BU orientation sees ‘more engaged’ cohort

Brandon University welcomed new students to campus Tuesday morning during its fall orientation.

The event gave incoming students opportunities to familiarize themselves with the university and learn about the resources and services available to them. It featured an orientation fair where students could connect with university departments, student groups and other campus services before beginning their regular classes.

It was designed to ensure students know they have support throughout their university experience, said Joan Garbutt of BU Student Services.

“We just want to get students off on the right foot, have them be a little bit familiar with campus before they start into the day-to-day grind of classes,” Garbutt told the Sun. “It was important for students to understand they do not have to navigate university life alone. There are people and services to support them all the way through their journey.”

Garbutt said she has noticed a trend among the new students.

“I think that they’re even more engaged than in previous years,” she said. “Things were a little quieter right after COVID, and I think that we’re now past that.”

First-time student enrolment was also up 7.7 per cent, with domestic, non-Indigenous first-time student enrolment increasing by 8.9 per cent, as of Sept. 1.

The total international student head count was down 14.3 per cent, though the university had 57 first-time international students compared with 45 at the same point last year, representing a 26.7 per cent increase.

Garbutt said the university has also seen an increase in the number of clubs and extracurricular activities available to students, describing the trend as positive.

The orientation also included food and activities intended to help students connect with one another and feel comfortable on campus. Garbutt said dietary needs were considered, with gluten-free and dairy-free options available alongside pizza.

“We try to be really inclusive and mindful that folks have different needs and different dietary choices,” she said.

The turnout appeared noticeably smaller than what was experienced during orientation in 2023, Brandon University Students’ Union president Tosin Salau said.

Salau, who was attending his first orientation as BUSU president, said he noticed both a lower overall number of students and, particularly, fewer international students.

“It was majorly domestic students here and majorly also from Manitoba and very few students outside Manitoba as part of the orientation,” Salau told the Sun.

BUSU representatives set up information tables to help incoming students navigate campus life and find information about services, clubs, collectives, courses, health and dental fees, and advocacy.

Advocacy and health and dental information were among the key areas the student union wanted to highlight, while other activities were intended to help students feel welcome and connected to the campus community, Salau said.

The student union also organized a dunk tank, with its executives taking turns being dunked as part of the day’s activities.

Weather conditions, however, forced organizers to make some changes to the original plans. Salau said the event had been scheduled to take place on the front lawn but was moved inside Knowles Douglas Centre because of the weather.

He said the smaller indoor space meant some of the activities and plans could not be carried out as originally intended.

“Aside from that, I think it was a good day. It was nice,” Salau said.

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