Welcome to summer semester 😎
Summer Semester at VIU is spectacular. The sun is shining, the coffee lineups are smaller, the bunnies are suntanning and the views are incredible. And there’s some fun events coming up to join and services to take advantage of.
Need to know
Moose Hide Campaign Day
You're invited to a community gathering to watch, reflect and stand together in support of the Moose Hide Campaign, a movement to end gender-based violence and create safer communities for all. As it is a full day event with different sessions and ceremonies, you are most welcome to drop in any time. Viewing features: popcorn and light refreshments, Moose Hide pins and livestreamed campaign day sessions. Full schedule.
Date: Wednesday, May 15
Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location: VIU Career Studio and in building 210 room 260
World’s largest Nanaimo bar 🥳
Come hang out on Saturday, May 17 as Baking and Culinary Arts students take on a sweet, record-breaking challenge – creating the world’s largest Nanaimo bar! Watch us bring the record home! This family-friendly event includes:
- a chance to see the record-breaking Nanaimo bar
- a piece of the world’s largest Nanaimo bar to enjoy
- food trucks, games and other fun activities for all ages
For full details, visit World's Largest Nanaimo Bar.
More scholarships still open – apply now! 💸
Did you miss the deadline for VIU scholarship applications? We have lots of external awards listed online that have later application deadlines. Thanks to the 1,564 current and future students who completed their VIU Scholarship, Award and Bursary profiles before the March 31 deadline. The Financial Aid team has completed selections for entrance awards for our future students and will spend the next couple of months doing selections for the remaining 400+ awards and scholarships that will be disbursed in September.
Choose your classes for the next academic year 📚
Your class registration date may not appear until early to mid-May, but before your specific registration date and time, you can pre-plan your classes for Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters. To avoid waitlists, students need to register for classes at their earliest registration date and time. Check your student record on the day of your registration to ensure you were registered and check to see if you are on any waitlists. Academic Advising is here for you all summer. If you need assistance, make sure to check in before your registration date and time through the Experience Hub.
Update to the community from May 5, 2025
Acting President and Vice-Chancellor Emily Huner and Acting Provost Claire Grogan shared an update to the community on Monday, May 5 about a series of proposed changes to the institution’s academic offerings. Read the full update.
Student shoutout
Congratulations to Nathan Somers! Nathan won the VIU Engineering department’s Student Leader award.
“It feels really good and it’s surprising to win this award,” says Nathan, adding he feels he won the award because he is humorous and kept fellow students’ morale up.
Each year, the first-year cohort is asked to shout out someone from their crew who’s made a difference. It’s the classmate who’s always lifting others up, has your back when things get tough, helps others achieve their best and shows the integrity and demonstrates the ethics of the profession.
Connect
Share your experience – become a student ambassador! 🧑💻
Love being part of the VIU community? Want to help future students feel at home at VIU? Join our team as a student ambassador! The Office of Future Students currently has two positions available for summer jobs. Apply through Experience Hub.
- Communications and Marketing Assistant: Gain real-world experience in a fast-paced, professional Canadian workplace without leaving campus! As a Communications and Marketing Assistant, you'll build your portfolio, collaborate on creative campaigns, and learn from experienced mentors. This is your opportunity to make your mark and prepare for a future in marketing and communications.
- Summer Lead Student Ambassador: Ready to take your leadership to the next level? As a Summer Lead Student Ambassador, you'll guide campus tours, plan recruitment events and help shape the future of the Student Ambassador Program. Be the face of VIU and make a lasting impact on future students.
Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month – a time to reflect on and celebrate the many remarkable contributions that Canadians of Asian descent have made and continue to make to our society, culture and shared history. Read the message from Acting President Emily Huner and Dr. David Paterson, Associate Vice-President, Diversity, Equity and Human Rights. Read our resource blog and watch the VIU Events calendar for info on an event to come!
Generative AI and academic integrity 📻
How have concerns about Academic Integrity at VIU been influenced by the arrival of Gen AI? The CIEL podcast explores some challenges that students and faculty have faced, provide solutions for mitigating the risk and guidance for when it looks like things have gone wrong. VIUSU Students’ Advocate Sarah Segal is the featured guest. Listen to the episode.
Supports and services
Got exam accommodations? 📣
Intersession and Summer sessions fly by fast so check your quiz, test and exam dates ASAP to beat the seven-day booking deadline. Plan ahead so you don’t miss out! ⏰✅ Need a hand? Pop by our Exam Centre in Building 255, Room 115, or email us at AccommodatedExams@viu.ca. We’ve got you covered.
Grab your VIU card at the library 📖
If you’re new here, now’s the time to get familiar with VIU library! Step one? Grab your VIU card! It’s your key to the library and other campus services. Just upload your photo to your student record to get started. Wishing you all a fantastic Summer Semester!
Food Services and Campus Store hours 🥪
Now that Spring Semester classes are over, Food Services and the Campus Stores are transitioning to summer hours. Hours are as follows:
- Main cafeteria (Building 300) is open 8 am to 2 pm until August 22. The cafeteria will be closed June 9 and 10 for convocation.
- Lower cafeteria (Building 185) is open 7:30 am to 2 pm until May 9. Open May 12 to June 12 from 7:30 am to 2 pm (Monday to Thursday). Closed June 13 to August 24.
- Starbucks is open from 7 am to 5 pm until May 30.
- Campus Store Nanaimo: open 10 am to 3 pm until August 15. Open 8 am to 6 pm on June 9 and 10 for convocation gown drop off.
- Campus Store Cowichan: open 9:30 am to 2 pm, Monday to Thursday, until June 19, then closed for the remainder of the summer.
Substance use and overdose prevention website 🖥️
Did you know that VIU has a substance use and overdose prevention program aimed at providing education, resources and training to support the health and safety of our community? This initiative is available to all VIU employees and students. We encourage our community to bookmark the substance use and overdose prevention website, where many of these resources are shared and upcoming training sessions will be listed. This website also details where you can find naloxone kits on campus.
VIU Off-Campus Housing 🏡
Are you leaving your rental accommodation soon?
- know when and how to give notice
- leave your accommodation correctly cleaned
- book a move-out inspection
- know about move-out times and forwarding addresses
- ask for a reference
Make sure you follow a few simple steps to end your tenancy well and help ensure the return of your full deposit. Read the VIU blog post for more details.
Career Studio change in opening hours ⏰
As we move into finals season and Intersession, the Career Studio is adjusting its hours accordingly. Starting May 5, the studio will be open 12 to 2 pm, Monday to Friday. Book your appointment online via Experience Hub or drop-in at any time during these hours.
Accessible parking upgrades 🚙
To improve accessibility and better support users of designated accessible parking stalls, VIU has optimized accessible parking in Lots C, F, G, J, K, P, Q, S and V1. This work includes adding 14 accessible parking stalls, creating a new access aisle in Lot V1 and converting three accessible stalls to general parking. These changes make accessible stalls now closer to main campus gateways and building entrances, with smoother, easier routes for getting around.
International supports and services
Stop by or reach out to us if you need help navigating medical insurance and applying for BC MSP. Stop by Building 255, Room 200, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm, phone 250.740.6527 or email support.international@viu.ca. Closed weekends and statutory holidays.
Affordable dental care 🪥
Are you looking for affordable dental care right on campus? There is a dental clinic in Building 180! For only $35, you can receive thorough oral health care provided to you by dental hygiene students. The VIU Student Dental Hygiene Clinic operates and accepts new clients from September through April. Give us a call at 250.740.6240 to become a client! Learn more about how to become a client.
Physiotherapy services 🏃
Physiotherapy services are coming to the VIU Health and Wellness Centre! Bookings open March 24 for appointments starting March 31. Call 250.740.6416 or come in person to book. Payment due at the time of the session. Invoices can be submitted to VIUSU Greenshield Health Benefits or employees can access their benefits for reimbursement! Learn more.
Mark your calendar
Interested in becoming a naloxone trainer?
Student employees are invited to join our overdose prevention efforts and become a naloxone trainer to support overdose prevention efforts on campus. Student employees would receive training and help deliver education sessions and workshops, provide training and resources at campus events and play a key role in fostering a safer and more information campus community. If you’re interested email kayla.fowler@viu.ca with the workshop date you are interested in attending. There are two upcoming training sessions:
- May 23, 9 to 11 am
- June 3, 1 to 3 pm
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