Student Pulse News: September 28, 2022

Friday, September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. We encourage you to wear orange this week to demonstrate allyship with residential school survivors and to invite conversations about truth and reconciliation, as VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier says in her message to community.
 
This issue includes info about truth and reconciliation events happening this week in a special section below, as well as resources. And don't forget to check out the Student Club Fair next week. 

Need to know

Student Club Fair ♟🎮

Join a club, start a club, become a leader. The club fair is from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on October 5 outside the VIU Students’ Union (Building 193).

tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus

The Tla’amin Nation has honoured VIU with the gifting of a name for the qathet campus. This new name is tiwšɛmawtxʷ (tyew-shem-out). This Sliammon phrase means A Place of Learning and was gifted to VIU in a formal ceremony on September 20. Please see the joint media release from Tla’amin Nation and VIU.  

Give a Meal 🍔🍟

Starting today, students can access the Give a Meal program, which provides meals on a temporary basis through VIU’s cafeterias, as well as resources and support for those struggling with food security. You can access this program by emailing giveameal@viu.ca. Thanks to Ancillary Services and Food Services for spearheading this new initiative.

Addressing the violence in Iran

As the violent crackdowns on civilian protestors continue in Iran, our thoughts and hearts are with our Iranian community members as well as those with family or deep connections to Iran. We recognize that this is a time of deep anxiety, fear and distress and encourage any community members impacted by the violence in Iran to seek support. VIU’s Counselling team can be reached at 250.740.6416 and 24-7 crisis services are listed here. If you see someone who is struggling please direct them to supports. Read more.

Truth and reconciliation

Every Child Matters/Orange Shirt Day 🧡

Services for Aboriginal Students, in conjunction with the VIU Students' Union, is hosting a reconciliation walk and event at Shq’apthut on September 29 to honour the children who survived the Residential School system and remember those who didn't make it home. The walk starts at 9:30 am outside VIUSU headquarters (Building 193) and goes to Shq’apthut for survivor stories, followed by lunch. 

X’ushin’tul (Walking together): 🧡

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) activities at the Cowichan campus take place on September 29 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Join us for a special ceremony, activities and a feast to honour and celebrate the lives of the children lost to residential school. Schedule of events.

Nanaimo event: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation 🧡

On September 30, the Snuneymuxw First Nation, City of Nanaimo and School District 68 are honouring our Ancestors, survivors and families by honouring a Snuneymuxw way of being. This event takes place from 10 am to 4 pm in the Stadium District (745 Third Street). Learn more.

qathet region events 🧡

Everyone at the tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus is encouraged to attend community events on September 30. This includes a memorial march from 3:30 to 5 pm along Marine Drive, followed by a film screening of “Bones of Crows” at the Patricia Theatre. The Powell River Public Library has established an Indigenous and Métis Collection that people are invited to explore (the library will be closed on September 30).

Cowichan events 🧡

The Every Child Matters March starts at 9 am on September 30 at the Si'em Lelum soccer fields on River Road. Wear your orange shirt, bring your drums and sing with us as we walk in memory of the children who did not make it home. The event includes speakers, a Tzinquaw Dancers performance, youth showcase and food trucks. 

Connect

Study abroad for a semester or two ✈️

Apply for Exchange by the October 6 deadline to study in English at one of our partner universities around the world for one or two semesters and enjoy support from VIU to make it happen. Exchange is your opportunity to have an adventure, earn valuable transfer credit towards your degree, connect with the global campus community and gain a whole new perspective on your education and career. Download an application package.   

Municipal election meet & greet ✅

The VIU Students’ Union is organizing Donuts & Democracy, a meet and greet with local candidates, in Building 210 on October 12 from 11 am to 1 pm.

Go By Bike Weeks and VIU kickoff event 🚴

Add some active transportation to your climate action! Go By Bike weeks are October 3 to 16. Participation is free, register to track your kilometres and get entered to win prizes. A kickoff event takes place Saturday, October 1 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the Nanaimo campus quad. Stop by and check out Modo’s electric vehicle, try an e-bike, get your bike registered with Project 529 (bike theft deterrent program) and more.

Bicycle Film Fest 🎬

Take in an evening of fun, motivational short films all about bikes on Saturday, October 1 from 7 to 9 pm in the Malaspina Theatre. Tickets are $15. Register via Eventbrite.

Municipal Voting at the Cowichan campus ✅

The District of North Cowichan will hold a special voting opportunity for the General Local Election on Monday, October 3 from 10 am to 2 pm. For qualified electors who are students, faculty or staff at VIU’s Cowichan campus.

Rain It In competition 💦

Are you passionate about helping to solve the climate crisis? Enter the Rain It In Competition for your chance to share your ideas with change-makers who can help make them a reality and win some prize money.

World Mental Health Day

October 10 is World Mental Health Day – a way to raise awareness and share different ways to improve mental health. Join the Thrive team on October 6 and 7 from 10 am to 2 pm in the quad in front of the library to join in conversations about self-care and engage in activities to cultivate wellness. 

West Café Cowichan is open! ☕️

Grab coffee, drinks and snacks from the WEST students at the Cowichan campus, room 210a. Open 10 am to 1 pm.

Language in the Library 📚

Learn and practice introductory Hul’q’umi’num’ in the Nanaimo campus library this semester! The sessions take place Tuesdays. The next session is October 4 from 12 to 1 pm. Registration is required to ensure seating and snacks are available for everyone. Email livinglibraries@viu.ca with questions or comments.

Supports and services

Study smarter, not harder 📖

Join the Peer Supported Learning team and guests for a series of panels to answer questions about and discuss tips and tricks to study effectively and set your semester up for success. Students from all faculties and programs across campus are invited to attend. September 28 from 11 am to noon in the Royal Arbutus Room (above the cafeteria in Building 300).

Career exploration support 💼

Get support with writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews and exploring career options at the Career Studio in Building 255. Drop-in hours are 9 am to 12 pm Monday to Friday or book an appointment with a Career Peer Facilitator. Visit the Career Studio website for more information.

Wellness Lounge and Therapy Dogs 🐕‍🦺

Want some place to go to chill out, destress, pet some dogs or chat with students trained to help you navigate university life? The Wellness Peers and therapy dog teams will be available at the Wellness Lounge in the Nanaimo campus library during these hours:

• Tuesdays: 10 am to 5 pm (dog team available from 1:30 to 3 pm)
• Wednesdays: 10 am to 5 pm (dog team 1:30 to 3 pm)
• Thursdays: 11 am to 4 pm (dog team 1 to 2:30 pm) 

Events and services at the Nanaimo campus library 📚

Wondering what kind of events are happening at the Nanaimo campus library? Find out more about citation management, Wellness Peers, therapy dogs and Language in the Library, offering opportunities to learn Hul’q’umi’num’ language, by checking out our new events calendar on the Library homepage! Or check out our Getting Started guide featuring all the need-to-know details about getting your VIU card, booking library study rooms, printing and scanning, borrowing equipment including laptops, microphones and cameras, and using media and accessibility stations. Contact us with any questions! 

Study Skills Workshop Series: Time Management ⏰

Learn to prioritize the demands on your time and what you need to consider to use your time more effectively. Contact Student Affairs Cowichan for more info or just drop in. Free pizza is provided! Come to room 135 from 12:15 to 1:15 pm on October 5. 

ChangeWays group Cowichan

Sometimes life may feel overwhelming. You are not alone. The ChangeWays group teaches you tools and insights to help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The group runs Fridays from 2 pm to 4 pm and starts October 7.

Study Skills Workshop Series: Exam Preparation ✏️

Learn study and exam strategies to improve your retention and confidently prepare for your exams. Contact Student Affairs Cowichan for more info or just drop in. Free pizza is provided! It takes place on October 12 in room 135 from 12:15 to 1:15 pm.

REACH Award workshop 💰

The REACH Awards provide VIU students with a stipend to enable them to complete their own independent project under the mentorship of a VIU employee. The Office of Graduate Studies and Student Research is offering a workshop to walk you through the application process. The workshop will be held on October 6 at 12 pm in Building 305, Room 440.

Inquiry and Ways of Knowing: A Guide to a Career in Research 🧬

Put on by the Student Leadership Circle in collaboration with the Office of Graduate Studies and Student Research, this event will feature employers and campus groups who will provide you with tools for navigating a career in research. The event is happening on Wednesday October 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and registration is required. 

University lingo 📖

Universities have their own unique vocabulary. Check out this University Vocabulary link to help you understand terms you may not be familiar with. It is a great webpage which also provides links to other helpful resources for students. Still not sure what something means or how something works? Education Advisors are available to meet students in-person (drop in), zoom drop in, by email or phone.

Cyber safety @ VIU 💻

You have a lot to figure out at VIU – like, when is the best time to hit Starbucks, how to wake up for that 8 am class and, most importantly, how to protect your accounts and devices from getting hacked. While we can’t help with the first two, here are some easy tips to help you get cyber safe: Get ready for a cyber safe school year - Get Cyber Safe.

Mark your calendars

VIU closed September 30 🧡

VIU is closed on Friday, September 30 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Nanaimo campus library is always open and accessible with your student card.

Thanksgiving 🍂

On Monday, October 10, VIU will be closed for the Thanksgiving Day stat holiday. The Nanaimo campus library is always open and accessible with your student card.

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:

• Easy PC Repairs: 25% off labour and services.
• Port Place Hair Spa: 15% off all services.

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