First-year Biotechnology student Fiatan Binta Haque moves some of her belongings into residence at Brock University on Saturday, Sept. 2.Even while unpacking the boxes and bags that filled her residence room, Maya Alcaidinho had a smile on her face.
One of Brock’s newest Badgers, she simply could not wait to get her university experience underway.
The Strathroy resident, who will begin in Brock’s Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice program next week, was excited to hit the ground running as she took in all aspects of Move-in Weekend alongside her family.
“My cousin went here and had such a good experience,” Alcaidinho says. “She said Brock was fantastic, so I had to come and test it out for myself. Everything has been great so far.”
Over the course of the weekend, more than 2,700 students — with the help of family, friends and hundreds of Brock volunteers — moved into the University’s eight residences to prepare for the start of Fall Term beginning next week.
Incoming Sport Management student Ronan Pierias had the benefit of having his own experienced helpers by his side.
Brock Provost and Vice-President, Academic Lynn Wells (left) and President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg (centre) help student Maya Alcaidinho settle into her residence room on Saturday, Sept. 2.
Both his father, Rich Pierias (BRLS ’96), a Recreation and Leisure Studies graduate, and sister, Rebecca Pierias, a second-year Brock Medical Sciences student, offered guidance to the newest Badger in the family.
Ronan’s continuation of the family’s Brock tradition came with a sense of comfort for mom Myra Pierias as her youngest child moved away from home for the first time.
Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg and Provost and Vice-President, Academic Lynn Wells discussed the many supports and services available to students as they visited dorm rooms throughout the weekend to welcome families to campus.
“Moving into residence truly marks the beginning of a new chapter in a student’s life, and with that comes both a sense of excitement and nervousness — for everyone in the family,” Rigg says. “We’re here to make that transition easier with an immense support network that will not only help them to get off on the right foot, but also provide guidance throughout their journey to success.”
Each detail of Move-in is carefully planned with students’ best interests in mind, says Rigg, who credits the small army of Brock employees and volunteers who come together to make the event as seamless as possible.
Residence dons stopped by each room throughout the weekend to make sure every student immediately knew a friendly face on campus. They answered questions, encouraged participation in the University’s many Welcome Week activities and shared details of valuable resources that are likely to come in handy as classes get underway.
“Brock is dedicated to helping students achieve the goals they’ve set out for themselves as they take on this new step in their academic careers,” says Wells. “We look forward to all that our incoming class will accomplish both personally and professionally as they discover and embrace their passions.”
Although many students who moved in this weekend are starting at Brock for the first time, the University is seeing an increase in students staying in residence as they continue in their program.
“Living on campus is an experience like no other,” says Cindy Chernish, the University’s Director, Housing Services. “We’re beginning to see more and more students who want to continue living on campus beyond their first year because they’ve enjoyed their time at Brock so much.”
To help meet the increase in demand, upper-year students are guaranteed housing in residence and the University recently expanded availability at Brock Suites, which is exclusive to upper-year and graduate students.
All of Brock’s eight residences are operating at near capacity for the Fall Term, but limited space remains available. For more information, visit the Housing Services website.
Move-in Weekend kicked off Brock’s packed Welcome Week lineup, which runs until Sept. 10 and includes a variety of events and activities hosted by the University as well as the Brock University Students’ Union.
Among the highlights is the annual Brock Cares Day of Service on Saturday, Sept. 9, which will see the University’s students and employees head out across Niagara to volunteer with community organizations.
A small army of Brock volunteers helped more than 2,700 students move into Brock University’s residences this weekend.
