COVID-19 UPDATE: JUNE 4

As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we have found that the need for a regular update is winding down. This is not the last COVID-19 update, we just wanted to let you know that we are reimagining new ways to continue to keep our community informed, which will include both information on this ongoing situation as well as more general news and updates. We will share more details in the coming weeks.

Thank you to everyone for your support over these past months as we’ve worked to try and keep you as up-to-date as possible on the different impacts this pandemic has had on our community and what VIU has done to try and respond to and mitigate those impacts and support our students and employees.

Student and employee updates: 

1: We are so proud of our faculty and students who are making a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating critical health supplies. For example, the Chemistry department is now manufacturing hand sanitizer for Island Health and other community partners, and the Engineering department is fabricating face mask frames. Read more on the VIU News page. 

2: VIU students are taking the annual Vancouver Island Student Leadership Conference online this year. Called "Resilient Minds, Brilliant Leaders", the event runs June 1-25 and features keynote speakers, virtual events and a Moment of Gratitude virtual flash mob. Read more about the conference in this VIU News article. 

3:Jumping into June with campVIU: campVIU is encouraging families to stay active at home with weekly active and healthy living challenges for kids. Join campVIU program lead Isabella Kortbeek every Tuesday and Thursday on the VIU Mariners Facebook, Instagram and Twitter channels for a different challenge. These kid-friendly activities will get you moving, creating and having fun!

4: Video content from VIU’s Athletics and Recreation department: Campus Rec is working hard to keep us active and healthy - virtually. Follow the VIU Mariners Athletics & Recreation YouTube account for workouts, healthy meal options, interviews with adventurous people and more.

5: Want to check out a virtual activity this summer? Visit our campusevents.viu.ca page to see what’s happening, from coffee chats to yoga to cultural events! 

Student-specific updates: 

1: Universities Canada has just secured a high-profile opportunity to showcase the accomplishments and resilience of this year’s university graduates: a national virtual graduation celebration, “WE Celebrate, Class of 2020,” which will be broadcast on CTV at 8 pm Eastern on June 6, 2020. The one-hour primetime television special will feature a star-studded lineup delivering Canada’s 2020 graduation addresses, special performances and heartfelt surprises to celebrate students and educators making a difference and stepping up to support their communities during COVID-19.

2: Are you struggling financially as a result of #COVID19? The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides financial support to post-secondary students & recent post-secondary & high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19.

3: Zoom 5.0 Update Required by May 30: If you are using Zoom for meetings or online class sessions, you will need to update your Zoom client to version 5.0 or later before May 30 in order to continue using the software. Users can install the latest version of Zoom from https://viu.zoom.us/download#client_4meeting. If you have any questions, please email learnsupport@viu.ca

4: VIU’s Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity office held a May the Fourth Be With All of Us student contest to give students a venue to express their creativity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting submissions have been gathered into this e-magazine: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/63409553/may-the-fourth-be-with-all-of-us.

Employee specific updates:

1: Share your favourite ‘Keep your spirits up’ strategy: For the next issue of the Working Remotely Chronicles in VIU Voices, please share with us your favourite playlist, coffee/tea/beverage mug, ‘way to take a break during the work day’, and any other favourite thing that helps you keep your spirits up while working remotely. We love it when you illustrate your idea with a photo. Please send submissions to alyson.winks@viu.ca. 

2: IT Ask Me Anything: Have you ever wanted to get the entire IT department into a room and ask them anything you like? Are you willing to settle for 4-6 members of the IT department? We have the room for you! Or rather, a virtual room. In true Ask Me Anything style, we have no planned theme, just a planned panel willing to listen and answer your questions. However, if we can’t answer a question right then and there we will follow up with you and get you an answer. Sound good? Head on down to below to find the schedule and link for the zoom session. See you there! https://technology.viu.ca/ask-me-anything.

3: All Employee Survey Coming: Next week, all VIU employees will receive an invitation to participate in a short survey on working remotely. We are seeking your participation in this survey to enable the institution to better understand and support employee needs while working remotely. The survey provides an opportunity to assess how the recent dramatic shift in working environments has affected you as an employee. Also, it will inform how departments such as Human Resources, IT, Health and Safety and Risk Management develop an institutional flexible work program for the future. The survey will come to you via email, so look for that next week.

MORE INFORMATION:  

• VIU’s COVID-19 website (go here first)  
• Employee and student emails (email will be used for broad community updates and any major changes; the website will contain all the updates)
• VIU’s Safety App
• VIU Twitter feeds: @viunews; @viuniversity