Two of the more than 850 volunteers help move a student's belongings into the Lowenberger Residence.

You only get one chance to make a first impression, so Kyle Rose wants it to be a good one. As president of the Brock University Students’ Union, Rose spent Sunday answering questions and carrying fridges for incoming first-year students.

It was move-in day at Brock, where more than 2,400 first-year students moved into one of the six student residences. Helping them were more than 850 student volunteers and 100 Brock University staff.

Rose said it’s hugely important that incoming students feel welcome right from the start.

“If you compare it to your first date with that special someone, this is the one that sets the tone for the entire relationship. So we try to facilitate a good date for the students to make sure they feel like the university is receptive and accommodating and that they’re home. Because they are,” Rose said.

Director of residences Jamie Fleming said it takes everyone doing their part to make the day run smoothly each year.

“It’s a team effort. We have 850 volunteers from various student groups, varsity teams, Isaac’s Army, 100 staff, so we can’t do it on our own,” he said. “Fortunately we have a lot of buy in from the people we need that support from to make it happen.”

Rose said the student buy in “speaks to the passion on campus.”

“Students are proud and happy to be here. What first years are going through, we’ve all gone through it,” he said.

For Connor Sclater and his family, the help was appreciated.

The incoming Concurrent Phys-Ed/Education student from Barrie moved into Vallee Residence Sunday.

“I thought it was awesome. I didn’t have to carry one bag,” said Connor’s father Steve. “They were done in probably seven minutes. It was very impressive.”

Connor’s mother Laura Sclater said she was impressed with the Brock campus.

“It’s friendly, it’s clean and bright. Everyone has been coming up and asking if they can help us with everything,” she said. “It’s not too big and not too small. It just feels like a community.”

The move-in day also served as the kick off for Orientation Week, which runs until Sunday, Sept. 13 with a full list of activities. After the first night residence dinner and off-campus barbeque, both Sunday afternoon, there was a Live Burn demonstration at 8:30 p.m. and the Tower Party at the base of Schmon Tower at 9:30 p.m.

Click here for more information on Orientation Week activities.

More than 850 volunteers helped make Move-In day a success.

Every car coming onto campus to be unloaded was greeted by a volunteer who helped everyone get where they needed to go.

BUSU President Kyle Rose was one of the many volunteers helping move new students into their residences.

Live music helped bring a party atmosphere to Move-In day.

Cars lined up to unload in front of Lowenberger Residence.

The General was a popular backdrop for photographs on Move-In Day.

An army of more than 850 student volunteers helped move 2,400 first-year students into Brock's residences.

Two student volunteers carry a mini-fridge into the Lowenberger Residence.