VIU Student Pulse News: July 28, 2021

Irlanda Gonzalez Price, head of Student Affairs, wants to remind you about the supports and services available to you – both on campus and virtually – as we transition back to a new sense of normal. She’s also got some tips on how to get involved on campus, meet new people and start expanding your circle of friends. Read her letter to new and returning students and start reaching out! 👋

Need to know

Join VIU’s Student Ambassadors for Summer Warm-ups 😎

New to VIU? Join us for the 2021 Summer Warm-Ups, available in a hybrid format this year! VIU Student Ambassadors are excited to show you around and give you the inside scoop to get you started on your journey as a new student at VIU. There are several dates and times available in August to join us in-person, as well as virtual options via Zoom. Register via Eventbrite.

Have you signed up for #RockVIU yet? 🥳

From beach fire chats with peer mentors, to a talent show, to an in-person Connect Fair Festival and barbecue, to a drive-in movie and pizza night, there are lots of activities planned to get you connected to services, supports and each other. If this is your first time coming on campus, you won't want to miss these events. Registration is required, sign up today!  Register via Eventbrite.

Connect

You’re invited to VIU’s first Drive-in Movie & Pizza Night 📽 🍕

Put back your car seat and relax to enjoy this drive-in/outdoor movie and pizza night! This event takes place on Thursday, September 2 at VIU Cowichan and Friday, September 3 at VIU Nanaimo, starting at 9 pm both days. These events are part of RockVIU: New Student Orientation, but we encourage all students to attend to get the academic year started in a fun way. The RockVIU Final Jam will also be played as a pre-show. Registration is required. 

Audition for VIU’s Got Talent! 🎙

VIU's Got Talent is back in person and we’re looking for you! The show will be hosted live on August 30 in the Malaspina Theatre as part of RockVIU: New Student Orientation. Send your audition tape to fun@viu.ca by August 16 at 11 am PDT for your chance to perform live on the VIU's Got Talent stage. If you want to watch in-person and cheer on this year's contestants, that's also possible by registering here.

Food on campus this fall 🍕🍔🍟

This September, many of VIU’s Food Services are re-opening. Currently, the Mount Benson Market (Building 305) is open with grab and go food options. Starting in September, the Upper Cafeteria (Building 300) will be open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm. Starbucks (Building 305) will be open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 2 pm. You can now start loading up your VIU ID card with Dining Dollars.

Write for the Navigator Student Press ✏️

The Nav is hiring! Learn more and check out the different positions. 

Hand in hand intergenerational storytelling project 🗣👥

Volunteer Nanaimo is looking for students to join in this storytelling project that connects volunteers with seniors. You can develop your journalism skills, gain wisdom and keep a senior connected by helping them to tell their story. For more information visit Hand in Hand or email Gwen at handinhandnanaimo@gmail.com.

Submissions open for Literacy Central magazine 📘

Literacy Central Vancouver Island wants Island youth to submit stories, poems and artwork that reflect your unique identities, values and experiences. The organization’s PLACE Magazine is now accepting submissions for its third edition, amplifying voices of BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ youth ages 13-30. Submissions can be emailed to youth@literacycentralvi.org. 

Supports and services

Where will I live while attending VIU? 🏡

So you’ve registered for your classes and now you’re looking forward to having a bit of fun and down time before you start university. Great! But there’s one more thing you should be thinking about now – where are you going to live? Here are 5 tips to help you find the right fit.

Recognizing the impacts of news about residential schools

Always present in our thoughts is the ongoing impact on our students, employees and wider community as we continue, as a country, to discover unmarked graves of children at residential school sites. We acknowledge the impact on our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being as we continue to hear these stories. We want to remind you that supports are available. VIU Counsellors are here, as well as several local crisis lines, and the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line number is 1-866-925-4419. You can also join Penelakut Tribes for a March for the Children at 9 am on August 2, starting at the Salish Sea Market in Chemainus.  

Info on upgrading ✏️

Free tuition? Multiple intake periods throughout the year? The ability to simultaneously upgrade courses while pursuing your university degree? Here are 5 things you may not know about VIU’s Adult Basic Education program on the #VIUBlog.

Get a head start with the Student Technology Guide 📲

There is one place that offers answers to all things technology-related at VIU – The Student Technology Guide! Create your computer/online account, access the technology loaner program, figure out your online courses, get free software and so much more!

Interested in supporting other students? 🗣👥

Join VIU’s new Wellness Peers program and build your resume while contributing to a healthy and supportive VIU campus culture! Sign up here.

Attention female trades students! 🛠

The BC Centre for Women in the Trades, in partnership with the Industry Training Authority, is seeking applicants for upcoming cohorts of the Regional Representative Program. Over the next year, they will be bringing together groups of people from around the province who want to be leaders in the skilled trades sector. Successful applicants will develop their leadership skills, learn about creating resilient networks and connect underrepresented groups in trades with resources for building successful careers. This in-person training will be fully funded, including training, accommodation, food and travel costs. Scholarships for wage subsidies may be available. Questions? Email outreach@bccwitt.ca or apply today!

COVID updates

Return-to-campus guidelines now out 📜

On Monday, July 5, 2021, BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training released new Return-to-Campus Guidelines, designed to parallel the provincial government’s restart plan. The guidelines highlight the importance of public health measures such as daily health checks and hand hygiene, and outline classroom logistics and on-campus student housing and dining services. Our FAQs for the 2021-22 Academic Year have recently been updated with information about what this looks like for VIU and stay tuned to this newsletter for more in coming weeks.

Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine❓

ImmunizeBC has answers on their COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ page. COVID-19 vaccines are available at no charge to everyone ages 12+ living, working or studying in BC. This includes international students and their families. Register today.