Here’s a look at some of the updates to Brock University’s COVID-19 response for Wednesday, April 1:
University sends supplies to Niagara’s front-line workers
Research labs across Brock University have emptied their supply rooms to help the people who are leading Niagara’s fight against COVID-19. Thousands of gloves, hundreds of lab coats and goggles, and cartons of face masks were loaded into a truck on Tuesday, March 31, and sent to Niagara Health, who will distribute it to front-line health workers at the region’s hospitals.
Another shipment, this time of disinfectants and cleaning compounds, will be sent to Niagara Health later this week.
Read the full story in The Brock News.
Brock employees help health-care providers fight COVID-19
Brock staff are offering some necessary support to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. After working from home all day, some employees are using their spare time to create supplies and kits to donate to local front-line workers.
Homemade masks, 3D face shields and care kits are among some ways that members of the Brock community are giving back. For more information, or to get involved with these projects, read the full story on the Brock News.
Niagara community encouraged to contribute to Brock’s COVID-19 archive
Brock University’s Archives and Special Collections and Digital Scholarship Lab have created a website to gather and preserve photos, text, video and other forms of communication that capture the experience of living in the Niagara region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributing materials to the archives will allow for more organic, natural history, while also providing a platform to share experiences that may alleviate feelings of isolation.
Read the full story on the Brock News.
Computer Commons changes
Following the Province of Ontario’s directives to limit gatherings to five people, limits are being placed on the number of users in the Computer Commons (Fish Bowl) at any one time.
Access is now limited to five people on the upper level of the Computer Commons and five on the lower level. Students using the space are asked to physically distance themselves and not work in groups. Floor markings have been installed outside the space so that any students waiting to access the computer lab will be practising appropriate physical distancing. A time limit will be used if there are students waiting.
In addition to enhanced cleaning measures from custodial staff, students will be provided gloves and wipes to wipe down workspaces before use.
Earlier this week, the University provided information on other ways students can access Brock’s internet service including the ‘drive-in’ service in the East Academic. Click here to read the story in The Brock News.
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, which had been available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, is being expanded to include 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.
Questions can be directed to ithelp@brocku.ca
Accessing Microsoft Teams by telephone
Brock IT is reminding faculty and staff that Microsoft Teams and Lifesize are both available for video conferencing.
Logging into meetings using the Teams and Lifesize apps is the best way to access the services, but anyone calling into Microsoft Teams meetings from a landline or cell phone is asked to use the toll-free number 888-862-4985, which is significantly more cost-effective than the local number.
All outdoor recreational facilities closed
In light of the province of Ontario closing all outdoor recreational amenities to further stop the spread of COVID-19, all athletic fields, courts and other outdoor recreational facilities at Brock are now fully closed and are being monitored by Campus Security.
Online fitness classes now available to Brock community
Brock Recreation is now hosting daily online fitness classes through its Instagram account. Workouts run between 30 and 45 minutes and classes offered include flow yoga, kickboxing and hatha yoga. The Recreation team will be adding more classes throughout April to help keep the University community active. Remember that all recreational activities require respecting physical distancing practices.
For more information, read the full story on the Brock News.
Dining Services update
Floor markings have been installed in the Lowenberger dining hall to act as a physical distance guide for customers as they wait to order and receive food orders. The dining hall is open for customers to order and pick up food, but is closed for sit-in dining.
Lowenberger dining hall is open daily from noon to 4 p.m. as the only food option currently available at Brock. It is open to anyone on campus.
Residence update
Plexiglass shields have been installed in the South Service Desk located in Lowenberger Residence. In addition to the shields, floor markings have been placed on the floor and service desk employees are ensuring that they are outfitted in protective gear including gloves and masks.
Campus Store update
Course material can be purchased online at campusstore.brocku.ca. The Spring Term book list will be released on Tuesday, April 14. Shipping is free for purchases over $50. Professors who are looking to place an order for Spring Term course materials are asked to contact Hillary Risi at hrisi@brocku.ca
Brock Central (Office of the Registrar) updates
Brock Central, which houses student services such as the admissions, records and registration, is committed to serving 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.
COVID-19 phishing scam warning
Brock is warning students, faculty and staff about a COVID-19 phishing scam currently circulating.
Please exercise caution opening, answering or clicking on links outside of the brocku.ca domain related to the COVID-19 virus.
If you receive an email related to COVID-19 you’re suspicious of, please phone the Help Desk at x4357 and forward the email to itsecurity@brocku.ca
Student Health Services changes
Students wanting to access Student Health Services (SHS) at Brock can do so 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.
Mental health supports available for students and employees
With students transitioning to online learning and many employees working from home, mental health support resources for members of the University community remain available.
Students can access mental health support over the phone 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.
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.
