Supporting Student Engagement Beyond the Classroom
At Brock University, learning happens everywhere. While students gain knowledge and skills through their academic studies, some of their most valuable learning takes place outside the classroom through campus events, workshops, leadership opportunities, volunteer experiences, employment, and community involvement.
The Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum (CWC) is a framework designed to encourage and recognize student involvement beyond the classroom. Organized around ten co-curricular domains, the CWC helps students explore opportunities that support their personal growth, skill development, and engagement with the Brock and Niagara communities.
Faculty, staff, and event planners play an important role in supporting the CWC. By creating meaningful opportunities for involvement and tracking participation, you help students receive recognition for their engagement and contribute to a more connected and engaged campus community.
How to Ensure Students Get CWC Credit
Many events, programs, workshops, and activities can be connected to the Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum. Your event may be eligible if it:
- Encourages learning, growth, or engagement outside the classroom
- Aligns with one or more of the ten CWC domains
- Includes a method for tracking attendance or participation
If you believe your event may be a good fit for the CWC, contact the CWC team at [email protected]. We can help determine the most appropriate domain alignment and ensure students can receive credit for participating.
Tracking attendance is one of the most important ways to support student engagement and recognition through the CWC.
Whenever possible, attendance should be collected for events, workshops, programs, and activities. Attendance records help validate participation, allow students to receive CWC credit, and provide valuable information about student engagement across campus.
There are several ways to collect attendance:
Event Check-In App
The Event Check-In App allows organizers to scan a student’s Event Pass QR code or manually check in attendees using their Brock email address. This option is recommended for:
- Events with RSVPs
- Capacity-controlled events
- Programs where attendees are individually welcomed or checked in
Learn more about the Event Check-In App.
Self Check-In
Every ExperienceBU event includes a unique attendance QR code and attendance URL that allow students to mark themselves as attended. This option is recommended for:
- Drop-in events
- Large events
- Events where capacity management is not required
For virtual events, the attendance URL can be shared directly in the chat or meeting platform.
Manual Attendance
Attendance can also be collected manually using a sign-in sheet or other attendance record. This option is recommended for:
- Small group activities
- Events where technology is unavailable
- Situations where another attendance collection method is preferred
Regardless of how attendance is collected, attendance should be uploaded to ExperienceBU as soon as possible following the event.
Attendance can be uploaded directly to the ExperienceBU event or submitted to the CWC team at [email protected].
Please note Brock email addresses (@brocku.ca) are required for attendance upload. ExperienceBU does not recognize student numbers or personal or non-Brock email addresses.
For step-by-step instructions on recording and uploading attendance, view the Attendance Resource Guide.
What Happens Next?
Once attendance has been uploaded:
- Eligible students automatically receive CWC credit.
- Participation is recorded in ExperienceBU.
- Students can continue progressing toward completion of CWC domains and recognition milestones.
Additional Ways to Support the CWC
Promote Opportunities
Post events and activities in ExperienceBU so students can discover opportunities to get involved and connect with the Brock community.
Encourage Participation
Help students explore opportunities beyond the classroom by encouraging involvement in events, workshops, leadership experiences, volunteer opportunities, and other co-curricular activities.
Recognize Engagement
Track attendance whenever possible to ensure students receive recognition for their participation and engagement.
Promote Your Connection to the CWC
If your event or program aligns with the CWC, consider promoting it as part of the Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum. CWC domain icons and promotional resources are available for use in websites, event listings, presentations, and marketing materials.