After 16 months of silence, the nearly empty hallways of Brock University will begin to welcome back the familiar sounds of students on campus tours.

Having ceased operations in March 2020 in accordance with public health regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular in-person visits of many prospective and incoming students to Brock’s main campus will return Monday, July 12, albeit with some strict new safety protocols.

Along with interactive virtual tours that remain accessible to anyone online, in-person tours will be available for students beginning their studies at Brock in September 2021 and prospective students looking to begin their studies in September 2022. In-person tours must be booked online in advance. To ensure groups remain small, each tour will allow a maximum of two students, who can each bring one designated guest with them.

Daniel Deschenes, Brock’s Recruitment Officer, Campus Visitors, said safety was the University’s top priority when planning the new tour format.

“I’m proud of all the thought that our team has put in to returning safely,” Deschenes said. “It has been an extremely thorough and diligent process, and I am confident that guests will feel safe and comfortable on their campus tour at Brock.”

Experiencing Brock through a campus tour is “extremely important for students as they can see where their classes are located, the residence they may be living in and where all of our student services are,” he said. “We are excited to welcome them beginning next week.”

In addition to booking a time-slot, participants will also need to complete Brock’s self-screen survey prior to the tour and must wear a mask and maintain physical distancing while being shown around campus on a set route that will take them through residences and other key locations. The route was also chosen with accessibility in mind and will be frequently sanitized to ensure a safe and welcoming experience.

Though the new tour format may be different, Director of Student Recruitment Matt Melnyk said the return of in-person tours represented an important step for students who are registered or thinking of attending Brock.

“Visiting campus and getting a feel for their future home away from home has typically been an extremely important part of the decision-making process for prospective students and their families,” Melnyk said. “Seeing where they will be spending the next few years studying and living is often a deciding factor for them.”

Melnyk also reflected on the importance of in-person tours for the broader campus community.

“Showcasing our beautiful campus is one of the most exciting parts of recruitment,” he said. “Finally being able to return to in-person tours, in a safe and thoughtful way, is an important milestone for us and a sign of progress towards brighter days ahead and a return to campus in the fall.”

To learn more or register for an in-person or virtual campus tour, visit the Campus Tours website.