Brock continues to prepare for a safe return to campus this fall as the province announced that physical distancing requirements and capacity limits for indoor instructional settings will be lifted at post-secondary institutions with mandatory vaccination requirements.

This means that Brock University can proceed with the Fall Term as planned, with most courses taking place on campus.

As previously announced, all classes will be delivered online for the week of Sept. 7 to 10. In-person classes will begin as planned on Monday, Sept. 13.

Residence move-in will take place from Saturday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 6.

Brock’s vaccination requirement — first announced on Aug. 12 — comes into effect Tuesday, Sept. 7, after which time only those who are vaccinated or who meet limited criteria for accommodation will be permitted on either the St. Catharines or Hamilton campuses.

Students, staff and faculty can fill out the vaccination declaration form here, and should do so as soon as possible. Completing the form is a mandatory requirement. Those who have not submitted their vaccination information by Sept. 7 will not be permitted on campus until they do so.

To date, more than 14,000 members of the community have completed the vaccination declaration process and 99 per cent of respondents indicate they are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or have a plan to be vaccinated.

Those who have accommodation exemptions will be required to complete twice-weekly rapid antigen testing and enhanced screening upon arrival to campus.

“The single most important step everyone can take to ensure the safety of our community this fall is to get a COVID-19 vaccination,” says Lynn Wells, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “It is imperative that everyone who can gets vaccinated and fills out the vaccination declaration form as soon as possible.”

Brock has taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of the campus community this fall, including:

• Implementing mandatory vaccination requirements for all those who wish to access Brock University campuses
• Requiring face coverings while indoors on campus, as well as at any outdoor orientation events
• Requiring all those coming to campus to screen for COVID-19 symptoms using the Brock Safety app
• Increasing student wellness services, including access to a specialized COVID-19 nurse
• Making significant improvements to campus ventilation systems
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures across campus
• Using a booking system for access to recreational and other space
• Supporting Niagara Region Public Health with on-campus public vaccination clinics
• Hosting the province’s GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinic
• Engaging in an awareness campaign about the importance of getting vaccinated

Updates will continue to be posted to The Brock News and Brock’s social media channels.

Brock University recognizes this is a challenging time and appreciates your ongoing support.