VIU student news: October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

Come to VIU Fest for free fall fun 🥳

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? VIU Fest is from 12 to 4 pm on the Nanaimo campus. Visit our Community Market, take your kids to the Fun Zone and pumpkin patch, take in a live performance and listen to 5-minute expert talks in the Malaspina Theatre. Learn more.

Need to know

Culture Couch 🛋️

The Culture Couch is a place to engage in cross-cultural understanding and learning. The couch symbolizes the casual, comfortable nature of this student-led initiative. Each session is uniquely crafted by student volunteers who take on the role of hosts and share aspects of their culture with their peers. Tuesdays from 5 to 6 pm in Building 255, first floor learning commons. Upcoming sessions:

October 8: India
October 15: Colombia

Sisters in Spirit Vigil

This vigil brings people from all walks of life together to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of violence against Indigenous women and to advocate for justice and support. Join the VIU Students’ Union on Thursday, October 3 in the Royal Arbutus Room (top floor of Building 300) from 10 am to noon.

Voting information 🗳️

The next provincial election is on October 19, 2024. Be ready by registering or updating your information today. Registered voters will get a Where to Vote card from Elections BC. Bring it with you when you vote. You can also register as a future voter if you’re not yet eligible to vote. For more information on what you need to do to register to vote, visit the Elections BC website.

Election polling stations

The next provincial election is on October 19, 2024. Elections BC will run polling stations at VIU’s Nanaimo campus in the upper cafeteria (Building 300) on the following dates:

October 16, advanced voting, 8 am to 8 pm
October 19, general voting, 1 to 6 pm

Learn about voting guidelines.

All Candidates Forum

Join the VIU Students’ Union and the Political Studies department for an engaging and informative evening at the All Candidates Forum. Hear directly from the candidates from Nanaimo-Gabriola and Nanaimo-Lantzville ridings who are running in the upcoming provincial election. The forum is October 8 from 4 to 6 pm at Malaspina Theatre (Building 310). This event is an excellent chance for students, faculty and staff to become informed about the platforms and visions of those seeking to represent them. Learn more.

Student shoutout

Eagle feather art

A shoutout to Education Prof Hayden Kenneth Taylor and his EDTE 330: Issues in Aboriginal Education classes, who coloured eagle feathers that were arranged into an art display of two big wings. Everyone is welcome to take pictures with the wings, on display in Building 356.

Connect

Road trips and local hikes 🥾

Join the VIU International team on exciting adventures to the most scenic and awe-inspiring locations on the Island. Learn more. Upcoming trips:

October 4: Westwood Lake
October 26: Victoria day trip

Club Fair

Connect with nearly 40 student clubs and see what they have planned this year. Wednesday, October 23, from 10 am to 1 pm in the Malaspina Theatre (Building 310).

VIU Mariners tailgate parties

Join the VIU Students’ Union outside the Campus Pub from 4 to 6 pm before the basketball and volleyball home opener games for a tailgate party! Free hotdogs, music, games and drink specials in the pub.

Basketball tailgate party: October 18
Volleyball tailgate party: November 1

Studio play

Tough is this year’s fall studio play presented by VIU's Theatre department. It runs October 3 to 5 in the Mike Taugher Studio (Building 330, Room 109). Tough shows on October 3 at 7:30 pm, October 4 at noon and 7:30 pm, and October 5 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are by donation and are available on Showpass. Proceeds from the show will go to Power Up Education to provide a free teen sexual health workshop.

World University Service Canada

The World University Service Canada local committee at VIU sponsors refugee students through the student refugee program, assisting them in integrating into campus life. Local committee meetings are held on the Nanaimo campus and all students are welcome. To get involved, email wusc.viu@gmail.com or message them on Instagram.

Indigenous Sharing Circles

VIUSU Indigenous Students Rep Leah Vaisanen is hosting a series of sharing circles for communication, sharing, connection and crafting. Snacks provided. Open to all Indigenous students. The events are all in the VIUSU clubhouse in Building 193, Room 217 from 4 to 6 pm on October 8 and 29, November 19 and December 3.

Indigenous Crafting Series

Learn about traditional Indigenous crafts and get a chance to try your hand at them on October 15 and November 19 in Shq’apthut, 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Snacks and refreshments provided. Facilitated by Daisy Elliot and hosted by VIUSU.

The Great ShakeOut

Drop, cover and hold on during the Great British Columbia Shake out! Earthquake preparation is important for everyone in our region, a seismically active zone, so all of VIU’s campuses participate. The annual Great British Columbia Shake Outearthquake and evacuation drill is on October 17, from 9:45 am to 10:05 am. The drill includes a test of all VIU emergency mass notification systems: the fire alarm voice system at the Nanaimo campus, including VIU residences, Alertus, VIU Safety App, website and social media. Learn more.

VIU gym hours 🏋🏽

The VIU gym, Building 190, is now on the fall schedule. Visit the gym’s front desk and register to receive your free gym membership. This gives you access to the gym’s weight room and exercise facilities. The gym is open:

Weekdays: 8 am to 9:30 pm
Weekends: 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Positive Space Alliance Socials ‍‍🌈

VIU’s Positive Space Alliance socials are back! Join us for a fun, inclusive space open to everyone of any sexual orientation and gender identity. Come play games or just hang out and meet some new friends. The Positive Space socials take place every other Wednesday from 12 to 1 pm in Building 250, Room 402.

Volunteer as a tutor with VIU

You can make an impact and help your fellow students succeed academically by becoming a volunteer tutor. Tutors provide one-on-one support to VIU learners in areas such as English, trades, dental, computer skills, math, sciences, ESL and much more. To become a volunteer tutor, please fill out the online VIU Tutor application.

Safer Campuses for Everyone

Take this self-paced, online training where you will learn about the importance of consent in all relationships and how to intervene to prevent sexual violence. By taking the course, you contribute to a safer campus while engaging in skill development. Check the Thrive website to learn how to enrol in this course and to enter to win a $500 tuition credit on October 31.

Supports and services

Connect with an educational advisor 💬

Take a great first step in planning your educational journey by meeting with an educational advisor! Contact us with general advising questions in all program areas for first- and second-year students. We can assist with course selection, preparation for applications to limited entry programs, academic concerns and reviewing options for switching your program. Drop-in hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm and Wednesday 10:30 am to 3:30 pm in Building 200 Nanaimo campus. No appointment necessary.

Wellness Peers ☕

Need a little canine therapy, or to chat with another student who gets what being a student can be like? You can visit the Wellness Lounge at the Nanaimo campus library for free tea and hot chocolate, fidgets, adult colouring, friendly chats with the wellness peers and cuddles with therapy dogs. Available Tuesdays to Thursdays. Learn about fall hours.

Get research help

Feeling a little overwhelmed by research assignments? That’s fair, research is hard! VIU library research help is here for you. We’ll help you dig into your topic and find the best resources to get you started!

Give a Meal food security initiative

Students struggling with affording enough to eat can request $20 deposits placed on their Student ID cards to spend on food at VIU cafeterias. How it works:

Email giveameal@viu.ca to request a deposit.
Visit the cafeteria in person to load your card for the first time.
Use your ID card to pay at the upper or lower cafeteria with no restrictions on food choices. You choose how you want to spend it, making dollars stretch out longer if you opt for lower-value items.
Maximum of three deposits per request, maximum two requests per semester.

Other food security initiatives

The VIUSU Breakfast Bar is available 9:30 am to 3:30 pm in Building 193 (your VIU Students’ Union building).
You can order low-cost fruits and veggies through the Good Food Box initiative, available at VIUSU headquarters on Thursdays. Order now.
Loaves and Fishes runs Free Food Markets.
Enjoy a free meal and a movie on October 8 and 22, 11:30 am to 1 pm in Building 355, Room 211. Initiative by Lauren Touchant, Jocelyne Praud, Leah Vaisanen (VIUSU Indigenous Students Representative) and the Political Studies Students’ Association.

Budget feedback survey 💻

VIU is looking for your feedback to help inform priorities for consideration by our new Budget Advisory Council. This group, which includes both students and employees, makes recommendations on future operating budget planning. VIU's budget funds the university’s academic operations, student services and the resources required to maintain operations and services. Aside from your instructors, the budget covers support services that help you succeed in your academic goals and the infrastructure needed to provide educational services, such as buildings, technology and equipment. Take the survey.

Green Break 🪴

Take some minutes to drop in on October 9, anytime between 4:30 and 6:30 pm, to the Cedar Centre at VIU Residence common area for a relaxing “Green Break.” You’ll have the opportunity to paint your plant pot, plant a beautiful tropical houseplant and bring your new leafy friend home to brighten your space.

World Mental Health Day 🧠

In collaboration with FUN@VIU, the Thrive Team wants to invite you to the quad on October 10, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, for hot beverages, connection, games and messages of support for World Mental Health Day.

SafeTALK Workshop 🗣️

At this workshop, you’ll learn to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support. Friday, October 18, 9 am to 1 pm, Building 250, Room 120. Register.

Naloxone harm reduction training

VIUSU has partnered with AVI Nanaimo to offer free naloxone and harm reduction training. This is your chance to gain essential skills and potentially save a life.

Monday, October 21 (full – join waitlist)
Wednesday, November 20 (full – join waitlist)

Shape VIU’s future by sharing your stories

You can help shape the future of VIU. How? Share your experiences during the upcoming Provost’s Circle roundtable discussions. The discussions start on October 3 and run until December 10. There are nine 90-minute sessions to choose from and we ask that you only register for one session to allow as many people as possible to take part. Register for a session.

University policy renewal process

In May 2024, the VIU Board of Governors approved a new Policy Framework for the University. Adopting a common framework for VIU’s policies will ensure they are consistent, easy to understand and support good governance and institutional transparency. A policy renewal process will begin later this year to bring VIU’s Board of Governors-approved institutional policies in line with the new framework. All existing VIU policies and procedures will remain in effect until the policy renewal process is complete.

Student Spa Clinic

Exciting news! VIU’s Esthetics and Spa Therapy program has relocated to the Nanaimo campus and is now sharing Building 164 with the Hairdressing program. The Student Spa Clinic offers students the chance to refine their skills and will be open to clients from October 8 to November 1, and every Friday starting November 8. Find relaxation and support student success by booking an appointment today at 250.740.6115.

How to respond to an overdose

If someone is having an overdose, call 911 right away. Your positive action could save a life. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects people who call 911 about overdoses. After calling 911, call Campus Security at 250.740.6512, then follow the SAVE-ME steps on the BC government’s Respond to Overdose website. There are naloxone cabinets co-located with AED (automated external defibrillator) machines across the Nanaimo campus (select “First Aid” on the interactive campus map for locations).

Canada Revenue Agency webinars 🏦

The Canada Revenue Agency is hosting live webinars on MS Teams so you can learn about benefits, credits and services. Upcoming webinars include:

October 3, 1 to 2 pm, benefits and credits for post-secondary students. Join here.

VIUSU Grants

The VIUSU Grant Program provides financial support for student activities such as conference hosting or participation, student club events and academic activities. Learn more.

Undergraduate research grants 💰

The Social Sciences Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research offers undergraduate research grants of up to $400 for students presenting their research at national or international, discipline-specific meeting (in person or virtually) during the 2024-25 academic year. Deadlines: October 31 for fall and April 20, 2025, for spring 2025. More info here.

Entrepreneurship training

VIU has partnered with several organizations to enable its students, staff and community to access applied entrepreneurship programming for free. Trailblazing is a six-week entrepreneurship education program offered by the University of Lethbridge. Learn about Trailblazing. Connect with Daniela Fisher if you are interested by emailing Daniela.Fischer@viu.ca. L2M Discover is designed to inspire and guide individuals in exploring entrepreneurial pathways and research commercialization. Learn about L2M Discover.

Have you completed your scholarship/award/bursary profile?

Get tips to help you complete it at two workshops taking place in Shq'apthut (Building 170). Tuesday, October 15: 12:30 to 2:30 pm and Thursday, October 17, 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Profiles must be completed by October 30 at midnight to get in the running for a wide range of bursaries.

Mark your calendar

Bursary deadline: October 30

Complete your online scholarship, award and bursary profile from within your student record, under the finance tab, to apply for the upcoming bursaries. Deadline is midnight, October 30. Learn more.

Stay in the know

Stay on top of what's happening at VIU. Find ways to get involved:

Campus Events website
Co-curricular involvement app

Check out the VIU Safety App 🤳

One of the easiest ways to find out what’s happening on campus during an emergency or snow closure is through VIU’s Safety App. Download the app (it’s free!) and be sure to enable push notifications. If anything is happening on campus relating to safety, health or emergencies that you need to know about, you will get an automatic notification. Watch the VIU Safety App informational video.