Brandon University

About Brandon University

Campus: Facilities, Residence and Location

The University is situated in the city of Brandon, Manitoba. Its library John E. Robbins Library, the Gymnasium Facility, and IT Services Helpdesk. It has research facilities, which include the SCAPE Project, Rural Development Institute, Research Profiles, Research Office, Journal of Rural and Community Development, and the Community Outreach Service.

Brandon offers student residences inside the campus. It has three residence buildings that are joined by glass enclosed walkways to the Main Dining room, Campus books, and the Knowles Douglas Student Union Centre. These residences include the McMaster Hall (co-ed), Flora Cowan Hall (for women only), and arrach Hall (for men only). Some of the advantages of living inside the campus include: Meal plans; residence assistants & council members; fully furnished, well-equipped rooms; Internet, cable, fridge & TV rentals; laundry facilities; music practice room with piano; no utilities to pay, easy to budget costs; organized social, athletic, & educational events; residence hall games room/ TV lounges; residence hall study rooms; residence parking available, and weight rooms in Mcmaster & Darrach Halls.

Student Services and Student Life

Brandon offers services to help students. Some of them include: Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), Personal Counselling, International Student Services, BU Disability Services, Advising Services, and Academic Skills Centre. Other services include: Career Planning and Placement Services, Elders Program, First Nations and Aboriginal Students, Learning Skills, Mature Student Services, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), Tutorial Services, and The Writing and Math Centre.

The BUSU Food Bank, (distributes food hampers weekly); SUDS Lounge (Student Union Drinking Spot); the campus radio station (students can host a show or create their own podcast); free use of computers, telephones, and office equipment in the BUSU office (Photocopying and Fax Service are charged for a small fee), and funding for students to hold conferences. Students who are BUSU members also become members of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). This allows them additional free services, such as ISIC Cards (International Student Identity Card), which helps students get discounts on air travel, VIA Rail, and Greyhound bus fare; Studentsaver Card, gives students discounts on participating retailers. Students can also access great deals and other long distance plans through the Federation Student phone store.

The Varsity Team of the University is the Brandon Bobcats. They compete in men’s and women’s Basketball, and men’s and women’s Volleyball. Students who are into physical fitness can join various activities designed to suit all levels of fitness -- from experts to beginners. A number of these activities are organized by the Campus Recreation Program and include: Aerobics, Badminton, Baseball (slow pitch), Basketball, Curling, Hockey (floor), Hockey (ice), Karate, Self Defense, Soccer, Football(touch), Golf, Volleyball, Bowling, and Fitness/weight training. In addition, there are a lot of groups which offer the following activities: Biking, Billiards, Camping, Canoeing, Figure skating, Flying, Gymnastics, Hiking, Horseback riding, Lawn Bowling, Miniature Golfing, Pilates and Yoga, Racquetball, Shooting, Skiing (cross-country), Skiing (downhill), Snowmobiling, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, and Tobogganing.

Academic Programs

The University has these faculties: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, School Of Health Studies, School Of Music, and the Faculty of Science.

Famous Alumni

Some of the most famous alumni of Brandon University include: Dr. Stanley Knowles, New Democratic Party Member of Parliament; John W.M. Thompson, Manitoba MLA and Provincial Cabinet Minister; Thomas Williams, Former Assistant concertmaster of the Hamburg Symphony, and Tommy Douglas, the father of medicare and The Greatest Canadian

Brandon Information

Brandon, the second largest city and service centre in Manitoba behind Winnipeg, is a major hub for the surrounding agricultural area, with a trading area population sometimes estimated between 70,000 and 100,000 people. Brandon's industry reflects its agricultural history; its major industries are related to agriculture and include fertilizer and hog processing plants, as well as retail and government services for the surrounding area of Westman. Brandon is also home to Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College.