Life at Brock

I.  Student Organizations

A.  Brock University Students' Union

http://www.BUSU.net

All registered undergraduate students are members of the Brock University Students' Union (BUSU). Each spring, BUSU holds elections for the position of President, Vice-President of Finance and Administration, Vice-President of Student Services and Vice-President of University Affairs to oversee the day-to-day running of the organization, and report regularly to the Brock University Students' Administrative Council (BUSAC).

Aside from the entire student body through referendum or AGM, BUSAC is the most powerful student collection on campus. BUSAC is comprised of representative students from each faculty as well as representatives from residence, students off-campus, international students and students with diverse abilities. BUSAC is responsible for managing the affairs of the union and implementing policies as well as acting as the voice of all students at Brock University

Through student fees, BUSU operates a number of businesses and services for students. Businesses include the General Brock and Sophie's convenience stores, Isaac's Bar and Grill, the Central Advertising Bureau and the Brock Press. Services available to students include the Brock Off-Campus Society (BOC), Brock Foot Patrol, Office of the Ombudsman for Students, an emergency food bank and emergency student loan program. BUSU also sponsors, and is the primary organizer for, Orientation week, as well as a number of charity events. BUSU also supports as many as 50 clubs a year, all of which are open to every Brock student. In addition to these services, BUSU has launched the new website http://www.BUSU.net

Log onto http://www.BUSU.net to keep up-to-date with current news around Brock University and to find out more about what BUSU can do for you. The site includes a section for classified ads, a virtual calendar, a used textbook exchange, a chat room, online games, and job opportunities.

B.  Office of the Ombudsman for Students

There may be occasions which cause students to feel that they are victims of unfair treatment. For guidance in both academic and personal matters, students can contact the Ombudsman.

For assistance in getting through red tape, injustice, conflict and harassment, although not lawyers, the Office of the Ombudsman for Students have access to expert legal advice, if necessary. It is important that all students become familiar with their academic rights and responsibilities. Read the regulations found later in this calendar. The Office of the Ombudsman for students is located in the Alumni Students' Centre.

C.  The Alumni Students' Centre

This is the eleventh year of operation for the Alumni Students' Centre. This building is a milestone on Brock's history as it is funded and operated solely by students. Some of the services found in the Students' Centre are: the BUSU offices, Isaac's Bar and Grill, Sophie's Variety store, the Central Advertising Bureau, the Brock Press, the BOC Lounge, the Health Plan Office, Pick up/Drop off Pharmacy Service, PBB Travel Agency, OPIRG - Brock, Brock Foot Patrol, Office of the Ombudsman for students and a photocopy service.

D.  Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG ­ Brock)

OPIRG is a student-directed and funded organization that provides an outlet for Brock students to actively work on a variety of environmental, social injustice and health issues. Through research, education and action, students will gain insight into the interrelationships between different social issues, while improving their skills and providing valuable information in the community.

All students are invited to participate in the activities of OPIRG. Students who do not wish to support the work of OPIRG are encouraged to get a refund of their student fees from the OPIRG office, located in Room 306 of the Students' Centre.

II.  Athletics and Recreational Services

Administrative Assistant, extension 3384

Physical Education 215

1.  Athletics

Lorne Adams, Director

Physical Education, 213

Brock University's Department of Athletics provides students with the opportunity to take part in athletics both as participants and fans. Interuniversity activities are available to all students and cater to those interested in the pursuit of excellence. Each year approximately 560 student-athletes compete on Badger teams. Weekly training and competition provide student-athletes some of the best competitive opportunities in Canada.

It is the mission of the Department to enrich the overall student life experience by providing quality sport programs and leadership in the pursuit of athletic excellence. Interuniversity sport is an experience of a lifetime. Not only will student-athletes earn a degree but they will also develop athletic and life skills that will last forever.

As a member of Ontario University Athletics, women's teams compete with other universities in badminton, basketball, cross country, curling, fencing, figure skating, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, rugby, soccer, swimming, volleyball and wrestling. Competition is also offered in field hockey.

Also in the OUA, men's teams compete in badminton, basketball, cross country, curling, fencing, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, rugby, soccer, squash, swimming, tennis and wrestling. Competition is also available in baseball, lacrosse and volleyball.

Brock Athletics is a member of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU). The CIAU is the governing body for university sport in Canada. Each year 10,000 student-athletes across Canada participate in a competitive schedule of approximately 3000 events starting in September and continuing to March.

The Athletic Therapy Clinic provides prompt sport medicine services to interuniversity athletes, full-time students, high performance athletes, high school athletes and staff. The clinic staff has a wealth of experience to draw from various major international competitions.

2.  Campus Recreation

Karen McAllister-Kenny, Director

Physical Education, 215A

The Campus Recreation Department offers a wide range of recreational, competitive and instructional activities for all levels of ability. The aim of the program is to provide an opportunity for physical activity through competitive leagues, recreational leagues and instructional programs that can enrich student life.

Recreation: For those who prefer not to participate in structured programs, squash, racquetball and tennis courts may be booked in advance; gymnasia, pool and strength training facilities are available as posted.

Competition: Team and individual leagues are offered on a scheduled basis, with officials, league standings and playoffs. Different levels of play are available. Men's, women's and co-ed programs are offered. Leagues include slow pitch, flag football, ball hockey, ice hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer, inner tube water polo, underwater hockey, curling, squash, tennis, badminton and broom ball.

Instructions: If you want to be introduced to a new activity or want to improve existing skills, join one of the instructional programs. Non-credit courses are offered including various forms of dance, fitness, squash, tennis, strength training, fencing, rock climbing, yoga and tai chi. Numerous levels of fitness classes are offered including tae box, step and interval training and more. Certification programs including CPR, First Aid, fitness leadership, Sports Injury Care and National Coaching Certification are available.

3.  Facilities and Aquatics

Herb deBray, Manager

Physical Education, 301

Programs and facilities are designed to involve as many members of the University community as possible, with all levels of ability, as participants and as fans in the Physical Education Complex.

Facilities include two gymnasia, two multipurpose studios, strength and fitness centre, squash courts, racquetball court, a cardio room, a 50 metre eight-lane olympic sized swimming pool, dry saunas, and a whirpool. Facilities also include an indoor training centre for rowing complete with rowing tanks, ergometers, and weight room area. Classrooms, the Badger Shop (clothing store), a food court and offices are also included.

Four outdoor all-weather tennis courts and numerous fields compliment the indoor facilities.

As the largest assembly area on campus the complex is also used for examinations and convocation.

All activity areas within the Physical Education Complex are fully accessible to students with special needs. The activity level area is accessible by the elevator from the lobby area or directly from the ground entry level. Specific aquatics needs will be provided upon request through Aquatics staff.

Aquatics provides students, and community alike, with many opportunities including adult learn to swim levels, scuba, snorkelling, diving and lifeguarding related courses. Swim teams for all ages and skill abilities can be seen practising in our facility from dawn to dusk. Pick up a pool schedule from the Applied Health Sciences building to discover times to access public swimming. Employment opportunities are available in both Facilities and Aquatics for students.

In Spring of 2000 the University started the construction of a Health and Fitness Centre which will add the following facilities to the existing ones: 4 gymnasia, an indoor 200m running track, a climbing wall, a fitness centre, 2 multi-purpose studios (already in use), a food court and a student lounge. The Health and Fitness Centre is scheduled to open in January 2002.

III.  Book Store

Trudy Lockyer,

Director, Bookstore Operations

Thistle 219

The Book Store, conveniently located in the Thistle Corridor, is the primary source of required textbooks (new and used) and recommended reading materials. It also stocks a wide selection of academic and general books including dictionaries, study and essay writing guides. A special order service is available at any time. The Book Store also stocks stationery, cards, magazines, clothing and memorabilia, computer hardware, software and computing supplies. Help is readily available, on request, for persons with special needs.

Book Store hours: September to June: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; July and August: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

IV.  Alumni Affairs

With your graduation comes a new relationship with the University. You will have joined the more than 39,000 members of Brock's Alumni Association. Full membership privileges (including special membership prices at the Physical Education Complex, the Brock Centre for the Arts and the James A. Gibson Library) are available to anyone who holds a degree or certificate from the University.

As part of a worldwide network, there are many ways to keep in touch with the University and your fellow graduates. The Alumni Affairs office is your main contact. The goal of the Alumni Office is to develop and foster programs that serve Brock graduates. The programs organized by the Alumni Office include Homecoming, affinity programs, networks of graduates across Canada and internationally, reunions, student alumni program and the Brock Ambassadors. The Alumni office also works closely with the volunteer members of the Alumni Association representing the collective interests of Brock's alumni.

Contact is maintained with our growing number of graduates through Surgite magazine, published four times a year. Also, Brock's TeleGrad Office contact all graduates to provide an update on what is happening at Brock and to invite support for the University's annual giving program, capital appeals or surveys. The students are the beneficiaries of the support from Brock's graduates.

V.  Alumni Association

The mission of the Brock University Alumni Association is to foster a spirit of loyalty to the University among the graduates; to support the University by promoting its welfare and advancing its interests and influence; to maintain and promote unity and a spirit of friendship among graduates; to raise funds on behalf of the University; and to maintain a fund or funds and to apply the interest from this for charitable purposes including making awards to individuals or organizations with the University to assist in the promotion of education, arts and recreation; and to develop and maintain strong links to the various bodies within the University, both academic and administrative, to foster a greater understanding of alumni issues and needs.

Each year, the Alumni Association presents a number of awards and scholarships for academic excellence. A $500 Alumni Student Award is given to a third- or fourth-year student who has contributed to the extra-curricular life of the University while maintaining a satisfactory grade. The Badger Award is to honour a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities by their involvement in the extra-curricular life of the University, while maintaining an above average academic standing. The Jim Gayman Bursary is presented to an outstanding residence student and the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented to an outstanding faculty member. In addition, the Alumni Assocation has established a scholarship to support a student entering the Oenology and Viticulture program.

For information about the Alumni Association, contact the Alumni Office, Thistle 263, (905) 688-5550, extension 3816 or visit the Alumni Association's website at:

http://www.alumniassociation.brocku.ca.

VI.  Development Office

The aim of the Development Office is to develop and maintain programs which will attract maximum private sector support to advance the objectives of Brock University. The office is responsible for the co-ordination of all fund-raising activities at Brock.

Gifts can be made to one of three charitable organizations that have been created to serve the needs of Brock University; Brock University (a registered charity), The Brock University Foundation (a Crown foundation), and the Friends of Brock University Inc. (a foundation established to facilitate receiving charitable gifts from U.S. citizens).

Outright gifts of cash, either pledged over time or as a one-time donation, gifts-in-kind such as scientific or office equipment, departmental and library books and journals, and financial support for student awards, are some of the many ways donors support the work of Brock University.

Donations to Brock University are eligible for a charitable receipt for income tax purposes.

Your interest in the University can be perpetuated with a planned gift. A bequest is an example of a planned gift. It is expressed through your will by simply stating that Brock University is to receive a certain sum of money, a specified piece of property (art, books, life insurance, real estate, etc.), a stated percentage, or residual interest in your estate after other obligations have been satisfied. Life insurance, annuities, residual/remainder interest and trusts are some of the other forms of planned gift arrangements available to a donor. These gifts are designed to meet the needs of the donor and Brock University by maximizing the potential of the value of the gift over extended periods of time. Deferred giving allows you the opportunity to provide the financial support for an endowed gift in honour of an individual.

The Development Office also maintains a list of those companies which will match your donation.

In these times of diminished tax based support, the contributions of individuals and organizations have never been more necessary. Donations large and small will make a great difference to the long term stability of Brock. Our donors help us to improve our programs and facilities and greatly assist our ability to continue to attract and keep deserving and excellent students, faculty and staff.

The Development Office welcomes the opportunity to consult with you. The University's Donor Recognition Policy will suitably acknowledge your support.

For further information please write or call:

The Office of External Relations

Brock University

St. Catharines, Ontario

L2S 3A1

Telephone: (905) 688-5550 ext. 4320

Fax: (905) 641-5216

Charitable Business Number R118819531 RR

VII.  Parking Services

Sam Cusick

Schmon Tower 1220, extension 4309

http://www.brocku.ca/parking

At a busy university the demand for parking facilities is great, and Brock is no exception. There are plenty of parking options available at the University. For a detailed list of options, please visit our website at: http://www.brocku.ca/parking