Over the past few weeks, we have seen individuals and communities come together to address the challenges posed by COVID-19. It is important during these periods to maintain a sense of optimism and confidence in our collective abilities to follow the direction expressed by public health officials and to support the many health-care professional and researchers who are leading the necessary actions. In this spirit, it is important that together we too continue our efforts to support the ongoing development of the University.

The University recently launched the Assessment of the Learning, Living, and Working Environment for Students and Employees at Brock. The goal of this survey is to identify the strengths, barriers and challenges related to our campus culture. We aim to create an environment characterized by openness, fairness and equal access for all students, staff and faculty. A welcoming and inclusive campus climate is grounded in mutual respect, nurtured by dialogue, evidenced by a pattern of civil interaction, and is one of the foundations of our educational model.

The University Human Rights Task Force report of 2017 emphasized these principles and expressed the need for additional data and information to further advance Brock as a welcoming and inclusive university community. Additionally, the University Strategic Plan approved by Senate and the Board states the aspiration to “foster a culture of inclusivity, accessibility, reconciliation and decolonization.”

During its first 10 days, hundreds of you responded to this survey. It is understandable that there was a shift in focus given recent developments; however, now is an opportunity to think about the learning, living and working environment for students and employees at Brock by completing the survey.

The timeline for the survey has been extended through mid-May. The survey can be found at online at rankinsurveys1.com/brocku

The survey takes approximately 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the degree to which participants choose to respond. It is anonymous and confidential. At the end of the survey, participants are offered an opportunity to be entered in a draw for prizes, including gift cards to the Campus Store and popular grocery chains. Entering the draw does not negate the anonymity of the survey.

To ensure full transparency and to provide a more complete perspective, we have contracted with Rankin & Associates Consulting, which has conducted more than 200 campus climate assessments across North America over the past 20 years. (To avoid any confusion, please note this company has no connection to the local family for whom Brock’s Rankin Family Pavilion is named.)

This research has been reviewed and approved by the Brock University Office of Research Ethics.

The time spent completing the survey is a contribution to the University and our future learning and working environment.