Brock University is joining municipal bylaw officers, Niagara Regional Police officers and fire officials to go door-to-door this week reminding students living off-campus to be good neighbours.

In the leadup to St. Patrick’s Day, staff from multiple departments across campus met with politicians from St. Catharines and Thorold, along with first responders and bylaw officers for a unified approach to both education and enforcement.

On Thursday, March 12, media are invited to join representatives from Brock and community partners to visit higher-density student areas in St. Catharines and Thorold. During the visits, students will be given ‘Good Neighbour Kits’ which include garbage and recycling bags, information pamphlets, taxi cards and bylaw enforcement information such as fines for not cleaning up after parties.

The off-campus visits are part of a large, multi-faceted education and awareness ‘Don’t Put the Bad in Badger’ campaign that takes place throughout the year at Brock, and particularly in the days leading up celebratory holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.

Other steps being taken include:

• Brock Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) running a campus-wide educational campaign on substance abuse, consent, safe partying and safe drinking
• SWAC and the Office of Human Rights and Equity Services (HRE) joining campus and community partners to host Unblur the Lines, an education and awareness fair Thursday, March 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Market Hall
• On-campus residence students being provided with information throughout the week and a no-guest policy is in place from March 12 to March 18
• Through a new Brock Neighbourhood Relations Protocol, a single point of contact has been setup for residents to raise concerns about off-campus student properties. These can be directed to ocl@brocku.ca or 905-688-5550 x3721. Immediate concerns can still be raised to Campus Security at x3200.
• A mass email being sent to all known student housing landlords encouraging them to speak with their tenants about safe and responsible party hosting
• A full campaign reaching out to students through social media and on-campus messaging around being good neighbours
• Brock’s on-campus pub Isaac’s will host a 19+ St. Patrick’s Day event on Tuesday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. where the focus will be providing a safe and responsible place to party with free food, games and live music
• Brock’s Campus Security Services will have a full complement of staff working throughout this coming weekend, as well as on Tuesday
• Brock University is subsidizing the cost of hiring additional Niagara Regional Police officers to assist with noise patrols on campus and in high-density student areas this weekend and on St. Patrick’s Day

In addition, both the President of the Brock University Students’ Union and Brock President Gervan Fearon have reached out to students with messages reminding them to be respectful and celebrate responsibly.

“I am confident in our students’ ability and desire to be respectful and responsible neighbours and citizens,” says Fearon. “your decisions and actions make an important statement about Brock University to our host communities. I know your exemplary actions will be welcomed by your neighbours and community, so please do not be the individual whose behavior overshadowed the efforts of your friends and other students.”

What: Neighbourhood visits by Brock University officials and community partners
Where: Jacobson Avenue, St. Catharines
When: Thursday, March 12 at 1 p.m.
Who: Leading the house visits from Brock University will be Tanya Bradley, Manager, Student and Community Experience and Brad Clarke, Director, Student Life and Community Experience