Dear students,

Brock is fortunate to have an inclusive, caring and respectful campus community. Universities are spaces where people from diverse backgrounds come together to learn and grow. We recognize that challenging conversations and interactions are happening across campuses. Brock is committed to ensuring that all members of our community feel safe and welcomed.

Please keep in mind that many in our community are deeply impacted by current events, including the conflict in the Middle East. Please be kind to one another during this difficult time.

The University has implemented a wide range of supports and other measures for students, staff and faculty impacted by current events, including dedicated support spaces, academic accommodations, counselling and additional assistance from Campus Safety Services. We have highlighted them below for your reference:

Mental health and wellness supports:

• For students who are looking for general counselling, please connect with the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre.
• For students who are looking for support group spaces for collective care, please email the Human Rights and Equity Office at humanrights@brocku.ca and cc the Anti-Racism and Inclusion Advisor at slicorish@brocku.ca
• Additionally, for students who have been impacted by identity-based violence and are looking for culturally reflective counsellors, the Human Rights and Equity Office offers the Counsellor of Choice program. If you would like access to this program, please email the HRE Director at mwilson2@brocku.ca and cc the Manager, Gender and Sexual Violence Intake at kkeays2@brocku.ca, who oversees the Counsellor of Choice program.

Academic accommodations and supports:

• If you are seeking short-term supports and accommodations due to the impact of current events, the Human Rights and Equity Office can assist in reaching out to individual faculty on behalf of individual students to request accommodations and extensions. If you would like access to this support, please email the HRE Director at mwilson2@brocku.ca and cc the Anti-Racism and Inclusion Advisor slicorish@brocku.ca
• If students need longer-term accommodations connected to accessibility, you can schedule an appointment to register with Student Accessibility Services.
• Learning Services provides free academic support through subject-specific drop-in services, workshops, one-on-one consultations, tutoring and more. To learn more about accessing these resources, contact learning@brocku.ca or visit Learning Services at Brock University, room TH129 (beside Market Hall).

Safety supports:

• Community members are encouraged to download the Brock Safety App and familiarize themselves with general safety tips from Campus Safety Services.
• The Safe Walk Program is available to community members to have a Human Rights and Equity Office staff, or Peer Support staff walk them to and from classes for safety purposes. To access this service, email humanrights@brocku.ca
• The Safe Text Program is available to community members to have a Human Rights and Equity Office staff member receive text message notifications about their location arrivals and departures for safety purposes. To access this service, email humanrights@brocku.ca

Hate speech and discrimination:

• There is absolutely no place on our campus for hate speech, discrimination and harassment. Any action that incites or promotes hatred against members of our community, and any conduct that is harassing, discriminatory, threatening or inflicts harm on a member of our community, will not be tolerated and will be addressed under University policies, the Student Code of Conduct, or, where applicable, referred to the appropriate authorities. If an issue emerges that is believed to be in violation of the Code of Conduct or other policy, please report the concern to Campus Safety Services at campussafety@brocku.ca

These resources are here to support all Brock students — please make good use of them. We wish you every success as you prepare for your final assignments and exams this term.

Brad Clarke
Associate Vice President, Students

Chelsea Takalo
Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion