Dear Brock University students,

As the 2021-22 academic year gets underway, I join with many of you in a sense of excitement and possibility about our return to campus and your selection of Brock University as an outstanding institution with strong student-community relations and a reputation for community engagement. I know you wish to support and build these positive connections with our community as you look toward graduation, entering the workforce and fulfilling your goals for the future.

Last weekend, Brock students were among those taking part in off-campus parties in Thorold. Residents and local political figures have publicly voiced concern about this inappropriate behaviour, and Niagara Regional Police issued more than two dozen tickets and made a number of arrests. Social media can rapidly accelerate the size of these parties, often resulting in dangerous risks to personal safety, damaged property and strained relationships between the University and our neighbouring communities. The risk this year is especially high as we are in the midst of a dangerous fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am writing to remind you of the importance of our university-community partnership. I am also writing to remind every student about an important policy that all students must be aware of and abide by.

Our Student Code of Conduct addresses on- and off-campus student behaviour that is non-academic in nature and is designed to foster an environment of integrity and civic responsibility.

Students, faculty and staff are all members of the Brock community and share a responsibility to protect the University’s academic mission as well as its community standing. We are a distinct community involved in learning, teaching, research and community engagement. This privilege brings with it rights and responsibilities for all of us.

As a Brock alumna myself, I am, like you, proud of our University and the positive impact it has in our region, our province and on the national and international stage. I am also proud that thousands of Brock students volunteer their time and contribute to our communities in so many ways.

I ask that you please take a moment to become familiar with the Student Code of Conduct and that you actively uphold these standards and values so that we may all share a sense of pride in the University that we call our academic home.

It is my hope that you will be proud of your experiences at Brock, both now and upon graduation. I trust that this message supports you in this goal. We are here to support you.

If you have any questions or if you need assistance, please feel free to contact bu4u@brocku.ca. Additional resources to help you get the most out of your Brock experience are available at brocku.ca/bu4u

Regards,

Anna Lathrop

Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Students