Media releases

• Groundbreaking held for Brock’s expanded Zone Fitness Centre

  Thursday, April 25, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 24 April 2019 – R00071

  As shovels hit the ground Wednesday, the next chapter officially began for Brock University’s expanded fitness centre.

  The Brock community came together April 24 to mark the groundbreaking of the Zone Fitness Centre project that will see the popular campus facility triple in size.

  The fitness centre will shed the title as the smallest at any Ontario university when its footprint is increased to 15,500 square feet from 4,300 square feet.

  Consistently busy from morning to night, the Zone is often at capacity, requiring students to wait for their chance to exercise, said Karen McAllister-Kenny, Brock’s Director of Recreation Services.

  She said the present facility opened in 2002, when the University had less than half of its current 19,000 enrolment.

  “With the growth in student numbers and increased awareness of the importance of physical activity for both physical and mental health, expanding the Zone has become a crucial project for the entire Brock community,” she said.

  Students voted last year to give the project, and its initial $6.8-million price tag, the green light. It will be funded through a $17-per-credit fee for all full- and part-time undergraduate students over a period of five years, starting in September 2020, when the expansion is completed.

  “It is amazing to see what students are capable of when they’re afforded an opportunity to leave their community in a better state than what they initially found it in,” said Aidan Hibma, outgoing President of the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU). “We are excited for what the future holds.”

  Brock President Gervan Fearon praised BUSU’s executive team from last year and the current term for committing to a visionary project that will benefit students and the University community for decades to come.

  “This is a direct investment in helping students achieve balance and success,” he said. “Fitness and personal health are directly linked to our mental well-being, self-esteem and confidence. Brock is working with our students today to build an even more successful student experience of tomorrow.”

  The new facility is expected to give Brock a competitive edge when it comes to recruitment, said Brian Hutchings, Vice-President, Administration. When prospective students and their families visit campus, “they want to see where they will study, live and engage in recreational activities,” he said.

  Hutchings credited BUSU for bringing the project to fruition.

  “This has been a great partnership. The project has been for students, by students but also in collaboration with senior administration and management. This has success written all over it.”

  The complex expansion, which takes place within the Walker Complex courtyard, will result in the temporary closure of the corridor between South Block and Scotiabank Hall. The courtyard offers no exterior access for construction vehicles and equipment, making the closure necessary to allow for work to be done in an efficient manner. Details on the closure will be announced in the coming weeks.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Maryanne Firth, Writer/Editor, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x4420 or 289-241-8288

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock welcomes its inaugural Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement

  Monday, April 22, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 22 April 2019 – R00070

  Brock University is taking a major step in its institutional growth and development by announcing that Amos Key, Jr. will become the University’s first-ever Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement.

  The newly-created senior position will be dedicated to supporting Brock’s Indigenous education as well as its community engagement and partnership initiatives.

  Key, who is currently an assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Indigenous Studies, begins his position at Brock on July 1.

  Following a year-long international search, Key was unanimously recommended by the search committee, which included students, faculty and staff from across the University and Indigenous communities.

  Brock President Gervan Fearon said the University is establishing this senior position to advance and lead Brock’s goal to strengthen relationships of trust with Indigenous communities and partners across all sectors and activities of the University.

  “Last year, our Senate and Board of Trustees approved an Institutional Strategic Plan that set a new focus for Brock, based on four key priorities,” said Fearon. “These priorities include fostering a culture of inclusivity, accessibility, reconciliation and decolonization at Brock. We are delighted to welcome a new Vice-Provost to advance the realization of this priority.”

  Key, a member of the Mohawk Nation, studied sociology (Western University), photographic arts (Ryerson University) and television and communication arts (Mohawk College). He has been the First Nations Language Director for 25 years at the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, and has also served in a wide variety of positions with organizations in a career characterized by helping develop Indigenous initiatives in education, the arts, communications media and intergovernmental affairs.

  He said he is honoured to be joining “the Brock University family.”

  “After the rigour and process Brock University initiated to ensure we are a good fit, I am truly grateful,” he said. “And I am excited with the opportunity to bring and share my Indigenous lens and philosophy to Brock at this time in my career. I hope to work with colleagues to embed and put into practice the spirit of some of the 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and many of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and not just those that call to academia.

  “I also want to ‘shine a light’ on the unique Indigenous ideologies — or as we say, Indigeneity — of the Indigenous Civilizations of Ontario. Brock has a tremendous opportunity to dialogue and discuss these historic truths in a safe, collegial and respectable environment, and take a leadership role not only in reconciliation but in ‘reconcili-action’ to respond to these truths.

  “Brock is situated right in the centre of Haudenosaunee and Aanishinaabeg Territories (Dish with One Spoon Covenant), which is also home to many new Indigenous Peoples, including the Metis and Inuit and their communities. These civilizations and communities are important strategic partners, giving us at Brock an amazing opportunity and coveted profile in this province and within Indigenous Academia.”

  Greg Finn, the University’s Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic, chaired the advisory committee which oversaw the candidate search. He said the process itself was defined by inclusion and collaboration.

  “The position itself was recommended over two years ago with consultation from the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, the Aboriginal Education Council, the Two-Row, One Dish, One Spoon Council, the Tecumseh Centre as well as Indigenous students, staff and faculty,” said Finn.

  “Obviously it was important that all relevant partners have a say in defining this important chapter of the University’s evolution. I am pleased to welcome Amos Key as Brock’s inaugural Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Maryanne Firth, Writer/Editor, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x4420 or 289-241-8288

  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