Monarch Way & 47th Street, Norfolk
A versatile outdoor space, the Brock Commons provides a blank canvas for your event. The open-air atmosphere is perfect for cultural festivals, public art displays and demonstrations, pop-up performances, and more. Brock Commons is governed by additional noise ordinances and maintenance procedures.
Included with your rental:
- Consultation
- Podium/Lectern
- Microphone(s) + Amplified Sound (Additional labor fee)
- Stage Lighting (Additional labor fee)
- LED Marquee Posting
Rental Rates, Rules & Regulations
Rental Package | Includes use of | Commercial | Non-Profit | ODU Department |
Brock Commons | Sound equipment |
$200/day $25/hr |
$100/day $15/hr |
Labor fees only |
Labor: Required stage labor is compensated at $12.00 per man-hour (four hour minimum).
Rental fee is required for each event and due prior to entering the facility on the day of the event.
Additional per hour fee will be charged for any additional time in venue past booking.
Service Animals are the only animals permitted in University buildings and they require proper documentation indicating their Service Animal role. See the Old Dominion University Educational Accessibility webpage for more information on service animals.
Animals outside on campus are required to follow City of Norfolk regulations, and owners must clean-up after their pet.
Amplified sound is permitted at Brock Commons during the following times: Sunday through Thursday, 9 AM to 10 PM, & Friday through Saturday, 9 AM to 11 PM.
Amplified sound is not permitted during the week of exams in December and April/May. Sound levels must not exceed 100dB.
The Brock Commons sound system may only be operated by a trained Old Dominion University Event Technician.
Events at Brock Commons handling cash worth $1,000 or more require one ODU police officer for the specific cash handling location. Events that anticipate handling less than $1,000 cash on site will not require an ODU police officer at the cash handling location.
In order to book an event at the Brock Commons, organizations, departments, and companies are required to sign a rental contact/agreement acknowledging the terms and conditions of the reservation.
ODU Student Organizations are not allowed to sign contracts, and must follow University policies regarding contracts.
University Departments must follow University and Departmental policies regarding contracts with outside vendors.
Non-University Organizations/Companies are responsible for any outside contractors that are needed for their event.
Clean-up by Facilities Management will be assigned to an event if there is food at the event, or if there are more than fifty people anticipated to attend the event. Trashcans will be assigned at a ratio of one can per fifty people. Student Organizations, University Departments, and Non-University Organizations hosting events at the Brock Commons will be required to pay for these services.
The scheduling department and/or Dean of Students may, in his or her sole discretion, require a greater number of event clean-up resources than stated above.
110-volt electrical power can be supported without cost at Brock Commons. Additional electrical needs may be requested. Additional charges may apply, including the sue of generators, extension cords, and safety equipment for pedestrians.
Availability permitting, reservations at the Brock Commons include the use of four 6' tables. Additional tables and chairs can be requested through the Brock Commons reservation form, or through an outside contractor. Student Organizations, University Departments, and Non-University Organizations will be responsible for the full cost of additional tables, chairs, and delivery.
Student Organizations should contact the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement to coordinate facility needs. University Departments should submit a maintenance work order through MySchoolBuilding to coordinate facility needs. Non-University Organizations should contact an outside vendor to coordinate facility needs.
Be sure to keep the Brock Commons Facilities Manager up to date on all facilities needs and delivery or pick-up times.
Event tents, staging, and amusements require a permit for use, and so therefore, event reservations must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the event date. Completed requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a Commonwealth permit is required, as well as if item is suitable for the intended area, and/or if necessary support will be available to ensure the success of the event.
Additional event support services and/or materials will result in additional charges.
Events and programs are gatherings of people for a common purpose and may require multiple logistical requirements such as a podium, amplified sound, audio/visual needs, catering, security, facilities, etc.
The Brock Commons may be reserved by: Student Organizations sponsored by a University Department, University Departments, and Non-University Organizations.
Theatre / Music / Dance Performances are artistic in nature and may require advanced scenic, lighting, and audio-visual capabilities. Staffing typically consists of a stage manager, board technicians, and additional stage hands.
Lectures / Workshops / Meetings are informational in nature and may require basic lighting and audio-visual capabilities. Staffing typically consists of necessary board technicians and a stage hand.
Weddings / Ceremonies / Receptions are celebratory in nature and may require advanced scenic, lighting, and audio-visual capabilities. There may also be additional technical requirements, as well as a wide variety of outside vendors. Staffing typically consists of necessary board technicians, stage hands, as well as possible external coordinators.
Rehearsals are minimal in nature and may require basic lighting and audio-visual capabilities. Staffing typically consists of a stage hand.
Other events are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and a recommendation will be made on whether or not the event will be able to be booked.
Film screenings are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and a recommendation will be made on whether or not the event will be able to be booked.
Any copyrighted film in any University facility, other than a private residence hall room, cannot be shown unless a license to show the film is obtained or special permission from the owner of the copyright is received. This requirement is mandatory, regardless whether or not an admittance fee is charged.
The only exception to this requirement is if a member of the faculty is using the film in the context of classroom instruction.
Events utilizing University facilities and grounds are subject to the University's exclusive contracted caterer to provide food service on all University property.
Food eating contests are not permitted.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the Brock Commons.
Student Organizations who wish to fundraise must be approved by the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement. Approval must be obtained by completing the Fundraising Approval Request from on Monarch Link at least one week in advance of the event. The total amount of revenue from each fundraiser must be reported to the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement within two working days following the event.
General Liability Insurance is required for Non-University groups and must include ODU as a named insured and have the following minimum limits and coverage: $1,000,000 for personal injury to or death of any one person, or more than one person, as a result of any one accident or disaster, and include coverage for property damage and medical payments. The Certificate of Insurance is due to the Brock Commons facilities manager prior to a reservation being confirmed.
During times of inclement weather, it is necessary for the University to close facilities and curtail services. When the University announces an official closure, late opening, or cancellation of academic classes, then all events are cancelled.
University leadership is responsible for making official decisions regarding changes in campus operations, including on weekends. When conditions exist that have not prompted the University to officially close, but may pose a risk to certain operational areas, building coordinators (or responsible decision-makers for the facility) will make independent weather decisions regarding events in their facility. The building coordinator (or responsible decision maker for the facility) is responsible to apply the same process as weekdays, seeking input of necessary support services, facilitating applicable notifications, and making reinstatement decisions if requested and with the safety of all in mind. (from University Policy 102)
Police officers are required for events at the Brock Commons as outlined below:
0-49 capacity | 50-249 capacity | 250-499 capacity | 500-999 capacity | 1000+ capacity | |
Rehearsals, Informational Tabling | 0, unless deemed otherwise | 0, unless deemed otherwise | 0, unless deemed otherwise | 0, unless deemed otherwise | 0, unless deemed otherwise |
Speakers, Ceremonies, Receptions, Lectures, Workshops, Meetings | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Performances, Festivals, Parties, Carnivals, Weddings, Ceremonies, Receptions | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
The scheduling department and/or the Dean of Students may, in his or her sole discretion, require a greater number of police officers or security guards for a particular event than stated above.
Events requiring Police Officers also require a meeting with ODUPD. This meeting should take place shortly after the space reservation is submitted so ODUPD can prepare for your event. The scheduling department must receive a confirmation from ODUPD indicating the meeting has taken place at least two weeks prior to the event. If the meeting with ODUPD has not taken place prior to the two-week deadline, the event will be cancelled.
Student Organizations should contact the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement to coordinate security needs. University Departments and Non-University Organizations should contact the ODU Police Department at 757-683-4003 to coordinate security needs.
Be sure to keep the Brock Commons Facilities Manager up to date on all security needs and schedules.
If the event requires a sidewalk/road closure, then a permit from the City of Norfolk is required after the space reservation is confirmed. The permit application and fee structure is available on the City of Norfolk Public Works website.
Open-air flames including, but not limited to, sky lanterns, grills, and bonfires are not permitted on campus. Candles are permitted for outdoor events only; candles are prohibited in all University buildings. For more information, contact the ODU Fire Marshal at 757-683-4003.
Parking spaces managed by both the City of Norfolk and Old Dominion University are available close to the Brock Commons.
164 City of Norfolk metered spaces are available along W 41st St, W 43rd St, W 45th St, W 46th St, W 47th St, and Monarch Way at a rate of $0.25 per 15 minutes, enforced 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Metered spaces are available in the Constant Center North Garage adjacent to the Goode Theatre, located between W 45th St and W 46th St at a rate of $0.25 per 10 minutes, enforced 7 AM to 10 PM, Monday through Friday.
Additionally, ODU Visitor Passes may be obtained from the Transportation and Parking Services office, located in the Elkhorn Avenue Garage on W 43rd St, at a rate of $7 per day. These passes are valid in Commuter, Residential, and Perimeter Lots across campus, and in Faculty/Staff Lots after 3:45 PM each day.