May 7, 2024 - 5:15pm
May 7 update to community: Building access and invitation for dialogue
The summer semester is now in full swing and we are experiencing some beautiful weather this week. VIU continues to closely monitor the encampment on our Nanaimo campus. Protestors have remained calm and peaceful and VIU continues to actively support peaceful demonstrations on our campus and the right to freedom of expression.
Building access update
We have an important update to share with everyone regarding building access.
Starting tomorrow (Wednesday, May 8), VIU’s Nanaimo campus building openings will be returning to regularly scheduled summer hours.
Library access will also be updated to the hours outlined below.
Weekdays:
9 am to 4 pm – Open access
4 pm to 12 am – Card access only
12 am to 9 am – Closed
Weekends:
9 am to 12 am –Card access only
Invitation for dialogue to encampment participants
In an email to the Muslim Women’s Club, the university has reached out to welcome a dialogue with student representatives involved with the Palestine Solidarity Encampment. The university invites student representatives in the encampment to join a broader conversation with VIU representatives.
VIU recognizes including student voices in the discussion is vital.
VIU reinforced that all activities remain safe and respectful. This includes ensuring an environment free from intimidation, discrimination, harassment and hate speech of any kind.
Supports for community members
Demonstrations like this can impact people in different ways. We encourage members of our community to reach out for support if they feel they need it. Supports for students including counselling, wellness and information for students in distress can be found on the VIU Counselling website. Support, counselling and wellness information for employees can be found on our Employee and Family Assistance Program homepage.
If you feel you have experienced harassment or discrimination, please contact the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office.
Once again, thank you to our campus community for your patience and understanding, and for showing kindness and compassion towards each other.
May 6 update to community
Today was the first day of Summer Semester. VIU’s Nanaimo campus remains open and safe and the encampment remains peaceful and calm. VIU continues to actively support peaceful demonstrations on our campus and the right to freedom of expression.
Last Thursday at the Malaspina Theatre, students from the Graphic Design program held their year-end showcase. Congratulations to our students who are pushing boundaries and redefining visual storytelling.
Today, RCMP were on campus of their own accord for what they explained was a standard visit; VIU did not request this presence and the officers left after a brief walk around the perimeter of the demonstration. VIU’s top priority remains providing a safe campus environment for all students and employees. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the encampment to ensure that the highest standards of safety are met and provide our community with updates if there is a change or development.
We have also been informed through social media posts that a drone has been spotted hovering over the encampment. While we have not been able to identify the owner, we can confirm that it is not VIU or the RCMP.
A reminder to our community that buildings are accessible by VIU ID card only and that access is only for those with ID cards. We recognize that some students faced challenges accessing buildings. We are actively working to ensure students have access to buildings they require. We have heard a few reports of doors being propped open and left unsecured. As an ID card holder, it is your responsibility to help ensure our indoor spaces and assets remain secure and safe.
Thank you to all community members for your patience and understanding, and for showing kindness and compassion towards each other, as we work to keep our campus community safe.
May 5 update on the encampment at VIU's Nanaimo campus
As we prepare for the start of the Summer Semester tomorrow (May 6), we wanted to remind our campus community that VIU remains open and safe. The demonstration on the VIU Nanaimo campus continues to evolve but remains peaceful and calm.
VIU continues to actively support peaceful demonstrations on our campus and the right to freedom of expression. We expect all activities on campus to stay within the parameters of university policies and the law. Protests must not disrupt university operations or interfere with students and employees.
Building access
Our top priority is to provide a safe campus environment for all students and employees. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the encampment to ensure that the highest standards of safety are met.
As we work to minimize disruptions, we want to remind everyone that building entrances will remain locked throughout the day. Buildings are accessible by students and employees by using their VIU-issued access card. From midnight until 9 am, the library will be closed. If you require assistance to enter a building, please call Campus Security at 250.740.6512.
Don’t have a VIU student card yet?
Simply follow the instructions on the library’s website to get your VIU ID card. Your ID card gets you access to the library. Reach out to your professors to ensure specific building access for your programs and courses.
Supports and resources for students and employees
Please take time to familiarize yourself with VIU’s safety resources. VIU provides online requests for first aid, Safe Walk, on-site security and incident reporting through the website and the VIU Safety app. Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512.
If you feel you have experienced harassment or discrimination, please contact the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office.
Demonstrations like this can impact people in different ways. We encourage members of our community to reach out for support if they feel they need it. Supports for students including counselling, wellness and information for students in distress can be found on the VIU Counselling website. Support, counselling and wellness information for employees can be found on our Employee and Family Assistance Program homepage.
Thank you to all community members for your patience and understanding, and for showing kindness and compassion towards each other, as we work to keep our campus community safe.
May 4 statement about the encampment on VIU's Nanaimo campus
Overnight we have observed that the demonstration on the VIU Nanaimo campus continues to evolve, with 16 tents onsite, but it is very peaceful and calm. Participants appear to include VIU students and members of our broader community.
VIU continues to actively support peaceful demonstrations on our campus and the right to freedom of expression. We expect all activities on campus to stay within the parameters of university policies and the law. Erecting tents, temporary structures and overnight encampments are prohibited on VIU campus. Protests must not disrupt university operations or interfere with students and employees.
The safety of our students, employees and community is our top priority. Operations are continuing on campus and we are working to minimize disruptions and keep our campus community safe. To this end, building entrances will remain locked throughout the day and be accessible by students and employees by using their VIU-issued access card.
Going forward, the Library will be card access or by security from 9 am to midnight and closed thereafter and all other buildings will be card access only except if there is a scheduled event or meeting. In those cases, VIU staff or security will open the building or meeting room. Please ensure you bring your VIU-issued ID cards onto campus to access buildings.
We thank everyone for your patience, understanding and working together to keep our campus community safe at all times.
Tags: Announcements
