VIU Student Pulse: September 14, 2022

BC Premier John Horgan has announced that Monday, September 19 will be a national holiday for all public-sector employers, public schools and public post-secondary institutions to mark the Queen's funeral. That means VIU will be closed and there will be NO CLASSES next Monday. The exception of course is the Nanaimo campus library, which remains accessible 24-7 with your student ID card, and services that are normally available on statutory holidays.

If you missed RockVIU or Welcome Week activities, next up is the three-day FROSH festival hosted by your students’ union. Read on to learn more about upcoming events, where you can pet a dog at the Nanaimo campus, and supports that will help you study smarter rather than harder.

Need to know

A message from VIU’s Provost 

Dr. Mike Quinn, VIU’s new Provost and Vice-President Academic, has an important message for students this fall: you are not alone, seek support when you need to, and remember you have unlimited potential to make a difference at VIU and beyond. Read his words on the VIU Blog. 

FROSH Week 2022: September 20, 21 and 22 🥳

FROSH Week 2022 is a three-day, VIUSU-organized festival to celebrate and welcome all new and returning students at Vancouver Island University:

• Paint your FROSH: September 20, 3 to 6 pm in the RBC Plaza (beside the bus loop).
• Pancake breakfast: September 21 from 8 to 11 am (or until we run out) outside the VIU Students’ Union (Building 193).
• Outdoor concert: featuring DiRTY RADiO, WASAKAKA and Anushka Kashyap. September 22, 4 to 9 pm in the RBC Plaza (beside the bus loop).

Seeking Student Ambassadors 🙋‍♀️

Want to share your knowledge of campus and all the wonderful opportunities and supports VIU has to offer prospective and new students? The Office of Future Students and the Advising Centre are looking for domestic students interested in sharing their positive experiences with others by giving campus tours, planning and participating in events and more. Earn money while taking courses. Email connect@viu.ca.

Connect

Rock the Boat! ⛵️

VIU Mariners Athletics & Recreation will get the VIU Gym (Building 190) jumping with Rock the Boat! on Wednesday, September 14. This popular annual tradition welcomes new and returning students back to the gym with a free carnival-style evening of games, contests, inflatable structures and free food. Attendees will be entered into a draw for a $500 tuition waiver. The event runs 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Drag in the Lobby 🏳️‍🌈

All are invited to join in a night of drag, singing and queer expression with Drag in the Lobby, happening September 22 in the Malaspina Theatre lobby. Doors open at 7 pm and the show starts at approximately 8 pm. Reserve your ticket on Eventbrite and bring a cash donation for entrance at the door.

All Nations Feast

On September 15 from 10 am to 3 pm come to Shq’apthut as we honour the four Nations on Vancouver Island: The Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth and Métis. The event is free and there will be a lunch served from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Drop in for a few minutes or stay for the whole event! For more information email Indigenous@viu.ca. The All Nations Feast is organized by the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement and Services for Aboriginal Students.

Fitness classes

There’s still time to take your fitness to the next level with VIU’s 10-week fitness classes! Just $5 per session for students. Come enjoy a fun and safe atmosphere in the gym. Space is limited so register quickly!

Geoscience Lunch ‘n Learn Series 🌎

Learn what it means to be a geoscientist (or “geologist” or “earth scientist”) from VIU Earth Science and Geoscience students and alumni who share stories about their geoscience careers. Drop ins welcome Thursdays 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Visit the Earth Science website to learn more.

eMentoring 💻

Rural eMentoring BC is looking for student volunteers to be mentors for an online mentoring program. ReMBC connects rural high school students to post-secondary students around BC. You will give advice and work through online curriculum of videos and articles with your mentee. ReMBC is low commitment, fully virtual and no experience is required. Visit ReMBC to learn more or apply.

Supports and Services

Wellness Lounge and Therapy Dogs 🐶

Want some place to go to chill out, destress, pet some dogs or chat with students trained to help you navigate university life? The Wellness Peers and therapy dog teams will be available at the Wellness Lounge in the Nanaimo campus library during these hours:

• Tuesdays: 10 am to 5 pm (dog team available from 1:30 to 3 pm)
• Wednesdays: 10 am to 5 pm (dog team 1:30 to 3 pm)
• Thursdays: 11 am to 4 pm (dog team 1 to 2:30 pm)

Get help with your educational goals 

Educational Advisors are available to help students in-person (Building 200 at the Nanaimo campus), by Zoom drop-in, email or telephone. Contact an advisor today.

Waitlists, tuition payments and dropping/adding courses 

Check out the Fall Semester FAQs from the Registrar’s Office, a wonderful reminder of waitlist procedures, important dates, how to pay tuition, dropping/adding courses and so much more.

Learning about your Health and Dental Plan 🦷

The VIU Students’ Union administers an extended health and dental plan. The coverage is offered by Green Shield Canada and supports students to maintain a high quality of health and ensures that you are covered when medical emergencies come up. Your policy number is MSU followed by your nine-digit student number-00. For example: MSU123456789-00. 

Study smarter, not harder 🧠

Join the Peer Supported Learning team and guests for a series of panels to answer questions about and discuss tips and tricks to study effectively and set your semester up for success. Students from all faculties and programs across campus are invited to attend. Panels take place September 27 from 10 to 11 am and September 28 from 11 am to noon in the Royal Arbutus Room (above the cafeteria in Building 300).

Visit the Career Studio ✏️

Looking for work? Stop by the new Career Studio in Building 255, Room 204. The team can assist with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation and all other career-related needs. Services are available virtually for students at other campuses. Learn more.

Positive Space Alliance Training

This training discusses issues faced by 2SLGBTQ+ people and information to help you be a more supportive ally. Open to all staff and students. The session takes place September 22, 1 to 2:30 pm. Join on zoom.

Study Skills Workshop Series - Cowichan

This free, drop-in workshops series will help you learn simple techniques to improve your study life. Cowichan Campus, Room 135, Wednesdays 12:15 to 1:15 pm, September 21 to October 12. Contact Student Affairs Cowichan for more info.

Get your student card 😀

Have you gotten your VIU student card yet? It gives you access to various campus spaces, allows you to borrow library books, print and access your meal plan. To get your card, upload your selfie to your student record, wait for the confirmation email that tells you your card is ready, then drop by the library service desk during open hours to pick up your card. Until September 16, pickup will be outside the Nanaimo library from 10 am to 4 pm daily.

VIU Off-Campus Housing: advice & advocacy 🏠

Want help with:

• House hunting & roommates 
• Temporary accommodation 
• Contracts & fees 
• Moving out & deposits 

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

Scholarships at The High School 💰

Do you have a child or younger sibling who wants to go to The High School at VIU? As a VIU student, you get a tuition discount. Learn more.

Back to school cyber safety 📱

September is here! Make sure you are thinking cyber safe for back to school! Looking for more? Check out your cyber security backpack.

Dr. Tony Robertson memorial bench

Please join VIU’s Psychology Department at the dedication of Dr. Tony Robertson’s memorial bench on September 23 at 12 pm in front of Building 356 on the Nanaimo campus. All welcome.

VIU health and safety protocols 😷

Do you have questions about COVID-19 as we head into the 2022-23 school year? VIU’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan and the Post-Secondary Public Health Guidance can help! These documents outline the prevention measures that are in place at VIU and in BC to reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases, including COVID-19. Learn more on VIU’s COVID-19 updates website.

Monkeypox

You may be hearing some talk in the news about monkeypox, which enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the eyes, nose or mouth. Learn more about symptoms, how it spreads and the current situation in BC on the BCCDC website. Island Health is launching a targeted vaccination campaignfor those currently at highest risk of acquiring and spreading monkeypox. 

Consent weeks

VIUSU Consent Week: September 12-15

Join your Students’ Union for a week full of information, resources and events about sexual consent. All students are encouraged to participate:

• Let’s Talk About Sex (& Consent), Baby!: This is an informative evening of fun on Thursday, September 15 featuring a consent-based workshop, panelist discussion, complimentary dinner and a few rounds of sex bingo! Advance registration through Showpass is required as there are capacity limits for this event!
• Category Is: Consent! Drag Show @ VIUSU Pub on September 15: Join us in the Students’ Union Pub for a free drag show featuring local performers KASH, SLUTILINA, ANDI & BOY GORGEOUS. Must be 19+ with two pieces of ID to enter pub.

Consent Awareness Week

Consent Awareness Week is September 19 to 23 this year. This week is an opportunity to reflect, champion and celebrate consent as a cornerstone of all relationships, not just intimate ones. Join the Thrive team on September 20 from noon to 2 pm in the Nanaimo campus quad for #WeBelieveYouDay to learn more about consent and resources available on campus. Stay tuned to VIU’s social media channels as well, where we will be sharing information all week.

Mark your calendars

Drop/fee deadlines 📌

September 19 is the last day to drop a Fall semester course without having to fully pay for it. Your fall semester fees are due on September 20. Questions? Visit viu.ca/registration.

VIU closed September 30 🧡

VIU is closed on Friday, September 30 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Nanaimo campus library is always open and accessible with your student card.

Remembering All the Children 🧡

Join Coast Salish Elder Raymond Charlie at VIU's Cowichan campus to discuss the documentary Kuper Island: Return to the Healing Circle. Following the film, we are honoured to host Coast Salish Elder Raymond Tony Charlie who will discuss his new book In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building. The event takes place September 26 from 10 am to noon. Register via Eventbrite.

Every Child Matters/Orange Shirt Day 🧡

Services for Aboriginal Students, in conjunction with the VIU Students' Union, is hosting a reconciliation walk and event at Shq'apthut on September 29 to honour the children who survived the Residential School system and remember those who didn't make it home. The walk starts at 9:30 am outside VIUSU headquarters (Building 193) and goes to Shq'apthut for survivor stories, followed by lunch.

Deals

Did you know that as a VIU student you have access to exclusive discounts in your community and across the province? Download the Deals App, administered by the VIUSU and the BC Federation of Students, to learn more. Today’s featured businesses:

• New Salsa Dancing in Nanaimo: Get 50% off all classes; some classes free.
• Panago Pizza: Get 10% off any menu item.

Campus Events

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

• Campus Events website
• Co-curricular involvement app
• VIU Students' Union app