VIU Student Pulse News: May 16, 2024

We hope the semester has gotten off to a good start! In this issue: 

• Asian Heritage Month
• Paying for university
• Web registration help
• Summer fun

Need to know

Asian Heritage Month

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada. It is an opportunity to learn more about the many achievements and contributions Canadians of Asian heritage have made to Canada. Read the Asian Heritage Month resources blog and the message from our President. 

How to pay for university 💸

Are you wondering about options for paying for university? VIU student blogger Becky Duarte interviewed the experts to produce this quick guide to the world of finances and navigating through it as a university student. Check it out on the VIU Blog.

Web Registration 

VIU Web Registration began May 6 and continues through to early June. If you have any questions or need assistance, please connect with an educational advisor or attend a Web Registration and Course Selection Session to work on your web registration with the support of Advising and Registration Services. It is not too late to apply to programs still accepting applications at VIU. Connect with an advisor with your questions.

Connect

Local hikes 🥾

Join Cultural Connections and explore some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring local hiking trails Nanaimo has to offer! The Local Hikes program is designed to encourage confidence and creativity in participants, while at the same time aiming to forge a connection with nature and a desire to protect it. Each hike is only $2. Upcoming hikes include:

• May 24: Linley Valley
• May 31: Jack Point Park
• June 7: Blueback Beach

Road trips 🚙

Every semester a schedule of seasonal weekly activities is available to all registered VIU students. Sign up for Cultural Connections trips every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm in Building 255 (International Education, on the second floor, beside the main lobby.
Upcoming trips:

• May 25: Parksville: minigolf, beach and bumper boats
• June 1: Raptors Centre and Ladysmith, Transfer Beach
• June 8: Nanaimo whale watch

Sign up for Cultural Connections trips 📝

Sign up for Cultural Connections trips every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm in Building 255, International Education, on the second floor, beside the main lobby.

BC virtual career event

The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation and School District 83 invite you to join us as we speak with employees working in ship and shore roles in British Columbia's vibrant marine sector. Discover firsthand what it takes to pursue dynamic, well-paying careers as a port or vessel captain, naval architect or marine service technician. The virtual career event is 9:20 to 10:35 am PT on May 24.

Careers and employers research survey

VIU is participating in a national research study of student interests and attitudes regarding their careers and employers. The survey results will help employers better understand how to attract and hire students and graduates while also helping us learn how to better serve you with career planning support. Responses are confidential and will not be associated with your identity. All respondents are eligible to enter a draw for a $500 Best Buy gift card or one of 10 cash prizes of $100 each. Take the survey here.

Summer Work-Op positions 👩🏽‍💻

Work-op positions are posted on Experience Hub. Log in to your student account, then find Work-op postings in the Student Employment section under Students Services to access the postings.

Supports & services

Summer gym schedule 🏋🏽

Gym Summer Hours until September 3 are Monday to Friday 8 am to 7:30 pm, closed on weekends and for special events.

Food on the Nanaimo campus

The upper cafeteria is now closed until August 16. Food Services is offering offering grab-and-go items at the Campus Store until August 16 from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. The lower cafeteria will remain open until June 7:

• Lunch is available Monday to Thursday (closed Fridays) until May 20.
• Breakfast and lunch are available Monday to Thursday (closed Fridays) from May 21 to June 7.

VIU Experience Hub 💼

Log in to your VIU Experience Hub account, using your VIU single sign-on credentials, to access several student services. If you have any questions about the Experience Hub, please email cel@viu.ca. The Experience Hub is where you can:

• book appointments with educational and immigration advisors
• book appointments with the Career Studio
• view a job posting board where external employers are posting employment and internship opportunities
• view on-campus employment opportunities

Check out the VIU Safety App

Watch the VIU Safety App informational video. This short, one-minute video is a great resource to share with the entire VIU community.

VIU Off-Campus Housing 🏡

Did you know the university’s Off-Campus Housing department can support you with things like house hunting, tenancy law and conflict resolution? Read this VIU blog post for more details. Visit Off-Campus Housing, email housing@viu.ca or book a meeting. Off-Campus Housing can help you with:

• Finding housing and roommates 
• Temporary accommodation 
• Contracts, fees and tenancy issues 

Don’t have a VIU student card yet? 🪪

Simply follow the instructions on the library’s website to get your VIU ID card. Your ID card gets you access to the library. Upload your photo to your student record and then pick it up at the library service desk when you get notified it’s ready. If you’re new here, find out everything you need to know to orient yourself to library services.

National Student Loans Service Centre 📱

Did you know you can chat with a live agent? Get answers to questions about your student loan in real time! National Student Loans Service Centre agents are available to chat Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, your local time. Learn more.

Anonymous sexualized violence reporting tool now available

VIU has expanded the options available to members of our community who want to provide the institution with information about incidences of sexualized violence and misconduct. The anonymous report does not require a person to identify themselves to VIU while still helping to inform institutional strategies, safety planning and other sexualized violence and misconduct mitigation work. This joins the disclosure and formal report options. Visit VIU’s sexualized violence and misconduct webpage to learn more about supports available to you.

BC Student loan applications 📄

Applications for the 2024-25 academic year will be available at the beginning of June. For more information, visit www.studentaidbc.ca.

VIU International update

We're streamlining our communication channels to better serve you! EdAbroad@viu.ca will be phased out. Effective immediately, all emails should be directed to InternationalMobility@viu.ca. International Mobility supports activities including inbound and outbound student and faculty exchanges, study abroad students, visiting researchers and scholars, and field schools. If you are interested in an exchange opportunity for the 2025 Spring Semester, contact us! Please email Alexandra van Vianen, Advisor for International Mobility, InternationalMobility@viu.ca.

Supports to access education 💰

The federal government is investing $1.3 billion to keep post-secondary education affordable. These investments will ensure younger generations can access quality post-secondary education at an affordable cost. The funding will:

• Extend for an additional year the increase in full-time Canada Student Grants from $3,000 to $4,200 per year,
• Interest-free Canada Student Loans from $210 to $300 per week. This includes increases to other Canada Student Grants by 40 per cent.
• It will also increase the housing allowances used by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program when determining financial need, which will provide additional student aid to approximately 79,000 students each year.