The annual tradition that sees Brock’s main campus quickly spring to life for the new school year will return this weekend as thousands of students move into the University’s residences.

From Saturday, Sept. 2 to Sunday, Sept. 3, more than 2,700 students — many with family and friends in tow — will arrive to Brock’s residences with their dorm-room essentials, ready to either start or continue their university experience.

Like a well-rehearsed dance, the complex move is carefully choreographed, with each student given a one-hour window of move-in time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The new arrivals are welcomed to campus by hundreds of Brock staff and student volunteers, who not only assist with the heavy lifting but also offer guidance on all aspects of university life to help make the transition easier.

“For many students, this is their first time living away from their families, which can be both an exciting and daunting experience,” says Cindy Chernish, Director, Housing Services. “We want to reassure them that they’re not alone as they begin this new chapter and that there’s a network of support here to help them find success each step of the way.”

Departments and services such as Dining, Parking, IT Help Desk, Brock Card, Campus Store and the Walker Sports Complex will all be open various hours throughout the weekend to help students find their footing.

While many students moving into residences this weekend will be starting their first year in September, demand for on-campus housing continues to rise for second- and upper-year students as well as graduate students.

“We’re seeing students who began university last year returning to stay on campus for a second year in hopes of continuing that experience,” says Chernish. “More upper-year students are also looking to live on campus, close to their classes and Brock’s many amenities.”

To address this growing need, the University has recently expanded availability at Brock Suites, which is exclusive to upper-year and graduate students, she adds.

All of Brock’s eight residences will be operating at near capacity for the Fall Term. The University guaranteed a space in residence to full-time undergraduate students in any year of study who applied and paid the residence application fee by the June deadline.

Move-in Weekend kicks off a packed lineup of events for Brock’s Welcome Week, which runs until Sunday, Sept. 10 and includes a variety of events and activities hosted by the University as well as the Brock University Students’ Union, including the New Student Welcome and Academic Orientation, a live burn fire-safety demonstration, consent workshops and the annual Brock Cares Day of Service, which will see Brock students and employees head out into the community to volunteer with a variety of organizations.

With an influx of traffic expected on campus during Move-in Weekend, parking and access will be limited. People visiting the University for other purposes are asked to park in Lot 1 (formerly Zone 1).