{"id":40805,"date":"2016-09-04T13:07:33","date_gmt":"2016-09-04T17:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=40805"},"modified":"2016-09-06T10:00:44","modified_gmt":"2016-09-06T14:00:44","slug":"move-in-day-a-great-introduction-to-brock-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2016\/09\/move-in-day-a-great-introduction-to-brock-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Move In Day a great introduction to Brock University"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a rite of passage for thousands of Brock University students every year.\u00a0For Ben Tiernan, an 18-year-old student from Pickering, moving into residence is a major step in his life. It will be his first time living on his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was all smiles Sunday as he moved into his new home in Lowenberger residence during Brock\u2019s annual Move In Day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited and nervous,\u201d the first-year accounting co-op student said. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to the independence.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the positive atmosphere during Move In Day \u2014 which saw more than 2,200 students move into residences in a well-choreographed, upbeat procession \u2014 was a great first day at Brock.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt relieves a lot of stress knowing people are here to help,\u201d Tiernan said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of good energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ben

Ben Tiernan, right, with his parents Francine and Mike.<\/p><\/div>\n

His mom Francine felt the same mix of emotions as she helped unload her son\u2019s belongings, which were whisked away by a team of energetic volunteers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting because he\u2019s moving on to university but it\u2019s nerve wracking because it\u2019s his first time on his own,\u201d she said, admitting there were a few tears Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

She said if Move In Day is any indication of how Ben\u2019s experience at Brock will be, he\u2019s in good hands.<\/p>\n

His dad Mike said he\u2019s happy his son gets to experience residence life. He\u2019s even a little jealous.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m envious of \u2014 he gets that whole residence experience,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

Shayna Augustine, from Leamington, already knows she likes living in residence. She moved in for the second time Sunday.\u00a0During her first year, the psychology student lived in a double room but this year she\u2019s opted for a room of her own.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really like the campus,\u201d Augustine said, adding she feels safe and everything is close by.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a lot easier than renting a house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her mom Sherri said the safety of Brock\u2019s campus was one of the main reasons she was happy her daughter chose the school, even if it is more than three hours away.<\/p>\n

\"Shayna

Shayna Augustine with her parents Sherri and David.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe campus is contained, she doesn\u2019t have to go off campus for anything,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The mood at Brock\u00a0was festive Sunday as an army of more than 850 volunteers and 150 staff helped move in the 2,200 mostly first-year students.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be possible without the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers,\u201d said Jamie Fleming, Director, Department of Residence.<\/p>\n

He said the Badger spirit on display Sunday was something to be proud of with everyone pulling together to give students a proper welcome.<\/p>\n

While many of the students have attended Brock for events like Fall Preview Day, he said for some Move In Day is their first time on campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrock does a really good job of making the new students feel excited and prepared,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Fleming said the best part of Move In Day is meeting the students and families, who are full of energy and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

As he looked around at\u00a0the line of vehicles pulling up in an orderly line around Lowenberger parking lot; the quick moving\u00a0queue\u00a0at the sign-in table; and throngs of volunteers from Brock’s clubs, sports teams and organizations, he said “the planning starts a year in advance.”<\/p>\n

Organizers of the day Sunday were already thinking about ways to make next year’s Move In Day even more of a well-oiled machine.<\/p>\n

Nicole Chirichella, head resident of Vallee, said she remembers the fear of her first day at Brock. She was homesick but quickly got caught up in the enthusiasm of the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one of the most exciting days of the year,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s such a great way to be introduced to Brock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chirichella said making friends with her roommate, floormates and residence don helped make Brock feel like home.<\/p>\n

She said the team atmosphere on display during Move In Day doesn\u2019t end when the residences are full.<\/p>\n

Acting President Brian Hutchings said the volunteers deserve a big thank you for making the day such a success.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great first impression of Brock University,\u201d he said. \u201cWe pride Brock as being a friendly campus and today is a great example of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t