Media releases

• Brock non-profit leadership certificate course open to community

  Monday, May 04, 2020 | By Brock University

  Media Release: 4 May 2020 – R0078

  It’s not just Brock University’s degree programs that have moved online to help slow the spread of COVID-19, it’s also the school’s professional development opportunities.

  Goodman Group, the Goodman School of Business’ community-focused learning and development services provider, is offering its Non-Profit Leadership Certificate Program completely online beginning Thursday, June 4.

  Originally planned to take place in the new Rankin Family Pavilion at Brock, the fifth cohort of the program will instead be delivered weekly through live video conferencing using Microsoft Teams.

  “This is the first time we’re offering any of our professional development programs exclusively online,” said Cassie Price, Manager, Goodman Group Projects. “Although the seminars will look a bit different with everyone participating virtually, many of our instructors are experienced with leading seminars in an online environment, so the high-quality content people expect from Goodman Group will not change.”

  The six-week program geared towards non-profit professionals will take place every Thursday from June 4 to July 16, with a break for the Canada Day long weekend. Each training day will consist of two online seminars, one from noon to 3 p.m. and a second from 4 to 7 p.m. The one-hour break will allow time for participants to individually reflect on their learning or ask questions of their instructors, which consist of a mix of Brock faculty members and industry experts.

  The cost to enroll in the Non-Profit Leadership Certificate Program is $3,250 plus tax per participant; however, with funding available through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant, the cost could be as low as $541 plus tax. Anyone interested in applying for the grant should email Goodman Group for more information, including grant eligibility.

  The deadline to register for the Non-Profit Leadership Certificate Program is Monday, May 11.

  For more information on Goodman Group’s professional development opportunities, visit brocku.ca/goodman-group/professional-development

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, or 905-347-1970 

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock opens its student residences to health-care staff

  Friday, May 01, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 01 May 2020 – R0077

  Brock University is making student residences available to frontline health-care workers — including EMS responders and staff from Niagara Region-operated long-term care homes — in an effort to prevent their families from being exposed to COVID-19.

  In a strategy worked out between Brock and the Niagara Region, the University will make residence units in its Village complex available at no cost, for use by health-care staff who have difficulty isolating themselves from their families in their own homes.

  To begin with, the program will use 27 of the two-bedroom units, a number that could grow.

  Brock has more than 2,400 beds in its various facilities, however the self-contained townhouse format of Village Residence enables occupants to maintain self-isolation without having a shared bathroom. Village units also have kitchens that allow for self-catering, a key factor since campus dining halls are not currently operating.

  When Brock suspended all on-campus classes and exams in late March, the Village townhouses were used to consolidate and accommodate more than 60 students, mainly international students, who were unable to safely get home. That group is now fewer than 10 students.

  University President Gervan Fearon said Brock is intent on supporting frontline workers by helping protect those whose jobs involve health risks even while they provide health services and protect others.

  “Brock is first and foremost a community partner,” said Fearon, “and we stand alongside our neighbours in thanking the front-line workers who are looking out for all of us.”

  Regional Chair Jim Bradley echoed the sentiment of President Fearon, while also reflecting on the strong partnership that exists between the Region and Brock.

  “It is so much more than just our physical proximity that reinforces the long-standing and productive relationship between Brock University and the Niagara Region,” said Bradley. “I want to commend Brock for their leadership and generosity in regards to this announcement, and acknowledge the difference it will make for the frontline workers who are putting their health on the line to protect all of us.”

  Scott Johnstone, Brock’s Senior Associate Vice-President, Infrastructure and Operations, said organizers quickly reached consensus on a workable plan.

  “This just makes sense,” said Johnstone. “We collaborated with our colleagues at the Region to come up with a strategy that puts these facilities to good use for the sake of the entire community.”

  In the weeks since the pandemic has put the country into a near-lockdown situation, many Brock employees have been contributing to efforts to protect health-care workers across the region.

  In late March, researchers cleared out storage rooms across campus in order to send thousands of gloves, masks, lab coats and other supplies for use by health staff who were running short on these protective items. Employees have also been using 3D printers to produce protective face shields that are being distributed to frontline workers.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-347-1970 

  * Peter Criscione, Communications Consultant, Niagara Region, peter.criscione@niagararegion.ca, 905-980-6000 x3747
  

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  Categories: Media releases