VIU Student Pulse News: May 17, 2023

Are you enjoying this warm weather? Our Cultural Connections teams is leading some road trips and hikes you might want to take advantage of. Also in this issue of the Student Pulse:

• Paying for university tips
• Summer employment opportunities
• Food on campus

Mark your calendars

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 📅

VIU and the Positive Space Alliance recognize the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17. This international day was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. It is celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Learn more at may17.org. Want to do more? Visit the Positive Space Alliance webpage for ways to get involved and educational articles.

Asian Heritage Month: Film screening 📽

Join us for a screening of the short film Tides & Moons: Herring Capital, an animated artwork by Cindy Mochizuki that shares memories and stories from Japanese Canadian fishing and boat building families who populated Nanaimo shorelines before World War II. When: Thursday, May 25, 12:30 pm. Where: Malaspina Theatre (Building 310). 

Long weekend closure 🕶🌞

VIU will be closed on Monday, May 22 for the stat holiday. The Nanaimo campus library is always open and accessible with your student card.

Financial aid advice

Paying for university 💰

Educational costs 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. Financial Aid Access Specialist Angela Meneghetti has looked into different funding options and put together a comprehensive list.

BC Access Grant – Increase to weekly student loan maximums

The BC government is increasing weekly student loan maximums starting in August. After making student loans interest-free in 2019, the financial assistance available to students will increase from $110 to $220 per week for single students and from $140 to $280 per week for students with dependants. BC Government News.

Connect

Local hikes 🌲

Each semester we head outdoors and explore some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring local hiking trails Nanaimo and 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. Check out the monthly events calendar for more details. Some upcoming hikes:

• June 2: River hatchery
• June 9: Linley Valley
• June 16: Englishman River Falls ($10)
• June 23: Pipers Lagoon

Road trips 🚗

Join the Cultural Connections Road Trips team on exciting adventures to awe-inspiring locations available to all students. Check out the monthly events calendar for more details. Highlights for Summer Session include:

• June 3: Go karting and Coombs
• June 10: East Sooke Provincial Park and Chemainus Mural hike
• June 17: Rathtrevor Beach Summer Picnic
• June 24: Wildplay Adventure Course

WUSC Committee summer meetings 📅

Join the WUSC VIU committee summer meetings every second Tuesday from 1 to 2 pm on Zoom. VIU’s WUSC Local Committee is a group of students who are trying to make the world a better place by helping student refugees feel welcome and included at VIU and in Canada. They organize fundraising and social events, awareness campaigns and provide direct support to the Student Refugee Program students. Being part of the WUSC Committee is a great way to learn leadership skills while making a difference! Contact wusc.viu@gmail.com for the meeting invite – see you there!

Fighting for Justice 

VIU’s Nanaimo campus library is hosting the Fighting for Justice exhibit and a book display to accompany the exhibit. Both the exhibit and book display now until the end of the month.

Supports & services

Career Studio Summer Hours 💼

If you are looking to secure a summer job or volunteer position in the coming months, or you are a recent graduate looking to move into your career, stop by the Career Studio in Building 255, Room 204. Our team can assist with resumés, cover letters, interview preparation and all other career-related needs. Our summer hours for drop-ins and appointments are now 9 am to 2 pm, Monday to Thursday.

The Advising Centre is here for you 🙋‍♀️

A friendly reminder that the Advising Centre is open all summer. Advisors can be reached by email at advising@viu.ca, Zoom drop-in daily, phone at 250.740.6410 or in person on all three campuses.

Want to add an internship to your program? 📑

Keep an eye out for INTP 300 when you are putting together your course schedule for next year! This is an asynchronous online internship prep course that runs throughout the year and helps prepare students pursue an internship relevant to their program of study. Modules covered include resumes/cover letters, job search strategies, interview prep and more. This course is a prerequisite for ITRN 303, which allows students to add an internship to their studies.

Food on campus 🌭

With fewer students and employees on campus, the main cafeteria (Building 300) will be closed from May 1 to August 26. The lower cafeteria (Building 185) is open until June 15. Coffee, grab and go items as well as freshly prepared hot and cold options will be available through the Campus Store and Starbucks during the Summer Semester. Starting May 1, the new business hours will be as follows:

• The lower cafeteria (Building 185) will be open Monday to Thursday from May 1 to June 15 and run by the Culinary Arts program. Hours:
  • 7:30 to 10:30 am, then again from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
• VIU Campus Store will be offering grab and go hot and cold options, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Starbucks will operate Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm.
• The VIUSU pub is open until May 26.

Questions? Connect with Food Services via Ancillary.Communication@viu.ca.

LinkedIn group for VIU students seeking employment 📲

The VIU Career Studio has a LinkedIn group for VIU students seeking employment. You’ll find job postings, event details and information to help you get connected with employers and organizations relevant to your area of study. If you are looking for a summer job make sure to join this group.

Web registration and course selection help 💻

VIU Web Registration begins May 11 and continues through to early June. If you have any questions or need some help, Connect with an Educational Advisor or attend a Web Registration & Course Selection Session to work on your web registration with the support of Advising and Registration Services. For those unable to seek help during the regular office hours and sessions, please sign up for After Hours Course Planning Appointments for either in office (Advising Centre, third floor of Building 200 at the Nanaimo Campus) or on Zoom.

VIU Off-Campus Housing 🏠

Sharing a house with your landlord? Renting a room from another tenant? You may not be protected by BC tenancy law, but you should still set up clear expectations about money matters, living together and good housekeeping. Use this Rental Guide and Agreement to get everything down on paper. We’re also here to help with: 

• Finding Housing & Roommates 
• Temporary Accommodation 
• Contracts, Fees & Tenancy Issues 

Visit Off-Campus Housing, email housing@viu.ca or book a meeting.

Conference funding 💸

The next conference funding deadline is May 19. If you presented, or are planning to present, at a conference between January 1 and August 31, check out the conference funding website for more info. Email Vanessa.Moraes@viu.ca if you have questions.

Deals

Travelling in BC this summer? The Deals App has student discounts all across BC! The Deals App is BC’s student discount program delivered by the BC Federation of Students, the VIU Students’ Union and 14 other Students’ Unions across the province. Download the app to start saving!

Campus events

Stay on top of what's happening at VIU. Find ways to get involved: 

• Campus Events website
• VIU Students' Union app