[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/welcome_bags.jpg” caption=”Jennifer Kleven, left, and Jessica Fedoruk pack a welcome bag.”]

McMaster University is rolling out the welcome mat for new students and permanent residents in the neighbourhoods around the West Hamilton campus.

Volunteers will be delivering welcome bags to 500 student homes in the local neighbourhoods. The bags include items such as the McMaster “Good Neighbour Guide,” City garbage schedules for the area and information on recycling, a map outlining local businesses of interest to students, coupon book from the Westdale BIA, information from Volunteer Hamilton, and magnets with contact information for the Off-Campus Resource Centre (OCRC) and the Student Community Support Network (SNSN) with the McMaster Students Union (MSU).

“This program is a great way to connect with students who are living off-campus and permanent residents in the area,” says Jessica Fedoruk of the SCSN. As well as handing out the bags, volunteers will also be asking students and neighbours to register their email addresses for bi-weekly e-newsbriefs. “These email updates will tell people about upcoming on- and off-campus events and volunteer activities, and allow students and permanent residents more opportunities to become involved in the community and the University.”

The welcome wagon will roll out Thursday, Sept. 8 when teams of volunteers made up of students, neighbours, McMaster staff and City staff deliver the welcome bags. “This event demonstrates how the partnerships between the University, students, the community and the City have developed over the years,” says Jennifer Kleven, manager of the OCRC.