VIU Student Pulse News: September 27, 2023

Saturday, September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. VIU is organizing activities this week to commemorate this day. And a reminder that VIU will be closed on Saturday, September 30 and Monday, October 2 to observe this day. The Nanaimo campus library is always open and accessible with your student card.

Also in this issue:

• Men’s hockey pub night
• Research help
• VIUSU free swim day

Need to know

Every Child Matters - Nanaimo 🧡

Join Services for Aboriginal Students, the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement and the VIU Students’ Union to honour the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and to remember those who didn’t make it home on September 28 starting at 9:30 am. The event starts with an opening ceremony in the quad and then moves into the Malaspina Theatre. Lunch is provided. Orange T-shirts are available for purchase from the Campus Store.

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - Cowichan 🧡

On September 28 starting at 9 am the Stqeeye’ S-uli’tun Drum Group will perform in the learning commons. Randeena Peter is the cultural speaker. Following this is a cultural walk and feast prepared by Culinary Arts students and the day will finish with an optional sacred reflection circle on the rooftop. Throughout the day, small wooden orange T-shirts will be available for students to compose messages on.

Trail closure due to construction 🚧

Work has re-started on the City’s Midtown Water Supply Project. The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street is closed to the public during this time while the area is an active construction site for the installation of the water supply main.

Connect

DiscoverFest at VIU 🥳

VIU is hosting a new, family-friendly festival at the Nanaimo campus showcasing all the best we have to offer. Stroll the artisan market, check out the live music, take part in fun activities and enjoy a variety of delicious food options. All students are welcome to this free event on October 21, 12 to 4 pm, and don't forget to bring your families! More info.

Last chance to become a student ambassador! 🦸‍♀️

As a student ambassador, you are the link between students and VIU, fostering connections, a sense of belonging and community. Learn more about what being a student ambassador is like. Sign up by September 30.

Participant Call: Global Fashion Show 🌎

The WorldVIU Days organizing committee is looking for student models for the Global Fashion Show on November 8! This is your chance to show off beautiful clothes from your homeland or ancestral home. We’re also looking for organizers and volunteers! The group is also looking for:

• Student performers for our lunchtime stage – musicians, dancers and others.
• Student-led events that celebrate diversity and relate to our theme of Community Through Movement (support provided!).

Contact Mitch Miyagawa, Intercultural Program Coordinator, at mitch.miyagawa@viu.ca or 250-713-0556.

Drag in the Theatre 💄

VIU’s Positive Space Alliance and Vancouver-based drag queen and VIU alum Darrian Tolerance present Drag in the Theatre. The show is on October 4, from 8 to 10 pm in the Malaspina Theatre (Building 310). The event is PG-13 plus. Tickets are $11.98 on Eventbrite or $10 at the door.

Language in the Library 🗣

Join a community of diverse learners at in the library’s Madrona Room, Fridays from 12 to 1 pm. Living Libraries is hosting Language in the Library, where participants learn introductory Hul’q’umi’num’ and listen to stories with Jane Alcorn from Penelakut Tribe. Join us to learn something new about the place where you learn. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

Sisters in Spirit 🕯

October 4 is a day to bring awareness and to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people, support grieving families and create opportunities for healing. VIUSU invites you to gather in the quad outside of the library at 9:30 am. Join us in singing the Women’s Warrior Song as we walk together to the Royal Arbutus Room for a ceremony. Learn more.  

VIU Men’s Hockey at the VIUSU Pub 🏒

Join the VIU Mariners Men’s Hockey Team at the Students’ Union Pub on Thursday, October 5, 7:30 to 9:30 pm, at Open Mic Night. Enter to win prizes and tickets to upcoming games, mingle and meet members of the team and enjoy drink specials. Don’t forget to wear your favourite hockey team jersey! Must be 19+.

Stitch N’ Bitch Spooky Edition 👻

The Stitch N’ Bitch Spooky Edition is happening on October 12 at 5:30 pm. Hosted in the Students’ Union front office (Building 193). Bring a small couch pillow or throw pillow and add mini ghosts to them! We’ll provide the ghost materials, colouring materials, paints and canvas, stitching kits, stickers and more.

VIUSU Free Swim at the NAC 🏊‍♀️

Mark your calendars! VIU students receive free admission to swim or soak in the hot tub at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre on Wednesday, October 18. A virtual ticket will be available on the VIUSU app beginning Monday, October 16. Your virtual ticket (with your VIU Student ID card) is valid only on Wednesday, October 18 during the following pool times: 6 am to 2 pm or 2:45 to 9 pm.

VIUSU election voting days ✅

Make sure to check your email on Wednesday, October 11 to receive your unique voting link and vote for student representatives. Any link issues or general questions can be sent to elections@viusu.ca.

International learning opportunity 🌏

VIU is hosting an international learning lab that brings students from Canadian, South African and German universities to the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region to learn about and participate in transdisciplinary research activities that address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more and apply by October 15.   

Book launch lunch and learn 📖

Indigenous author Peggy Janicki presents her new book, The Secret Pocket, at October’s Soup & Bannock Lunch & Learn on October 10. In the book, she shares her mother’s story to raise awareness about the residential school system. Soup is served at 11:30 am and the talk is from 12 to 1 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room. Register on Eventbrite.

AI conversations 🤖

During this conversation sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies, Master of Education student Harleen Kalra will introduce applications such as Tome.ai, Elicit.ai and Leonardo.io. VIU librarians will help guide the conversation. Event is on October 23 from 4 to 6 pm, Building 108, Room 105. Learn more.

2SLGBTQ+ socials 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The Positive Space Alliance hosts socials in Building 250, Room 402 from 12 to 1 pm every second Wednesday. Dates: September 13, 27. October 11 and 25. November 8 and 22. December 6.

Cultural Connections road trips and hikes 🚗

Every semester, Cultural Connections organizes road trips and local hikes for all VIU students. Hikes are only $2! Next up:  

• October 6: Rockies 40-day Explorer
• October 13: Jack Point Park hike
• October 14: Salt Spring Island Day Trip

BC Shakeout ⚠️

The annual Great British Columbia Shake Out earthquake and evacuation drill happens October 19 from 9:45 to 10:05 am. Earthquake preparation is important for everyone in our region, which is a seismically active zone, and all of VIU’s campuses participate. More information will be circulated closer to the date.

Supports & services

Wellness Peers Program 🐾

Visit the Wellness Lounge at the Nanaimo campus library for free tea and hot chocolate, fidgets, adult colouring, friendly chats with the wellness peers and cuddles with therapy dogs. Available Tuesdays to Thursdays. Check out our web page to learn about fall hours.

Research help 📚

Feeling swamped and need help getting started on your research paper? Connect with a librarian! Chat with us online, drop by the library service desk or book an appointment. For more info, visit Research Help. And don’t forget that the library at the Nanaimo campus is accessible 24-7 with your VIU ID card.

Safe walk 👥

Did you know that the VIU Safety App has a “friend walk” option? It allows a friend to monitor your location as you walk from anywhere at VIU to your final destination. To use friend walk, click on the blue “safe walk” button on the main screen of the VIU Safety app, then select “friend walk” and follow the prompts to get you started.

Rooted in Wellness 🌱

A plant propagation drop-in session. As we approach Mental Health Day, let’s play in the soil and see how plants can help improve our mental wellness. Come to the residence’s common room on October 5 between 3 and 6 pm and propagate happy little plants for your dorm room or home! Visit the Thrive webpage for more information.

SafeTALK Workshop 🗣

Are you interested in working towards building a more supportive VIU campus culture? Join the SafeTALK workshop on Friday, October 13, 9 am to 1 pm, in Building 210, Room 105. You’ll learn how to prevent suicide at this training by recognizing signs, engaging someone and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support. This free workshop is open to VIU staff and students. Register through your Co-Curricular Record app.

Free mental health check-up 🩺

Mental and emotional health are as important as physical health, so let’s check them! Take 30 to 45 min to drop in for a mental health screening with VIU’s counselling team on October 19 any time between 8:30 to 11:30 am in the Royal Arbutus Room (above the cafeteria). Come and look at resources and activities to help you cultivate well-being.

Education abroad travel grant 💸

Are you part of the VIU Exchange program, departing in Spring 2024? Apply for a Travel Grant by October 25. These grants are designed to increase participation in study/work abroad experiences, particularly to non-traditional destinations. This low-barrier application could bring in $5,000 or $10,000 towards your experience. Contact our office with any questions: edabroad@viu.ca.

Half-price poké bowls 🥘

Happening all week! Food Services is offering half-price poke bowls September 25 to 29 in the main cafeteria (Building 300).

Gym hours ⏱

The VIU gym is open on weekends starting this weekend. Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 8 am to 9:30 pm
• Weekends: 10 am to 4 pm

Welcome Centre ramp replacement 🚧

The path between the quad and the main entrance and visitor parking area is heavily used, but the existing ramp does not meet current codes and standards. VIU is replacing this with a wide, gradually sloped ramp that includes several accessibility features. During construction, the pick-up/drop-off area will be partly blocked and alternate routes will be in place. Learn more about this project.

VIU Off-Campus Housing 🏡

Did you move into rental accommodation recently? Is your contract correct? Did you pay any additional fees? Did you do a condition inspection report? Avoid possible issues at the end of your tenancy by understanding these essentials. Find out more in our blog post on navigating rental agreements. Need more support? Visit the Off-Campus Housing homepage, email housing@viu.ca or book a meeting.

Cyber security fitness 💪

Math is easier with a calculator, Art classes are easier with pencils, and cyber security is easier when you have your cyber security backpack! 🎒DYK that October is Cyber Month? This year’s theme is Step up your cyber fitness!
💪Build your cyber safety muscles with this quick quiz.
💪Track your progress while you step up your cyber fitness!

Have you heard about Experience Hub yet? 💻

If you want to book an appointment with the advising team you will need to book through Experience Hub. Experience Hub provides you with experiential learning and career opportunities and services like VIU’s Career Studio, external job postings, experiential learning (study abroad, internships) and appointment bookings.

Mark your calendars

Scholarships, awards and bursaries 💰

Don’t forget to fill out your online Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries profile by Monday, October 30 at midnight to get in the running for hundreds of VIU bursaries. To complete your profile, go to your student record. Visit the Financial Aid website for tips.

Important deadline alert ‼️

Sunday, October 1 is the last day to drop a Fall Semester course and receive a 50% refund. Visit the Registration website to learn more.

Stay in the know

Find ways to get involved: 

• Campus Events website
• VIU Students' Union app
• Co-Curricular Involvement app

VIU Safety App

Get the VIU mobile app designed to let you know as quickly as possible if there is a safety issue happening on our campus and if so, what to do about it. Once you download, don’t forget to enable push notifications so you are notified immediately of campus closures and other safety issues. It also has other great features including:

• Click to call for emergency contacts and campus security
• Interactive campus maps
• Safety toolbox alarm and location notifier
• Up-to-date weather alerts

To download just go to the App Store, Google Play or Blackberry App World.