Brock University students will have plenty of options when looking for something safe to do this Halloween weekend.

As it continues to work with Niagara communities and encourage its students to be good neighbours, the University has expanded its on-campus offerings throughout this week and weekend, while also ramping up off-campus patrols.

Brock continues to work with local municipalities, Niagara Regional Police Service and Niagara Region Public Health to educate its students about making smart decisions, especially as COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

“We have seen many issues arise in the province so far this fall, with students making poor decisions that adversely affect their local communities,” said Brock University Interim President Lynn Wells. “As a part of this Niagara community, it is important for us to educate our students and make them aware of alternatives to attending unlawful and unsafe gatherings.”

With public health measures still in place, large student gatherings on or off campus are not permitted. Local law enforcement and bylaw officers are taking a zero-tolerance approach, with significant fines being handed out as required.

As it has done throughout the start of the Fall Term, Brock is paying for additional Niagara Regional Police officers to patrol known student areas off campus. Brock Campus Security will also have its full complement of staff working throughout the weekend.

“We really want to encourage our students to explore the wide variety of engaging Brock-sanctioned events and activities that are being offered both in person and online,” said Brad Clarke, Director, Student Life and Success. “We understand that Halloween is a time when students want to gather and enjoy themselves, but we’re asking that it happen in a safe and responsible manner.”

Visit ExperienceBU for the full lineup of Halloween events and for additional details, including registration information.

Here are some highlights of the initiatives taking place:

• The Don’t Put the Bad in Badger campaign returns with Brock’s Off-Campus Living and Neighbourhood Relations office delivering messaging to students on campus and in higher density student areas off campus throughout the week.
• The Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) is using its outdoor patio to set up Halloween-themed decorations and will have passive activities and giveaways for students.
• The Department of Residence has been offering consent and healthy relationship programming throughout October and will have alternative Halloween programming Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Brock’s Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) has launched campus-wide educational campaigns on substance abuse, consent, staying safe during Halloween and COVID-19, and safe partying and safe drinking. SWAC is also working with various campus partners to host Treat or Treat events Wednesday and Thursday that encourage students to visit various locations on campus to learn a tip about celebrating Halloween safely in return for a giveaway.
• Brock Human Rights and Equity (HRE) is focusing on several social media campaigns that will educate students on appropriate Halloween costumes, consent, partying and healthy relationships. In partnership with SWAC, HRE is hosting a virtual Spooky Tie Dye event on Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. In partnership with the Student Justice Centre (SJC) and Student Life and Success (SLS), HRE is also hosting the Be Spooky not Racist event on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 7 p.m.
• The SJC is working on a large-scale campaign related to appropriate Halloween costumes and hosted a virtual 2SLGBTQ+ Adult Virtual Drop In Group Monday night.
• The SLS department is offering students a series of alternative Halloween programs, both on and off campus, including trips to the Crux Escape room in St. Catharines Wednesday and Thursday; a Halloween-themed painting event on campus Thursday; a Tip or Treat event in the Student Success Centre Friday; a Movie Fright event at Landmark Cinemas Saturday night; Ghouls just wanna have fun – Music Trivia Sunday night; and the annual Trick or Eat event Sunday, where students go door to door collecting food donations for Community Care of St. Catharines.
• Brock International is hosting a trip to Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm on Wednesday as well as a Halloween Social and Costume Contest Friday.
• Brock Recreation is hosting Pumpkins in the Pool Friday, where students can swim alongside pumpkins and take one home after. The Walker Sports Complex will have extended hours until 8 p.m. on Saturday and will be allowing students to sign up for two-hour time-slots at the Zone Fitness Centre. There will also be Fright Night on Alumni Field, where Brock’s turf field will be open for soccer, flag football, spikeball and more under the lights. In addition, Brock Sports is featuring a series of varsity games between Thursday and Sunday with Halloween themes.