VIU Student Pulse News: June 14, 2024

This week you probably noticed a lot of students wearing regalia and graduation caps. That’s because convocation ceremonies were on June 12 and 13, and Semélshun, VIU’s Indigenous Graduation Recognition Ceremony, was on Friday, June 14. This will be the last edition of the Student Pulse until mid-August. We wanted to give you a break to enjoy some summer sun! 😎 Don't worry, if anything important comes up, we'll reach out. 
 
In this issue:

• Join us for a special event on National Indigenous Peoples Day
• Summer adventures with the Cultural Connections team
• Support from library staff

Need to know

Pride Month

June is Pride Month at VIU. Read President Saucier's message to the community. Thanks to everyone who joined the Positive Space Alliance last week for the flag raising and Show Your Pride event! A reminder that VIU Pride gear is available at the Campus Store.

The Rainbow Project

Join VIU’s Theatre department for The Rainbow Project: Searching for a voice, Pride stories through the decades. Individuals will share personal experiences from encounters that impacted their lives. The Rainbow Project is in the Malaspina Theatre lobby on June 22 and 23 at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Free admission.

National Indigenous History Month

In June we celebrate National Indigenous History Month and, on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day. During this month, we celebrate the cultures, languages, knowledge, histories and traditions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. At Vancouver Island University, we acknowledge the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nations and how our work and our lives are enriched by the knowledges and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of these lands on which we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge. 

National Indigenous People’s Day Celebration

Join us for a film screening and soup and Bannock celebration for National Indigenous People’s Day. 

Date: Friday, June 21
Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm
Location: Malaspina Theatre, Building 310, Nanaimo campus
Film being viewed: Stories of Decolonization

We look forward to seeing you there!

Connect

Local hikes 🥾

Join Cultural Connections and explore some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring local hiking trails Nanaimo has to offer! The Local Hikes program is designed to encourage confidence and creativity in participants, while at the same time aiming to forge a connection with nature and a desire to protect it. Each hike is only $2. Upcoming hikes include:

• July 5: The River Hatchery
• July 12: Morrell Nature Sanctuary
• July 19: Saysutshun Island

Road trips 🚙

Join the Cultural Connections Road Trips team on exciting adventures to awe-inspiring locations. Every semester a schedule of seasonal weekly activities is available to all registered VIU students. Sign up for Cultural Connections trips every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm in Building 255 (International Education, on the second floor, beside the main lobby.
Upcoming trips:

• June 28: Rockies, four-day Explorer Tour
• July 6: Golf – driving range
• July 13: Caving and Coombs
• July 20: Victoria day trip

Sign up for Cultural Connections trips 📝

Sign up for Cultural Connections trips every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm in Building 255, International Education, on the second floor, beside the main lobby.

Supports & services

Get support at the VIU Library 📚

Need help with summer assignments or research?  We’re available all summer online and in person by request. Looking for summer activities? Check out our themed summer display both at the Nanaimo campus library and online, featuring books, board games, movies and more! Every month this summer we have a different theme.  June is Outdoors (gardening, hiking and travel).

VIU Experience Hub 💼

Log in to your VIU Experience Hub account, using your VIU single sign-on credentials, to access several student services. If you have any questions about the Experience Hub, please email cel@viu.ca. The Experience Hub is where you can:

• book appointments with educational and immigration advisors
• book appointments with the Career Studio
• view a job posting board where external employers are posting employment and internship opportunities
• view on-campus employment opportunities

Summer smoking safety 🔥

As we approach hot, dry months at VIU, remember that our campus is smoke-free except for designated smoking areas. The designated smoking area above Building 356 on the Nanaimo campus is closed until November 1 due to its proximity to a heavily forested area. Please use ashtrays in the designated smoking areas and ensure your cigarette is completely extinguished before leaving the area.

Food services 🥗🥪

The main cafeteria is closed until August 16. Food Services is offering grab-and-go items at the Campus Store until August 16 from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. The lower cafeteria will remain open until June 13. 

Connect with an advisor

The Advising Centre is open from June 10 to August 16 at the Nanaimo Campus, Building 200. Drop-in hours are from 10 am to 2 pm daily. Or connect with an advisor by emailing advising@viu.ca, phoning 250.740.6410 or book a Zoom or phone appointment. Check out our top five advising tips for new students:

1. Read all emails from VIU. They contain important information you need to know.
2. Build a support network. Start with advising.
3. Ask questions frequently. Connect with instructors and advisors whenever you have questions.
4. Use Learning Matters. This digital resource offers strategies, study, reading and writing tips.
5. Explore Thrive at VIU. A collection of events, activities and resources to help you be well.

Summer gym schedule 🏋🏽

Gym Summer Hours until September 3 are Monday to Friday 8 am to 7:30 pm, closed on weekends and for special events.

Asbestos awareness training

Do you want to learn more about asbestos? You can access the VIU Asbestos Awareness course on VIULearn. Login to VIULearn and head to the Discover tab to locate the course!

Check out the VIU Safety App

Watch the VIU Safety App informational video. This short, one-minute video is a great resource to share with the entire VIU community.

VIU Off-Campus Housing 🏡

Did you know the University’s Off-Campus Housing department can support you with things like house hunting, tenancy law and conflict resolution? Off-Campus Housing can help you with:

• Finding housing and roommates 
• Temporary accommodation 
• Contracts, fees and tenancy issues 

Read the VIU blog post for more details. Visit Off-Campus Housing, email housing@viu.ca or book a meeting 

National Student Loans Service Centre

Did you know you can chat with a live agent? Get answers to questions about your student loan in real time! National Student Loans Service Centre agents are available to chat Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, your local time. Learn more.

BC Student loan applications 

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will be available at the beginning of June. For more information, please visit www.studentaidbc.ca.