VIU Student Pulse News: March 6, 2024

Are you thinking about what you want to do this summer? If you're looking a work experience opportunity, VIU's Career Studio is hosting a couple career fairs. Details below.
 
In this issue:

• The benefits of taking a summer course
• International Women's Day: join us! 
• Get your resume ready for the upcoming employment fair

Need to know

International Women’s Day

Friday, March 8 is International Women's Day, which focuses on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Everyone is welcome to attend this year’s International Women’s Day event on Friday, March 8. The event runs from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room, Building 300 above the upper cafeteria. Activities include info tables, speakers and a healthy relationships workshop. 

VIUSU is also hosting a celebration in honour of International Women's Day at the Pub. Join VIUSU’s Ladies Night celebration from 9 pm to midnight– all sexes and genders welcome! Enjoy a specialty cocktail and toast to the strength, resilience and achievements of women everywhere.

Consider taking a summer course ☀️

Would you like to reduce your course load next year and perhaps reduce some stress? Consider taking a summer course. VIU has expanded its summer course offerings. If you require assistance, connect with the VIU advising team. They are available for appointments Monday to Friday, in person at Building 200 or Building 255, by Zoom, phone or email. Learn about advising services.

Information about program phase outs and discontinuations

VIU strives to meet the needs of all learners through courses and programing that reflect the needs and demand for graduates in our region. However, at times it may no longer be viable for the university to offer a certain course or program when there is low interest in that program or the regional market does not show a demand for graduates from that program. In those cases, programs may be phased out. This means the program will no longer accept new students but students already in that program will continue to be supported to graduate from that program. Decisions to phase out or suspend programs are not made lightly. There is a rigorous process that the University must follow as outlined under the BC Universities Act further supported by university policies and procedures. Find out more information. 

Local hikes 🥾

Join Cultural Connections and explore some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring local hiking trails Nanaimo has to offer! Each hike is only $2. Learn more. Upcoming hikes include:

• March 8: Morell Park
• March 15: Ammonite Falls

Connect

Graphic novel and comic collection unveiled 👩‍🎤

Indulge your passion for graphic novels and comics! VIU library is now home to a large collection of titles within the graphic narrative genre. Donated by Dr. Marni Stanley, retired dean of Arts and Humanities at VIU, topics covered include gender, health, autobiography and 2SLGBTQ+ studies. Drop by the Nanaimo campus library to check out the collection on the main floor just past the service desk, or attend Stanley’s talk, There’s More to Comics Than You Might Think, on March 11 at 12 pm.

Movie night 🍿

Services for Aboriginal Students is organizing a family movie night on Wednesday, March 6, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, in Building 200, Room 203. Sponsored by VIUSU. Pizza will be served, and the movie is Ice Age: Collision Course.

Pancake breakfast 🥞

Join Services for Aboriginal Students for a pancake breakfast on March 14 in the Royal Arbutus Room (above the cafeteria) from 8 am until we run out.

Cedar weaving

Learn how to cedar weave with facilitator, Daisy Elliot, who will share her knowledge and skills to demonstrate the weaving of roses and headbands. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned weaver, this final event part of VIUSU’s Indigenous Beading Series, will bring you new teachings and connections to Indigenous culture. March 14, 3 to 5 pm in Building 255, Room 211. Register here.

Decolonize Your Mindset – Sustainability 🌲

Join Elder Gary Manson for the second Decolonize Your Mindset series on March 12, from 2 to 3 pm, in Building 355, Room 211. Learn how Indigenous communities view natural resources as life sources and the importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship with the land. Activities include creating your own medicine wheel and knowledge sharing with Elder Gary Manson.

St. Patrick’s Day pre-party 🍀

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early at the VIUSUS Pub on March 14, from 7:30 pm to midnight, by dressing up in your best green outfit! Live music by From the Earthfrom 7:30 to 10 pm. Check the @viusupub Instagram for updates.

Wellness Peers Program and dog cuddles 🐶

Visit the Wellness Lounge at the Nanaimo campus library for free tea and hot chocolate, fidgets, adult colouring, therapy dogs and friendly chats with the wellness peers. Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Check out our VIU Thrive website for more.

Noodles and doodles day 🍜

Express yourself by doodling while enjoying a warm noodle soup March 7, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the VIU library, Nanaimo campus.

Celebrating nutrition month 🥗

Come to the Nanaimo campus quad on Tuesday, March 12, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and learn more about how healthy nutrition contributes to positive mental health. 

St. Patrick's Day info booth

On March 15, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, visit the informative booth in the main cafeteria for your St. Patrick's ornaments, essentials about consent and information from the VIU harm reduction team.

Transportation questionnaire 🚴🏽‍♀️

How do you commute to VIU? The VIU Climate Collaborative wants to know! The collaborative is looking for ways to make it easier for people to bike, walk or take transit to VIU. Taking this short and anonymous questionnaire will help uncover barriers to active transportation. The information will also set the stage for a culminating workshop (you’re invited!) on March 21. Take the survey.

Science and Tech lecture series 🔬 🦠

Explore cutting-edge research during VIU’s Science and Technology Community Lecture Series this spring. Upcoming talks include:

• March 6 discussion on a tire chemical that is toxic to salmon.
• March 13 impacts of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease on the VIU rabbit population.

Lectures in Building 355, Room 203 at 5:30 pm. Learn more.

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. Upcoming trips:

• March 9: WildPlay Adventure Course
• March 16: Port Renfrew and Botanical Beach hike
• March 23: Go-karting and Coombs

Supports & services

Employment fair 👨🏻‍💻

VIU’s Career Studio is hosting a career fair in the main cafeteria on March 13 from 11 am to 2 pm. Students from all programs can learn about on-campus employment and volunteer opportunities with different faculties and departments.

Parksville Career Centre hiring fair

The hiring fair is on Friday, March 8 from 12 to 4 pm at the Jensen Centre, 132 E. Jensen Highway in Parksville. The event is for job seekers of all ages and more than 40 businesses are participating. Students seeking part-time, summer or full-time employment opportunities are invited to attend.

Good Food Box for Indigenous students

Services for Aboriginal Students is giving away 15 food boxes to self-identified Indigenous students from Canada, first-come, first-served. Email sas@viu.ca to sign up.

Protect yourself from fraud

March is Fraud Prevention Month! Cybercriminals are skilled at manipulating people online. Some of their most popular scams include: 

• Cryptocurrency investing💰
• Dating scams ❤️
• Social media scams🤳 
• Employment scams 📝

Protect yourself from scams and fraud and #GetCyberSafe by learning more about their methods: What's in a fraudster’s toolbox?

Tax help for students ☎️

Need some help this tax season? Volunteer Nanaimo offers tax info. You can access your VIU T2202 and T4A tax slips through the Finance tab within your online student record.

Stay in VIU Residences this summer 🏘️

Looking for an affordable place to stay this summer? VIU Residences has 84 beds available for the summer months. You can pay monthly, May to August. Learn more.

Save with TD Insurance 💰

Take advantage of your student benefits through the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Program, which gives you access to preferred insurance rates on home, condo and tenant coverage. For more information or to get a quote visit TD’s website for VIU students.

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

Naloxone and Harm Reduction Training

Learn how to save lives with Claire Dineen of AVI Nanaimo during this free Naloxone and Harm Reduction training session for VIU Students. Training is on March 26, from 3 to 5 pm, in Building 193, room 217. This is your chance to gain essential knowledge on how to respond to an opioid overdose and potentially save a life. A naloxone kit will be provided to you. Advance registration is required.

Mark your calendars

Language in the Library

What’s your favourite type of Starburst? Mine is pink. The Hul’q’umi’num’ word for pink is kwikwumul'a'lus. Come learn and speak Hul’q’umi’num’ at Language in the Library on Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in the Madrona Room. Registration on the library website. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

Fill out your online profile to win scholarships 💸

Don’t forget to fill out your online Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries profile by Thursday, March 30 at midnight to get in the running for hundreds of VIU scholarships and awards. To complete your profile, go to your student record. Visit the Financial Aid website for tips.

CREATE 2024 🧑‍🔬🧪

Register by March 8 to guarantee your spot at VIU’s CREATE Conference and join the celebration of student scholarship, research and creative activity! Check out the different ways you can participate. Questions? Send an email to create@viu.ca.

Shq’apthut well-being Wednesdays

Access services in Building 355, Room 211 every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm. Services include advising, Elders-in-Residence, Writing Centre, therapy dogs, library research assistance, reiki, Bannock, math tutoring and smudging.