Trail maps, aspirations and focusing on the future of work at VIU – People Plan renewal
June 15, 2022
As I was planning to write an article on the VIU People Plan and our upcoming work to renew the plan, I reflected on why these types of plans matter. I thought about recent coaching I received when I was out mountain bike riding with a friend. He observed that when I ride, I concentrate heavily on the roots and the rocks that are right in front of me. He pointed out that I need to focus more on... Read more
The blessings of a new season
June 15, 2022
As we move into summer, calendar-wise if not weather-wise, I would like to reflect in this issue of VIU Voices about coming together. I am grateful for the chance to connect with many of you at our June 1 taco celebration. This was the largest employee event in quite a while, going back before the pandemic. Some of our longest-serving employees said it may have been our largest ever. As a person... Read more
The impact of social media on body image and mental heath
June 15, 2022
Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter. Chances are, you are one of the billions of people who use at least one of these social media platforms. While the idea of being informed and connected draws us to these sites, we also need to consider that may be dangerous to your health. The Homewood Health Article, “The Dangers of Social Media on Your Mental Health”, states that the more time... Read more
VIU Student Group Hosts Climate Change Symposium
April 14, 2022
The symposium includes a keynote presentation by Dr. Elizaveta Malinina, a Research Scientist at the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling. We must act now to fight climate change. This cry of alarm has been sounded many times, but it hasn’t been answered sufficiently to halt the release of greenhouse gases or the impacts of climate change, including the increased frequency and intensity of... Read more
Long Service Awards Matter
April 5, 2022
By Debra Jacklin, Manager, Talent Acquisition, Development and Retention Strategies VIU’s Long Service Award program recognizes that an employees’ investment of their professional time is an honour for VIU, and to have employees who wish to invest 10 years or more of their professional lives here is a gift worth celebrating. Long Service Awards are handed out annually to employees who achieved... Read more
Celebrating Our Strengths and Addressing Our Opportunities
April 2, 2022
By Dan VanderSluis, Associate Vice-President, Human Resources As part of our commitments made under the VIU People Plan, in the fall of 2021 employees were asked to participate in an all-employee survey. The results of the survey provide a snapshot of your experience at VIU, which reflects VIU’s strengths as a workplace, as well as where we can grow and improve. For a quick recap, the survey... Read more
Exterior wayfinding program makes VIU a more welcoming place to everyone
April 2, 2022
Most of us can recall, recently or not so recently, when we were new to VIU – either trying to find the place you were meeting a contact for an interview, or wandering around as a new student hoping to discover what B345 meant. In many cases, the good graces of a stranger saved us from our confusion. The sight of the stairs can be daunting for anyone, let alone if mobility may present an added... Read more
Recognizing our colleagues: It’s nomination season at VIU
April 2, 2022
By Aly Winks At VIU, there are five sets of internal awards presented by the President and Provost on an annual basis. Each set recognizes the exemplary work of our colleagues in an area of importance to the function and reputation of the institution. In each case, an individual or team is nominated by one or more colleagues. The VIU People Plan formalizes our promise of recognition and... Read more
Citizen Scientists Asked to Look for Plants and Animals during Annual MABR BioBlitz
April 1, 2022
Event participants can make observations anywhere within the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region, whether that’s in their backyard or a community park. People can channel their inner scientist by participating in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region’s (MABR’s) annual BioBlitz event. The MABR BioBlitz, which runs from April 8-10, relies on citizen scientists to collect information on flora and... Read more
Trauma-Informed Leadership at VIU
March 31, 2022
“A compassionate and trauma-informed approach to leadership is essential for creating healthy workplace cultures.” Achieve Centre for Leadership VIU acknowledges the prevalence of trauma in our world and the impact on people we interact with, including team members, colleagues, and students. It is our aim to promote workplace environments, across all campuses, that support the well-being of all... Read more