Meeting new friends while living in an on-campus residence is a cornerstone of the university student experience Brock has become known for.

With a brand new, 308-bed residence building now open, there are more opportunities than ever for students who want to live where they learn.

As the name implies, Residence 8 is the eighth housing complex on the main Brock University campus in St. Catharines and increases the University’s total residence capacity to nearly 2,800 beds.

Two students show the typical setup for a room in Residence 8 on the Brock University St. Catharines Campus.

The project broke ground in October 2019 and, like other infrastructure projects around the world, construction was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But by January 2022, students were able to move into their new homes. The building is now fully open and accepting applications for the 2022-23 academic year.

“We’re excited to add this brand-new modern residence to our on-campus housing options,” said Brock Vice-President, Administration Ken Chan. “We know that living on campus contributes to a fulsome campus experience for students, whether you are starting your journey at Brock or in your upper years.”

Residence 8 is a semi-suite style residence offering individual rooms for students with a three-piece washroom shared between two students. There are five residential floors, each with three wings and each grouping of around 45 single rooms has a dedicated community lounge.

There are also study rooms located on each floor while the main level has a lobby with the East Residence Service Desk, a large common lounge, meeting room, music room and laundry facilities.

“My favourite thing about Residence 8 is how much space there is for students to study and socialize,” said Sydney Hayward, a sixth-year Concurrent Education student who is the Head Resident for the new building. “Every floor has many lounges that students have access to, making their time here even more enjoyable. The building has lots of great views and is close to everything on campus.”

Hayward said living on campus has made her university experience extremely positive.

“Being on campus is convenient because you are close to everything you need as a student,” she said. “Living in residence also allows you to build connections with other students. I have made lifelong friendships. Through all the programming and events that are run, there is always something going on for students to do and to help connect them with other students in the community.”

A common area in one of the upper floors of the new Residence 8 building at Brock University.

With the new building now operational, Brock University offers guaranteed space in residence to full-time undergraduate students in any year of study who apply and pay the residence application fee by June 1. The guarantee does not apply to the Brock Suites, which continues to be first come, first served.

Students sign eight-month leases and are able to rank their room-style preference and request accommodations with friends, if they choose. All rooms are fully furnished and Brock now offers an all-access meal plan for all residence students.

Residence tours are being offered throughout May through the campus visitors program. Residence and dining staff will be on hand to answer questions on Saturday, May 14 and Saturday, May 28. Those interested can book a tour on the Discover Brock web page. To speak to a Residence Admissions team member email res@brocku.ca

Students interested in learning more or applying for residence should visit brocku.ca/residence/apply