Student Pulse News: June 15, 2022

Next week we are hosting our biggest event of the year on campus – convocation! There are three ceremonies that take place June 23 and 24. You may have seen some of our valedictorian profiles on the VIUBlog or on social media. You can join in the excitement by wishing our graduates well on our livestreams or anywhere on our social media accounts with the #VIUGrad hashtag.
 
This will be the last Summer Session edition of the Pulse in your inboxes. The regular newsletter will be back in August before the start-up of the Fall Semester. We may pop back in your inboxes briefly if there are important updates or events to share; until then have a great summer!

Need to know

Indigenous History Month 

June is Indigenous History Month, during which we mark the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada.Read President Dr. Deborah Saucier’s message. One of the ways we are marking Indigenous History Month is by highlighting the voices and works of some Indigenous writers who are part of our community. You can view these stories on the #VIUBlog. This week you can read Sheena Robinson’s story. Other resources/events:

• National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, organized by Mid Island Metis Nation at Maffeo Sutton Park on June  21, 5 to 8 pm
• Webinar: Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples’ Health in Canada hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health  
• Indigenous History Month reading list
• National Indigenous People’s Day in Chemainus, Waterwheel Park, starting at noon

RockVIU new student orientation 🎉

Are you a new or returning student looking for info on services, supports and resources, or to connect with peers? Come to RockVIU 2022, which runs August 29 to September 2 this year. Activities include campus excursions, fireside chats, the Connect Fair Festival, Q&A panels, block party socials and the Summer Nights Festival and Drive-in Movie night. More information is available on the RockVIU homepage. Registration is now open!

Pride Month 🌈

Every June, people around the world celebrate Pride month. Read President Dr. Deborah Saucier's message. The VIU Positive Space Alliance encourages our community to renew their commitment to creating spaces that are safe and inclusive for 2SLGBTQ+ members of our communities this year. On the #VIUBlog, the PSA shares some ideas that can help you demonstrate that you’re an ally. The PSA’s website also has some insightful FAQs that explain the importance of safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ people in our community. Check out the Myth Busting section of the site for more information, and consider using the Participant Manual to make your space a safe space. See below for tips on demonstrating allyship.

Connect

Grill N’ Chill Summer BBQ 🍔☀️

VIU students are invited to come by the Students’ Union on Wednesday, June 22, between 4 to 7 pm, to have a burger on us, meet some new people and find out about our services! We’ll have cold drinks and treats, and vegetarian options too. You’ll also get to enjoy live music from DJ Astro and can pick up some free swag like a VIUSU water bottle, lanyard and more!

Book Launch: Indigenous re-Search Methodologies 📖

Indigenous methodologies have been silenced and obscured by the Western scientific means of knowledge production. In a challenge to this colonialist rejection of Indigenous knowledge, Anishinaabe re-searcher (hyphen in re-searcher intentional) Kathleen Absolon describes how Indigenous re-searchers re-theorize and re-create methodologies. Join the Office of Indigenous Education & Engagement on Wednesday, June 22, from 11:30 am to 1 pm, to launch Absolon’s second edition of Kaandossiwin, How We Come to Know: Indigenous re-Search Methodologies. The event takes place in Shq’apthut. Register here.

Research Commons: your new fave study space 

Need a great space to work on campus? Try out the Research Commons in the Library – it is up on the fourth floor (R440) in the Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity area. Come check out this relatively unknown gem! Amazing views, large tables to work at, comfy chairs. We are also looking for feedback on shaping this space – see boards in the room and leave your comments!

Summer camp for Indigenous youth 

VIU and the ‘su’luqw’a’ Community Cousins are hosting a four-day summer camp for Indigenous youth (Grades 7-9 and 10-12) on Vancouver Island. The camp will be hosted at VIU. The camp for youth Grades 7-9 is July 18 to July 22, and youth Grades 10-12 is August 8 to August 12, 2022. The primary focus is to celebrate the cultural and educational components that support the ongoing learning journey. Elder teachings, land-based learning and exploring VIU’s programs are just a sample of what our summer camps have to offer. Email Sheldon.Scow@viu.ca to register.

Supports and services

Need a place to live? 🏠

Are you moving back to Nanaimo to take courses at VIU this fall? Now that you’ve registered for classes, the next step is finding accommodation. Here are 5 tips to find the right housing fit.

Contribute to a thriving VIU community 🧠

Are you passionate about promoting wellness and mental health? Are you interested in working towards building a more supportive, connected, healthy VIU campus culture? Thrive employment opportunities for the 2022-23 academic year are now open. You can run the Student Wellness Promoter program or host the Wellness Lounge at the library as a Student Wellness Peer. For more information and to apply, check out our webpage.  

Student loans now open for applications 💰

The 2022-23 student loan application is now available for BC residents. Full-time student loan applicants will need their BC Services card and the BC Services app to apply. Part-time applicants will still need to complete their application using the Part-Time Studies application found on Student Aid BC’s Form library.

Library family space 👶

For students who are also parents and caregivers, we invite you to bring your little ones to the Family Space in the library where you can relax, play, feed and even check out a collection of children’s books from VIRL. The space also has computer stations and tables for studying while little ones play. The Family Space is located within the Nanaimo campus’ 24-7 access section of the library too! Questions about the library? Get in touch or check out our FAQs page.

Don’t take the bait! A phishing attack explainer 🐟

Phishing attacks are one of the most common online scams around. Taking the bait can lead to loss of funds and breaches of personal, health or financial information. And if that wasn’t bad enough, phishing is now one of the primary entry points for ransomware. Learn more about how to protect yourself on the #VIUBlog.

Graduate & Professional School Fair

Join the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine on Tuesday, July 19 at the National Institutes of Health Graduate & Professional Schools Fair to learn more about our world-class graduate life sciences and medical programs and chat with our student/faculty panel regarding the curriculum, student life, admission requirements and career as a scientist. Register on Eventbrite.

Deals

Did you know that as a VIU student you have access to exclusive discounts in your community and across the province? Download the Deals App, administered by the VIUSU and the BC Federation of Students, to learn more. Today’s featured businesses:

• Hotel Zed: 15% on reservations.
• Panago Pizza: 10% off any menu item.

COVID-19 updates

VIU communicable diseases protocols 🤧😷

A reminder that VIU has communicable disease protocols year-round. Follow these steps to help us keep everyone healthy:
1. Stay home when you are sick, even if symptoms are mild.
2. Test yourself with a Rapid Antigen Test, even if symptoms are mild (runny nose, fever and/or chills, sore throat, recent onset coughing, diarrhea). #DYK that you can pick up a test kit on campus?
3. Notify your instructors that you will be away from class.
4. If you get sick while you are on campus, go home immediately and let your instructors know.

Students living in VIU Residence: Please notify VIU Student Residence if you develop any symptoms. Begin isolating immediately in your room.

Questions about how long you need to stay home if you test positive for COVID-19? Check out these details from the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water or hand sanitizer for at least 30 seconds.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

Consider getting vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases, includingCOVID-19, and get your boosters when it’s time!

Have a fun and safe summer!

Campus events

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

• Campus Events website
• Co-curricular involvement app
• VIU Students' Union app