Brock University will be buzzing with excitement as thousands of new and returning students kick off the new academic year with a week of orientation events and social activities.

Following Welcome Weekend, which will see thousands of student move into residence, Welcome Week is aimed at helping students navigate their first days on campus and settle into the Brock community.

“From music and activities to traditions and community-building, there truly is something for everyone. Welcome Week is a cross-campus collaboration from staff and student leaders to welcome – and re-welcome – thousands of students back to campus,” says Carolyn Hough, Manager of Student and leadership and Engagement.

Badgers making their way to Brock for their first time can start the year off on the right foot with the New Student Welcome and Academic Orientation (NSWAO) on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and mandatory consent training.

President Lesley Rigg will offer welcoming remarks at NSWAO before students break out into Faculty Academic Orientation sessions, where they’ll learn more about academic supports and resources available to them and get prepared for the year ahead. There will also be several opportunities throughout the week for students in specific programs or departments to socialize and learn more about the upcoming year.

A welcome and orientation event for new graduate students will also take place on Tuesday, Sept. 8, as will a Co-op Kickoff event for incoming co-op students. Transfer students new to Brock can attend at Meet and Greet on Thursday, Sept. 10.

The Surgite Support Squad, a team of student volunteers who can be easily spotted thanks to their Brock-branded bucket hats, will be on hand throughout the week to answer questions, provide directions and help students settle into university life.

Students can also get acquainted with the Brock Library through events such as library tours and the daily drop-in zone, which offers a quiet spot to relax and recharge, and visit the recently refreshed BU4U Student Services Hub, a student-centred space in the Thistle Hallway, for a series of Smart Start events throughout the week.

Organized by the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU), BadgerFest is back with a full schedule of events taking place Saturday, Sept. 5 to Wednesday, Sept. 9.

BUSU is bringing its Big Ticket Concert back to campus on Sunday, Sept. 6, with MAX as the headliner and an opening set from MIGZ, a Toronto-based DJ. Hosted at Weather Station Field, the fun will start at 6 p.m. with a pre-concert experience featuring games, activities and free swag.

Other popular BadgerFest events will be returning again this year, such as the Community Fair, and a screening of Knives Out for BrockTV’s Movie Night Under the Stars. While most of the events are free, some require tickets due to limited capacity.

The Graduate Student Association is hosting a Tie-Dye Social on Thursday, Sept. 10 and a campfire on Friday, Sept. 11.

Community and culture will be in the spotlight at the Welcome Bash, taking place in Jubilee Court on Saturday, Sept. 12. Hosted by the Black student clubs and the Black Student Success Centre, there will be games, dance offs and music from WildSoja.

Rounding out the week will be Brock Cares Day of Service, the biggest day of community volunteering of the year for the Brock community. On Saturday, Sept. 12, students will fan out across the Niagara region to volunteer with various organizations and groups. Participants will receive a free Brock Cares T-shirt, lunch and transportation to and from the volunteering site and the afterparty in Thorold, hosted by the Downtown Thorold BIA.

More information about Welcome Week and details about the various activities are available on ExperienceBU.