RockVIU 2021: Welcome to Campus, a Message of Appreciation

Dear VIU Community,

I hope you all are keeping well. We are emailing you with an update about RockVIU 2021, facilitated by the Office of Co-Curricular Engagement & Learning, an office within the Centre for Experiential Learning.

RockVIU 2021 was re-imagined this year into an inclusive, hybrid orientation experience that supported VIU students from all campuses (Nanaimo, Powell River, Cowichan) with a mix of fun, engaging, service-oriented and student-focused activities. Highlights included the Beach Fire Chats with peer mentors and small-group excursions the first week. The second week featured VIU’s Got Talent, in-personconnect fair festivals, hybrid faculty block party events, co-curricular record (CCR) talks, drive-in/outdoor movie nights, an interactive art exhibition and welcome back events. More than 900 students participated from all campuses!

A huge thank you to the many VIU employees and students, as well as the VIU Students’ Union, who helped make these events memorable for our incoming students. This event would not have been as successful as it was without this massive communal effort. We want to acknowledge the efforts of the Onboarding and Welcoming New Students Committee, for coming together to coordinate efforts across the institution. 

We would also like to recognize all of our sponsors and partners for this event, including our RockVIU 2021 Presenting Partner, Panago Pizza. In addition, we would like to congratulate the following faculties on their selection in receiving the following awards:

RockVIU 2021 Best Around the Block Award: Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Faculty of Education

RockVIU Fan Favourite Block Party Award: Faculty of Science and Technology

As we have navigated through this transitional period and adapted to COVID protocols, RockVIU 2021 was successful in promoting a sense of belonging, self-efficacy and provided a strong welcoming experience for students at VIU.

Thank you once again for your dedication to RockVIU! Your support has contributed to the continued success of VIU’s official new student orientation.  

Sincerely,

The RockVIU 2021 Organizing Team