Current Students

February is Black History Month – a time to celebrate the history, culture, diversity and achievements of Black people in Canada and recognize the contributions of Black communities nationwide.

Rosalynn White is balancing the demands of raising two young children with getting the education she needs to take the next step in her career thanks to the online Bachelor of Business Administration program option.  

“It is a game-changer for me,” she says. “I have a five-year-old child and another who is almost two, and being away at school all day, plus the 45-minute drive each way and managing their care when they fall ill was just not something I was willing or able to do.”  

Starting at 6 pm tonight, VIU’s top talent will battle it out on the Malaspina Theatre stage to win prizes and bragging rights. Come cheer on your fellow students in this showcase of creativity and talent! Learn more about VIU’s Got Talent below.

Also in this issue:  

• Fill out the travel survey 

• Frost events by your students’ union 

• Mental health check-up 

Students are reshaping how they learn one handful of sand at a time through an augmented reality sandbox.

Welcome to the Spring Semester! Did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2025? If they had anything to do with staying active or revisiting your academic plan, we have you covered in this newsletter.  

Also, shoutout to fourth-year Nursing students on their recent Crimestoppers grant for their Before P.A.R.T.Y program. This is a health-based education program delivered by third and fourth-year nursing students to youth between the ages of 12 and 14 from Ladysmith to Ucluelet.

A journalism course project led to Alyona Latsinnik breaking a viral election story that exposed a Conservative candidate’s racist remarks about Indigenous people.

As part of her class project assigned by her Journalism Professor Stephen Hume, Alyona arranged to interview Marina Sapozhnikov, the Conservative candidate for Juan de Fuca-Malahat, on election night.

As we wrap up 2024, we have a video message from VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier, thanking you for all your contributions to our community. In the video above, she celebrates a year of coming together, supporting one another and embracing new possibilities. We hope you take time over the holiday break to rest, recharge and find joy with those who matter most to you.  

We are nearing the end of the semester, which means final projects and exams are around the corner.

As we near the end of the semester, it’s normal to feel a sense of pressure. Projects and group work are ramping up and end-of-semester exams aren’t so far away anymore. Managing stress during this busy period isn’t just about surviving, it’s about finding practical ways to do well. Here are some strategies I’ve found helpful, hopefully they’ll work for you too.

How is reading week going? Whether you’re looking for study resources, planning ahead for next semester (or next year) or curious about what’s happening on campus, keep reading! And don't forget about the library’s Long Night Against Procrastination happening Tuesday, November 19. Stop by for a variety of supports and resources – and pizza!