Welcome to the new academic year

Irlanda Gonzalez Price

I am looking forward to welcoming you all to Vancouver Island University! VIU has campuses and facilities on the traditional territories of the Snuneynuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum Nations and I want to recognize that we have a privilege and obligation as we study, learn, work and live in these regions.

I am overjoyed to welcome you to our community. Whether you are a new or returning student, thank you for choosing us as a part of your educational journey. The start of a new academic year is one of my favourite times of year with the excitement of new beginnings and reconnections.

I want to highlight some services I believe to be key in supporting your experience as a student attending VIU:

• The Health and Wellness Centre, where you can access counselling services and the Student Health Clinic,
• Financial Aid, Awards and Bursaries,
• Academic Advising,
• Accessibility Services, and
• Assessment and Exam Invigilation Services.

The library will also become your key go to place where you can access the Writing Centre and incredible support from the university librarians.

There are many ways to get involved, meet new people and start expanding your circle of friends. Becoming involved in campus life and/or participating in work-integrated learning opportunities is a great way to build your resume and skills toolkit too!

• Learn more about work opportunities at the Career Studio.
• Add a Work-Integrated Learning experience, such as a co-op or internship, to your degree through the Centre for Experiential Learning.
• Check out the ways to be involved in various on-campus events and groups through our Office of Co-Curricular Engagement and Learning.
• Find out more about your Student Union and maybe join/start a club.
• Take advantage of the fun activities organized by Recreation and Athletics.

I encourage you, whether you are new to VIU or are returning, to familiarize yourself with the many services that are available to you. These services  and supports are here for you so please check them out and use them when you need them.

In October 2022, the Student Affairs Foundation Plan, Enter With Curiosity; Leave With Confidence, was approved by VIU’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Deborah Saucier, and the Senior Management Team. I am thrilled to share this plan with you as it will act as a guiding document for Student Affairs over the next five years and outlines initiatives we are working on to support you during your studies. There are 196 strategies outlined in the plan that are split among five overarching goals. Since the plan was approved, we have begun working on 56 of the strategies in the plan. More to come! Each Fall, we send out a report to inform you about the work we have been doing.

We, as Student Affairs, are so excited to welcome you to campus in a variety of ways. Regardless of your personal schedule, we will meet you where you are. Connect with our services in-person, virtually, by email and over the phone. I look forward to meeting you over the course of the fall!