{"id":78036,"date":"2022-05-05T15:32:32","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T19:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=78036"},"modified":"2026-05-28T11:23:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T15:23:05","slug":"jamie-fleming-to-retire-after-40-years-as-brocks-director-of-residences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2022\/05\/jamie-fleming-to-retire-after-40-years-as-brocks-director-of-residences\/","title":{"rendered":"Jamie Fleming to retire after 40 years as Brock\u2019s Director of Residences"},"content":{"rendered":"

Much has changed in Brock University\u2019s Department of Residences during the past four decades, but Jamie Fleming\u2019s leadership and care have remained constant.<\/p>\n

As Director of Residences for 40 years, Fleming has helped grow the University\u2019s on-campus residence system and has positively impacted countless students and employees who have benefited from his mentorship and collaboration.<\/p>\n

With a retirement date set for Tuesday, May 31, Fleming reflected on his time at Brock and how he and his team have contributed to offering students a transformative university experience.<\/p>\n

Fleming arrived at Brock in 1982, when DeCew was the only residence on campus. With the assistance of 10 student dons and one administrative assistant, he oversaw a residence operation that accommodated 414 students.<\/p>\n

Over time, the University grew and along with it the residence system expanded. Every few years, 250 to 300 beds were added through the construction of new buildings.<\/p>\n

Just last month, Brock\u2019s eighth residence officially opened,<\/a> putting Brock Residences\u2019 bed count at 2,777. There are now 25 full-time employees and about 120 student staff working for the Department of Residences.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe job kept getting a little bit bigger and a little more complicated, but I always had a great staff team to make it work,\u201d said Fleming. \u201cThe people at Brock make my job enjoyable and rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

The role of residence staff members can be nuanced. Most residence students are 17- and 18-year-olds who have moved away for the first time. The Residences team takes on the important responsibility of helping students transition from being under their parents\u2019 care in a community they\u2019re familiar with, to living with fellow students on a university campus with the population of a small town.<\/p>\n

\"A

Brock University Director of Residences Jamie Fleming stands in front of DeCew Residence in the 1980s.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cEven if they’re moving away by a couple of hours, for some students it\u2019s as though they\u2019ve moved to the other side of the world,\u201d said Fleming.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe take our responsibility to heart and do our best to support students, while also trying to treat them as adults and hold them accountable. It’s a challenging space to navigate, but I think we do it well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students will often turn to their dons or other residence staff for advice and care. Fleming said some have sought help when they were in crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany people don\u2019t realize that we have literally saved lives,\u201d he said. \u201cResidence is not just about bricks and mortar, and it\u2019s more than just a place to sleep and eat. It\u2019s about the people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fleming is proud of his team for continuing to provide an exceptional university experience by keeping students at the centre of all they do. Beyond offering great facilities, Residences provides an intentional and structured curriculum that focuses on increasing student independence, resilience and emotional intelligence<\/p>\n

\u201cResidence plays an important role in developing students to be respectful and responsible,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have been a part of this stage of students\u2019 lives for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"One

Brock University Director of Residences Jamie Fleming (right) is interviewed by a local media outlet on Move-In Day in September 2015.<\/p><\/div>\n

In his retirement, Fleming will miss interacting with members of the Brock community but looks forward to balancing rest and relaxation with travel and spending more time at cottages.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year will be the first time in four decades I won\u2019t be on campus Labour Day weekend to welcome students and their parents during Move-In Day,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ll be there in spirit, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

In recognition of Fleming\u2019s long-standing service and outstanding contributions to the University, a retirement celebration is being held Thursday, May 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. in DeCew Residence Dining Hall. Attendees are asked to RSVP via Eventbrite<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Brock employees, students and alumni are invited to congratulate Fleming via a Kudoboard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Those interested in contributing to the Jamie Fleming Scholarship can donate online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t