Here’s a look at some of the updates to Brock University’s COVID-19 response for Wednesday, April 8:
Convocation update: Degrees to be conferred, future in-person celebration to be planned
Brock University President Gervan Fearon wrote a letter to students Wednesday noting that degrees will be conferred and parchments will be received according to the original timeline.
The letter also notes that an in-person celebration for graduates will take place once health officials permit large gatherings again, with a date, location and time to be determined when appropriate.
Read the full story on the Brock News.
Portal now open for student grade options
Brock University’s Office of the Registrar has now created a web page for the Disruption Grade Change Request Form and Procedure.
Once final grades are received for all courses, students will have until midnight Wednesday, June 3 to select between three options for their 2019/20 Fall/Winter full-year and Winter session courses.
They include:
- Option 1: Maintain the alpha/numeric grade assigned for the course (default)
- Option 2: Students choose to replace the alpha/numeric grade with a designation of Credit/No Credit Grades During Disruption.
- Option 3: Students choose to replace the alpha/numeric grade with a special WDD – Withdrawal During Disruption code.
Students may select from the above options for each individual course rather than making one selection for all applicable courses.
For more information, see this story in The Brock News.
Parking permit holders to get pro-rated reimbursements for April
Brock University faculty, staff and students holding campus parking passes will receive pro-rated refunds or credits for the month of April. The reimbursement process will vary depending on the nature of accounts or payment methods. Permit holders are asked to check the email address they have on file with Parking Services. More information on the process can be found in a Parking Services Frequently Asked Questions list here and in a Brock News article here.
Ergonomic tips to create a healthy home office
Michael Holmes, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Canada Research Chair in Neuromuscular Mechanics and Ergonomics, says it is important to consider properly setting up your home office to help reduce discomfort or even injury.
He suggests separating the work space from the living space, setting up your home office to achieve optimal ergonomics and taking movement breaks throughout the day for a few minutes at a time.
Read the full story on The Brock News.
Brock invited to join Well-being Wednesdays on Facebook
Brock’s Employee and Family Assistance Program, Morneau Shepell, is delivering weekly well-being sessions on Facebook live through LifeWorks.
Every Wednesday, LifeWorks welcomes experts in their respective fields to talk about mental, physical, social or financial well-being strategies. Follow the LifeWorks Facebook page to receive notifications when the live series begins each week.
The show must go on: Brock prof encouraged by theatre’s resiliency in midst of cancellations
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating blow on the performing arts, but Karen Fricker, Associate Professor of Dramatic Arts at Brock and theatre critic for the Toronto Star, is encouraged by what she’s seen from the industry. While many theatres and arts organizations have cancelled performances through spring, much activity has gone online. Some are even putting on telephone plays.
Read the full story in The Brock News here.
Broader public invited to provide feedback on Provost candidate
The process to identify Brock’s next Provost and Vice-President, Academic continues to move forward.
The broader public is invited to review the CV and a recorded presentation by Lynn Wells, a candidate for the position on the Provost search webpage here. The public has until Wednesday, April 15 to provide comments and feedback to President Gervan Fearon by emailing provostsearch@brocku.ca
Brock further limits access to University buildings
Access points to Brock University buildings have been reduced as the institution moves to further discourage non-essential visits and reduce the frequency of people leaving their homes and travelling through the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new protocols apply to all Brock academic facilities at the main campus and at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA) in downtown St. Catharines. (Brock’s Hamilton Campus remains closed and is not accessible.)
Swipe-card access through exterior entrances is being suspended. All visitors will need to check in and check out with Campus Security at designated entrances.
Read the full 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 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 be held.
Questions can be directed to ithelp@brocku.ca
Mental health resources — update for students
Brock is dedicated to supporting students with mental health resources.
Face-to-face counselling services are no longer available until further notice. 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, staff and faculty. 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.
