences.

Jamie Fleming, Director of Residences, credits the organization of the day to Cindy Chernish, Manager, Residence Facilities and Finance, who has spent more than 10 years co-ordinating the annual event. Fleming also notes the tremendous support received from BUSU, hundreds of student volunteers and staff from across campus.

“Every year we review and debrief and evaluate things that we should change for the next year,” Fleming said. “Over the past decade, it has been tweaked and fine-tuned to become the well-oiled machine that it is now.”

Getting thousands of students unloaded across campus requires both a huge team of student volunteers and dozens of staff from several University departments, as well as a carefully co-ordinated schedule that tells families which one-hour window of time they should arrive in.

It takes just minutes for the volunteers to help students and their families with unloading cars and getting students’ belongings to their rooms.

To help make the introduction to University life a bit easier, a variety of service offices will be open Sunday such as Parking, IT Help Desk, Brock Card, Campus Store and the Walker Sports Complex.

Because of the logistics and space required to move 2,400 students into residences, parking and access around the Brock campus will be limited Sunday. People visiting the University for other purposes — including those visiting the Walker Sports Complex or outdoor athletic fields — are asked to park in Lot A and allow extra time to get in and out of campus.

For anyone coming onto campus from the QEW via Highway 406, please note that the construction at the 406 and St. David’s Road/Sir Isaac Brock Way interchange won’t impact your travel. However, anyone coming to campus from south Niagara via Highway 406 should exit the highway at Beaverdams Road and take Merrittville Highway to the Brock campus.

For more information on Move-In Day schedules, recommendations and locations, visit the Department of Residences website.