MEDIA ADVISORY: R00189 – 2 September 2016
Brock University is known for its stellar student experience and this year’s Orientation Week activities prove that there really is something for everyone.
Brock University Students’ Union has broadened this year’s O-Week offerings in response to student input, making sure there’s something for people who love a party, and those who prefer a more laid-back student event.
Riding on the success of last year’s theme, BUSU is hoping to create a sense of tradition for future O-Weeks by sticking with the successful Brockchella theme.
“The theme was well-received by the student body and we felt it would resonate again in 2016. We would like to continue building the Brockchella brand until the student feedback tells out we’re out of touch,” said Steve Kosh, marketing manager at BUSU.
Over the years, BUSU has listened to students and adapted its O-Week schedule to reflect their feedback including increasing inclusive and diverse programming that engages groups of students who wouldn’t normally attend O-Week events.
First-year Experience, a new program focusing on supporting students’ transition from high school to post-secondary, is introducing three new events with the objective of attracting more introverted students.
“There has been a lot of data that speaks to the need for more programming for introverts and international students, so we created events that engage these groups,” said Victoria Parlatore, First-year Experience co-ordinator.
Robert Maunder, residence life assistant, adds that this is exactly the rationale behind running alternative programming along with the traditional O-Week events such as offering Games Night at the same time that the Big Ticket Concert is taking place.
“We want everyone to get the first-year experience they deserve,” he said.
This year’s Big Ticket Concert headliner, Ontario-native Alessia Cara, was also chosen in response to this feedback, reacting to a noticeable shift among incoming students each year.
“For the last five years, our concert headliner has been within the EDM genre, but we felt it was time to explore something different. We’re seeing this culture shift among institutions and demographics when it comes to musical entertainment and what they want to see,” said Curtis Bell, events co-ordinator at BUSU.
Bell highlights the hard work that campus partners put into O-Week every year to fulfill the changing needs of Brock students.
“We see more and more demographics of students come out to these events and that’s because more staff and departments are coming together to build on the diverse programming we offer. When you have those dedicated individuals who are student-driven, we’re able to give students a high-energy and entertaining O-Week,” he said.
BROCKCHELLA 2016 SCHEDULE:
Sunday, Sept. 4
Residence Move-in Day: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Brock Badgers Lacrosse games: 12 and 2:30 p.m. at Alumni Field
International Student Orientation: 12:30 p.m. in Pond Inlet
Student BBQ: 5 p.m. in Isaac’s Bar & Grill Patio
Residence First Night Dinner: 5 p.m.
Kick-off Party and Live Burn: 8 p.m. in Schmon Tower Field
Tower Party: 9:30 p.m. at Schmon Tower Field
Monday, Sept. 5 (Labour Day)
Res Games Pump Up: Noon in Isaac’s Bar & Grill Patio
International Student Orientation: 12:30 p.m. in Pond Inlet
Residence Summer Games: 1 p.m. in Intramural Fields (behind Zone 2 parking lot)
Badger Bash: 6 p.m. in Jubilee Court
Drive-in Movie: 8 p.m. in Schmon Tower Field
Tuesday, Sept. 6
Vendor Fair, Campus Tours, Clubs Fair and First-year Experience Hub: 10 a.m. in Weatherstation Field
Faculty and Athletics orientations: Several sessions in different locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Real Sex, Real Stories Edutainment Speaker: 5 p.m. in David Howes Theatre
Comedy Night: 7:30 p.m. in Bob Davis Gymnasium
Wednesday, Sept. 7
Best of Downtown, Vendor Fair, Clubs Fair and First-year Experience Hub: 10 a.m. in Weatherstation Field
Annual Picnic: 5 p.m. at Burgoyne Woods
Welcome Wagon: 5 p.m.
Landmark Cinema Free Admission Movie Night: 7 p.m. at the Pen Centre
Isaac’s Goes Interactive: 7 p.m. in Isaac’s Bar & Grill
Meet and Compete: 8:30 p.m. in Fireplace Lounge-Earp Residence
Thursday, Sept. 8
Outdoor Yoga: 10 a.m. in Weatherstation Field
Ropes Course: Noon at Youth University Ropes Course and Rock Climbing Wall
Tea Social: 2 p.m. in Global Commons-International Centre (RM 104)
Condom Poker and Dirty Bingo: 7 p.m. in Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium
Board Game Night: 8:30 p.m. in CJ’s Lounge-DeCew Residence
Isaac’s Pub Night: 9 p.m. in Isaac’s Bar & Grill
Friday, Sept. 9
The Hour Escape Room: 10 a.m.
Open Mic Night: 6 p.m. in Isaac’s Bar & Grill
Paint Party: 9 p.m. in Weatherstation Field
Saturday, Sept. 10
Brock Bazaar: 9 a.m. in Zone 1 parking lot
Brock Cares: 10 a.m.
Big Ticket Concert with Alessia Cara: 7:30 p.m. in Weatherstation Field
Games Night: 8 p.m. in CJ’s Lounge-DeCew Residence
Sunday, Sept. 11
Residence Campfire: 8 p.m. in Alphie’s Trough
For more information, visit busu.net/oweek/schedule
For assistance arranging interviews:
* Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
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