VIU Student Pulse: June 16, 2021

On Tuesday, June 15, we moved into Step 2 of the BC Restart Plan, which allows for recreational travel in the province, larger gatherings and more opportunities for sports and exercise, amongst other things. VIU has created its own VIU Restart Plan graphic to show what the different steps mean for various on-campus activities.

Need to know

Celebrate our 2021 graduates! 🎓

Tune in on Thursday, June 24 at 2 pm to cheer on our 2021 graduates in the virtual graduation celebration event. There will be some surprise guests, fun videos and a few of the more traditional elements of a convocation ceremony. Watch via the VIU Facebook page and like and follow our event to learn more.

Where will I live while attending VIU? 🏡

So you’ve registered for your classes and now you’re looking forward to having a bit of fun and down time before you start university. Great! But before you head out on your summer adventures, there’s one more thing you should be thinking about now – where are you going to live? Here are 5 tips to help you find the right fit.

Online Student Record System access UNAVAILABLE June 30 to July 5 💻

VIU is transitioning to a new Finance Information System and a blackout period for the Student Record System (SRS) is necessary. Online student record access will be unavailable from 9 pm on June 30, 2021, until approximately 6 am on July 5, 2021. During this time, you will not be able to add, drop or even see your course enrolments, or any other details you would normally access from your online student records. This will not affect access to VIULearn course environments.

Connect

Summer Paint Night with Fun@VIU 🎨

Bring your friends, painting supplies and your creativity to join Fun@VIU in a summer evening of painting. This online event on Friday, June 25 from 6:30 to 8 pm is hosted by Alex Waite! Register on Eventbrite. 

Semelshun graduate slideshow 🖥

VIU’s Office of Indigenous Education & Engagement and Services for Aboriginal Students recently organized a Semelshun Aboriginal Graduation Recognition Ceremony for 2021 Indigenous graduates. Cheer on your peers in this specialslideshow video from the event!

Vote for VIU in the Nourishing Innovation Contest 🍏

VIU Nursing Student Emma Simard-Provencal has entered the Nourishing Innovation contest, which encourages students to implement a food security solution on campus. Check out her entry for Bee Campus and vote until June 16, 2021. 

Donate to Haven Society 👕

The Vancouver Island Leadership Conference (VILC) is conducting a series of Community Action Projects with the mission of igniting change on a local, national, and global level. This week we are encouraging VILC participants and students to donate new and used goods to the Nanaimo Haven Society. A donation bin is located in the VIU Welcome Centre in Building 300 adjacent to the main cafeteria.

Volunteer with Youth 20/20 Can Project 

If you are between 15 and 29 years old you are invited to join the Youth 20/20 Can Project connecting youth volunteers in Victoria, Cowichan, Nanaimo, Courtney, Campbell River and Powell River. The project is youth led so come share your passions, get involved, have fun and help shape the community.

Science and Tech Introduces new courses for all students 👩‍🔬

Science and Tech is pleased to introduce three new courses, and one classic course, for students looking for breadth in their educational journey. 

• Do you ever wish you had a deeper understanding of modern physics? Give SCIE 312 Concepts of Relativity and Quantum Physics a try!
• Want to learn more about the aquaculture industry and aquaculture practices around the globe? If you have taken Biology 11, check out AQUA 101 Introduction to Aquaculture! 
• And if you have a science background, you may also want to look at AQUA 342 Finfish, Shellfish and Crustacean Health. Both AQUA courses are part of the new Minor in Aquaculture that can be part of your preferred degree.
• Lastly, if you desire some outdoor adventure in your timetable while learning about this planet we all call home, check out GEOL 111 Discovering Planet Earth. It may not be new this year, but it is a classic worth checking out!

Mark your calendars

National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day and to remember the 215 children who were killed on the site of the Kamloops Residential School, the Office of Indigenous Education & Engagement and Services for Aboriginal Students invite you to help decorate 215 orange wooden hearts at the Royal Bank Plaza on VIU’s Nanaimo campus. Please wear a mask and bring a sharpie marker. You MUST register on Eventbrite to participate, as the two options are limited to 50 people in each time slot. Register for 10 – 11:30 am. Register for 1 – 2:30 pm.

Chancellor’s Installation livestream June 17 💻 

You're invited to the Installation of VIU’s third Chancellor – Kekinusuqs, Dr. Judith Sayers. This event will be held virtually on Thursday, June 17, 2021, starting at 11 am. For more information on Chancellor Sayers, details about the event and how to watch the livestream, please visit the Chancellor’s Installationwebpage.

Pride Month 🌈

June is #pridemonth in Nanaimo! In celebration of Pride 2021, Kids Help Phone has created an online space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies to get support, learn more and build connections about Pride, sexual orientation, gender identity and more. Check out some virtual events in Nanaimo through the Nanaimo Pride Society and Vancouver Island Regional Library! Whether you’re in Nanaimo or somewhere else, check out your local activities to show your pride!

Supports & services

Join our new Wellness Peer program! 🤗

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 volunteer with VIU’s new Wellness Peer program and build your resume while contributing to a healthy and supportive VIU campus culture! All details can be found on the Wellness Peers homepage.  

Funding options to pay for university 💵

Paying for university can be challenging. The good news is, there are lots of options available to help you manage expenses and reduce costs while having a great university experience. Our Financial Aid Access Specialist shares some tips in her latest blog post.

Follow Shq’apthut and Office of Indigenous Education & Engagement on Facebook 💻

Services for Aboriginal Students and the OIEE often post job opportunities and other info about services, supports and scholarships that may be of interest to students. Like and follow the Shq’apthut and Office of Indigenous Education & Engagement on Facebook to keep on top of opportunities.

Advice from Advising 😀

Attention new students starting this fall! Familiarize yourself with University Terminology to make your transition to university much easier. As well, check out the Resources for Students that VIU has to offer such as learning supports, experiential options, student life and campus services. Need Advising help over the next few months? No problem. We have new hours for our daily zoom drop in over the summer.

Online Indigenous Youth Internship Program 💻

Have you always wanted to participate in an internship but have been limited because of travel? Are you looking for a great opportunity to learn about a new culture and gain some new skills? Let us know and fill out an internship application form today!

Need to upgrade? 

Are you interested in upgrading courses to meet the prerequisites for a program or a course? We can help you with that, and we have many delivery options! Contact Academic and Career Preparation at acp@viu.ca or 250-740-6425. 

Nanaimo Campus Library updates 📚

Need to do some studying this summer? The  Nanaimo Campus Library isaccessible 24-7, 365 days a year with a VIU ID card.

• Looking for research help? Contact us for assistance. 
• Student printing has changed. Add funds to your account online or buy a pre-paid print card at the Campus Store.

International Education’s Webinar Wednesday series 📲

Join a pre-arrival orientation session presented by VIU International Student Advisors. Dates and times will be posted in the WorldVIU Monthly Event Calendar, in the Co-Curricular Involvement App and in the International Point of VIU enewsletter.

Interested in attending McGill after VIU? 💵

If you are applying for Fall 2022, check out the McCall MacBain Scholarships! If you think this is an opportunity for you, connect with Kendra.Stiwich@viu.ca. Applications open June 16. Attending an info session is always a good idea too!

COVID-19 updates

Virtual Town Hall for student leaders 

A virtual town hall was recently hosted by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Thompson Rivers University to answer students’ questions about the return to campus. “Vaccination” was the word of the day at the event. Dr. Réka Gustafson, deputy provincial health officer, acknowledged that everyone has different comfort levels about returning to campus: “We’ve asked you to think about COVID-19 in everything you do, every single day. We had to. But now we need to help people build a shared understanding of what has changed. And immunization has fundamentally changed the risk and the equation.” View the media release and a link to the recording.