Fall Semester 2011
Welcome to the 2011/2012 academic year at Vancouver Island University!
This bulletin provides answers to frequently asked questions from students. Staff in our Registration Centres are available to provide personal assistance with any of your registration questions.
In addition to the information in this bulletin, you should also become familiar with the general regulations in our online calendar at this web site: www.viu.ca/genreg.
- Money Matters
- Health and Dental Plan
- Transcripts
- GPS: Program Planning
- Talk to an Advisor
- Upper-Level Advising
- Student Photo Identification & Library Card
- Confidentiality of Your Record
- Parking
- For more information, call or visit Registration at a Vancouver Island University campus:
Read our Emails – Win up to $500!
Emails from registration@viu.ca will always contain information we feel is important and timely for you. To encourage you to read your emails, we randomly award prizes of up to a $500 value 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 Online Student Record
Your student record is available for you at www.viu.ca/registration. Most registration services are available online. You can see your grades, update your address, add or drop courses, pay some fees, order official transcripts 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 put you in the class.
The waitlist procedure changes when the semester begins. You must check the waitlists each day during the first six days of the semester, until September 13, 2011. As of September 6 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 in order to avoid being charged for them.
Adding Courses
You can add a Fall semester course online or in-person until Tuesday, September 13. 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
You are required to officially withdraw from classes you do not want to take.
The last day to drop a course without having to pay for it is Monday, September 19, 2011.
Courses can be dropped using your online student record or in person at any campus Registration Centre.
“No Show” Policy
Some instructors will deregister students who don’t show up for classes, but they are under no obligation to do this.
- If you register for a class and later decide you don’t want to take it, you must drop it.
- It is not enough to inform your instructor or to just not show up.
- To officially drop a course, you must do so using your online student record or in-person at the Registration Centre.
- If you don’t officially drop a course, you will still be required to pay full fees and you will receive a grade of “F”.
On the other hand if you are going to miss the first scheduled class but want to remain enrolled in the course, notify your instructor or the area secretary by email or phone. Check the Faculty & Staff Directory online at www.viu.ca/directory, or call your campus switchboard using the number listed on the back of this brochure.
Prerequisites for Courses
Check your online student record to ensure that you meet prerequisites for courses: click on “Web Registration”, “Register” for the Fall 2011 term, and then “Submit Changes.” Any unmet prerequisites will be noted in red print.
Please withdraw from courses if you will not meet the prerequisite. If you are seeking special permission from the Chair of the department, please ensure that permission is granted at least one week prior to the first day of class. The Chair will notify the Registration Centre.
Students not meeting prerequisites may be deregistered. Prerequisite checking is a lengthy process that continues through the first two weeks of classes and by the time you are deregistered, it may be too late to register for another course.
Academic Withdrawal
- The last day to withdraw from a course to avoid getting an “F” grade assigned is Monday, October 31, 2011.
- For 8 month courses that begin in September, the last day to withdraw without receiving an “F” grade is Monday, February 27, 2012.
Under exceptional circumstances, it may still be possible for you to withdraw from a course after Monday, October 31 with a Late Withdrawal form. Please see your nearest Registration Centre for further information.
Exams
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 grade average below C 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 grade average of C or better in a Probationary Year, you will be required to discontinue your studies for at least one year. Refer to the "Probation Policy" in the Calendar for more information.
Leave of Absence
If you wish to temporarily withdraw from Vancouver Island University for any reason, you may apply for a leave of absence for the remainder of the current academic year and the following year. Apply to your Dean for a leave of absence. When you return you will be considered a continuing student for the purpose of registration.
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.
Important Dates – Fall Semester 2011
- September 6 (Tuesday): First day of classes for the Fall semester.
- September 19 (Monday): Last day to add/drop a course before Fall tuition is calculated.
- September 20 (Tuesday): Tuition calculated.
- October 1 (Saturday): Last day to pay Fall semester tuition. Any tuition unpaid as of October 2, 2011 will be assessed a 10% late fee.
- October 10 (Monday): Thanksgiving Day; University closed.
- October 31 (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 1 (Tuesday): Students with Fall semester fees owing will be removed from all Fall courses.
- November 11(Friday): Remembrance Day observed; University closed.
- December 5 (Monday): Last day of classes for University and Career/Technical programs.
- December 6 & 7 (Tuesday and Wednesday): Final examination study days for University and Career/Technical Programs.
- December 8 (Thursday): First day of final examinations.
- December 19 (Monday): Last day of final examinations.
- December 27 (Tuesday): Final Fall semester grades due by 4 pm.
- January 3 (Tuesday): First day of the Spring 2012 semester.
- February 1 (Wednesday): Last day to pay Spring semester tuition. Any tuition unpaid as of February 2, 2012 will be assessed a 10% late fee.
- February 27 (Monday): Last day for academic penalty free withdrawal from 8 month courses that started in September.
Money Matters
This section is for domestic students. International students pay fees according to the International Education Policy; International students should consult their Advisor for information on fees and fee payment deadlines.
What will I need to pay?
You must finalize your schedule on or before Monday, September 19. If you withdraw from any course after Monday, September 19, you must still pay for it. Full time students at the Nanaimo campus should also refer to the Health & Dental Plan information below.
When do I need to pay?
- Fall semester fees are due Saturday, October 1, 2011.
- 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 Tuesday,November 1, you will be de-registered from your Fall classes.
How do I pay?
- Through online banking, available at your financial institution. Your account number is your Vancouver Island University student number.
- In person at the cashier’s office in Building 200 on the Nanaimo campus or at the main office at the Cowichan, Parksville/Qualicum, or Powell River campuses.
- By mail using a cheque or money order made payable to Vancouver Island University. Please write your student number on the cheque or money order.
- By sponsorship – it is your responsibility to ensure that your sponsorship letter is on record with the Registration Centre prior to October 1, 2011.
Please note that effective September 1, 2010, VIU no longer accepts tuition payment by credit card.
Health and Dental Plan
Full-time students at the Nanaimo campus will be assessed a fee of approximately $286 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.
Transcripts
An official transcript is a complete record of your academic performance bearing the signature of the Registrar and printed on official transcript paper. Official transcripts can be ordered through your online student record or at any campus Registration Centre. The fee is $10 per copy. A rush transcript, ordered for same day pick up or to be put in the mail the next day, is available for $15 per copy.
An unofficial transcript is available to you at no charge from your online student record.
GPS: Program Planning
VIU’s Goal Planning System can be launched from your online student record. GPS will show how courses you have already completed can work toward your degree goals and will list courses you still need to complete.
We encourage you to discuss your GPS results with your Degree Advisor. Most programs are serviced by GPS and others will be released shortly.
Talk to an Advisor
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
Heather Sanrud • (250) 753-3245, Local 2712
Bonnie-Jean Buffie • (250) 740-6573
Bachelor of Business Administration
Tracy Gillis • (250) 753-3245, Local 2452
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
David Wessels • (250) 753-3245, Local 2436
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture
Mark Noyon • (250) 740-6371
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 see www.viu.ca/smartcard.
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. If you release your P.I.N. to a third party, it is good practice to change it afterwards. Your P.I.N. code secures access to your records and is for your protection.
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 at www.viu.ca/parking 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 office in Building 193 and at the Welcome Centre in Building 300.
For more information, call or visit Registration at a Vancouver Island University campus:
Nanaimo Toll Free: 1-888-920-2221 or (250) 740-6400
Cowichan: (250) 746-3500
Parksville/Qualicum Centre: (250) 248-2096
Powell River: (604) 485-2878
