Spring Semester 2009
Welcome to the 2008 / 2009 academic year at Vancouver Island University. Everyone at VIU wishes you success in your studies!
- Leave of Absence
- Grades
- Transcripts
- Confidentiality of Your Record
- Program Planning: M.A.P.P.
- Advising
- Student Photo Identification & Library Card
- Important Dates – Fall Semester 2008
- Parking
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E-mail from registration@viu.ca is not spam. It will always contain information that is important and timely for you. To encourage you to read your e-mails, we randomly award prizes of up to $500 each attached to our message.
In order to ensure that our messages are not identified as spam and filtered out of your inbox, please add our address registration@viu.ca to the list of contacts in your email program.
Your Student Record
Your student record is available for you to see on the web at viu.ca/registration. Most registration services are available online. You can pay your fees, see your grades, update your address, add or drop courses and much more.
Waitlist Procedures
You can check your place on waitlists through your online student record. If a seat becomes available to you prior to the first day of the semester, we will automatically register you.
The procedure changes when the semester begins. You must check the waitlists each day during the first six days of the semester, until September 9, 2008. As of September 2, if a seat becomes available for you, then it will be temporarily “Held”. If a seat is held for you, you must claim it that day, by 11:00 pm online, or by 3:00 pm in-person at the Registration Centre. If you do not claim the seat it will be offered to the next person on the waitlist.
Remember to drop courses for which you are waitlisted if you are no longer interested.
Adding Courses
You can add a Fall semester course online or in-person until Tuesday, September 9. After that time, you must obtain permission from the instructor and use a “Request for Late Course Registration” form, available from the Registration Centre.
Dropping Courses
Deadlines to consider when dropping a course:
- The last day to drop a course without having to pay for it is Monday, September 15, 2008.
- The last day to drop a course to avoid getting an “F” grade assigned is Monday, October 27, 2008.
- For 8-month courses that begin in September, the last day to withdraw without receiving an “F” grade is Friday, February 27, 2009.
Under exceptional circumstances, it may still be possible for you to withdraw from a course after Monday, October 27 with a Late Withdrawal form. Please see your nearest Registration Centre for further information.
If you have a student loan, you must maintain a 60% course load to retain your eligibility.
"No Show" Policy
- If you register for a class and later decide you don’t want to take it, you must officially withdraw.
- It is not enough to inform your instructor, or to just not show up.
- To officially withdraw from a course, you must do so using your online student record or in-person at the Registration Centre.
- If you don’t officially withdraw, you will still be required to pay full fees and you will receive a grade of “F”.
Some instructors will deregister students who don’t show up for classes, but please note they are under no obligation to do this. You are required to officially withdraw from classes you do not want to take.
If you are going to miss the first scheduled class, but want to remain enrolled, notify your instructor (or the area secretary) by e-mail or by calling the Switchboard, 1-888-920-2221 or locally, 250- 753-3245 (Nanaimo campus), and follow the directions to reach your instructor or the department by name, or check the Employee Directory. If you are studying at our Cowichan or Powell River campus, or at the Parksville·Qualicum Centre, please call the appropriate number.
Money Matters
International students pay fees according to the International Education Policy. Consult your Advisor for information on fees and fee payment deadlines.
What will I need to pay?
You have two weeks at the start of the semester to adjust your schedule. You must fi nalize your schedule on or before Monday, September 15. If you withdraw from any course after Monday, September 15, you must still pay for it. Please also review the information about the No Show Policy in this bulletin.
When do I need to pay?
Fall semester fees are due Wednesday, October 1, 2008.
If you have not paid your fees by October 1, a 10% late payment fee will be charged to your account.
If Fall semester fees are not paid in full by Monday, November 3, you will be de-registered from your classes.
How do I pay?
- Using online banking available through most fi nancial institutions. Note that your account number is your Vancouver Island University student number.
- Using your online student record(AmEx, MasterCard, or Visa).
- In person at the cashier’s offi ce in Building 200 on the Nanaimo campus or at the main offi ce at the Cowichan, Parksville/Qualicum, or Powell River locations.
- By mail using a cheque or money order made payable to Vancouver Island University. Please indicate your student number on the cheque or money order.
If you are a sponsored student, it is your responsibility to ensure that your sponsorship is on record with Registration prior to the fee deadline.
Health and Dental Plan
Full-time students at the Nanaimo campus will be assessed a fee of $245 on behalf of the Students’ Union to pay for Health and Dental coverage. This fee is payable along with tuition no later than October 1. Students who already have comparable coverage may arrange to opt out of this plan by contacting the Students’ Union. See VIUSU.CA for more details. Any questions should be directed to the Students’ Union at 250- 754-8866.
Prerequisites
Most courses have prerequisite course requirements that must be completed prior to starting the semester. You are responsible for submitting official transcripts to prove you meet all prerequisites. If you haven’t provided evidence of meeting course prerequisites you may be de-registered. Please note: by the time you are deregistered, it may be too late to register for another course. Prerequisite checking is a lengthy process that continues into the first two weeks of classes.
If you do not meet a course prerequisite but wish to obtain special permission to take the course, you must obtain this permission from the Department Chair, who will notify the Registration Centre.
Exams
Do not plan trips, or be unavailable, during exam dates: December 4–15, 2008. Exam schedules will be available in early November and will be posted on the web and at the Registration Centres.
Academic Probation Policy
If you achieve a combined GPA below 3.0 over the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), you will be placed on Academic Probation and will be notified following the Spring semester. The next time you register will be your Probationary Year.
If you do not achieve a combined GPA of 3.0 or better in a Probationary Year, you will be required to discontinue your studies for at least one year. Refer to “Probation Policy” in the online Calendar for more information.
Leave of Absence
If you wish to withdraw from VIU for any reason, you may apply to your Dean for Academic Leave of Absence for the remainder of the current academic year and the following year. Such leave allows you to be considered a “continuing student” for the purpose of Registration Priorities – Academic Studies (see the online Calendar for details). A leave of absence is granted at the Dean’s discretion.
Grades
At the end of each semester, your grades will be posted to your online student record. If you wish to appeal a final grade, the appeal procedure is available from the Registration Centre.
Transcripts
An official transcript is a complete record of your academic performance. It bears the signature of the Registrar and is printed on official transcript security paper. Official transcripts can be requested from any campus Registration Centre. The fee is $5 per copy. A rush transcript, ordered for same day pick up or to be put in the mail the next day, is available for $10 per copy.
An unofficial transcript is available to you at no charge from your online student record.
Confidentiality of Your Record
Photo identification is required to obtain any services at the Registration Centre. A parent, spouse, or friend may not act on your behalf to add or drop courses, conduct any other business or make any detailed inquiries about your account without your consent. To authorize someone to act on your behalf, you will need to provide them with your student number and your P.I.N.
M.A.P.P.: Program Planning
M.A.P.P. is our Automated Program Planner, which you will find in your online student record. See how courses you have already taken can work toward your degree goals and find out which courses you still need to complete.
Many programs are serviced by M.A.P.P. and others will be released shortly. We encourage you to discuss your M.A.P.P. results with your degree advisor.
Advising
To discuss your course selection with an Advisor, call or visit the Advising Centre at a Vancouver Island University campus:
- Cowichan: 250- 746-3509
- Nanaimo: 1-888-920-2221 or locally, 250- 740-6410
- Parksville•Qualicum Centre: 250- 248-2096
- Powell River: (604) 485-2878
Upper-Level Advising
Students in upper-level (3rd and 4th year) degree programs are served by our Degree Advisors, as follows:
Bachelor of Arts, Majors/Minors
- Lynda Patterson 250- 753-3245, local 2178
- Robert Riggan 250- 753-3245, local 2603
Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care
- Leanne Rose Sladde 250- 740-6265
- Heather Sanrud 250-753-3245 Local: 2712
Bachelor of Business Administration
- Sarah Holding 250- 753-3245, local 2538
Bachelor of Education
- Education Advising Office 250- 740-6223
Bachelor of Science
- Eric Demers 250- 753-3245, local 2033
Bachelor of Science, Major in Computing Science
- Gara Pruesse 250- 753-3245, local 2337
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Don Furnell 250- 753-3245, local 2467
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nursing Advising Office 250- 740-6246
Bachelor of Tourism Management
- Sharon Kelly 250- 753-3245, local 2682
Student Photo Identification & Library Card
The Photo Identification Office is located in the Library Commons. For hours and additional information visit viu.ca/smartcard
Important Dates - Fall Semester 2008
- September 2 (Tuesday): First day of the Fall semester.
- September 2 (Tuesday): First day of the Fall semester.
- September 15 (Monday): Last day to add/drop a course before Fall tuition is calculated.
- September 16 (Tuesday): Tuition calculated.
- September 19 (Friday): Last day to apply to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fall 2008.
- October 1 (Wednesday): Last day to pay Fall semester tuition. Any tuition unpaid as of October 2, 2008 will be assessed a 10% late fee.
- October 13 (Monday): Thanksgiving Day; University closed.
- October 27 (Monday): Last day for (academic penalty-free) withdrawal from Fall semester courses or program, or to change from credit to audit (or vice-versa) in University and Career/ Technology programs.
- November 3 (Monday): Students with Fall semester fees owing will be removed from all Fall and Spring courses.
- November 11 (Tuesday): Remembrance Day observed; University closed.
- November 21 (Friday): Last day to apply to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spring 2009.
- December 1 (Monday): Last day of classes for University and Career/Technical programs.
- December 2 & 3 (Tuesday and Wednesday): Final examination study days for University and Career/Technical Programs.
- December 4 (Thursday): First day of final examinations.
- December 12 (Friday): Fall Convocation Ceremony for Bachelor’s Degrees.
- December 15 (Monday): Last day of fi nal examinations.
- December 22 (Monday): Final Fall semester grades due 4 pm.
- January 5 (Monday): First day of the Spring 2009 semester.
Parking
Pay parking is in effect at the Nanaimo Campus, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including evenings and weekends on a “First Come, First Parked” basis. Please check the Parking/Security website for information on parking regulations. Due to limited parking, alternative forms of transportation are encouraged such as the bus, carpooling, walking or biking. Bus schedules are available at the Student Union offi ce in Building 193 and at the Welcome Centre in Building 300.
Vancouver Island University’s website provides extensive information on all the programs and services we offer. For more information, call or visit Registration at a VIU campus:
