Unveiling incredible Pentlatch fish trap panel exhibit at VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station
July 9, 2024
A significant Pentlatch cultural Belonging unearthed by K’ómoks First Nation and archaeological collaborators is on public display for the next six months at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Deep Bay Marine Field Station. At 550 years old, the fish trap panel is an incredible and enduring example of Pentlatch cultural ingenuity. It is the largest and most complete of its kind on the... Read more
Update to the community July 3
July 3, 2024
Dear VIU community, We are disappointed to inform you that on Friday afternoon, a group of approximately 25 protesters from the Palestine Solidarity Encampment occupied Building 255. Their actions disrupted an ongoing exam, blockaded several entry doors, and caused damage to flags in the International Centre. Despite requests from Campus Security to leave and warnings that non-compliance would... Read more
Update to Community – Protest Activity and Settlement Proposal
June 19, 2024
Dear VIU community, We wanted to acknowledge we have received open letters from various community groups expressing concerns related to the ongoing encampment and we are working tirelessly to address the needs of our diverse VIU community. Please know that your feedback is not only welcomed but helps shape our continued efforts. As always, the safety and security of our campus community,... Read more
Update to community June 11, 2024
June 11, 2024
Dear VIU community, Last night, the Students for Palestine Committee and the Palestine Solidarity Encampment (PSE) requested a meeting to continue our ongoing dialogue. VIU agreed to meet today, where we shared information and received a commitment from the PSE that their organization would not disrupt convocation ceremonies. VIU welcomed this assurance. We also reaffirmed other commitments and... Read more
Community members share impactful stories during VIU’s Rainbow Project
June 11, 2024
What: The Rainbow Project: Searching for a voice, Pride stories through the decades When: June 22 and 23, 7 pm Where: VIU’s Malaspina Theatre lobby, Building 310, Nanaimo campus Community members will share impactful stories from their lives during The Rainbow Project: Searching for a voice, Pride stories through the decades. The event is hosted by Vancouver Island University’s Theatre... Read more
Update to community June 10, 2024
June 10, 2024
Dear VIU community, Today, Vancouver Island University (VIU) held a follow-up meeting with the Students for Palestine Committee and the Palestine Solidarity Encampment (PSE) to continue the dialogue from our initial meeting last week. As promised in our initial meeting, VIU came prepared for a mutually respectful dialogue, ready to discuss the item identified by PSE as the core issue of the... Read more
Dialogue update to community
June 7, 2024
Sent on behalf of Dr. Michael Quinn, Carolyn Russell and Emily Huner Dear VIU community, As President Saucier wrote last week in her message to the campus community, VIU is committed to the hard work that is needed to resolve the issue with the encampment groups. We wanted to provide an update on today’s initial dialogue session with the Students for Palestine Committee and Palestine Solidarity... Read more
Update to community May 31, 2024
May 31, 2024
Dear VIU community, As we approach one month of having a protest encampment on our campus, I want to again thank all employees and students for the advice, insight, support and patience as we navigate this complex situation. This encampment has been a very difficult situation for all involved and I want to assure you that VIU is committed to the hard work that is needed to resolve the issue with... Read more
Experience Frances Ward’s journey cultivating a kelp farm in the documentary Send Kelp!
May 31, 2024
What: Send Kelp!, a documentary film screening When: June 8, 6 pm Where: Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Malaspina Theatre, Building 310, Nanaimo campus What does it take to create a kelp farm off the coast of Vancouver Island? Frances Ward, a self-professed “seaweed nerd” and adventurer is determined to find out. She sets out to build one of the first farms of its kind in BC. The... Read more
May 17 President's message to campus community
May 17, 2024
The last few weeks have been some of our campus community’s most challenging in recent memory. I want to thank all the members of the VIU community and beyond who wrote to me recently expressing various opinions on the Palestine Solidarity Encampment at our Nanaimo campus and offering me advice on how to address the challenges related to the encampment. There are many challenging discussions... Read more