UPDATE: COVID-19, MAY 6
May 6, 2020
We thought we’d start by sharing a video message of encouragement and support for our students from, appropriately, our Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs, Irlanda Price. As she says in this video, we wanted to let our students know how proud we are of your resilience, patience and strength and to remind you that we are still here for you - student services like advising and counselling... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, April 29
April 29, 2020
We wanted to take a moment to thank all frontline VIU employees who are working hard to keep our students and each other safe and supported. In recognition of health-care and essential service workers across Canada, VIU’s Office of Co-Curricular Engagement and Learning is organizing a Moment of Gratitude on Thursday, April 30 to express our support. Sign on to the Zoom chat at 6:45 pm and we will... Read more
Federal Government support for students and new grads affected by COVID-19
April 22, 2020
To address the shortage of summer jobs that students and recent graduates are encountering across the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a range of new supports on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, including the Canada Emergency Student Benefit; additional summer job opportunities; incentives for those who wish to volunteer; extended scholarships, fellowships and grants; and targeted... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, APRIL 21
April 21, 2020
As many of our students and faculty enter the last week of exams and assessments, we just want to send words of encouragement and let you know we are thinking of you as we know how stressful this time can be. In light of that, please see our NEW ITEMS section today - there are lots of supports listed, from new counselling services to fun online activities you can engage in to make you smile and... Read more
Free counselling service launches for post-secondary students
April 17, 2020
The government of British Columbia has launched Here2Talk, a new mental health counselling and referring service for post-secondary students. The service offers confidential, free single-session services by app, phone or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Until now, post-secondary students have never had access to 24/7 provincewide mental health support services,” said Melanie Mark... Read more
President's Awards for Service Excellence Open for Nominations
April 16, 2020
The announcement below went out on Wednesday, April 15, announcing the new set of awards for VIU employees. Please consider nominating a worthy colleague or team of colleagues. Dear VIU employees, I am happy to share with you some great news, and to confirm commitment to our People Plan, by announcing new Presidential awards - the President’s Awards for Service Excellence. These awards will... Read more
The President's Awards for Community Engagement and the Provost's Awards for Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity Open for Nominations
April 16, 2020
In 2018, Vancouver Island University established awards to celebrate excellence in community engagement and scholarship, research and creative activity to complement the existing awards for excellence in teaching design and practice. These awards align with the institution's core values of discovery, engagement, achievement and celebration as identified in the Academic Plan: Promoting and... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, April 15
April 15, 2020
There are so many different ways our community is supporting each other – thank you! We loved this idea that came from VIU’s Student Wellness Promoters. They wanted to support students living in residence and in homestay placements throughout Nanaimo who are away from their families and may have limited connections to them right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To show these students they are... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, APRIL 9
April 9, 2020
The long weekend is upon us. For some, it’s a time to celebrate important faith-based holidays such as Easter and Passover and for others, it’s a special time to get together with family and friends. This year, the long weekend will look very different for many of us as these activities will happen virtually rather than in-person. VIU President Dr. Deb Saucier wishes everyone a healthy and happy... Read more
Update: COVID-19, April 6
April 6, 2020
In today's update, we wanted to share that music is one of the things helping VIU President Dr. Deb Saucier get through these difficult times. And because #MusicIsMedicine, she has co-created a playlist with Registrar Fred Jacklin. Listen to the April Fools ?!? tracks on Spotify. Also - we wanted to highlight that VIU’s Elders-in-Residence will be continuing to offer support or words of... Read more