Media releases

• Brock’s Orientation Week offering something for all students

  Monday, September 19, 2016 | By Brock University

  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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  Categories: Media releases

• Cuvee legacy fund grows as organizers set date for 2017 event

  Monday, September 19, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00187 – 1 September 2016
   

  Mark your calendars. One of Ontario’s most sought-after wine and culinary events, the 29th annual Cuvee Grand Tasting, will take place Friday, March 24, 2017 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls.

  This announcement comes as organizers report Cuvee 2016 generated net revenues of more than $36,000, most of which will go to support student scholarships and grape and wine research through the Cuvee Legacy Fund.

  Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the 2016 Cuvee Grand Tasting was a sold-out event that took place March 4 showcasing 50 VQA wineries and 12 celebrated chefs.
   
  “It’s thanks to the support and enthusiasm of our sponsors and attendees that we are able to increase this year’s contribution to the Cuvee Legacy Fund,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “This fund allows us to help students offset their education costs and provide support for research priorities identified by the grape and wine industry.”

  The funding from the 2015 event is already making a difference. For PhD candidate Jennifer Kelly, receiving the first Cuvee Graduate Scholarship has meant that she has had more time to focus on her studies.

  “Not only has the Cuvee scholarship allowed me to focus more on my research, the project that I’m working on has practical applications that will impact the Ontario grape and wine industry, which is equally valuable,” Kelly said.
   
  Of the net proceeds, $33,000 has been placed in the Cuvee Legacy Fund. The remaining $3,670 will go to support the Niagara Community Foundation, in recognition of their work in overseeing Cuvee for several years before CCOVI took over stewardship of the event.
   
  Tickets for the 2017 Cuvee Grand Tasting will go on sale starting Oct. 1. Noel Buckley, President and General Manager of the Scotiabank Convention Centre, said the venue is proud to partner with Brock for the second consecutive year to host the event.
   
  “Distinguished events such as Cuvee celebrate the time-honoured tradition of viticulture, and highlight the excellence of Ontario wines, particularly those from Niagara, as some of the finest in the world,” said Buckley.

  Daniel Goodman, President and CEO of GFI Investment Counsel Ltd., remarked that the event was a great opportunity to experience Niagara’s food and wine culture.

  “Attending Cuvee for the last two years has opened our eyes to the growth and development of the wine and food industry in the Niagara Region,” Goodman said. “We were blown away by the quality of the vintners and the mouth-watering food that was on full display for the evening.”

  Shari Fanson, an LCBO Product Consultant in St. Catharines, appreciated the concept that each winemaker was able to select their favourite wine to pour.
   
  “It was truly an incredible experience,” Fanson said. “Being able to taste the winemakers’ favourites really showcased the complexity and quality of the wine we make here in Ontario.”

  BASF Canada Inc., a long-time sponsor of the event, sends 20 top oenology and viticulture students to Cuvee each year as an educational experience.

  “As a company, we are committed to sustainability, and supporting outstanding new grape growers and winemakers allows us to act on that commitment,” said BASF Horticulture Crop Manager Scott Hodgins.

  Learn more about Cuvee and the positive impact it has on the industry and Brock University students at cuvee.ca

  For more information:

  * Kaitlyn Little, Marketing and Communications Officer, Brock University, klittle@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x4471
   
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  Categories: Media releases