Media releases

• Brock partnering with Niagara municipalities to find climate solutions

  Friday, November 15, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 15 Nov. 2019 – R00182

  A new alliance between seven Niagara region municipalities and Brock University’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) is being created to aggressively seek innovative strategies that address how climate change is impacting the region.

  The impacts that inflict a growing toll on communities are typically tied to increasingly volatile weather, such as rising average temperatures; summer droughts followed by heavy rains; and the increasing frequency and intensity of frost-free days and freeze-thaw cycles.

  The partnership, aptly named Niagara Adapts, will leverage resources and expertise from ESRC and the Town of Grimsby, Town of Lincoln, City of Niagara Falls, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Town of Pelham, City of St. Catharines and City of Welland. The goal of the partnership is to support collaborative climate change adaptation assessment, planning and implementation.

  Climate change adaptation planning enables communities to understand their vulnerabilities and manage the impacts, risks and opportunities posed by a changing climate. The Niagara Adapts partnership will cultivate a community of practice for climate change adaptation planning and build climate resilience in the region into the future.

  The official launch will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at the Film House at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. The launch will include a free community screening of the film Resilience, which highlights local stories of climate change action. Jessica Blythe, Assistant Professor, ESRC, will host a post-screening discussion and reception with representatives from the Niagara Adapts partnership.

  A limited number of free digital tickets are now available for anyone interested in attending.

  Several members of the ESRC authored an article that appeared today in The Conversation about ways cities can prepare for climate emergencies.

   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  Kevin Cavanagh, Brock University Communications, kcavanagh@brocku.ca or 905-688-5550 ext. 5888 or 905 321-4310
  

  Michelle Pressé, Brock University Communications, mpresse@brocku.ca or 905-688-5550 ext. 4420 or 905-246-1963

  Categories: Media releases

• Brock announces plan to pursue a modernized presence in the Hamilton-Burlington-Oakville region

  Wednesday, November 13, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 13 November 2019 – R00181

  Brock University, which has had a teaching presence in Hamilton for more than 30 years, is embarking on a search for more modernized facilities in the Hamilton-Burlington-Oakville (HBO) corridor.

  The University will maintain operations at its current Hamilton campus until at least Spring 2021, but is exploring options and locations for contemporary, purpose-built accommodations that will meet the changing needs of learners.

  The Hamilton campus, located on King Street East, will be listed for sale in the coming days.  A 1960s high school that Brock acquired in 2000, it has been used primarily for teacher education. Through the years it has educated thousands of teachers for school districts in Hamilton-Wentworth, Halton, Grand Erie and Dufferin-Peel, amongst others.

  Michael Owen, Dean of Education, said “a 21^st-century learning and teaching environment will allow the University to meet the growing needs of schools for professionally educated leaders, and serve the educational needs of our diverse communities for adult and graduate education.”

  Greg Finn, Brock’s Provost and Vice-President Academic, said the University wants a new facility in the region to accommodate a wider scope of programs, and that updating the Hamilton property to fulfil that mission would be cost-prohibitive.

  He said the current site, on seven acres of land near the Red Hill Expressway, should have appeal as a development opportunity in Hamilton’s east end.

  “Investing in modern, purpose-built facilities is a more sensible use of resources,” said Finn, “and will directly benefit current and future students as well as faculty members. Exploring new facilities also gives us an opportunity to expand program offerings for full-time and part-time students in the HBO region.”

  President Gervan Fearon said the University’s Strategic Plan commits Brock to making a priority of providing “a transformational and accessible academic and student experience”.

  “This will be a guiding principle in our selection and determination of a new location,” said Fearon.  “These developments reflect Brock’s role in post-secondary education across the region. Our enrolment growth, and our record for graduates finding jobs and career success, support the vitality and competitiveness of employers in these communities.”

  Finn said the University will consider different options that align with its mission and are within an affordable basis.  He said creating a modern campus that enhances student experience, strengthens communities and encourages commuter access is consistent with Brock’s Strategic Plan and its balanced budget planning process.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  Kevin Cavanagh, Brock University Communications kcavanagh@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5888

  Michelle Presse, Brock University Communications mpresse@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x4420

  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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  Categories: Media releases