Natural Resource Protection students monitor environmental quality of Departure Creek
December 13, 2010
In the midst of a light snowfall on a chilly afternoon, Doug Gow and Kate Parsons work toward bachelor degrees in Natural Resource Protection by monitoring the health of a picturesque urban creek. The third-year students at Vancouver Island University are taking water samples and measuring the flow of Departure Creek for their Environmental Monitoring course taught by Dr. Eric Demers. “This... Read more
VIU science students and faculty showcase chemistry expertise in Hawaii
December 10, 2010
A team of students, graduates and faculty from Vancouver Island University fly to Honolulu, Hawaii next week to participate in one of the largest chemistry conferences in the world. The Pacifichem conference is a major international conference held once every five years with over 10,000 delegates. There are over 13,000 research papers being presented in oral and poster format. The theme of the... Read more
Lunch-hour shutdown saves energy at VIU
December 9, 2010
Simple and small actions can save significant amounts of energy. Just ask Vancouver Island University Energy Manager Daryl Amos. Data released by BC Hydro from the Power Down Nanaimo Hour held over the lunch break on Friday, Oct. 22 shows that the VIU community conserved 4.07 per cent of electricity when compared to the consumption of the previous Friday. “That works out to be about 1200... Read more
Students reach out to help homeless
December 8, 2010
Vancouver Island University students are reaching out to the community to help homeless women and children. Liz Tiffin, Olivia Rooke, Erin Woof and Kirsten Boettger spent a month collecting donations and assembling 50 care bags filled with toiletries, notebooks, pens, and other items for women and children who seek emergency shelter at Somenos Transition House in Cowichan. Somenos House – which... Read more
VIU adopts Project Hero to support families of Canadian Forces personnel
December 8, 2010
Vancouver Island University is joining a nationwide effort to provide financial aid to children of Canadian Forces personnel killed while serving in an active mission. VIU will provide up to eight semesters of tuition for students who qualify for support through Project Hero, an educational initiative inspired by retired General Rick Hillier and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Reed. “I’m... Read more
Golf buddies help physics prof light up classrooms in Africa
December 7, 2010
Physics professor Ray Penner is getting a little help from his friends at Fairwinds Golf Club in Nanoose Bay. Men’s night golfers have donated $3,857 to help Penner light up classrooms in Africa. Penner, who teaches at Vancouver Island University, is president of LED Africa (www.ledafrica.org), a non-profit organization that manufactures and installs solar powered lighting systems at rural... Read more
VIU marks national day of remembrance and action on violence against women and girls
December 3, 2010
Students, staff and faculty at Vancouver Island University will participate in a moment of silence Monday, Dec.6 as part of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and Girls. The day marks the anniversary of the 1989 murders of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. VIU and many other college and universities across the country have observed this... Read more
Milner Christmas Magic returns today
December 3, 2010
Vancouver Island University’s Milner Gardens and Woodlands will be glowing with thousands of lights to brighten the holiday season starting this evening. Milner Christmas Magic has become a popular holiday tradition with festive decorations, music, tasty treats and much more. Santa will also be making special guest appearances in Milner House which has been decorated in old-fashioned Christmas... Read more
Giant Nanaimo Bar fundraiser launched at Thrifty Foods' Brooks Landing Grand Opening: Proceeds to help build Aboriginal Gathering Place at VIU
December 3, 2010
As part of the Dec. 1 grand opening at Brooks Landing in Nanaimo, Thrifty Foods unveiled a giant Nanaimo Bar measuring 8 feet x 3 feet as part of a fundraiser to build Shq'apthut: A Gathering Place at Vancouver Island University (VIU). "Shq'apthut will provide Aboriginal students with culturally familiar surroundings and a welcoming atmosphere to help them fulfill their potential," says Susie... Read more
Male profs endure leg-waxing and shaved heads to support cancer campaign
December 2, 2010
Students and faculty at Vancouver Island University who shaved their heads, beards and moustaches may face a cooler winter but they have warmer hearts by supporting a worthwhile cause. Tourism and Recreation Management professor Tom Delamere gave up his beard, moustache and full head of hair Thursday, Dec. 2 to support a student-driven campaign by the Malaspina Recreation and Tourism Association... Read more