VIU Student Pulse News: September 4, 2024

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 starting September 11, from 12 to 1 pm in Building 250, Room 402. 

Mediation, prayer and reflection rooms 

Students can access meditation, prayer and reflection rooms on the first floor of Building 200 on the Nanaimo campus. These rooms are available to students and employees and are shared by people of a variety of religious, spiritual and other reflective beliefs and practices. Do you need after-hours access? Please email MedAndPrayer@viu.ca with your full name and student ID number.

Suicide Prevention Day

Join this pop-up event on September 10 from 11 am to 1 pm outside the main cafeteria, share messages of support and learn more about how to contribute to building a safer community around campus.

Wellness Peers ☕

Starting September 17, 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.

Trails by VIU re-open! 🌲 

Good news for trail users! The trail behind VIU residences that connects VIU to the Parkway Trail is open once more. The trail has been closed for the past year while City of Nanaimo crews worked on the Midtown Water Supply Project. At this stage, the trail is open as a gravel surface. Note the area is still a construction zone, please exercise caution and follow signage. Learn more about the Midtown Water Supply Project.

Supports & services

Shq’apthut re-opening this fall 🎉 

Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place, a home away from home for Indigenous learners, will re-open to the campus community in September 2024 and we’re excited to welcome you back! Please note the following updates: 

• The advisors previously located in Shq’apthut have moved to Building 200’s Advising Centre.  
• At Shq’apthut you’ll find Indigenous access coordinators that can help you connect with off-campus resources related to housing, childcare, transportation, supports in community and on-campus resources like library services, tutoring, advising and more.  
• Indigenous access coordinators can also support students to make plans to balance the intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of life and learning.  
• The Shq’apthut coordinator and Elder support person can connect you with Elders-in-Residence. 

Office hours for Shq’apthut are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday. Questions? Contact the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement by email at Indigenous@viu.ca or call 250.740.6510. 

VIU gym hours 🏋🏽 

The VIU gym, Building 190, is switching to the fall schedule this month. 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 7:30 pm until September 13 
• Weekdays: 8 am to 9:30 pm starting September 16. 
• Weekends: 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays starting September 7  

Connect with an educational advisor 💬 

Welcome all first-year and returning students! Get help with your educational goals and have your questions answered. Educational advisors are available to help students in-person (Building 200 at the Nanaimo campus), virtually, email or telephone. We have daily drop-in hours, no appointment necessary. Visit Ways to meet with an Educational Advisor. 

Academic supports 🤓 

Did you know that VIU has a variety of learning supports available to help you succeed, including: the Writing Centre, the Math Learning Centre, the Volunteer Tutor program and Peer Supported Learning. Peer Supported Learning, or PSL for short, offers free, regularly scheduled, informal study sessions led by a senior student who has been successful in the course. You can:  

• Get your questions answered and practice using and studying course content. 
• Develop different learning and study skills. 
• Connect with other students in your class or program. 
• We look forward to seeing you at our sessions! To find out more, contact psl@viu.ca.  

Harbour Air discounts 🏷️ 

Post-secondary students can get a 10 per cent discount on base fares for scheduled flights across all tier levels – light, value, comfort and flex – through Harbour Air’s new Discounted Confirmed Travel Program! Here’s how you can save: 

• Enrol in Harbour Air’s Discounted Confirmed Travel Program and select student on the application form. 
• Receive your discount code via email along with instructions. 
• Book your flight. Apply your discount code in the flight summary section during checkout. 
• Present your IDs at check-in: a valid student ID with an expiry date or proof of course registration, and a government-issued photo ID.  

Food Services hours 🥗🥪 

Fall hours for Food Services operations on the Nanaimo campus are as follows:  

• Main cafeteria: 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, Monday to Friday 
• Lower cafeteria: 7:30 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday 
• Starbucks: 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, Monday to Friday  

Save with TD Insurance 💰 

Take advantage of your student benefits through the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Program, which gives you access to preferred insurance rates on home, condo and tenant coverage. For more information or to get a quote visit TD’s website for VIU students. 

VIU library services and ID card 📚 

Welcome, everyone! It’s so exciting to see you all on campus after the summer. Check out the library’s Getting Started Guide for info on how to access library services like research help as well as how to get your VIU card. Your VIU card provides you with things like after hours access to the library at Nanaimo campus, services such as printing and access to the gym. Got questions? Reach out to us!  

Cowichan campus hours ⏱️ 

Fall Semester hours at VIU’s Cowichan campus:  

• Monday to Thursday: 7 am to 9 pm (card access from 8 to 9 pm) 
• Friday: 7 am to 5 pm (no after-hours access, occasional exceptions for scheduled classes) 
• Saturday: card access only 8 am to 4 pm 
• Sunday and statutory holidays: closed  

VIU Off-Campus Housing support 🏡 

Are you new to renting privately or looking for a new rental? Access information and support about finding housing and roommates, temporary accommodation and contracts, fees and tenancy issues. Visit the Off-Campus Housing blog and homepage, contact Off-Campus Housing or book a meeting. 

Student loan applications💰 

BC student loan applications are now available. You can apply online at the Student Aid BC website. The website also has lots of helpful videos to help you plan your education and manage your debt. Tip from VIU’s Financial Aid and Awards department: if you are applying for a student loan or grant, make sure you are enrolled in the required amount of credits.  

StrongerBC future skills grant 💵 

The StrongerBC future skills grant covers up to $3,500 per person for eligible short-term training programs. See a list of eligible courses and more info on VIU’s StrongerBC future skills grant homepage.  

Suicide Crisis Helpline 📲 

When you need a safe space to talk, 9.8.8 is here to listen. If you’re thinking about suicide, or worried about someone you know, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9.8.8 for support. Help is available in English and French, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whatever you’re struggling with, you are not alone – 9.8.8 responders are here to help you find a way through. 

ASIST Workshop 

ASIST is an internationally acclaimed two-day workshop that prepares participants to provide suicide first aid interventions. It is open to VIU staff and students on September 20 and 21, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. To register visit VIU Thrive. 

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. Sign in to your VIU Learn account, locate the course in the Discover tab, and enrol. Finish the modules and email your completion certificate to Thrive@viu.ca to enter for a chance to win a $500 tuition credit. 

Prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose   

The street drug supply in BC is more toxic and unpredictable than ever. Any street drug can be poisoned, not just opioids. It can be hard to know what’s in the substances you’re taking. Even if they came from a source you trust, like a friend or roommate. Even if you only take a little, or if it’s your first time, the risks are real. It’s important to know how to prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose.  

• Do you or someone you know need support with substance use or addiction?  
• Want to get trained to safely administer naloxone? 

Visit the province’s respond to overdose website to learn more. Stay tuned to this newsletter for more information on what the provincial government and VIU are doing to help prevent overdoses on our campuses. 

E-bike service on campus 🚲 

Evolve E-Bike Share is now available at VIU, next to the bike parkade at the transit exchange. With 17 Evolve Parking Zones in town, you can easily ride from here to there in a fun and sustainable way. Getting started with Evolve E-Bike Share is easy with just a few simple steps: 

1. Download the Evo app and sign up  
   (Pro tip: select “E-bikes/E-Scooters” only when signing up to skip driver’s license requirement) 
2. Unlock an e-bike by scanning the bike’s QR code or clicking on a bike pin within the app 
3. Wear a helmet and start rolling, ride anywhere and return it to any Evolve Parking Zone in town. 
4.  New members can use promo code Nanaimo for 30 free minutes when signing up! Learn more.  

Changes to accessibility parking at VIU’s Nanaimo campus 🚗 

Due to increased operations and maintenance costs, the university implemented a parking rate increase for all campus parking for the 2024-25 academic year, including accessibility parking. A new accessibility parking pass is now available that can be used in any lot on campus for the same price as an economy pass for employees and a student pass for students. There is also an accessibility rate for day parking. All accessibility options are available for purchase via app, kiosk and online. For instructions on how to pay and to learn more, visit Indigo’s VIU parking website. VIU will be adding more accessibility stalls throughout campus over the next two years to ensure there is adequate supply in every lot. Questions? Email Facility@viu.ca. 

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: 

• September 10, 1 to 2 pm, benefits and credits for Indigenous persons. Join here. 
• September 19, 10 to 11 am, benefits and credits for international students. Join here.  

Next Steps webinar 📆 

VIU academic advisors are here to help you! In this recorded Next Steps webinar, they explain waitlists, prerequisites, how to add or drop courses, academic load, important dates, financial aid and other support services. Check out the webinar. 

Career Studio 👩🏽‍💻 

Kick off the academic year with your career in mind! At the Career Studio, we’re here to help you enter with curiosity and leave with confidence. Need help exploring career paths, job searching, polishing your resume or prepping for an interview? We’ve got you covered! Log into Experience Hub today to book an appointment with a career peer for advice, resources and insights to help you succeed from day one. Your journey at VIU is more than just classes – it's the start of your career story. Let us help you share it! 

VIU Experience Hub 💼 

The Experience Hub is VIU’s online student services and experiential learning platform. Log in using your VIU single sign-on credentials, to access the following student services: 

• book appointments with advisors 
• access career services 
• find on and off campus employment opportunities 
• register for on-campus career events  

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. 

Conference funding 💸 

Are you planning to share your research at a conference this fall? You may be eligible for the Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity conference funding. Visit the website and connect with Vanessa.Moraes@viu.ca if you have any questions. Deadline is September 20 for conferences between May 1 and December 31, 2024. 

McCall MacBain scholarship 💲 

Applications for the McCall MacBain Scholarship are open! McCall MacBain Scholars connect with mentors and participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program while pursuing a fully funded master's or professional degree at McGill University. Deadline is September 25. Connect with Vanessa.Moraes@viu.ca if you plan to apply.   

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. 

Mark your calendars

Important upcoming deadlines 🗓️

• September 10 is the last day of active waitlist for Fall Semester courses. 
• September 16 is the last day for a full withdrawal from the Fall Semester with a 90% refund and the last day for a partial withdrawal from the Fall Semester with 100% refund for individual courses. 
• September 17 Fall Semester fees are due. 

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