Articles by author: Brock University

• Brock grieves Quebec shooting victims and also reaches out to its own community

  Tuesday, January 31, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00021 – 30 January 2017
   
  Brock University today (Jan. 30) issued a statement of grief and solidarity with Muslims after a gunman opened fire at a Quebec City mosque on Sunday, leaving at least six people dead and others seriously injured.
   
  Tom Traves, the University’s Interim President, called the massacre at the Centre Culturel Isalmique de Quebec “an affront to every Canadian.”
   
  “We are devastated by the shooting,” said Traves. “The University stands firmly in solidarity with the Muslim community in the wake of the terrorist attack in Ste-Foy. Brock will not tolerate Islamophobia, and we are committed to supporting Brock community members who may experience anxiety or harassment as a result of these current events.”
   
  University officials also said they will hold a private forum on Tuesday to support Muslim students and faculty from countries whose residents have been banned from the United States.
   
  Late on Friday, President Donald Trump triggered confusion and angry protests in America and globally when he abruptly ordered immediate travel bans against citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen. Brock has about 70 students from those countries, with several more expected to arrive in the spring, as are two visiting scholars from Iran.
   
  Jamie Mandigo, Brock’s Vice-Provost for Enrolment Management and International, said Tuesday’s gathering is meant to reassure those members of the Brock community who are feeling victimized by the developments of recent days. Organizers have also invited the Muslim Adjunct Chaplain for Brock.
   
  “We have students are from all affected countries who are here as permanent residents or on study visas,” said Mandigo. “We continue to support them, and are reaching out to reassure them and address any concerns or question they might have.”
   
  He said it will be a private gathering where people far from home can talk freely about their concerns, otherwise “they might not feel comfortable speaking in a crowd of people they don’t know.”
   
  Downtown memorial services
   
  University officials and members of the Brock community are also expected to attend special events on Tuesday that have been organized to commemorate the victims of the Quebec shooting.
   
  At 5:30 p.m., a candlelight vigil organized by the Niagara Anti-Racism Coalition will be held on the steps of St. Catharines City Hall.
   
  Then at 6:30 p.m. at the Masjid Al Noor Mosque, on Geneva Street near Welland Avenue, there will be a vigil in honour of the Quebec City victims.
   
  The University’s flags will be flown at half-mast Tuesday and Wednesday in honour of the Quebec victims.
   
   
  Media — For more information…
   
  • Kevin Cavanagh, Director of Communications and Public Affairs
  Brock University kcavanagh@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5888
   
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  Categories: Media releases

• Canadian Sport Film Festival coming to Brock

  Monday, January 30, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA ADVISORY: R00020 – 30 January 2017

  Brock University is bringing a film festival dedicated to promoting the physical and social benefits of sport to Niagara.

  Brock’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences is partnering with the Canadian Sport Film Festival (CSFF) to screen four films in Niagara in March.

  The CSFF at Brock will take place March 17-19 in the theatre at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines.

  Applied Health Sciences Dean Peter Tiidus called the film festival a natural fit because one of the Faculty’s goals is to promote physical activity because of its long-lasting health benefits to both body and mind.

  “I am very excited to announce this unique opportunity for Brock and our extended community,” said Tiidus. “The CSFF has been very successful in the larger urban centres of Toronto and Winnipeg and I look forward to welcoming the organizers and filmmakers to Niagara.”

  The CSFF has a reputation for providing a welcoming environment for critical analysis and discussion about stories and themes represented in films.

  “The Canadian Sport Film Festival is an educational, informative and entertaining way to engage with personal and political stories told on film through sport,” said CSFF founder Russell Field.

  “We are excited to bring CSFF to Brock and are selecting films, not only based on their popularity at past festivals, but also films that inspire healthy dialogue and discussion surrounding important social issues,” said Kinesiology Professor Cathy van Ingen, who is a member of the organizing committee for the festival at Brock.

  Films will be followed by either a Q&A session with someone from the movie, or a moderated discussion with FAHS faculty about the main themes of the film.

  Film titles and ticket information will be released in February.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases