{"id":108290,"date":"2026-03-09T14:44:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T18:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=108290"},"modified":"2026-03-09T16:56:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:56:38","slug":"students-reminded-to-make-smart-decisions-while-celebrating-safely-this-st-patricks-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2026\/03\/students-reminded-to-make-smart-decisions-while-celebrating-safely-this-st-patricks-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Students reminded to make smart decisions while celebrating safely this St. Patrick\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being a good neighbour and celebrating responsibly will make for a better St. Patrick\u2019s Day for all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s\u00a0the message Brock University\u00a0is sharing with students\u00a0through a variety of initiatives\u00a0being held in the lead-up to\u00a0March 17.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As St Patrick\u2019s Day nears, the University is engaging students in a comprehensive awareness campaign that reminds them:\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0Put the Bad in Badger.\u00a0The initiative, which also continues throughout the academic year, asks students to give thought to the ways in which they can be good neighbours and positively contribute to the community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to raising awareness on campus,\u00a0Brock will again team up with community partners, including the Niagara Regional Police Service and local municipalities, to visit near-campus neighbourhoods with large student populations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Police, local government officials and bylaw officers will join University staff\u00a0going door to door\u00a0this week\u00a0to speak with students and area residents\u00a0while sharing resources, such as Brock\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Good Neighbour Guide<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0that not only encourage respectful behaviour\u00a0but also educate students on the possible fines that can be incurred if municipal bylaws are violated.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur students\u00a0positively impact\u00a0the Niagara community in so many ways,\u201d says Jenn Skelding, Brock\u2019s Executive Director of Student Life and Success. \u201cBy\u00a0making smart choices this\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Day, and throughout\u00a0the\u00a0remainder\u00a0of the year, they can\u00a0continue to show care\u00a0\u2014 and respect \u2014\u00a0for\u00a0the place they call home\u00a0during their studies.\u00a0We encourage them to keep this top of mind\u00a0as celebrations are planned.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To support safe celebrations for all, Brock University\u00a0<\/span>ha<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0funded\u00a0additional\u00a0NRPS officers to conduct neighbourhood patrols\u00a0on\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Day.\u00a0Throughout the weekend leading up to St. Patrick\u2019s Day and on the day of, police and city bylaw officers will be taking a zero-tolerance approach and will have high visibility in near-campus neighbourhoods.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Various Brock departments\u00a0will also be\u00a0offering a series of alternatives events and activities\u00a0both on and off campus\u00a0beginning this week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0<\/span>St. Patrick\u2019s Day Fair<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will be held\u00a0Thursday, March 12 from noon to 2 p.m. in Market Hall\u00a0to highlight campus and community resources while focusing on important topics such as health,\u00a0safety\u00a0and well-being.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Later that evening, a\u00a0<\/span>St. Patrick\u2019s Day Social<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will bring traditional\u00a0Irish music\u00a0from The Blackthorns, free\u00a0Irish\u00a0tea and snacks, and a\u00a0design-your-own mini-harp\u00a0station to Market Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On Monday, March 16, students will gather for a\u00a0<\/span>special community dinner<\/span><\/a>\u00a0at Castillo Shawarma\u00a0in Thorold.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the lead-up to and on St. Patrick\u2019s Day,\u00a0Brock Sports and Recreation will also be offering regularly planned programming, including\u00a0fitness classes,\u00a0intramurals\u00a0and swimming opportunities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brock University Students’ Union President Fiona Seabrook encouraged students to continue building connection in respectful ways as March 17 nears.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSt. Patrick\u2019s Day can be a really fun time for students. The academic year is winding down, and part of the university experience is celebrating together and building a sense of community,\u201d she says. \u201cAs Brock students, the reputation of our university is closely connected to how we show up in our community. Being a part of the Brock community means looking out for one another, being respectful and responsible, and making sure everyone gets home safe.”\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This sentiment was echoed by Mario Berro, President of the Graduate Students’ Association.<\/p>\n

\u201cSt. Patrick\u2019s Day is part of the student experience, but it\u2019s also an opportunity to show the kind of community we want to build at Brock<\/span>,\u201d Berro said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>I encourage students to celebrate responsibly, look out for one another and remember that our actions shape how our community is experienced by everyone around us.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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