When thousands of students begin their studies at Brock next week, they’ll be welcomed by a packed lineup of activities meant to start their university experience off on the right foot.

Brock’s Welcome Week kicks off Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4 with the largest Move-in Weekend in the University’s history. More than 2,600 students will move into Brock residences, including the University’s newest facility, Residence 8, which opened its doors in January.

The festivities will then continue throughout the week with a variety of safe, inclusive and alcohol-free events and activities meant to encourage students to meet friends, have fun and learn about all the services and programs Brock has to offer.

Developed by a cross-campus committee of students, staff and faculty, Welcome Week programming provides an introduction to campus for new students, while also helping returning students who spent part of the past two years learning online to familiarize themselves with the on-campus experience, said Amber Scholtens, Brock’s Interim Director of Student Life and Success.

Amber Scholtens, Brock’s Interim Director of Student Life and Success, is ready to welcome new and returning students back to Brock during Welcome Week.

“We know that many students coming to campus this September are eager for that in-person university experience,” she said. “Welcome Week events have been planned with this in mind and will focus on providing opportunities for students to make new friends, socialize, engage in co-curricular programming and build strong support networks with each other as well as with services on campus. All of these components are central to the university experience and important to students’ success and well-being.”

Among the week’s events is the New Student Welcome and Academic Orientation held Tuesday, Sept. 6, which invites all new students to hear from current faculty and upper-year students as well as Brock Interim President Lynn Wells, Graduate Students’ Association President Haley Myatt and Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) President Faten Darbaj. There will also be a Returning Student Welcome, where upper-year students will hear from Wells, Myatt, Darbaj and a panel of their peers.

Also included during Welcome Week is BadgerFest, a weeklong festival hosted by BUSU that features events, fairs and volunteer opportunities to further orient Brock students in their new surroundings.

“Our BadgerFest events have been planned specifically for the students of Brock as an opportunity to meet new friends, have fun and get to know campus,” Darbaj said. “They cater to a range of interests, from a community fair to paint party, bingo to live DJs at Isaac’s and more.”

Throughout the week, there will be tailored events for students living in residence and those who live off campus, as well as Faculty- and interest-specific offerings.

The final event of the week will see students head out into the community on Saturday, Sept. 10 to give back through volunteer and fundraising initiatives for Brock Cares Day of Service. For the 14th year, Brock students will take part in the University’s largest volunteer day, working with a variety of organizations across Niagara and contributing to the community they now call home.

“Through Brock Cares, students begin the Fall Term by having a positive local impact and connecting with others who share a similar passion for giving back to the community,” said Scholtens. “Building those relationships early encourages students to continue working with local organizations throughout their time at the University and beyond, helping to nurture the next generation of passionate and engaged citizens.”

A full list of Welcome Week activities, many of which require registration through the Event Pass website, can be found on Brock’s Welcome Week ExperienceBU page.