Orientation will be bigger and better this year as Brandon University (BU) makes the final preparations for the arrival of more than 3,000 students next week.
A total of 3,168 students have enrolled at BU for the 2016-17 academic year, an increase of five per cent from this time last year, with more registrations expected in the coming days. This marks the third consecutive year of growth at BU, with the number of students increasing by more than 13 per cent since 2013.
“The beginning of the academic year is an exciting time for our students and the staff and faculty as well,” says Katie Gross, BU’s Director of Recruitment and Retention. “We’ve placed our greatest emphasis on providing an outstanding student experience, and we’re pleased that more and more people are coming to Brandon University to pursue their dreams.”
A new addition to BU this fall is the option for students to take their first-year courses in Dauphin. The deadline to register for first-term courses in Dauphin is Wednesday, Sept. 7. For more information, contact BU Dauphin Coordinator Barry Nadolny at 204.725.8745, 204.622.2222 ext. 6583 or NadolnyB@BrandonU.ca.
Students will notice some changes on the Brandon campus this year as well, including the completely renovated Bookstore, residence updates, improvements to the Student Union Drinking Spot and a new deck for the BU Observatory. Many favourite student and community activities also return, with new seasons of Bobcats Athletics, School of Music performances and movies at the Evans Theatre beginning this month.
Classes start on Wednesday, Sept. 7, with two weeks of Orientation events beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 6. With 700 new students arriving at BU, Student Orientation Coordinator Nicole Hughes says the events help students get to know one another as well as the BU campus and staff, while making them more comfortable in their new surroundings.
“We’ve partnered with the Brandon University Students’ Union to provide a wide range of activities to help our students get off on the right foot,” says Hughes. “Coming to the campus for the first time as a new student can be intimidating, but we can show them how much support they have here.
They’ll meet many new people over the next two weeks and form friendships that will last the rest of their lives.”
Students and parents will be welcomed to the campus on Tuesday, with a Movie Under Mars being shown on the lawn in front of Clark Hall that evening. The following days will include carnival activities, information sessions on safety and consent, entertainment and free meals. On Sunday, Sept. 11, BU students will be bussed to the International Peace Gardens to compete with Minot State University in the Battle on the Border dodgeball event.
The activities of the next two weeks also include events open to the public, including BUSU’s Crash the Courtyard concert on Friday, Sept. 9 and a community barbecue on the front lawn of Clark Hall on Saturday, Sept. 10.
See more at brandonu.ca/orientation.
Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, and educates students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.
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Success is built at Brandon University. Our growing, progressive campus welcomes a diverse and inclusive community that combines proud tradition with shared ambition. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Join us at BrandonU.ca.