VIU Reduces Barriers to Education on Global Day of Giving

VIU’s sixth annual Giving Tuesday campaign, running until December 3, highlights the need for additional scholarships and bursaries for students.

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Rebekah Aplin is grateful for the generosity of a stranger, which allowed her to continue into the second year of her Bachelor of Science degree at Vancouver Island University (VIU) with a significantly lower financial burden.

“Receiving an award has allowed me to pursue my love of chemistry and learning without the stress of a part-time job,” says the 21-year-old, who hopes to go on to graduate school and eventually work as a researcher. “As a result, I have made a point of jumping on every learning opportunity possible. Being the first in my family to attend university, I cannot express my gratitude enough for receiving an award and I am so incredibly excited for the future.”

VIU believes that access to education shouldn’t depend on one’s financial circumstances and during the sixth annual Giving Tuesday campaign running until December 3, all friends of the University are invited to make a donation in support of students. With a focus on participation, VIU has set a goal of 400 gifts to the campaign this year.

“With the cost of living and education increasing, many of our students have to make difficult decisions to balance their studies, work and family to get by,” says William Litchfield, Executive Director of the VIU Foundation. “Our students need your support. Your gift may mean the difference between a student continuing on in their program or abandoning their studies.”

Donations can be directed to support a scholarship, award or bursary, a particular faculty or program or any area that donors are passionate about. VIU’s new President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Deb Saucier, is getting into the spirit of Giving Tuesday by creating a new Special Initiatives Fund. The fund will offer financial support for students and projects that enhance access and excellence as well as foster a sense of community at the university when other sources of funding are not readily available.

Many student groups, departments, faculties and community groups are organizing special fundraising initiatives around Giving Tuesday. Students enrolled in the Workplace Essential Skills and Training (WEST) Program, a two-year, full-time employment preparation program for people with cognitive barriers, have been fundraising to make a Giving Tuesday donation. Students are selling reindeer-shaped hot chocolate stocking stuffers and will continue to fundraise for the month of November. This fundraiser has become an annual tradition for the WEST Program and is well received and supported by VIU Community.   

“Last year we were able to fundraise a thousand dollars, and we hope to do the same this year,” says Program Chair Tanya Assaf. “We really value Giving Tuesday – our students get excited to get involved. We will continue to dedicate the money we raise to scholarships for students who want to continue with their schooling in other VIU programs, and new technologies and classroom resources to support our learners to reach their full potential.”

Donations made on Giving Tuesday can have double the impact, as there are limited matching funds available to the campaign this year from the VIU Foundation, and 100% of every donation will go directly to the fund chosen by the donor.

For more information, please visit Giving Tuesday or call David Forrester, VIU Advancement Manager, at 250.740.6214.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jenn McGarrigle, External Communications Advisor, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.740.6559 | C: 250.619.6860 | E: Jenn.McGarrigle@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews