Student Pulse News: Wednesday, August 30, 2023

August 30, 2023

Ready for back to school? 🍎

Are you ready for the start of the school year? This week, RockVIU new student orientation is in full swing on the Nanaimo campus. Next week, the VIU Students’ Union has several events lined up to welcome you back and get you connected with each other.

In this issue:

Welcome back events.
Looking for a job? Career fairs and other supports.
Road trips and hikes.

Need to know

VIU Students’ Union presents Frosh Week 🎉

Get ready to kick off the school year in style! Mark your calendars:
🥞 Tuesday, September 5: Frosh Pancake Breakfast
🎨 Wednesday, September 6: Paint Your Frosh
🎶 Thursday, September 7: Frosh Outdoor Concert, BBQ and Beer Garden
Looking for an after-party after the concert? Pop into the VIUSU Pub for the first open-mic night of the year! 19+ only.

VIU Off-Campus Housing Info & Support 🏡

Are you new to VIU or a returning student looking for a new rental? Access information and support about Finding Housing & Roommates, Temporary Accommodation and Contracts, Fees & Tenancy Issues. Visit the OCH blog, Off-Campus Housing homepage, contact Off-Campus Housing or book a meeting.
NEW! VIU Rent Wise is a free, certified course to learn about being great tenants and good neighbours. Sign up for VIU Rent Wise on Friday, September 8 from 1 to 3:30 pm.

VIU Safety App 📲

Do you know what to do if there is an emergency on campus? VIU has a mobile app that sends emergency communications straight to your phone and will let you know if there is an emergency, and what you should do during an emergency. Other features include:

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

Connect

Try a semester abroad ✈️

Broaden your horizons with VIU Education Abroad! Study in English at one of our partner universities around the world for one or two semesters and enjoy support from VIU to make it happen. Funding opportunities are available, come see us to learn more! Apply by September 25.

Shq’apthut closure 🚧

Shq’apthut is closed for access as work is about to begin on expanding the building. While construction will continue until spring 2024, it is anticipated that the building will re-open for partial use in November or December 2023. In the meantime, Shq’apthut has moved to Building 180, Room 326. Events during this time will also be held at alternative locations around campus.

VIU WUSC (World University Service of Canada)

VIU’s WUSC Local Committee is a campus-based student group that supports student refugees in their integration to Canadian social and academic life, organizes fundraising events and engages the campus and community on migration issues. If you’re interested in joining this impactful student group, email wusc.viu@gmail.com today or check out VIU WUSC for more information.

Become a Student Ambassador 🎊

As a Student Ambassador, you are the link between students and VIU, fostering connections, a sense of belonging and community. Share your VIU experience as a tour guide and as a volunteer at events, supporting activities planned by the Recruitment and Advising team. Sign up by September 30.

VI Raiders student night 🏈

Vancouver Island Raiders Football invites you to a VIU Student Night on September 23 at 5:30 pm at the NDSS Turf Field. Discounted tickets are $5 per ticket (regular $18) with student ID. Food trucks, beer gardens, merchandise and yard games will be at the game.

Cultural Connections road trips and hikes 🌲

Every semester, Cultural Connections organizes road trips and local hikes for all VIU students. Hikes are only $2! September road trip and hike highlights include:

September 8: Pipers Lagoon
September 9: Victoria Day Trip
September 15: Nanaimo River
September 16: Wildplay Adventure Park
September 22: Saysutshun Island
September 23: Tofino bear or whale watching

Supports & services

VIU library services 📚

New to VIU? Check out VIU library’s Getting Started guide. Find out how to get your ID card, which provides you with 24-7 access to the Nanaimo library, and learn about other services like research help, equipment loans, study rooms, printing and the family space. Get in touch or take a look at our FAQs page for more information.

Are you impacted by wildfire? 🔥

If you have been adversely affected by this season’s wildfires, please know that VIU is aware this may make meeting certain deadlines such as the tuition deadline challenging. Please email registration@viu.ca or call 250.740.6400 or 1.888.920.2221 to let us know of your situation so we can support you with deadline extensions and other supports.

Be Fire Smart at VIU 🔥

With the severe drought conditions on Vancouver Island, the lands around us are very dry and fires can start easily. Please use designated smoking areas and ashtrays provided. To identify where the designated smoking areas are at the Cowichan campus, tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus, Cowichan Trades Centre and the Parksville-Qualicum Centre, ask at reception locations.

Do your part to save water 💦

Despite some rain this week, BC is still experiencing drought. We all need to do our part to save water – both both indoors and outdoors. Follow water restrictions from local government and First Nations. Save water where you can – every drop counts. Learn more.

Welcome back from VIU’s cybersecurity team 🏫

Make sure you have your most cyber safe year yet! And while you are at it, take a moment and practice safe social to make your social media a little more secure.

New tuition payment schedule ⏱

A reminder that revised tuition payment deadlines and late fee and refund eligibility rules are in place for this fall. Highlights:

Tuition will be due two weeks after the start of the semester (September 19).
A late fee of 5% will apply to outstanding balances the day after fees are due (late fees used to be applied on October 1).

Refund eligibility for withdrawals has also changed. See the Payment Methodswebsite for full details.

Connect with Accessibility Services

If you are student with a documented disability that impacts your learning, such as a learning disability, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, mental health condition or chronic health condition, you may want to connect with Accessibility Services to explore possible academic accommodations. The service is confidential and your diagnosis is not shared with faculty.

World Suicide Prevention Day: September 8

Join the Thrive team at this pop-up event on September 8 from 11 am to 1 pm outside the main cafeteria, share messages of support and learn more about how to contribute to building a safer community around campus. Thrive is a group of students dedicated to supporting your mental well-being with a series of events, activities and resources to share throughout the school year.

SafeTALK workshop 🗣

As part of World Suicide Prevention Day, Thrive is also hosting a SafeTALK workshop, where you will learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support. Open to all VIU employees and students on Friday, September 8, from 9 am to 1 pm. For more information and to register, visit VIU Thrive.

ASIST workshop

ASIST is a two-day workshop that prepares participants to provide suicide first aid interventions. It is open to VIU staff and students on September 15 and 16, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For more information and to register, visit VIU Thrive.

Safer Campuses for Everyone – Students 👥

Take this self-paced, online training to learn about the importance of consent in all relationships and how to intervene to prevent sexual violence. Visit the Thrive website to learn how to enroll in this free course. Send your completion certificate to thrive@viu.ca to be entered to win a $500 tuition credit.

Nanaimo campus building renumbering

VIU has created a 400’s level on the Nanaimo campus through the renumbering of several buildings. This initiative is part of VIU’s Exterior Wayfinding Signage Program.

Advisors are here to help 🗣

New to VIU? You are not alone. Educational Advisors are here to support you and answer any questions about university life. Visit VIU’s Ready, Set, Go self-serve orientation modules to help prepare for what to expect at VIU in the next few months. We are available by phone, Zoom drop-in, email or in-person (Building 200, Nanaimo campus). Connect early, connect often with advising.

Parking rate increase

Due to increased operations and maintenance costs, there is a general parking rate increase for all campus parking of 4.25 per cent for the 2023-24 academic year. The last increase in parking rates was in 2013. This amounts to:

An additional $1.91 for a student one-month pass and an additional $4.25 for a student four-month parking pass (+$1.06 per month).
Violation tickets paid before the due date will increase from $25 to $40 and after from $50 to $60.

Career corner & financial aid advice

Career fairs on campus 💼

The Career Studio is organizing two career fairs this month:

The on-campus employment career fair is on September 14, 10 am to 2 pm in the quad. Learn about on-campus employment or volunteer opportunities with various VIU departments and faculties.
A general career fair in the VIU gym on September 15 from 11 am to 3 pm features more than 60 employers. Connect with employers from a range of industries to learn about employment and volunteer opportunities.

Add an internship to your program 🎒

Students who complete internships are more likely to be employed following graduation and more likely to work in their field of study. You begin by completing the INTP 300 prep course, which takes place fully online and can be taken at any time during the year. Once you have completed the prep course, you take the ITRN 303 internship course. Visit the “Experiential Learning” tab on your Experience Hub account to learn more about INTP 300 or email CEL@viu.ca.

Experience Hub 💻

VIU’s online job posting portal Experience Hub has a new look and is now easier to access. Students can now log in to the Experience Hub using their VIU single-sign on credentials. Log in today to activate your account and view on and off-campus job postings, make appointments with advisors, view upcoming events and check out the experiential learning opportunities.

Upper-level guaranteed internship placement program 💼

Earn six credits towards your degree at no cost and get a paid work experience opportunity! Open to all domestic students in their third or fourth level of study. Students participating in this course will take INTP 300 and ITRN 303 at no cost and will be guaranteed an internship with VIU. Email cel@viu.ca for more info.

Student Aid estimator 📱

Are you applying for student loans? The Student Aid Estimator shows the amount of federal student aid you could receive from the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. The actual grant and loan amounts are determined once you apply through your provincial student aid office. Use the estimator tool.

Student Employment 💸

The Fall 2023 to Spring 2024 work-op postings are now live on Experience Hub! Log into your account, look for Student Services on the left in blue and select On-Campus Employment. If you have questions about the position, please email the supervisor named on the posting. Email studentemployment@viu.ca for help navigating the site.

Scholarships, awards and bursaries 💰

Apply for scholarships, awards and bursaries from the finances tab in your student record. The online profile will be available from September 1 to March 30. Visit the Financial Aid website for more information and current deadlines.

Adult Upgrading Grant 💸

Need help paying for your adult basic education course fees and textbooks? Apply for the Adult Upgrading Grant before your fee deadline date. Learn more about the grant.

Cowichan students

Cowichan RockVIU

Cowichan campus RockVIU new student orientation is on Tuesday, September 5, 11 am to 2 pm. The event includes a Connect Fair, Community Corner, Campus Adventures, CCR talk, pizza, ice-cream and games.

Services and supports for Cowichan students

There are many supports available to Cowichan students, including advising, counselling, accessibility services, services for Indigenous students, academic support, assessments and exam services. View the full list of supports. You might also want to check out the volunteer tutor program, a free service for VIU students. Get help early, don’t leave it too late. Finally, check out the important information for Cowichan students homepage, where most of the questions you have about the Cowichan campus are answered in one easy location.

Campus events

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