The holiday break is almost here 🎄
As we wrap up 2024, we have a video message from VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier, thanking you for all your contributions to our community. In the video above, she celebrates a year of coming together, supporting one another and embracing new possibilities. We hope you take time over the holiday break to rest, recharge and find joy with those who matter most to you.
This is the last student newsletter of 2024 and we would be grateful if you took a moment to fill out this short survey. We’d love to hear from you!
Need to know
The holiday break and severe weather ⛈️ ❄️
A reminder that VIU is closed from December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025, reopening January 2, 2025. During this time, if severe weather happens, we will not be communicating a campus closure with our community, as VIU is already closed. Wondering how VIU makes campus closure decisions and how you can expect to be notified when classes are in session? Review the Severe Weather Closure procedures.
Studying for exams? 👩💻
End of semester exams and final projects got you stressed? Digital Media Studies student Becky Duarte has shared some of her stress busting strategies for this busy time on the VIU Blog.
VIUSU exam pit stops ✏️☕
Grab your snacks, coffee and pens before heading in for your finals. Your VIUSU team is rooting for you! The exam pit stop will be outside of the gym (Building 190) throughout the exam period.
Spring Semester bus passes are now available! 🚌🚌
Students can come to the VIUSU office to load their passes for next semester.
Student shoutout
Congrats to Halle Wall and Dakota Hodge, whose work is part of the travelling exhibit A Seat at the Table – on display at the Nanaimo Museum right now. Retired Anthropology Professor Dr. Imogene Lim’s class worked on research related to the travelling exhibit last year. Halle decided to make a diorama of The Diner’s Rendezvous – a historic Nanaimo Chinese-owned restaurant. Dakota did the research portion of the assignment.
The exhibit explores historical and contemporary stories of Chinese Canadians in BC and their struggles for belonging. It looks to the food and restaurant culture as an entry point to feature stories that reveal the great diversity of immigrant experiences and of the communities immigrants develop.
Connect
Student Leadership Circle ⭕
Get ready for an exciting new year with the Student Leadership Circle! We're all about empowering VIU students to unlock their full leadership potential, focusing on building important skills and strengthening key VIU graduate attributes. We use evidence-based methods to help develop your most underused skills to help you grow both personally and professionally. Stay tuned for an unforgettable journey of development, connection and success in 2025!
Intramurals and fitness classes 🏋️♀️
Get some exercise, burn off stress and make friends in our intramural sport leagues and one-hour fitness classes! Our spring recreation programs are open for registration now and fill up quickly. Visit the Athletics and Recreation website for program information and links to sign up. The VIU gym front desk team can also answer your questions.
VIU Gym weight room hours for December
The gym is closed on weekends from December 8 to 29.
- From December 9 to 18, it is open from 12 to 1 pm and 4 to 7:30 pm.
- December 19: 8 am to 7:30 pm.
- December 20: 8 am to 4 pm.
- December 21 to January 2: closed for winter break.
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. Culture Couch happens Tuesdays from 5 to 6 pm in Building 255, first floor learning commons.
Supports and services
Have you connected with the Career Studio yet? 👩🏽💻
This fall the Career Studio had almost 700 students join workshops, held 184 personalized career appointments, 115 students attended recruitment and info sessions, and much more. Starting January 6, 2025, the Career Studio will resume its regular hours for appointments: Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm and Fridays from 10 am to 1 pm. The Career Studio is here to support you online or in-person – even up to a year after you graduate! Stop by Building 255, Room 204, book an appointment with us on the Experience Hub, or email us at careerstudio@viu.ca to get started on your career goals today.
Explore VIU’s expanded summer courses ☀️
Would you like to reduce your course load next semester and perhaps reduce some stress?
Consider taking a summer course. VIU has expanded its summer course offerings. If you need help, connect with the VIU Advising team. We take walk-ins or appointments Monday to Friday, in-person at Building 200. Learn ways to meet with an academic advisor.
Get research help and watch retro movies 🍿
You are nearly there! Winter break is so close. Reach out to us for last-minute research help! We will make it through together! And when we do, how about streaming a retro holiday movie like Gremlins, Die Hard or Home Alone from Criterion on Demand? Available free to VIU students.
Watch the Next Steps webinar
Did you miss the Next Steps fall webinar? No worries, you can still watch it online. Academic advisors share tips on how to finish your first semester strong and get prepared for the semester ahead. Watch the webinar.
Apply for scholarships, awards and bursaries 💸
VIU has a variety of scholarships, awards and bursaries available to help with the costs of your education. And to be considered for all of them it’s just one application – fill out your Scholarship, Award and Bursary profile in your student record. Information on how to apply is available on the Financial Aid and Awards deadlines and processes homepage.
Private Teams chat messages will disappear after 30 days 🗣️
VIU is introducing a new 30-day retention policy for all individual Microsoft Teams chat messages. This policy will take effect on December 19, 2024, and will apply to all VIU Teams users. We suggest you review your chat history before the policy’s implementation. Save any important messages that you may need in the future, as messages deleted after 30 days cannot be recovered. Learn more.
Mark your calendar
VIU’s Got Talent
VIU’s Got Talent is back! This annual event held at VIU gives students and faculty an opportunity to display their talents. Send your video audition by January 10 to be invited to compete in the finals. During the finals, contestants will have 8 to 10 minutes to perform their talent in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. The judges will then select the top three performances as winners of the top prizes. Apply and upload your talent video here.
January Soup and Bannock Lunch and Learn
Gya-yu-stees Joe Starr is a member of the Haisla Nation at Cimoca, a.k.a Kitamaat, BC. He is a fourth generation in his family to attend a residential school operated by the Methodist (United Church). He holds a BEd from the University of British Columbia, as well as a BA and MEdL from VIU. On Tuesday, January 7, from 11:30 am to 1 pm, he will speak at Shq'apthut (Bldg 170) and share the story of how residential schools came to be established at Cimoca. Soup will be served at 11:30 am, with the presentation beginning at noon.
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