Help with job searches and events to de-stress 🧠

Are you thinking about what you want to do for work this summer or after graduating? The Career Studio has a ton of upcoming workshops on everything from resume and cover letter building to job search strategies. Also in this issue:  

• Upcoming Mariners games 

• Join the Hunger Hack 

• Events to help you ease stress 

Need to know

Black History Month at VIU 

February is Black History Month – a time to celebrate the history, culture, diversity and achievements of Black people in Canada and recognize the contributions of Black communities nationwide. Read President Saucier's message. There are several events planned at VIU to mark this important month. Many thanks to event organizers, in particular Dr. Sonnet L’Abbé, for putting together these events. For the full list of events, read the Black History Month at VIU blog post. 

PACWEST Provincial Volleyball Championships 🏐

Gold medals and provincial titles are on the line as VIU hosts the 2025 PACWEST Volleyball Championships, February 21 and 22 at the VIU gym. The top women’s and men’s collegiate teams from across BC will face off and we’re looking for huge fan support to push the Mariners to the top! Tickets are available now on Showpass. Tickets for VIU students are free (must show valid student I.D. to enter). 

Send a candy gram 💌 💘 

Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly. Don't miss out on this opportunity to send your friends and loved ones a free candy gram! We will be in the quad from 11 am to 2 pm from February 10 to 13 please come and visit us to send your friend or that special someone a candy gram with a unique and special message! The candy grams will be delivered to the recipient on Valentine’s Day! 🌟 You will need the following details about the recipient for the candy gram: 

🏫 Building and room number  
⏱️ Exact time of their class  
💌 Their email or Instagram, in case we are unable to hand deliver the candy gram. 

No Hunger at VIU 🥘

This student initiative to fight food insecurity will be serving free hot meals for VIU students on February 12 and 26 from 11:30 am until they run out in Building 355, Room 211. Care packages will be available for pickup as well. 

Ready to graduate?  🎓 

Completing your courses isn’t the last step – you still need to apply! The deadline is February 28, and applying by this date is the only way to secure tickets to convocation for your family and friends. If you have questions about your graduation requirements, please contact your degree advisor, program coordinator or chair. Find everything you need to complete your graduation application on the graduation website. Still have questions? Email graduation@viu.ca. 

Reminder: Download the 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. 

Deal for Hullo ferries

Book three or more trips, get 20% off. Applies to all service tiers and fare types, excludes seat selection, large luggage and sports bags. Book between February 3 and 23 for travel between February 14 and 23, 2025. Use promo code FAMDAY20. 

Connect

Hunger Hack 2025 🍎 

Calling all changemakers! Let's do something about student hunger! Want an opportunity to apply your skills in a multidisciplinary student team to make a difference doing a real thing for real people with real funding? Sign up for the Hunger Hack, February 19 to 21 to improve student food security on campus. Your team could win one of three chances to pilot your idea with $5,000! Apply now. Have a question? Have a lot of questions? Email Cyrill.Rohr@viu.ca. 

Become a student ambassador 🗣️ 

Do you enjoy being part of the VIU community? Want to help future students feel at home at VIU? Join our team as a student ambassador! Help create unforgettable experiences for future students! As a student ambassador, you’ll gain leadership and event-planning experience, share your journey with prospective students and boost your resume with official recognition on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR). New opportunities are coming soon – check the Experience Hub for updates. 

Noodles and doodles day 🍜 

Come to the Wellness Lounge at the VIU Library on Thursday, February 6, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, grab a free cup of noodles, pick up a marker and let your creativity flow! Whether you’re a doodling pro or just looking to relax and unwind, it’s the perfect way to enjoy good food and have fun. 

Talk to Me lunch table 🗣 

On Wednesday, February 12, at noon, bring your lunch to the upper cafeteria and enjoy a relaxed meal with fellow students! It's an excellent opportunity to connect, chat and build new friendships in a welcoming, friendly space. 

Crafts, consent and conversations 💬 

Join the Thrive crew at the residence building on February 13 at 6 pm for an evening of conversations about consent! A fun mix of creativity and conversation, where you can craft, chat about consent and even win some cool prizes! 

Culture Couch 🛋️ 

The Culture Couch is a place to engage in cross-cultural understanding and learning. Each session is uniquely crafted by student volunteers who take on the role of hosts and share aspects of their culture with their peers. Culture Couch happens Tuesdays from 5 to 6 pm in Building 255, first floor learning commons. Open to all students, no registration is required. Upcoming sessions:  

• Welcome to El Salvador: February 18  

• Talk to Me – Thrive: February 25  

• Welcome to the Philippines: March 4 

Explore, play and learn at the library 

Calling all little adventurers! Our libraries are not just about books – they are spaces for play and fun! Check out our new selection of toys in the Family Space at VIU’s Nanaimo campus library. Also, Cowichan library families – we haven't forgotten about you! Swing by and discover all the toys that will keep your little ones happily engaged. From puppets to puzzles to Duplo, keep the kiddos busy while you get some study time in! 

VIU Mariners basketball 

Pack the VIU gym and cheer on our VIU basketball teams at home for the final time this season as they battle the Capilano University Blues. Games go at 6 and 8 pm on Friday, February 7 and 1 and 3 pm on Saturday, February 8. Graduating student-athletes will be recognized prior to Friday’s games.  

Rockies Winter Explorer Trip  

Embark on the ultimate winter adventure in the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and stay overnight at three stunning ski resort towns: Vernon, Banff and Golden. This tour includes breathtaking sightseeing stops, free snow tubing at SilverStar Mountain Resort, a cozy Canadian campfire (with s’mores) and exclusive discounts on optional activities such as ice skating or skiing at Lake Louise resort. February 14 to 17. Learn more. 

Supports and services

Job search strategies seminar 🖥️ 

Many jobs are not advertised! Learn ways to get out from behind your computer, get organized and locate jobs of interest. Come join us in the Career Studio. Lunch provided. Register early on the Experience Hub as seats are limited!  

• When: February 26 from 11:15 am to 12:50 pm. 
• Where: Building 255, Room 204 or attend virtually on Microsoft Teams. 

Looking for a job? 💼 

Keep an eye out for job postings and get your applications ready! While you wait, take the time to polish your resume – book an appointment on the Experience Hubwith the Career Studio for expert help. Several jobs with the Centre for Experiential Learning will accept applications starting February 14:  

🔹 Career Studio – Guide peers with resumes, cover letters and job search strategies while building your own career skills! 
🔹 Office of Co-Curricular Engagement & Learning  – Heard of RockVIU and Fun@VIU? Join the team that brings campus to life with exciting events and student engagement! 
🔹 Peer Supported Learning – Want to help students succeed? Lead study sessions, share learning strategies and support peers in mastering course material! 
🔹 Thrive – Support student well-being by creating a welcoming space, offering peer support and helping promotee mental health (therapy dogs may be part of the package!) 

Health, safety and your rights 💼 

Gear up for success in your work-integrated learning experience! Career Studio is hosting a lunch & Learn – Workplace Ready interactive workshop. It covers essential topics like employment standards, WorkSafeBC guidelines and tackling workplace bullying and harassment. Gain practical knowledge and skills to stay safe, confident and empowered at work. Lunch will be provided. Register early on the Experience Hub as seats are limited!  

When: Wednesday, February 12, 11:15 am to 12:50 pm  
Where: Career Studio, Building 255, Room 204 

Immigration services for international students and visiting scholars 

We are committed to your success at VIU. A factor in that success is ensuring that your study permits and other immigration documents are current. Changes to immigration policies may affect you so please contact the VIU immigration advising team for advice and support. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants can help you understand policy changes and ensure your immigration documents are complete and correctly submitted to IRCC. Book a session with the VIU immigration advising team to access their support and resources today! 

ASIST workshop 

VIU Thrive invites you to join the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop on February 20 to 21! This internationally acclaimed two-day workshop will give you the skills and confidence to intervene and provide immediate support for someone at risk of suicide. Free registration here. 

Forestry Labour Market Round Table 🌲 

Connect with industry professionals at the Forestry Labour Market Round Table. Come and ask questions to learn about working in the industry and start developing relationships with possible future employers. Register here. 

When: Friday, February 14, from 11 am to 12:30 pm  
Where: Building 300, Room 401  

Dealing with a difficult roomie?  

Tension and arguments at home cause stress, disrupt studies and can impact your success at university. Roommate conflicts can result from:  

• non-payment of bills  
• noise  
• food ‘borrowing’  
• messiness  
• character differences  

We’ve collected some tips for avoiding and dealing with conflict. We’re also here to help with house hunting, temporary accommodation and tenancy issues. Visit Off-Campus Housing, email housing@viu.ca or book a meeting. 

Connect with an advisor 

Calling all students in Exploratory University Studies and unclassified programs! Now is the time to firm up your educational plans and apply to other programs (BA, BSc, BBA and our many limited-entry programs). Advisors are here to help you with this transition. Connect early, connect often with educational advisors. 

VIU exam accommodations 📖 

Hey VIU students with exam accommodations! Here’s what you need to know for the 2025 April finals. The deadline to request accommodations is March 31 for April finals starting April 14. Stay on top of these dates to ensure a smooth exam season. We're here to support your success! 

Policy consultations   

Help shape safety policies at VIU by providing your feedback. We’re gathering feedback on two draft policies – CS03: Emergency Management and Critical Incidents Response (draft) and CS04: Health and Safety (draft). Let us know what you think by 4 pm on February 7. Please visit open policy consultations to find out more. These consultations are part of the policy renewal process to bring VIU’s Board of Governors-approved institutional policies in line with the new Policy Framework.    

Safety App update for Android users 📱 

Due to recent changes to Google Play, please ensure you have the latest version of the VIU Safety App downloaded (January 24, 2025). This ensures you will continue to receive emergency messages and VIU campus updates. Check for updates within the app and verify your phone allows push notifications from the VIU Safety App. Download the app. 

Exchange support sessions ✈️ 

Exchange is an incredible opportunity to explore new cultures, gain global experience and broaden your academic and personal horizons. Our exchange support sessions are here to guide you through the process, ensuring you’re fully prepared for this exciting journey. Sessions run until April 29. 

• When: Every Tuesday, 11 am to 12 pm (drop in anytime throughout the hour) 

• Where: Building 255 reception, Room 205 (left of reception area) 

For questions ahead of time, email internationalMobility@viu.ca. 

Engineering labour market panel 👨‍🔬 

Join us to learn where your degree may take you from hearing from industry professionals in Engineering about their day-to-day work tasks, company culture and more! Registration Link: Engineering Labour Market Panel 

• When: Thursday, February 6, from 10:30 to 11:20 am 
  Where: Building 315 Room 216 

Mark your calendar

View Gallery presents Evolution 🎨 

VIU’s View Gallery is proud to showcase the incredible talent of six alumni from the Visual Arts program. The exhibition, Evolution: a journey, features the work of Jadranka Andros, Carra Christy, Georgi Frie, Julia Knowlden, Jason Ritter and Denise Tierney. The exhibit runs at the View Gallery until February 14. The View Gallery is open during exhibits from 10 am to 4 pm from Tuesday to Friday. It is in Building 330 at the Nanaimo campus. 

Poet Laureate presents first Colloquium  

Neil Surkan, Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate and a VIU English Professor, kicks off VIU’s Arts and Humanities Colloquium Series with his talk Toward More (Un)Certainty: Parenting and the Poetics of Hope. Neil’s talk is on February 7 from 10 to 11:30 am at Malaspina Theatre (Building 310) at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. People can also watch the live stream on the Media Studies YouTube channel. 

Free screening of film Fortescue 🍿 

VIU’s Media Studies department invites you to a free screening of Fortescue on Wednesday, February 5 from 7 to 9 pm at Malaspina Theatre (Building 310). There is a Q&A with the film’s director Rebecca Love and some of the cast members after the show. Learn more about the screening. 

MMIWG2S+ Memorial Awareness March 

This march is not only a solemn tribute to the lives lost but also a call to action for justice, awareness and systemic change. Please join us in this vital act of remembrance and continue the awareness of this act of genocide towards our women and girls. If you have any questions or want to confirm your attendance contact leah.vaisanen@viusu.ca. 

• When: Friday, February 14 at 3:30 pm 

• Where: Starting point: Diana Krall Plaza, Endpoint: Maffeo Sutton Park 

Global Citizens Forum 

The Global Citizens Forum 2025 builds on VIU’s commitment to fostering dialogue, collaboration and understanding among students, employees and the wider community. This year’s theme is Sharing Perspectives and emphasizes the power of storytelling, dialogue and collaboration in fostering a more inclusive and understanding world. Through this event, participants will explore global perspectives, celebrate cultural diversity and reflect on how collective learning can lead to positive change. The Global Citizens Forum runs from February 25 to 26, various locations. Details coming soon. 

CREATE 📚 

Registration for VIU’s CREATE Conference is now open! Don’t miss the chance to showcase your research and creative activity. We will distribute over $15,000 in cash prizes! Learn more about CREATE and register. 

Important semester dates and deadlines 🗓️ 

Check out the Dates and Deadlines calendar to stay on top of important deadlines:  

• Spring Semester Study Days (February 18 to 21) 
• Last day for academic penalty-free withdrawal from a Spring Semester course or to change from credit to audit in academic programs is March 28 
• Deadline to submit online Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries Profile is March 30 

Need help with charting your path to success? Connect with an advisor.