VIU welcomes new students with a week of activities and events

Student wearing a RockVIU T-Shirt stands with her arms stretched wide in front of tents and a performer playing the guitar

VIU student Kayla Passmore gets ready to welcome students to last year's Connect Fair Carnival at the Nanaimo campus.

August 29, 2022 - 10:45am

What: RockVIU new student orientation

When: August 29 to September 2, 2022

Where: Nanaimo campus, Cowichan campus, online/virtual

Nanaimo & Duncan, BC: Hundreds of new students will be heading to Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses to participate in orientation events this week.

RockVIU new student orientation activities include campus excursions, fireside chats with peer mentors, a connect fair carnival designed to introduce students to services and supports on campus while also featuring food, music, inflatables and games, and virtual Q&A panels on a variety of topics. New this year is a Summer Nights Festival, which will feature live music, food trucks and games, followed by a drive-in movie. This event takes place September 1 at the Cowichan campus and September 2 at the Nanaimo campus.

“We are excited to bring a lively, fun and engaging atmosphere to both campuses during RockVIU, and to introduce new students not only to each other, but also to the local talent of Nanaimo and the VIU community as well,” said Telanie Moolman, RockVIU Event Co-Lead. “These events will be the finale to an action-packed week of fun events and a great way to start the new school year.”

The week starts off with chances to connect with a RockVIU peer mentor and tour the Nanaimo campus. To help students form connections with their professors, faculties will host block party social events later in the week featuring games, prizes and activities to help students get to know their faculty.

“RockVIU is one of your first opportunities to become a valued part of our community, learn more about your campus and meet new people before classes have even started,” said Samantha Allan, RockVIU Event Co-Lead. “We’ve worked all summer to bring you this event series. We are so excited to welcome you, share in this experience and learn how we can help you to reach your full potential as you embark on your university journey.”

The Powell River campus RockVIU event happens September 14, and the Connect Fair moves to Cowichan on September 6 to celebrate the first day of classes. To learn more, visit viu.ca/rockviu.