Here\u2019s a look at some of the updates to Brock University\u2019s COVID-19 response for\u00a0Friday, March 27:<\/p>\n
Brock gears up to contribute to COVID-19 response<\/strong><\/p>\n The University\u2019s research community is stepping up to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Brock is contributing supplies of gloves, masks and chemicals to Niagara Public Health. Additionally, the Canadian government has already approved Brock\u2019s CL3 laboratory for COVID-19 research.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re taking a range of steps to prepare for requests that might emerge for research and testing,\u201d said Vice-President Research, Tim Kenyon. \u201cWe have a wide variety of expertise and facilities here that can be deployed in the greater fight against the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n The Office of Research Services is looking for researchers to submit research proposals in response to the provincial government\u2019s COVID-19 portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the full story in The Brock News.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Indigenous Studies instructor helps elders in need<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Indigenous Studies Instructor April Powless is helping to deliver food and necessary supplies to elders and other people in need around the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve.<\/p>\n As co-owner of Mohawk Towing \/ Porter Trucking and Construction in Ohsweken, Ont., Powless and her team have delivered nearly 300 care packages and are now partnering with the Six Nations Food Bank to ensure the community remains safe during a difficult time.<\/p>\n Read the full story in the Brock News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n International students receive enhanced support from Brock<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A number of new initiatives are underway to ease international students\u2019 transition to online learning.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Brock International mobilized its entire staff to host an online question-and-answer session this week and created a Microsoft Teams group to create direct lines of communication between staff and students. The team has also ensured existing services such as advice on immigration, study permits, international mobility, and academic and language support, have been moved online.<\/p>\n Brock International has been working with international students who have been displaced as a result of COVID-19, providing accommodation options and space in campus residences where needed.<\/p>\n International students in need of further support are encouraged to email Brock International Services at\u00a0isa@brocku.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Read the full story in the Brock News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Brock ITS offers\u00a0employees\u00a0improved option for remote connectivity<\/strong><\/p>\n Due to increased usage from employees working from home, Brock has encountered capacity problems with Brock’s virtual private network (VPN) service, causing slow performance or an inability to connect.<\/p>\n To alleviate these issues,\u00a0Brock ITS has deployed a new, more effective solution for remote connectivity, allowing access directly to office computers without the need for VPN.\u00a0These services are for staff and faculty use.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re already using Remote Desktop over VPN, you are configured to use this new service\u00a0and can enable\u00a0it\u00a0by following the instructions in the\u00a0Using Remote Desktop job aid found on the ITS SharePoint site<\/a>. If not,\u00a0you will need to request access.\u00a0Please visit the ITS SharePoint site and review\u00a0the\u00a0job aids\u00a0Requesting Access For Remote Desktop<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Using Remote Desktop<\/a>.<\/p>\n Anyone still using VPN for other services, such as accessing shared drives and other uses, should contact the\u00a0IT Help Desk at x4357, or submit a ticket online<\/a> so they can assist you with the right solution.\u00a0VPN is to be used for critical access.<\/p>\n If you are able to migrate documents to OneDrive and\/or SharePoint, it may eliminate the need for either\u00a0of these\u00a0solutions.\u00a0Please see the\u00a0job\u00a0aid\u00a0Working\u00a0with OneDrive<\/a>\u00a0on the ITS SharePoint\u00a0site.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IT Help Desk access<\/strong><\/p>\n The Computer Commons (Fish Bowl) and IT Help Desk located in it are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on weekends.\u00a0Remote support will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday for faculty, staff, students and the rest of the Brock community.<\/p>\n Questions can be directed to\u00a0ithelp@brocku.ca<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dining update<\/strong><\/p>\n Starting Tuesday, March 31, Lowenberger dining hall will be open daily from noon to 4 p.m. as the only food option at Brock. It is open to anyone on campus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Brock Central updates<\/strong><\/p>\n Brock Central is committed to serving the student community during this time of transition. Brock Central can be reached through email at central@brocku.ca<\/a>\u00a0from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n The team is available to provide prompt responses through email and can arrange for phone service through Microsoft Teams. In order for Brock Central to\u00a0<\/strong>respond to inquiries regarding financial or academic status, emails must be sent from a Brock student email account.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Student Health Services changes<\/strong><\/p>\n In-person appointments are no longer available for Student Health Services (SHS) at Brock. However, students can access health services over the phone from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n For questions or to make a phone appointment for health services, students can phone SHS at 905-688-5550 x3243 or reach out via email to\u00a0referralstaff@brocku.ca<\/a><\/p>\n For medical emergencies, students should dial 911.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Wi-Fi drive-in available to students with no home internet access\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Brock students who don\u2019t have internet access at home can participate in a \u2018Wi-Fi drive-in\u2019 in the University\u2019s parking lots. Students can park their cars for free in select parking lots to use the University\u2019s internet access through its wireless network.<\/p>\n To ensure physical distancing, students are asked to space out their cars when choosing a parking spot and to not gather in groups in their cars.<\/p>\n For more information on which parking lots are available for use, read the story in The Brock News.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Mental health supports available for students and employees<\/strong><\/p>\n With students transitioning to online learning and many employees working from home, mental health support resources for members of the University community remain available.<\/p>\n Students can access mental health support over the phone by calling Student Health Services at 905-688-5550 x3243, Community Addictions Services of Niagara at 905-684-1183, Good 2 Talk at 866-925-5454 or Morneau Shepell at 833-276-2533.<\/p>\n