MEDIA RELEASE: 20 July 2017 – R00133

Making the jump to post-secondary education can be intimidating for students. But a number of programs are available to incoming Brock University students to make the transition a little easier.

With those programs taking place during the summer months, the Brock University campus remains a busy place.

Smart Start

Throughout July and August, around 2,000 students will be coming through Brock’s longest-running transition program.

“Our objective is that students leave Smart Start prepared and relaxed for their first day of school, and that guests feel confident in knowing that Brock is the best place for them to be,” said Courtney Keogh, Recruitment and Liaison Officer — Smart Start and Group Visits.

Students learn how to use their new ID card, can finalize their course registration with the help of Brock’s academic advisors, and learn more about finance and awards, student housing and things to do in Niagara.

“Our program is unique in that we are one of the only universities in Canada that does a full-day program with all of these services immediately on hand,” said Keogh, adding that the Smart Start program has expanded to run later into August, accommodating students who may have been away for work or travel.

LEAP

For students who want to get an even more in-depth look at university life, the LEAP program involves an overnight stay in a Brock residence, skill-building workshops, an orientation on the public transportation system, and a service-learning volunteer opportunity with a local community partner.

“We provide a small, intimate experience for incoming students to have an enhanced understanding of services on campus while at the same time making close connections with their peers,” said Megan Brown, Community Engagement Co-ordinator and programming leader.

BaseCamp

For the more adventurous students, Brock BaseCamp is a unique introduction to university life through three- to five-day backpacking, canoeing and rock climbing trips along the Niagara Escarpment, Ontario provincial parks, and various conservation areas during the month of August. It’s a model that has been adopted as a best practice by other Canadian universities.

Co-founder and Recreation and Leisure Studies Professor Tim O’Connell said students learn about the cultural and natural history of where they are travelling, as well as how to follow the Leave No Trace principles.

“Many BaseCamp participants appreciate learning how to travel lightly through our provincial and national parks,” says O’Connell. “In fact, many of them apply these principles to their everyday lives when they are back on campus or at home.”

For more information on any of the programs, visit brocku.ca/start or email studentlife@brocku.ca.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

* Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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