Student newsletter: October 30, 2024
Congratulations to the VIU Mariners women's soccer team ⚽ – this year's PACWEST BC champions! With this championship, the team punch their ticket to the CCAA Women’s National Championship in Squamish hosted by Capilano University, from November 6 to 9. Join us in cheering them on!
In this issue:
- Halloween around campus
- Peer-Supported Learning and how it can increase your grades
- Get your scholarship, award and bursary profile filled out today!
Need to know
Halloween Fright Night 👻
Join Fun@VIU in the upper cafeteria for Halloween Fright Night on October 31, from 4 to 6 pm. Costume contest, monstrous mystery box, mummy wrap competition and a pumpkin pie eating contest. Play to win prizes or just come and watch.
Increase your grades with Peer-Supported Learning 📚
Peer-Supported Learning, or PSL, offers free, regularly scheduled, informal study sessions led by a senior student who has been successful in a specific course. Did you know that students who attend PSL sessions generally increase their mark by at least one letter grade? Find out more about this program, including how to get involved.
Free hot meals on November 5 🍲
No Hunger at VIU is a joint initiative by the VIU Students’ Union, Political Studies Students’ Association and Political Studies department. On November 5, come to Building 355, Room 211 from 11:30 am to 1 pm (or until they run out) for a free hot meal. Care packages are also available in Building 356 on the third floor throughout the week every week.
Tuition credit draw 💸
You have until the morning of October 31 to complete the D2L course Safer Campuses for Everyone and enter to win a $500 tuition credit prize! 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. Check the Thrive website to learn how to enrol and submit your completion certificate to thrive@viu.ca. The draw is on October 31 at the upper cafeteria, at 11:30 am.
Student shoutout
A huge cheer to our amazing business students, who participated in the 2024 BC MBA Games – and came away champions! The teams won the following:
- Overall Academic (first place take-home, first place Pecha Kucha, second place Live)
- Overall Spirit (first place mystery, first place opening dance, second place fundraising).
Founded at VIU in 2015, the annual MBA Games event has flourished into the largest gathering of MBA students in BC with more than 125 participants.
Connect
Diwali celebration
Step into the magic of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and join us for an evening of vibrant lights, laughter and festivities! Join us on Friday, November 1 as we come together for games, music and an atmosphere brimming with joy and community spirit. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a vibrant cultural celebration. Bring your friends and join the fun! Event takes place in the cafeteria from 4 to 6 pm. Learn more about Diwali.
Halloween at the Campus Pub 🎃
Join the VIU Students’ Union for live entertainment by DJ Kurtis Johnstone, as well as games, activities and drink specials on October 31, 9 pm to midnight.
Pre-Halloween dodgeball tournament
Get your costumes on and get ready to dodge – and laugh! Our annual dodgeball tournament takes place at the VIU Gym on the evening of Wednesday, October 30. Plenty of prizes, including best dressed team, are up for grabs. Teams must be co-ed, have a minimum of six players and be registered ahead of the event, so sign up on the Athletics & Recreation website today.
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.
Get published in Compass Rose
Compass Rose is an undergraduate journal that explores timeless ideas in the liberal arts and addresses matters of importance to the human whole. You’re invited to submit your work for a chance to be published. The journal seeks submissions in various formats, including, essays, book reviews and creative works. Contributions are welcome from students in the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and other disciplines that engage with the great books and ideas of the liberal arts tradition. Deadline for submissions November 18. Learn more.
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. The next one is November 6.
Supports and services
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.
Exploratory Studies
Exploratory University Studies (EXPO) is an opportunity for you to take university credit courses, while exploring your options further. As an EXPO student you receive individualized support from educational advisors to help you deepen your understanding of your strengths, values and interests, while developing realistic plans to help you meet your educational goals. If you are ready to move out of EXPO and into a specific program, connect with the Advising Centre to discuss your options or create your educational path. Students can also check out the option to transfer to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Business Administration Programs. Mark your calendars for the Next Steps Webinar coming up Wednesday, November 20 at 5 pm. Learn more and how to attend.
Geography and geoscience career panel
Learn from industry professionals in geography and geoscience and hear from employers through panel and round table discussions. Start building your network and learn about what you can do with your degree. November 5, 4:30 to 6 pm in Building 300, Room 401. Register.
Yukon tourism industry info sessions
Discover your tourism career in the Yukon! Learn about the endless possibilities that Yukon offers as your ideal destination to live, learn, work and play at this virtual session. Learn more in a virtual info session on November 6, 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Register.
Interested in a career in the tech industry?🧑🏽💻
Learn where your degree can take you at the ITAS Career Connect session. Hear from VIU alumni and industry professionals working in information technology and applied systems about their day-to-day work tasks, company culture and more! Session is on November 7, 2:30 to 3:30 pm, Building 200 Room 203. Registration at ITAS Career Connect.
Reach out for research help 📚
It’s getting to be crunch time. Reach out to our team for research help! Our aim is to empower you with the skills and resources to navigate the research process confidently.
Post-grad work permit info sessions
A successful post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application can be a key pathway for immigration to Canada. It's crucial for international students to understand the specific eligibility requirements for the PGWP, as failing to meet them can lead to application refusals. Let's go over these requirements together! There are three info sessions to choose from: October 30, and November 6 and 27. Learn more.
Shape VIU’s future by sharing your stories
Share what you like about VIU and how you feel these experiences can help shape the future of the institution during the Provost’s Circle roundtable discussions. Sessions are continuing until December 10. We ask that you only register for one session to allow as many people as possible to take part. Register for a session.
REACH Award
Are you working on an independent project under the mentorship of a VIU faculty member or do you have a great idea to develop one? The REACH Award provides students with a stipend to support their projects. Check the eligibility criteria. The deadline for applications is October 31. Questions? Please connect with Vanessa.Moraes@viu.ca
Fall research funding workshops
Join the Student Research Engagement Coordinator during to get help with the application process for Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Program (November 4). Register.
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.
Overdose prevention: Ways to stay safer
Toxic drugs are the leading cause of death for people ages 19 to 39 in BC. If you or someone you know uses drugs, it’s more important than ever to know the ways to stay safer. Here are some tips:
- Test your drugs: Drug checking can provide life-saving information about what’s really in your drugs and can help connect you with health services. Visit a drug-checking location.
- Carry a naloxone kit: Carry naloxone and know how to use it. Naloxone kits are available at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, co-located with the AED machines across campus (see Nanaimo campus map and click on first aid). Pick up a kit for free.
- Download the app: The Lifeguard app connects you to emergency responders if you become unresponsive from a drug overdose. Download for free through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Learn more about how to prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose on the provincial government’s new Respond to Overdose website.
Lab2Market Validate program
Are you a student looking to explore the market potential of your research ideas, but not exactly sure how to go about it? Get up to $15,000 in funding as a student researcher to help validate your idea as a business. Lab2Market Validate is your opportunity to critically stress test and evaluate your research in an entrepreneurial landscape. Join the waitlist.
Know More Opioids sessions
Know More Opioids and Cannabis sessions are back. These free virtual learning sessions engage teens and young adults about the facts surrounding the overdose crisis, alcohol, cannabis and tabacco use. Learn more about the self-led online learning modules and activities.
Mark your calendar
Bursary deadline: October 30
The deadline is today!!! Complete your online scholarship, award and bursary profile from within your student record, under the finance tab, to apply for hundreds of bursaries. Deadline is midnight, October 30. Learn more.
Our Town 🎭
VIU’s Theatre department presents Our Town, from October 31 to November 9, 7:30 pm. Tickets are $11.30 on Showpass or $10, plus tax, at the door. VIU students can attend for free by using the promo code, VIU, at checkout.
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 November 19 and December 3.
Indigenous Crafting Series
Learn about traditional Indigenous crafts and get a chance to try your hand at them on November 19 in Shq’apthut, 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Snacks and refreshments provided. Facilitated by Daisy Elliot and hosted by VIUSU.
View Gallery artist talk 🎨
The View Gallery presents an artist talk with Connie Michele Morey on Friday, November 1 at 12 pm. The talk is in support of Morey’s exhibition, Threadbare, and is in Building 320, Room 105.
Stay in the know
Stay on top of what's happening at VIU. Find ways to get involved:
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.
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