Student Pulse News: May 18, 2022

How’s the semester going so far? If you’re thinking ahead to what you’re going to take next year and need some help, VIU’s Educational Advising team is standing by to support you. This newsletter has also got some tips for paying for school, keeping your email safe from scammers and accessing VIU Learn. Don’t forget that Monday, May 23 is a holiday and VIU will be closed except for the Nanaimo campus library, which you can access 24-7 with your student card.

This week's cover image is of students and staff from the Office of Co-Curricular Engagement and Learning participating in the Moose Hide Campaign Day Walk to End Violence in Victoria on May 12. 

Need to know

Need help with choosing or registering for courses? 🙋‍♀️

Registration is open for Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023. Consider joining Web Registration and Course Selections Sessions offered by Registration and Advising. New this year, you can now register for the Summer 2023 semester. As always, Connect with an Advisor by email, phone or daily drop-in in B200 or Zoom drop-in.

A reminder that COVID-19 illness protocols are still in place

It has come to VIU’s attention that students are coming to campus and class when they are sick with COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over and there are still protocols in place if you have ANY symptoms of illness.
Coming to campus or class when you have even one of the following symptoms – sore throat, recent onset of a cough, runny nose, fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea – is against VIU student COVID-19 illness policies and puts your fellow classmates, your instructors and the entire university community at risk of serious illness. Just because you are not seriously ill doesn’t mean you won’t spread COVID-19 to someone who could become seriously ill. Help keep everyone around you safe. If you have any symptoms, even mild ones you must:

• Test yourself with a Rapid Antigen Test, even if symptoms are mild (e.g. runny nose, fever and/or chills, sore throat, recent onset coughing, diarrhea). Rapid tests are available for FREE from most pharmacies. 
• Stay home when you are sick, even if symptoms are mild.
• Notify your instructor that you will be away from class.
• If you get sick while you are on campus, go home immediately and take a rapid test as soon as possible.

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

Accessing VIU Learn 💻

Need help accessing or navigating the VIU Learn system? The Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning has created a full website of guides to VIU Learn, from how to access it, to finding courses, to navigating discussions and assignments.

Roll, Step or Ride into Spring! 🚲

Go By Bike Week and Commuter Challenge Week are coming up May 30 to June 11. Choose your favourite mode of active transportation and join your VIU peers in a little fun for the benefit of the environment. Watch the VIU social media channels and VIU Sustainability Facebook page for details. In the meantime, register for free at the links below:

• Create a Go By Bike account and join a VIU team so we can keep track of our collective impact.
• If you’re not a bike commuter, join the Commuter Challenge and look for Vancouver Island University as a workplace. 

Connect

Pub hours for May and June 🍔

The Students’ Union Pub is staying open through the May and June summer sessions!  

• Hours are Monday to Thursday, 10:30 am - 5:30 pm.  
• New summer menu items include a salmon burger and all-day eggs benedict.  
• Call in takeout orders to 250-716-9211.
• Order delivery through DoorDash.   

Study and Go Abroad Fair and Webinars 🌎

This is a great opportunity to meet with universities in Canada and around the world to check out post-graduate options and work abroad opportunities. Registration is free. Learn more.

Volunteer with Youth 20/20 Can 🖐

Are you between 15-29 and looking for a fun, hands-on volunteer experience in Nanaimo that makes a difference? Check out Youth 20/20 Can. Come join us to make difference! Follow our Instagram and Facebook pages for more info.

Police warn club-goers to watch their drinks 🍺

The Nanaimo RCMP are issuing a warning to patrons who frequent Nanaimo nightclubs to keep an eye on their drinks, after several incidents of spiked drinks were reported two weeks ago. Nanaimo RCMP provide the following tips:

• Always keep your drink in sight;
• Never accept a drink from someone that you do not know. Remember, spiked drinks can happen in any social settings and do not only occur at nightclubs;
• When on the dance floor or washroom, have a designated person be responsible for your drink; and
• If you suddenly become light-headed, nauseous and are having difficulty breathing, do not allow yourself to become isolated. Alert your friends immediately to the situation and if necessary, seek medical attention.

Spring/summer Starbucks and cafeteria hours ☀️

Starbucks and cafeteria hours have been adjusted for summer session. 

• The main cafeteria (B300) is now open 8 am - 2 pm with Grab & Go and breakfast available. 
• Green Mountain in the main cafeteria is open from 9 am - 2 pm. 
• The lower cafeteria (B185) is open from 7:30 - 10:30 am and 11 am - 2 pm. 
• Starbucks (B305) is open 8 am - 3 pm. 

CampVIU returns ⚽️🏀

CampVIU returns for 2022! CampVIU/Mariners in Training classics including sport-specific camps with VIU Mariners coaches and athletes, as well as the much-loved Shorts in Sports, Mariners Multisport and Athlete Development programs are making their return.

Book launch at Shq’apthut 📖

Join the editors of the International Indigenous Recognition of Prior Learning Practitioner Manual on May 19, hosted by Tania Smethurst of the Office of Indigenous Education & Engagement, at Shq’apthut. Refreshments will be served. Those interested in joining virtually can email for a Zoom link. Register via Eventbrite.

Supports and services

Accessibility info on the VIU Safety App 📱

Did you know that the VIU Safety App now has an accessibility information tab? To ensure you can access the tab, update your app to the latest version by clicking on “about” and clicking on “data update.”  Included on the Accessible at VIU button is a campus map, accessible wayfinding info and the ability to report an accessibility issue.

Become a Wellness Peer 🧠😀

Are you passionate about promoting wellness and mental health? Interested in developing skills to aid in a future career in the helping professions? Apply to be a Wellness Peer for the 2022-23 academic year! There will be some paid and volunteer positions, so fill in our “expression of interest” form to find out more! For more information and to apply, check out our webpage.  

Don’t fall for the gift card scam 🙅‍♀️

You get an email that “looks” like it came from a friend or prof wanting help. Small problem – it isn’t who you think it is. Tracey Terepocki, VIU Manager of Information Security, shares some email safety tips on the #VIUBlog.

VIUSU Extended Health Plan changes 🦷

In spring 2022, students voted in favour of several changes to the extended health and dental plan that will make the plan more inclusive. The plan will now include (effective September 1, 2022): 

• Full-time and part-time students taking classes on any VIU campus or centre, as well as students in online programs.
• Academic students (including graduate and masters extension programs) taking six or more credits in one semester.
• Trades/vocational students in a program 150 days or longer.
• The plan cost has been reduced from $275 to $265 annually – $22 per month.

Funded International Research Opportunity for Undergraduate Students 💰✈️

VIU students are invited to apply for 3-4-month research internships in Mexico and Colombia. The full list of internship opportunities and details on funding, application process and timeline can be viewed here. VIU has funding for up to four student internships and will be awarded based on the first four applications that meet eligibility. Application deadline is June 1, 2022. Please contact Kendra Stiwich, Student Research Engagement Coordinator, SRCA or Jennifer Sills, Manager of Education Abroad for more information and before applying.

Conference Funding for Students 💰

Did you go to a conference last semester, or are you going to one over the summer? We have funds to help you out! Check out this website for more details and connect with Kendra.Stiwich@viu.ca if you have any questions. Application deadline is May 20, 2022.

Connect with student services 📌

International Education and Student Affairs have partnered to create a one-stop student service model in Building 255 where you will find most student services in one location:

• International Education services and supports;
• Assessment and Exam Services;
• Financial Aid Scholarships Bursaries and Awards;
• Accessibility Services;
• Student Conduct and Care; 
• Centre for Experiential Learning.

Counselling Services and the Health and Wellness Clinic are still located in Building 200.

Need a bus pass? 🚌

Transit passes can be purchased online at the VIU Students’ Union website. A reminder that your student card is not your bus pass, transit passes need to be purchased on the VIUSU website.

Student loan info 💰

Planning for the 2022-23 academic year? Be sure to check out Government Student Loans and Grants. Student loan funding and grants are available for eligible full and part-time students. There are also many non-payable grants for which you will be automatically assessed when you apply for a student loan. Applications open in mid-June/early July 2022.

Financial Aid Options Checklist ✅

Doing some financial planning this summer? Check out this Financial Aid Options Checklist to help you!

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:

• Domino’s Pizza: 25% off full menu priced pizza and bread.
• Goodfood: 8 free meals for new customers.

Mark your calendars

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. Check out some tips from the Positive Space Alliance on how to demonstrate your allyship. 

Asian Heritage Month

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, an opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions of all Canadians of Asian descent and all Asian cultures. The month is also a call to action for all Canadians to come together to combat all forms of anti-Asian racism and discrimination. On the #VIUBlog, we have a collection of resources to help you celebrate Asian Heritage Month, learn more about the history of Canadians of Asian heritage and take action.

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