Media releases

• Brock University tops post-secondary Twitter ranking

  Tuesday, April 19, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE
  R00086
  19 April 2016
  Brock University — Communications & Public Affairs

   

  For the second straight year, Brock University has been recognized as having the best Twitter account among all Canadian universities.

  Analytics firm Engagement Labs named its honour roll of the top-performing colleges and universities using social media, noting Brock’s responsiveness makes it a leader on Twitter.

  “The home of the badgers, Brock University, backed up their first-place ranking on Twitter for Canadian higher education with excellent response strategies,” Engagement Labs said in a news release detailing the rankings. “Brock made the grade when it took the time on Twitter to respond to questions from their followers, making sure to give timely and informative updates to their inquiring minds.”

  Brock also performed well on the two other social platforms ranked, coming in at No. 5 for its Instagram use and No. 12 on Facebook out of the top 30 post-secondary institutions.

  “Brock University has an amazing story to tell, and we consider social media one of the best ways to share our story,” said Gord Hunchak, executive director of Marketing and Communications. “It’s great to see the efforts of our social media teams recognized as leaders among Canadian post-secondary institutions.”

  Cate Talaue, interim social media co-ordinator, said social media builds and strengthens the University’s relationship to its audiences.

  “Our main purpose on social media is to engage students while they’re on campus and when they become alumni, as well as being their resource for all things Brock,” she said.

  She said a variety of different platforms are utilized to reach past, present and future Badgers.

  The @BrockUniversity Twitter account has more than 35,000 followers and the Facebook page also has 35,000. The @BrockUniversity Instagram account has 13,300 followers and continues to grow. Another social platform growing in engagement is @BrockUni on Snapchat.

  “The mortal enemy of social media is the status quo, so if you want to engage your audience, it means re-thinking your strategy and experimenting with new tools and messages,” Talaue said. “At Brock we don’t think social media needs to be formal or stiff. Being part of the Brock community means being welcoming, inclusive, warm, fun and full of Badger pride — all of which our platforms speak to.”

  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

• Prayer vigil for First Nations communities in crisis at Brock University Thursday

  Tuesday, April 19, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA ADVISORY – R00085
  19 April 2016 – Brock University — Communications & Public Affairs

  In response to the suicide attempts in the northern First Nations communities of Attawapiskat, Ontario and Cross Lake, Manitoba, the Indigenous Solidarity Coalition at Brock University will be hosting a tobacco ceremony and prayer vigil on Thursday, April 21 from noon to 2 p.m. in front of Schmon Tower.

  “We will send our prayers out to communities and together make signs sending good energy and support to the individuals, families and health support workers who are on the front lines of this crisis,” says Indigenous Solidarity Coalition co-chair, Jodielynn Harrison.

  Last week, Attawapiskat’s chief declared a state of emergency after 11 suicide attempts in one night. Dozens in the community of less than 2,000 people have attempted to take their own lives this year.

  In the northern Manitoba community of Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) with a population of 6,000, more than 140 people attempted or threatened suicide in a recent two-week period.

  Most of the deaths or attempted suicides in these communities are youth, of the same age or younger, than most first-year Brock students.

  “It’s tragic. These young people need hope, to know there is a future out there worth living for,” says Indigenous Solidarity Coalition co-chair, Celeste Smith.

  To put the issue into context, the Brock student population is more than 18,000 ¬— three times the size of Pimicikamak and nine times the size of Attawapiskat.

  “If suddenly almost 150 students at Brock attempted suicide in a two-week period, each and every one of us would stop and question why this is happening. How can we support them so this can stop?” says Smith.

  The media and the community are invited to join the prayer vigil Thursday, April 21 from noon to 2 p.m. in front of Schmon Tower at Brock University.

  NOTE: In addition to the vigil, Brock students and staff are collecting donations for youth in Attawapiskat. New books, arts and craft supplies, new and used baseball gloves, small gardening tools and financial donations to cover shipping costs can be dropped off at Brock University’s Tecumseh Centre (Welch Hall 68).

  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