Here’s a look at some of the updates to Brock University’s COVID-19 response for Wednesday, May 6:
The Government of Ontario released more information Wednesday about the plan to further ease restrictions on retail stores and construction projects as it carefully begins to reopen the province under a plan outlined last week.
Brock continues to monitor the provincial developments and working to formulate plans for a gradual and partial resumption of services. This will be undertaken in a guarded and diligent fashion informed by public health and focused on the health, safety and wellness of our faculty, staff and the broader community.
Student grade option choices being accepted
Brock University Senate last month approved new options providing students with greater flexibility and choices on how grades are presented on transcripts for any course affected by the Winter 2020 COVID-19 disruption.
Disruption Grade Change Request forms must be completed and submitted to Records@brocku.ca in order for the request to be processed. Other methods of request submission will not be accepted. The form, and detailed information about the grade options and procedure, is located on the website of the Office of the Registar and can be accessed by going to: Disruption Grade Change Request Form and Procedure.
Request forms will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. Only one option can be selected per course. Once the request form is processed, the changes are considered permanent and cannot be reversed. Students are reminded to check their Brock email accounts and the Office of the Registrar website for further updates.
VIDEO: Enjoy Brock’s cherry blossoms from the comfort of home
Every spring, Brock and the wider Niagara community enjoys the University’s scenic cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and physical distancing measures, the blooming Sakura trees, which were a gift from the Japanese government in 2003 as a gesture of friendship between Japan and Canada, can now be enjoyed from home.
In addition to a video tour of the cherry blossoms, which you can see on YouTube here, Brock has also launched an Instragram filter featuring the trees in full bloom.
Visit the @brockuniversity Instagram page on the mobile app, select filter face icon and then click on the ‘Cherry Blossoms’ filter to open the filter and tap your screen to cycle between four cherry blossom backgrounds.
Department of Residences staff continue to provide essential services
Planning the execution of moving students out of residences was only the first phase of the work Brock’s Department of Residences staff have successfully completed since the announcement of the University’s operational changes on March 13.
Since then, the department has been busy preparing self-isolation units, completing personal protective equipment inventory, doing inspections on some residence buildings, and now, preparing plans to accommodate Niagara Region’s frontline health-care workers.
Read the full story on The Brock News.
Brock opens its student residences to Niagara Region health-care staff
The University is making student residences available to frontline health-care workers — including EMS responders and staff from Niagara Region-operated long-term care homes — in an effort to prevent their families from being exposed to COVID-19.
In a strategy worked out between Brock and the Niagara Region, the University will make residence units in its Village complex available at no cost, for use by health-care staff who have difficulty isolating themselves from their families in their own homes.
To begin with, the program will use 27 of the two-bedroom units, a number that could grow.
Read the full story in The Brock News.
Don’t blame COVID for binge-watching, says Brock prof
If you spent any of the last eight weeks binge-watching The Great British — or Canadian — Baking Show, you’re in good company. So has Brock University film and television scholar Liz Clarke.
The Professor in the Department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film says people who binge-watch during social isolation can be assured that the industry is ready for them, because “binge-watching has a longer history than just the more recent rise of Netflix and other streaming sites.”
Read the full story in The Brock News.
Computer Commons / IT Help Desk update
Brock’s IT Help Desk is now fully online with remote support available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. This service is available to the entire Brock community. Questions can be directed to ithelp@brocku.ca or by phoning 905-688-5550 x4357.
Students needing course-specific software will be given further information from their instructors on how to access Brock’s virtual lab space.
Instructors teaching in the Spring/Summer Term with questions about what software is included in the virtual lab or how to use it, please contact ITS at 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 a mobile device. Users can also access an instant chat with a counsellor or book an EFAP support service. Visit workhealthlife.com/myeap to locate and 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 referralstaff@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 Student Health Services nurse, please email COVID19@brocku.ca
For medical emergencies, students should phone 911.
