Here’s a look at some of the updates to Brock University’s COVID-19 response for Friday, April 17:
President Gervan Fearon has written a letter to the Brock community, that recognizes the successful transition students have made to online learning as we near the end of Winter Term exams.
He writes about the upcoming Spring/Summer Term, and said the University will soon be in a position to announce academic plans for the Fall term.
Fearon also thanks Brock faculty and staff as they continue their work from home or, in the case of some, continue to work in essential roles on campus.
“I am pleased to know how well our students have done during this period, and how our faculty and staff have supported your academic experience and success here at Brock,” he writes
Read the full letter on The Brock News here.
Spring/Summer courses offer diverse options for all students
Brock is offering more than 700 online courses designed to help students make their spring and summer count.
Beginning in early May, courses in various formats, ranging from two-week condensed courses to summer-long, full-credit offerings, will get underway.
To ensure a variety of options are available to as many students as possible, a number of courses have no prerequisites and are open to participants from any Faculty.
Read the full story on the Brock News.
How to contribute to COVID-19 Student Emergency Bursaries
In recognition of the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on students’ financial situation, the University has created the COVID-19 Undergraduate Student Emergency Bursary and the COVID-19 Graduate Student Emergency Bursary.
To make a one-time gift online please visit brocku.ca/donate, and to contribute through payroll deduction visit my.brocku.ca/BrockDB/pay_EmpDeductionCampaign.aspx
Aboriginal Student Services provides calming options for students
Brock’s Aboriginal Student Services team is actively providing support for its students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanitized craft kits, focusing on different areas of Indigenous art and design, are being safely delivered through the mail or arranged drop offs. Students are also able to access one-on-one virtual meetings with Elders, and informative Facebook posts are sharing information about First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures.
Read the full story on the Brock News.
Financial Services working on campus to manage payroll and OSAP
The series of stories about departments and units still working under adjusted operational model continued this week with a story in The Brock News about Financial Services.
Financial Services Associate Vice-President and Acting Chief Financial Officer Josh Tonnos, Accounts Receivable Assistant Gabriela Svec and Student Financial Services Manager Patti Latham-Malton, are working on campus every Wednesday and Friday to maintain the University’s financial processes, handle OSAP re-payments, deposit cheques and pay bills.
IT Help Desk
The IT Help Desk located in the Computer Commons is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on weekends. Remote support is available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, and has now been expanded to weekends, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Remote support is available to faculty, staff, students and the rest of the Brock community.
Please note, remote support will be extended to 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 to support the Brock community during the only weekend day when online exams are being held.
Questions can be directed to ithelp@brocku.ca
Mental health app for employees
Employees can 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.
The free My EAP app offers interactive support tools and easy access to health and wellness information directly on amobile device. Users can also access an instant chat with a counsellor or book an EFAP support service. Visit workhealthlife.com/myeap to install the app on your mobile device.
Mental health resources — update for students
Brock is dedicated to supporting students with mental health resources.
Face-to-face counselling is currently not available, however same-day drop-in counselling is still accessible. Email counselling@brocku.ca to be contacted via Microsoft Teams with an appointment time and a counsellor’s name.
For 24/7 personal counselling phone 833-276-2533 (833-BROCK33).
From Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., students can access Student Health Services (SHS) by phoning 905-688-5550 x3243 to leave a message and contact number, or by emailing refferalstaff@brocku.ca
Student Accessibility Services remains available for students and contact information can be found on SAS website.
If you have questions about COVID-19 symptoms and need to speak to a SHS nurse, please email jlarocque@brocku.ca
For medical emergencies, students should phone 911.
