Basketball nationals, job postings & deals 🏀

The big story this week is the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s National Basketball Championships, happening right here in the VIU gym this weekend. Tickets are still for sale if you want to join in the fun and cheer on the home team (you can join STU’s Crew if you are the ultimate Mariners fan). Keep reading to learn more about different activities surrounding nationals, from a tailgate party to a Mariners gear sale at the Campus Store. Our featured student this week is Amber Lease, who recently won player of the year and will be suiting up as a Mariner for the final time this weekend.

Need to know

Blue out party at VIUSU Pub 💙💙💙

Kick off the women's basketball nationals weekend with a Blue-Out Party in the VIUSU Pub on Thursday, March 24, 8 pm until midnight. There will be a live DJ, themed drink specials, a Stuey visit, blue beer and contests/prizes. Prizes will be given for wearing the most blue, the funniest blue outfit and the most Mariners gear at one time!

VIUSU Fanzone & Tailgate Party 🥳

Join the tailgate party outside the VIUSU building on Friday, March 25 from 4 - 6 pm before the Mariners opening game at nationals. There will be a BBQ outside the pub serving free hot dogs for students, as well as a live DJ, fanzone games and more. The pub will be open until 11 pm serving game-day food and drink specials, including blue beer, with a DJ playing until 11 pm.

Mariners gear sale in Campus Store 👕

All Mariners clothing and other branded merchandise will be 25% off until March 27. Note: the Campus Store will be closed March 28-31 for year-end inventory. 

Want to be a valedictorian? 🎓

Apply to be a valedictorian for #VIUGrad2022 by March 31. Don't miss this opportunity to share some words of wisdom with your graduating class at convocation, happening June 23-24 in the VIU gym. For inspiration, watch the compilation video from last year's virtual event. 
Apply now.  

Connect

🌲🍃🌞🚨VI Leadership Contest Alert!🚨 🌲🍃🌞

Win one of two sponsored seats at the Vancouver Island Leadership Conference 2022, taking place April 1-2. Post on VIU’s Co-Curricular Involvement App Community Feed why you would like to attend VILC 2022 and what the theme of “Leading the future together” means to you. The contest will end on March 25 at 1 pm and winners will be posted that evening.

Volunteer as a Wellness Peer 👥

Are you passionate about promoting wellness and mental health? Interested in developing skills to aid in a future career in the helping professions? Apply to volunteer as a VIU Wellness Peer in the 2022-23 academic year! Visit theWellness Peers homepage for details.

Free fruit! 🍏🍐

Did you know that what you eat can impact your mood and your mental well-being? March is nutrition month and the Thrive team has lots of fun and educational things planned to help you be happier and healthier! Follow us onInstagram and Facebook to get involved and stay up to date on all our activities! And join us on March 31 in the Quad for some nutritious food giveaways!

Summer Session 😎

There are advantages to taking summer courses and VIU is making it easier than ever this year, with double the number of courses and many online or hybrid options, which means you can work and attend school at the same time, or study from your home community. Learn more about the benefits of summer session.

Moose Hide event

Join the Student Leadership Circle on Wednesday, March 30, for this workshop led by Sage Lacerte, the National Youth Ambassador for the Moose Hide Campaign, as she speaks to us about understanding Indigenous Perspectives and gender-based violence. Register via EventBrite.

March is Fraud Prevention Month 💻

The war in Ukraine is also being waged online and phishing from Russia jumped eight-fold on February 27, 2022. VIU's IT department shares their top tips on how to protect yourself on the VIU Blog. 

Clothing swap 👔👗

The VIU Eco Club is hosting a clothing swap on March 29, 12-4 pm, in the Upper Cafeteria. All clothes are free, whether you donated or not. Got clothing you want to donate? Drop it off until March 25 to Building 193 (VIUSU), Building 210 outside Room 323, VIU Residence laundry room, Gym entrance, Building 356 outside Room 366 or Building 460 outside the Math Learning Centre. Sorting happens on March 28, 2:30 - 5:30 pm, in Building 210, Room 205. Free pizza for all volunteers. Email eco.club@viusu.ca for more details. 

Jazz at the VIUSU Pub 🎼

Listen to some swinging, positive, elegant and down-home music during the Hans Verhoeven Jazz Trio’s performance at the VIUSU Pub every Friday, 4-7 pm. Features a VIU music student guest performer every week. No cover.

Supports and services

Work-integrated learning pays off 💼

#DYK the average monthly salary for a work-op student is $2,704? Co-ops and internships are your chance to apply what you’re learning in university to real-world situations. Help us celebrate National Work-Integrated Learning Month.

Win Bluetooth earbuds 🎧

How do you search for info and resources on the VIU website? Provide your feedback for the chance to win Samsung Buds+ Bluetooth Earbuds. The exercise shouldn’t take longer than 10-15 minutes to complete and answers are confidential – get started now!  

Need a study sesh pick-me-up? ☕️

One of our favourite things about the library is its proximity to Starbucks, which means you can grab a much-needed caffeine break at any point to get you through those long study sessions. You can find the Starbucks right beside the main library entrance.

On-Campus job posting coming soon 💼

Are you interested in helping your fellow students prepare for job search? Want to learn about resume writing and interview skills? The Centre for Experiential Learning & Student Engagement will launch a physical Career Studio in Building 255 this September, 2022! We will be hiring four Career Studio Peer Facilitators. Look for this posting on CareerVIU in the next two weeks. Interviews will begin in April/May, with training in August. We look forward to meeting you!

Check out these featured job listings! 📋

The job portal, CareerVIU, has more than 3,000 employers looking for students like you. Visit CareerVIU and use your student number (the 9-digits on your student card) and student record password to sign in. Featured posting this week include: Youth Support Worker for the Kw’umut Lelum Foundation (29086), Administrative Assistant for RE/MAX (28960) and a Marine Adventure Centre Host for Remote Passages Marin Excursions (28925).

Off-Campus Housing website 🏡

New content on the Off-Campus Housing website includes short videos and links focusing on issues and questions you may have before, during and at the end of your tenancy. Also available are tips and links for finding short and long-term accommodation plus guidance for landlords thinking of renting to students. Contact iehousing@viu.ca for information and advocacy.

Help with taxes 🗄

Want to avoid delays and get the tax info you need? Try the Canada Revenue Agency’s digital services. No need to wait on the phone, the CRA has many online ­tools to help you!

Mark your calendars

Deadline for academic penalty-free withdrawal: March 30 📅

A friendly reminder from the Advising Centre that March 30 is the last day for academic penalty-free withdrawal from spring semester courses (or 8-month courses that started in September), or to change from credit to audit (or vice versa). It is a good idea to check in with an Advisor before making any changes to your timetable.

Scholarship application deadline: March 31 💰

#DYK that the deadline to apply for VIU scholarships is noon on March 31? It’s coming up soon, so don’t delay! There are hundreds of financial awards available at VIU for almost every program, as well as many general ones. To apply for all of them, all you have to do is fill out your Scholarship, Award and Bursary Profile, available through the student record system.

COVID-19 updates

Rapid test kit pickup

VIU has free rapid test kits (five tests per kit) available for pickup at any of the following locations with a student card:

• B170 – Shq'apthut (the gathering place)
• B193 – VIUSU
• B255 – International reception
• B300 – Welcome Centre
• B305 – Campus Store

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. Today’s featured businesses:

• Mobile Cellutions: Get $25 off a new device or 15% off repairs.  
• Fountain Tire: Enjoy 10% off mechanical parts & labour.