A message from Dr. Claire Grogan, Provost and Vice-President, Academic
I am excited to share that the Vancouver Island University Board of Governors has approved the proposal to transition from eight faculties to four. This marks an important milestone in strengthening our academic structure, optimizing our use of resources and positioning the university for the future.
This decision is the result of many months of engagement and consultation across the university community. We had discussions with faculties, departments, operational units, student-facing teams and offered 25 Provost’s Circle sessions. There was extensive deliberation at every step of our governance processes from Planning and Priorities through to Senate.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed their perspectives, questions and thoughtful feedback along the way. Your engagement helped shape a proposal grounded in VIU’s shared values and our collective commitment to creating the best possible learning environment for students.
New four-faculty model
Beginning in Fall 2027, VIU will move to the following four faculties:
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
- Faculty of Education and Access (FEA)
- Faculty of Management and Trades (FMT)
- Faculty of Science and Health (FSH)
These are reconfigured faculties, not new ones. Existing departments and programs will remain in place but housed within a larger faculty. Students will continue their studies and complete their credentials without disruption.
This restructuring will help VIU be more responsive to the evolving needs of students and the coastal communities in which we serve while respecting the fiscal challenges of post-secondary education in BC.
By reducing duplication and strengthening alignment across related disciplines, we will be better positioned to:
- create clearer and more accessible pathways for learners,
- improve consistency in student services and academic processes,
- focus more resources on teaching and student success,
- support interdisciplinary teaching, learning and research, and
- respond more effectively to changes across the post-secondary sector.
Importantly, this work is about ensuring VIU remains resilient, sustainable and student-centred well into the future. Please visit our FAQs site for any questions or reach out directly to provostoffice@viu.ca.
Next steps
This approval allows transition planning in preparation for implementation on August 15, 2027, ahead of the Fall 2027 Semester.
In the coming days and weeks, we will share additional information about:
- transition teams and working groups,
- opportunities for participation and engagement,
- key timelines and milestones, and
- supports and resources for students, faculty and staff.
Thank you
I deeply appreciate the care, professionalism and commitment that students, faculty, employees and leaders across the university have brought to these conversations.
This has been a complex undertaking, but the collaborative nature of collegial governance helps ensure we move forward together with purpose to ensure a strong foundation for the future.
I look forward to continuing this work together as we prepare for the launch of the new faculty structure in 2027.
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