MEDIA RELEASE: 16 March 2020 – R0046
With the COVID-19 pandemic quickly evolving and the need for rapid and dramatic steps in Ontario and across the country, Brock is transitioning to a modified operational model that will see significant parts of the University working from remote locations.
The model will focus on an on-site/off-site model, where some staff will work on-site in a significantly modified schedule and most other faculty and staff will work remotely off-site, including at home.
While the Brock campuses in St. Catharines must remain open, it is important to ensure that steps are taken so that the University is doing its part to mitigate risk, encourage social distancing and protect the health and wellbeing of faculty, staff, students and the community.
Effective Tuesday, March 17, the following on-site services will be operating at reduced staffing levels. Minimal on-site staffing will be scheduled to prioritize services and supervisors will be initiating reduced working schedules for the following on-site services:
- Campus Security
- Centre for Pedagogical Innovation
- Facilities Management (maintenance, trades and custodial services)
- Food Services
- Graduate Studies
- Information Technology Services
- James A. Gibson Library (First floor only)
- Mail Services
- President’s, Vice-President’s and Deans’ Offices
- Registrar’s Office
- Research Enterprise
- Residences
- Student Health Services
Services and departments not listed will be moving to full off-site campus operations and supervisors will be directing staff to work remotely from home. For services not listed above, there may be times supervisors will request employees to come to campus for specific duties. The aim will be to keep these exceptions to a minimum.
Given the evolving situation, please note that periodic updates will be provided which may also result in changes in the schedules and activities of these services.
Additionally, the Hamilton campus, as well as all athletic and recreational facilities in Brock’s Walker Sports Complex will be closed.
Brock also announced Monday its student residences will be closing this week, and all remaining students, excluding those with exceptional circumstances, will be required to move out by 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. The only exception to this will be students who can demonstrate they have no other alternatives for accommodation, such as international students unable to return home.
This elevated measure is part of the University’s moves to support urgent Public Health and Government directives to avoid all situations where groups of people can congregate, as part of a national effort to slow the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
With in-person classes and exams suspended for the remainder of the term, students have no cause to remain on campus for academic purposes.
Brock University is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of its students, faculty and staff, and it is imperative to have students avoid communal living situations as well as avoid potential transmission settings both on and off campus.
For a full list of FAQs and the latest updates on Brock’s COVID-19 response, please click here.
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
* Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.
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