Here’s a look at some of the updates to Brock University’s COVID-19 response for Thursday, March 26:
Brock Makerspace producing face shields for local health-care workers
The Brock Library’s Makerspace has the green light to start using its 3D printers to produce face shields for health-care workers.
“Instead of helping with curricular and extra-curricular creative projects, we have an opportunity to leverage the skills of Makerspace staff and the use of Makerspace prototyping equipment to make a difference in the fight against COVID-19, and to help those on the front-lines,” said Head of Library Systems and Technology Jonathan Younker.
The Makerspace, which is part of the Brock LINC, located inside the new Rankin Family Pavilion, has five 3D printers capable of producing around 20 face shields each day. The first round of shields will be going to front-line workers with Niagara EMS.
Read the full story in The Brock News here.
Brock aids local company in producing COVID-19 test kits
Norgen Biotek, a microbiology firm founded by retired Brock Professor of Biological Sciences Yousef Haj-Ahmad, is making an international impact in combating the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to support from the University. The Thorold-based business reached out to Brock’s Machine Shop with an urgent request to produce new sets of punches to develop the testing kits, multiplying the capacity of Norgen’s manufacturing.
Read the full story on the Brock News.
Digital vigilance critical as more employees work from home, says Brock expert
Aaron Mauro, Assistant Professor in Brock’s Centre for Digital Humanities, is warning computer users to be aware of phishing scams during the COVID-19 crisis. The professor says hackers are taking advantage of the situation by launching countless cyber attacks.
Brock ITS issued a similar warning this week about a COVID-19 phishing scam currently circulating. Staff and students are urged to exercise caution opening, answering or clicking on links outside of the brocku.ca domain related to the COVID-19 virus.
Brock users who receive an email related to COVID-19 that seems suspicious are asked to phone the Help Desk at x4357 and forward the email to itsecurity@brocku.ca
Read the full story in The Brock News here.
Brock Central updates
Brock Central is committed to servicing the student community during this time of transition. Brock Central can be reached through email at central@brocku.ca from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
The team is available to provide prompt responses through email and can arrange for phone service through Microsoft Teams. In order for Brock Central to respond to inquiries regarding financial or academic status, emails must be sent from a Brock student email account.
Student Health Services changes
In-person appointments are no longer available for Student Health Services (SHS) at Brock. However, students can access health services over the phone from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
For questions or to make a phone appointment for health services, students can phone SHS at 905-688-5550 x3243 or reach out via email to referralstaff@brocku.ca
For medical emergencies, students should dial 911.
Wi-Fi drive-in available to students with no home internet access
Brock is welcoming students who don’t have internet access at home to participate in a ‘Wi-Fi drive-in’ in the University’s parking lots. Students can park their cars for free in select parking lots to use the University’s internet access through its wireless network.
To ensure physical distancing, students are asked to space out their cars when choosing a parking spot and to not gather in groups in their cars.
For more information on which parking lots are available for use, read the story in The Brock News.
IT Help Desk access
The Computer Commons (Fish Bowl) and IT Help Desk located in it are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on weekends. Remote support will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday for faculty, staff, students and the rest of the Brock community.
Questions can be directed to ithelp@brocku.ca
Mental health supports available for students and employees
As Brock transitions to online learning for students and many employees work from home, mental health support resources for members of the University community remain available.
Students can access mental health support over the telephone by calling Student Health Services at 905-688-5550 x3243, Community Addictions Services of Niagara at 905-684-1183, Good 2 Talk at 866-925-5454 or Morneau Shepell at 833-276-2533.
All employees can also access immediate support for mental health and other challenges through the Employee and Family Assistance Program, which has been made available to all current Brock employees as part of the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
