VIU Student Pulse News: November 22, 2023

At this point in the semester, things are BUSY. And maybe you are realizing the semester didn’t quite go as planned. It might be time to connect with an academic advisor or check in with the Financial Aid and Awards staff, who are eager to spread the word about some upcoming scholarship opportunities. Keep reading to learn more. Also check out this beautiful photo from the Diwali celebration during WorldVIU Days.
 
Also in this issue:

• Scholarship opportunities
• Cafeteria hours
• Take the Student Experience Survey

Need to know

A student’s guide to using AI in assignments

In an educational setting it’s likely you’ve already heard of ChatGPT. We asked Student Blogger Becky Duarte to investigate how VIU profs are using it and situations where it is appropriate or not appropriate to use it when completing assignments. Read more on the VIU Blog.

Student Success Survey

Give feedback on your program, faculty and VIU in general by filling out the Student Experience Survey. This is your opportunity to grade VIU and explain your goals so the university can work to meet your needs. Take a few minutes to fill it out and you get in the running to win:

• A $100 gift certificates to the VIU Campus Store (five available)
• A set of Apple Airpods (2^nd Gen) (three available)
• Grand prize: reMarkable 2 paper tablet

Check your email for a direct link to the survey, which runs until December 3.

External Awards and Funding  

Looking for additional support to help with the cost of your studies? Check out the External Awards and Funding Page. This page includes more than $21.2 million in available external financial award opportunities. New additions:

• CSA Group Undergraduate Research Scholarship
• CSA Group Graduate Scholarship 

Early closure of cafeteria: November 23

On Thursday, November 23, the main cafeteria will close at 2 pm for the Culinary/Hospitality Seasonal Soiree. The lower cafeteria remains open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.

Connect

Positive Space Alliance movie night

Join the Positive Space Alliance on Thursday, November 23 from 7 to 9 pm for a holiday-themed movie night with free snacks! The movie is Single All the Way, a romantic comedy that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Admission and snacks are free, courtesy of the Positive Space Alliance. Registration is required via Eventbrite. Where: Building 250, Room 125.

Giving Tuesday at VIU

The university's Giving Tuesday campaign runs November 14 to 28 and is raising money for student scholarships. Learn more about the campaign, and how the VIU Access Fund helped out Education student Sarah McClelland. 

VIU Mariners Basketball

Cheer on the varsity basketball teams at their final two home weekends this semester! The Mariners battle their Island rivals from Camosun College on November 24 and 25 and Langara College on December 1 and 2 at the VIU Gym. Friday evening games go at 6 and 8 pm while Saturday afternoon matchups tip off at 1 and 3 pm. Fans can also watch online at PACWEST.TV.

Are you graduating soon? 

Lifetouch Photography will be on the Nanaimo campus December 11 to 15 to take graduation photos for interested graduates. Appointments must be booked in advance through Appointment-Plus. For more details, visit VIU Convocation | Graduate Photography Sign Up. Additional graduation photography sessions will be held in March 2024 for spring and summer graduates. Questions? Email convocation@viu.ca.

Climate action in the library

VIU library is participating in Climate Action Week this year, which brings together libraries across BC in tackling climate challenges head on! We’re here to raise awareness and connect you to resources on climate action. Stop by the Nanaimo campus library’s main floor climate action display. Can’t do it in person? We’ve got an ebook guide you can check out! 

VIU Students’ Union Ski Bum Party! 🎿❄️

Dust off your ski jackets and come in your coolest après-ski looks! With DJ Kurtis Johnstone spinning the beats, drink specials to keep you toasty and prizes that are SNOW joke, this is the winter bash you can't afford to miss! Let's slide into the season with a night of frosty fun! When: November 30, starting at 8 pm.

Road trips

Join the Cultural Connections Road Trips team on exciting adventures to awe-inspiring locations. Every semester, we prepare a schedule of seasonal weekly Road Trips activities available to all registered VIU students. Next up:

• November 25: Curling and Qualicum Beach
• November 30: Ladysmith Light Up
• December 2: Victoria Day Trip 

2SLGBTQ+ socials

The Positive Space Alliance hosts socials in Building 250, Room 402 from 12 to 1 pm every second Wednesday. Dates: November 22. December 6.

Services & supports

December Food Services hours

When classes end for the semester, Food Services is reducing its hours accordingly:

• The main cafeteria will be closed from December 11 until January 2.
• There will be no cafeteria service from the Culinary Arts and Professional Baking programs during this time.
• The lower cafeteria will operate from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm Monday to Friday. It will close on December 22 at noon, reopening January 2.  
• Starbucks hours are 9:30 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Friday from December 11 to 15 and it will be closed between December 18 and January 3.

Student loans and grants  

If you haven’t already applied for your student loan for the spring semester, now is the time to apply! For student loan information and how to apply, visit the StudentAid BC website. Did you know StudentAid BC supports more than 80,000 post-secondary students each year? Learn more in this explainer video and watch this video on how to apply.

Campus safety tips

Did you know there is a SafeWalk service and an app to help you stay in the know and access help? Here are a few more tips from VIU’s Conduct and Care Office:

• Stay safe with the VIU Safety App: Download and use the VIU Safety App for direct call to Campus Security and to access the SafeWalk service.
• Keep your student card handy: Always carry your student card while on campus.
• Library access after-hours: Remember that your student card grants you access to the library after regular hours. 
• After-hours building access: Avoid letting individuals into buildings after hours. For assistance, contact Campus Security at 250.740.6512 or use the VIU Safety App. 
• Report incidents promptly: If you encounter disturbances or face any issues, report them to Campus Security at 250.740.6512 or via the VIU Safety App. 
• Emergency situations: In cases of emergencies or serious incidents, dial 911 to contact the RCMP.

Canada Learning Bond Eligibility Compass  

VIU’s Financial Aid and Awards department invites you to learn about the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The CLB offers you up to $2,000 to assist with your educational journey. Please take this brief questionnaire to learn if you are eligible for this funding. Two Financial Aid and Awards Specialists will be in Building 255, Room 205 on Tuesday, November 28 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm to assist you in applying for funding. Hot beverages and snacks are available, stop by and see if you are eligible! 

VIU Rent Wise

VIU Rent Wise is a free, 2.5-hour, in-person course delivered by VIU’s Off-Campus Housing office. It equips students with the tools to be educated tenants and great neighbours. Students learn about budgeting for rent and living costs, applying to local landlords, legal basics, being a responsible tenant and neighbour, giving notice and getting deposits returned. Participants receive a certificate to include in applications to landlords who can verify attendance with Off-Campus Housing. The next event is on Friday November 24, 1 to 3:30 pm at the Nanaimo campus. Register online.

Keeping your data safe 🔒

Your digital footprint is created through your social media posts, the websites you visit, the content you download, the forms you fill out and more. Know how to keep this data safe. Graduating soon? Watch out for fake jobs and recruiters: Here's How to Spot Them!

Financial Literacy Month  

November is Financial Literacy Month. The Government of Canada has produced four short articles to help you understand different financial aid options for post-secondary education. 

• Article 1: Check the pulse on your financial health 
• Article 2: What to do if you’re struggling with debt 
• Article 3: Know your rights when facing financial difficulties 
• Article 4: Payday loans: Know the risks 

Mark your calendars

Academic penalty-free withdrawal deadline

Did you know that the last day for academic penalty-free withdrawal from a Fall Semester course or to change from credit to audit is November 27? Consider talking to an advisor before dropping a course and learn more about switching to the audit option. See Important Dates and Deadlines for other significant dates in VIU’s academic year.

Indigenous Speakers Series featuring Riley Yesno

The keynote speaker for VIU’s 2023 Indigenous Speakers Series is Riley Yesno, a queer Anishinaabe scholar, writer and commentator from Eabametoong First Nation. Join us on November 22 for her talk, moderated by CBC Radio’s Ideas host Nahlah Ayed. Register for free on Eventbrite.

Urchin Tank seaweed challenge

Watch Microbiology and Culinary Arts students join forces to develop and present their innative seawee products to a panel of seaweed entrepreneurs! When: November 24, 5 to 7:30 pm in VIU’s Malaspina Theatre. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

Physical Therapy info session

Are you interested in physical therapy? The UBC Department of Physical Therapy will be at VIU on November 23 for an in-person info session to talk about the Master of Physical Therapy program. A department representative and current student will present on the MPT student experience and admission requirements for the MPT program followed by a Q&A session. The info session runs from 5 to 6:30 pm in Building 356, Room 109.

Stay in the know

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

• Campus Events website
• VIU Students' Union app
• Co-Curricular Involvement app

VIU Safety App

Get the VIU mobile app designed to let you know as quickly as possible if there is a safety issue happening on our campus and if so, what to do about it. Once you download, don’t forget to enable push notifications so you are notified immediately of campus closures and other safety issues. It also has other great features including:

• Click to call for emergency contacts and campus security
• Interactive campus maps
• Safety toolbox alarm and location notifier
• Up-to-date weather alerts

To download just go to the App Store, Google Play or Blackberry App World.