The school year may have just started, but the wheels are very much in motion to spread the word about Brock University to the next incoming class of post-secondary students. 

With more than 250 faculty, staff and students from across the University in attendance, Brock will be well-represented at this weekend’s Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) in downtown Toronto. 

Running from Friday, Sept. 27 until Sunday, Sept. 29, OUF is the biggest exhibition of post-secondary institutions in Canada, with more than 130,000 people expected to attend the free event. 

Before they even arrive in the main hall at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, many OUF guests will have seen plenty of Brock branding downtown. The University is once again running its ‘Experience’ marketing campaign in the Skywalk area of Union Station, which links the transit hub with the major convention, entertainment and sports venues in the area. 

“OUF represents the single largest opportunity to speak with prospective students and their parents,” said Matt Melnyk, Manager, National Recruitment at Brock. “This event is especially important for Brock, given our location and the fact that more than 40 per cent of applicants to the University come from the Greater Toronto Area.” 

Inside the Convention Centre, Brock’s OUF booth has been updated with new larger digital screens and upgraded graphic towers. The booth is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable students, faculty and staff eager to answer questions about academic programs and the Brock student experience. 

“We have some students who have never heard of Brock and are using OUF to explore their options at all of the Ontario universities,” said Kara Kelly, Manager, Recruitment Operations and Communication. “Others have thoroughly researched their programs and arrive with very specific questions about Brock. In both cases, we want the prospective students and their families to leave with the information they’re looking for to make an informed decision about their post-secondary future.” 

Although OUF is the biggest event on the recruiting calendar, there’s plenty more activity happening across the country. Brock recruitment staff are now on the road and will visit more than 800 high schools before the end of November. 

The University is also gearing up for Fall Preview Day, taking place Sunday, Nov. 3. That’s when thousands of students and their families will visit Brock for a tour of campus and to learn more about their specific programs. 

There are also daily campus tours taking place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., as well as on-campus visits aimed at specific academic interests such as Life Sciences Day, Humanities Day, Goodman Day and Social Sciences Day.