Vaccine Survey Results
September 9, 2021
From August 27 to September 3, VIU ran a confidential survey asking our students and employees their vaccination status. Thank you to everyone who participated – we had a 52% response rate (4,772 completed surveys) which is a higher than usual participation rate given the timing and length of the survey period. The results of the survey will help us in our fall health and safety planning.91% of... Read more
BC's Proof of Vaccination System
September 9, 2021
On Tuesday, September 7, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, shared more details about the province’s Proof of Vaccination system. Part of this new provincial public health order will include a requirement to show your BC Vaccine Card to access certain activities and locations. We are still awaiting the full public health order on the BC Proof of Vaccination... Read more
VIU Welcomes New Associate Vice-President, Community Partnerships
September 8, 2021
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce Richard Horbachewski as the new Associate Vice-President, Community Partnerships.In this role, Richard will oversee VIU's advancement and alumni portfolios, community partnerships, Milner Gardens, and serve as VIU's Chief Advancement Officer and the Executive Director of the VIU Foundation."I am excited to join the VIU community and take on... Read more
VIU Media Highlights: July 19 – August 23, 2021
August 31, 2021
A roundup of VIU students and employees in the news.News StoriesTop performing article for the last month:CTV News: BC funds rapid drug-checking technology amid opioid crisis. Reach: 19.5 million. Story also published by BC Government News, Times Colonist, Nanaimo News Now, CFAX, Black Press Media, Chek News, Voice Online and Education News Canada.Other stories:Abacityblog.com: Top 10... Read more
A Safe Return to Campus this Fall
August 27, 2021
Sent on behalf of Dr. Deborah Saucier, President and Vice-ChancellorAll of us at VIU are committed to the health and safety of our community. We know that the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province are concerning, which is why we have worked with our sector partners at the BC Association of Institutes and Universities (BCAIU) to engage with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills... Read more
Provincial announcement re mask mandate for post-secondaries
August 24, 2021
As announced today by Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training and Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, a new mask mandate is now in place for indoor spaces across British Columbia including in post-secondary institutions.As of Wednesday, August 25, 2021, masks must be worn by everyone in all indoor public areas on campus including, “lobbies, hallways,... Read more
BC Government announces support for VIU-developed drug checking technology
August 17, 2021
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is excited to share the news that the provincial government is providing $305,000 for HarmCheck – a cutting-edge drug-checking technology that was developed at VIU.It uses high-throughput paper spray mass spectrometry to provide rapid drug-checking and can be used on-site as a harm reduction method. HarmCheck is a collaboration between VIU and the Victoria-based... Read more
VIU’s Milner Gardens & Woodland Receives Provincial Support to Aid in Recovery from Pandemic
July 30, 2021
The public garden is one of 80 anchor attractions and tour bus operators in BC receiving funding.After a year and a half of drastically reduced visiting hours and revenues, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland will receive a grant from the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport to aid in recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.The public garden... Read more
VIU Media Highlights: June 19 - July 19, 2021
July 20, 2021
A round-up of VIU students and employees in the news. News StoriesTop Performing article for the last two weeks:Yahoo News: New Evidence of Spawning Pacific Sand Lance Found in Salish Sea. Highlights a study conducted by VIU’s Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute and WWF-Canada. Reprinted by numerous outlets with a reach of 50 million. Other storiesAcadamica.ca... Read more
VIU classes back in session Wednesday, June 30, 2021
June 29, 2021
All VIU classes are running tomorrow, Wednesday, June 30, at all campuses and online as per normal. Temperatures are expected to return to normal summer conditions. Classes were cancelled on Monday, June 28 and Tuesday, June 29 due to extreme heat. Read more