New Brock students will be greeted by a group of volunteers, known as the Surgite Support Squad, during Welcome Week. From left are second-year Computer Science student Jay Atul Shah, third-year Community Recreation student Ro-Danne McClymont, second-year Accounting Co-op student Shreya Patel and third-year Public Health student Olajumoke Shobowale. When thousands of incoming students officially become Brock Badgers next week, they’ll be welcomed to campus with a jam-packed schedule of events that will help them make the most of their university experience.
Brock’s Welcome Week kicks off with Move-in Weekend beginning Saturday, Aug. 31, offering a slate of activities through to Sunday, Sept. 8.
“We are thrilled to welcome our incoming Badgers to campus with safe, accessible and inclusive opportunities that have been thoughtfully developed to ensure our 2024 students feel welcomed into their new Brock and broader Niagara communities,” said Kristen Smith, Manager, Off-Campus and Community Experience.
To help new Badgers navigate their first week on campus, a team of volunteers in the newly launched Surgite Support Squad will greet students at Move-In Weekend and be present throughout Welcome Week. The volunteers can be identified by their signature red and white tie-dye bucket hats.
“My goal when creating the Surgite Support Squad was for this group to be the embodiment of our culture of welcoming and caring that we have here at Brock,” said Jenna Moorhead, Community Experience Co-ordinator. “I am beyond excited to see this group in action to support all students, help them make friends, discover a sense of place and community here at Brock and feel that they never have to attend an event alone.”
Welcome Week events are designed to be “highly rewarding and effortless for students,” said Carolyn Hough, Student Engagement Co-ordinator. The activities provide stress-free opportunities for students to learn what to expect as they begin their studies and how the University can help support their success.
An Off-Campus Living BBQ will kick off Welcome Week for non-residence students on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Isaac’s Bar and Grill. A Picnic in Jubilee Court will be held for all students on Monday, Sept. 2.
BadgerFest, hosted by the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU), also begins Sunday, Sept. 1 and runs until Friday, Sept. 6. The week includes a range of events and giveaways, including the fan-favourite Glow Party and a Community Fair, Movie Night Under the Stars and Karaoke Night. Students can also collect their Universal Bus Pass (U-Pass) next week.
“Let’s celebrate, meet new people and create lifelong memories,” said BUSU President Anusha Pahuja. “Together, we’ll make this year unforgettable.”
The New Student Welcome and Academic Orientation will take place Tuesday, Sept. 3, where students will hear welcome messages from Pahuja, Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg, and a keynote address from a panel of BUSU Executive alumni.
A New International Student Welcome on Sunday, Sept. 1 will feature programming specifically tailored to the international student experience.
The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) invites new and returning graduate students to visit its office in MCC 302 between noon and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for free swag and popcorn. Current graduate students are also invited to participate in a free game of plinko in MC C300 on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a colouring and painting event on Thursday, Sept. 5 from noon to 3 p.m. in MCC 300.
All students, staff, faculty, retirees and alumni are invited to wear red and participate in a historical photo in front of the statue of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from noon to 12:30 p.m. as part of the University’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
A month of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation programming begins on Thursday, Sept. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. with Student Life and Success’ Chalk The Campus event, which invites the entire Brock community to mark education-related Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action in sidewalk chalk across campus. The first five attendees will be gifted a shirt to wear for Orange Shirt Day on Monday, Sept. 30.
To wrap up the week, students and University employees will continue the tradition of giving back to the local community and volunteering with local organizations across Niagara during Brock Cares Day of Service on Saturday, Sept. 7.
A full list of Welcome Week activities and registration information can be found on Brock’s Welcome Week and GSA Events Experience BU pages, the BadgerFest website and @BrockBUSU on Instagram. Students can also email orientation@brocku.ca with any questions.
