Improving access to quality, affordable child care in Nanaimo
June 25, 2020
The Ministry of Children and Family Development is investing in new child care spaces in Nanaimo, including a new centre at Vancouver Island University (VIU).VIU’s Elders-in-Residence will consult on the centre’s curriculum to ensure children learn about Indigenous cultures, traditions and history. The new, accessible building will function as a child care centre, providing local families with an... Read more
VIU’s ongoing response to the Black Lives Matter movement and racism in our community
June 8, 2020
Submitted by Irlanda Price, Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs and Monica Kay, Director of VIU’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office Over the past week we have had many conversations with students and employees, and know many others in our community are having similar conversations with each other, around the anti-Black racism protests that have drawn millions into... Read more
All-Gender Washroom Renovations to be Completed this Summer
June 8, 2020
From the Library Services Team We are excited to share that renovations to create the first multi-stall all-gender washrooms on the VIU Nanaimo campus are now underway and expected to be completed this summer. The washrooms will be in the high-demand, high-traffic area in the 24/7 Library Commons behind Starbucks!As communicated previously, after careful consideration, we elected to... Read more
IT's Ask Me Anything
June 8, 2020
Have you ever wanted to get the entire IT department into a room and ask them anything you like? Are you willing to settle for 4-6 members of the IT department? We have the room for you! Or rather, a virtual room. In true Ask Me Anything style, we have no planned theme, just a planned panel willing to listen and answer your questions. However, if we can’t answer a question right then and there we... Read more
COVID-19 UPDATE: JUNE 4
June 4, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we have found that the need for a regular update is winding down. This is not the last COVID-19 update, we just wanted to let you know that we are reimagining new ways to continue to keep our community informed, which will include both information on this ongoing situation as well as more general news and updates. We will share more details in the coming weeks.... Read more
Standing together against racism
June 2, 2020
I know many of you are experiencing feelings of anger, fear and an overall sense of heaviness over the recent rise in anti-Black racism that led to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am feeling all of these things too and wanted to take a moment to recognize and acknowledge how deeply troubling and upsetting recent world events have... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, MAY 13
May 13, 2020
As you know, VIU, along with many other universities, announced on Monday that our fall semester will be a hybrid program model of education delivery, with most courses being offered in an online format. This decision was not made lightly and was taken in order to support the safety and well-being of our community and ensure VIU is following the guidelines of the BC Public Health Office... Read more
Student update on our fall semester
May 11, 2020
Dear VIU Students,I know the past month and a half has been filled with lots of change and uncertainty and I wanted to thank you for your patience, flexibility and resilience as we worked to respond to the many impacts of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to affect countries around the world, I know many of you have questions about what will be happening at VIU as we move forward,... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, MAY 6
May 6, 2020
We thought we’d start by sharing a video message of encouragement and support for our students from, appropriately, our Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs, Irlanda Price. As she says in this video, we wanted to let our students know how proud we are of your resilience, patience and strength and to remind you that we are still here for you - student services like advising and... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, April 29
April 29, 2020
We wanted to take a moment to thank all frontline VIU employees who are working hard to keep our students and each other safe and supported. In recognition of health-care and essential service workers across Canada, VIU’s Office of Co-Curricular Engagement and Learning is organizing a Moment of Gratitude on Thursday, April 30 to express our support. Sign on to the Zoom chat at 6:45 pm... Read more