{"id":111420,"date":"2026-09-08T10:56:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=111420"},"modified":"2026-09-08T10:56:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:56:54","slug":"thousands-of-students-build-campus-connections-during-welcome-weekend-residence-move-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2026\/09\/thousands-of-students-build-campus-connections-during-welcome-weekend-residence-move-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands of students build campus connections during Welcome Weekend, residence move-in"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chloe Giachalis was drawn to Brock University for its renowned Sport Management<\/a>\u00a0program, but what ultimately solidified her decision was simple: Brock felt like home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so homey, with good people and a good vibe,\u201d she said on Sunday, Sept. 6 while preparing to move into one of the University\u2019s residences<\/a>\u00a0with the help of parents Marcie and Gus Giachalis and grandmother Dale Buchanan.<\/p>\n

It was a special day for the Giachalis family \u2014 all proudly sporting their Brock gear \u2014 as they helped their only child begin this next chapter in her educational journey.<\/p>\n

The big step was met with excitement from mom Marcie, who found comfort in all she\u2019s learned about the University in the lead-up to the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrock has a phenomenal reputation academically, especially in Sport Management, and for its people,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s a feeling of inclusiveness as opposed to feeling like you\u2019re just a number like you might at some larger schools.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staff and volunteers were on hand throughout the weekend to ensure families felt supported and welcomed as more than 2,700 students moved into their homes away from home for the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a big moment in the lives of our students and their families. Our job is to make sure they know there is a whole campus community behind them every step of the way as this new adventure begins,\u201d said Cindy Chernish, Director, Housing Services.<\/p>\n

To help grow those connections for students living on and off campus, the University expanded on its annual residence move-in, hosting its inaugural Welcome Weekend<\/a>\u00a0celebration on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6.<\/p>\n

The weekend included live music, food trucks and lawn games to bring students and their families together as well as events highlighting campus resources that support a successful start to the academic year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether students are coming to Brock for the first time or returning for their final year, we want them to feel supported in \u2014 and excited for \u2014 what comes next,\u201d said Brad Clarke, Associate Vice-President, Students. \u201cWelcome Weekend is about building that campus connection, ensuring students are equipped with the resources they need to succeed and helping them to understand what being part of the Brock family really means.\u201d<\/p>\n

Welcome Weekend is a precursor to the upcoming Welcome Week<\/a>\u00a0filled with orientation and social activities, varsity sports events, live music and more. Classes for the Fall Term begin on Wednesday, Sept. 9.<\/p>\n\n\t