VIU Student Pulse News: May 2, 2023

May 2, 2023

Work and study at VIU this summer 🎒

This is the first student newsletter of the Summer Semester. Our favourite parts about VIU in summer:

Studying in the quad on a sunny day
The view of the ocean from the library
Smaller lineups in Starbucks

Also in this issue:

Summer employment opportunities
Web registration help
Increase to weekly student loan amounts

Need to know

Web registration and course selection help

VIU Web Registration begins May 11 and continues through to early June. If you have any questions or need some help, Connect with an Educational Advisor or attend a Web Registration & Course Selection Session to work on your web registration with the support of Advising and Registration Services. For those unable to seek help during the regular office hours and sessions, please sign up for After Hours Course Planning Appointments for either in office (Advising Centre, third floor of Building 200 at the Nanaimo Campus) or on Zoom.

Asian Heritage Month at VIU

Please join us for Hanami “flower viewing” on Wednesday, May 3 from 12 pm to 1 pm under the cherry blossom trees on the walkway below Building 200 and above the Gym (Building 190). Participants picnic under blossoming trees and contemplate the beauty of the blossoms. You can also check out the Fighting for Justice exhibit and book display in the library throughout the month, and read VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier's message.

Programs still accepting applications

It is not too late to Apply to programs still accepting applications at VIU. Connect with an advisor with your questions or refer your friends. The Advising Centre is open all summer. Check the website for summer hours.

Discounts for students

Travelling in BC this summer? The Deals App has student discounts all across BC! Don’t see your favourite business on the app? Let us know of any local businesses you would like to see partner with us. Fill out this form. The Deals App is BC’s student discount program delivered by the BC Federation of Students, the VIU Students’ Union and 14 other Students’ Unions across the province. Download the app to start saving!

Career corner

Work at VIU this summer

Summer 2023 Work-Op postings are now available for viewing on CareerVIU. You need to be enrolled in one summer class or have completed at least nine credits in the Spring Semester and be continuing full-time in the Fall. Please be sure to follow the application instructions that are included in the posting to ensure your application will be considered. Good luck!

New LinkedIn group for VIU students seeking employment

The VIU Career Studio has just launched a LinkedIn group for students seeking employment. Join the group to access job postings, event details and information to help VIU students from all programs get connected with employers and organizations relevant to their area of study.

Career Studio Summer Hours

If you are looking to secure a summer job or volunteer position in the coming months, or you are a recent graduate looking to move into your career, stop by the Career Studio in Building 255, Room 204. Our team can assist with resumés, cover letters, interview preparation and all other career-related needs. Our summer hours for drop-ins and appointments are now 9 am to 2 pm, Monday to Thursday.

CareerVIU

Hey VIU! Thousands of local employers are looking for talented future leaders like you. Many of these employers post their jobs on CareerVIU. Access CareerVIU now and check back regularly for new part-time and full-time, on-campus and off-campus, as well as volunteer and paid opportunities.

Student blogger

Want to write blogs/do vlogs for your fellow students? Communications is searching for a student blogger to write for the VIU Blog. Email Jenn.McGarrigle@viu.ca your resumé and a writing sample to apply!

Library research assistant position

Looking for a summer job? We are hiring for a Student Research Assistant for Indigenous Initiatives at the VIU Library during the Summer 2023 work-op term. You’ll gain valuable experience in research while supporting an important initiative. If you’re planning on enrolling in an intersession or summer semester course at VIU, be sure to apply by May 15!

Wellness Promoters job positions

Are you passionate about promoting wellness and mental health? Become a Wellness Promoter for the 2023-24 academic year! These positions enhance the quality of student life by promoting wellness and mental health-related programming, education and resources to students. More info.

Financial Aid access

BC Access Grant – Increase to weekly student loan maximums

“Access to finances shouldn’t be a barrier to preparing for an in-demand career in BC. This is an immediate-term action to make education more accessible, as we continue the work on our medium-term plans to review the post-secondary funding model and expand the BC Access Grant,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Making education more accessible and affordable is a major focus for our government and an important part of our Future Ready plan.”

Starting August 2023, this will be the first increase to weekly student loan maximums since 2006. After making student loans interest-free in 2019, the BC government is increasing financial assistance available to students from $110 to $220 per week for single students and from $140 to $280 per week for students with dependants. Source: BC Government News

Canada Learning Bond website

Want a chance to win $50 in credit to the Campus Store? The Financial Aid and Awards department has revamped the VIU Canada Learning Bond site. We greatly appreciate student input on the new look. Please visit the site and complete this brief survey to be entered in the draw on June 1.

Connect

Road trips

Join the Cultural Connections Road Trips team on exciting adventures to awe-inspiring locations. Every semester, we prepare a schedule of seasonal weekly Road Trips activities available to all registered VIU students. Highlights for Summer Session include:

May 13: Malahat Skywalk and Ladysmith
May 27: Tofino bear or whale watching
June 3: Go karting and Coombs

Local hikes

Each semester we head outdoors and explore some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring local hiking trails Nanaimo and 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. Some upcoming hikes:

May 5: Cable Bay Trail
May 12: The Abyss
June 2: River hatchery
June 9: Linley Valley

Write for the Nav next fall

Want to learn more about VIU and the community from a student perspective? Visit The Navigator Student Press. VIU’s entirely student-run online news magazine. Read, watch and listen to the stories that matter to you as students! The Nav will be hiring for new positions this fall, so visit our website in the upcoming months for more information.

Supports & services

Food on campus

With fewer students and employees on campus, the main cafeteria (Building 300) will be closed from May 1 to August 26. During the shutdown period, catering will be available and summer hoteling/student groups will continue to have their food needs met. Coffee, grab and go items as well as freshly prepared hot and cold options will be available through the Campus Store and Starbucks during the summer semester. The lower cafeteria is open until June 15 and will be run by the Culinary Arts program. Starting May 1, the new business hours will be as follows:

VIU Campus Store will be offering grab and go hot and cold options, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Starbucks will operate Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm.
The lower cafeteria (Building 185) will be open Monday to Thursday from May 1 to June 15 and run by the Culinary Arts program. Hours:
- 7:30 to 10:30 am, then again from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
The VIUSU pub is also open until May 26.

Questions? Connect with Food Services via Ancillary.Communication@viu.ca.

Health and dental plan

A reminder that you can use your extended health and dental benefits throughout the summer if you are eligible. Make sure you double check your coverage eligibility dates before you make a claim. For more info on your plan visit Health and Dental or email healthanddental@viusu.ca.

VIUSU Grants

If you’re planning on attending a conference this summer, you may be eligible for funding through the VIUSU Grant Program. Applications are being accepted all summer. Check out the current recipients.

VIUSU summer hours

The VIUSU Office will be open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, until May 19. From May 23 until the end of August, office hours will be 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Thursday. The Students’ Union Pub is now open Tuesday to Friday, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm, and will be closed from May 26 until the end of August.

Library summer hours

Bring on the sunshine, our summer hours are in full swing! The Nanaimo campus service desk is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, and the Cowichan hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. As always, study spaces at the Nanaimo campus library are available 24-7 with a VIU ID card. Learn more about how to get your VIU ID and all things new student-related.

VIU Off-Campus Housing

Sharing a house with your landlord? Renting a room from another tenant? You may not be protected by BC tenancy law, but you should still set up clear expectations about money matters, living together and good housekeeping. Use this Rental Guide and Agreement to get everything down on paper. We’re also here to help with:

Visit Off-Campus Housing, email housing@viu.ca or book a meeting.

Conference funding

The next conference funding deadline is May 19. If you presented, or are planning to present, at a conference between January 1 and August 31, check out the conference funding website for more info. Email Vanessa.Moraes@viu.ca if you have questions.

VIU Gym: Adjusted hours for summer

Looking to plan a workout in at the VIU Gym? The gym is now on summer hours: 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday.

Deals

Did you know that as a VIU student you have access to exclusive discounts in your community and across the province? Download the Deals App, administered by the VIUSU and the BC Federation of Students, to learn more. Featured deal:

White Rabbit Coffee Co.: 15% off food and drink.

Campus events

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

Campus Events website
VIU Students' Union app