End of semester party, research and exam prep 📖

In just a few short weeks, we will be wrapping up the spring semester at VIU. But first: CREATE, VIU’s largest research and creative activity showcase, is running all week. Don’t forget to check out some of the activities and cheer on your peers. Also happening this week, your students’ union is organizing an event on Thursday, April 7, Happy Endings. Drop in from 4-8 pm to this outdoor event that includes a live concert, club booths, local vendors and free tacos.

Need to know

VIU Mariners celebrate wins 🥳

March 25-27 was quite the weekend for the VIU Mariners! From coast to coast, three teams were in top form across the board:
🏐 In Charlottetown: The women’s volleyball team captured their fourth consecutive CCAA national championship and fifth in six seasons
🏀 In Toronto: The men’s basketball team finished fourth at the CCAA Men's Basketball National Championship!
🏀 In Nanaimo: The women’s basketball team took home the silver at the CCAA National Championships, hosted here at VIU!
A huge congrats to all the athletes, and a big thank you to everyone who helped make each of these events happen. Go Mariners Go! 

Prepping for exams 📚

Exams are right around the corner. VIU student blogger Megan Z is determined to create a more productive study session, one that leaves her feeling capable of finishing the semester without being completely drained. She shares her best tips on the #VIUBlog. 

Neighbourhood safety audit: VIU 📋

RCMP Community Policing have partnered with VIU Criminology to conduct Neighbourhood Safety Audits throughout Nanaimo. In the latest phase of the project, they are hoping to get survey participation from members of the VIU community (employees and students) as well as those who live around VIU. The data collected will help the RCMP, City and VIU understand more of the ongoing concerns so we can all work on addressing community safety concerns. Take the survey now.

Connect

Cultural Connections road trips 🚌

Join the Cultural Connections Road Trips team as we embark on exciting adventures to awe-inspiring locations. Every semester, we prepare a schedule of seasonal weekly Road Trips activities available to all registered VIU students. Check out our upcoming Road Trips and Local Hikes activities! 

Donations for Ukraine 🇺🇦

VIU Early Childhood Education student Steve Wood is travelling to Poland this week to assist with refugees escaping the war in Ukraine. He is asking for donations of children’s gloves in good condition, as well as kids’ books in Ukrainian. A donation box is set up outside the Nanaimo Innovation Academy at 905 Hecate Street. Cash donations are also accepted. See this Facebook post for more details. 

Getting involved with research at VIU 👩‍🔬

Join the Student Leadership Circle, in collaboration with CREATE, for Getting Involved with Research at VIU: A Student-Perspective Workshop on April 7 from 4-6:30 pm. In this professional workshop, upper-level students will describe their personal experiences with research at VIU. Join in-person or by Zoom. Tickets available via Eventbrite.

Semélshun Recognition Ceremony 🥳

The Office of Indigenous Education & Engagement and Services for Aboriginal Students invites you to the Spring 2022 Semélshun Aboriginal Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Friday, June 3 from 11 am to 12 pm.  We will honour Indigenous students who have completed degrees, diplomas and certificates and are convocating at the end of June. Send your photos and RSVP toKim.Warkentine@viu.ca.

Pub hours ⏰

The VIU Students’ Union Pub will be open until Friday, June 24. Check out theVIUSU website to review changes to pub hours and for more information.

Become a Career Studio Peer Facilitator 🗣

Are you interested in helping your fellow students prepare for job search? Want to learn about resume writing and interview skills? The Centre for Experiential Learning & Student Engagement will launch a physical Career Studio in Building 255 this September! We will be hiring four Career Studio Peer Facilitators. Look for this posting on CareerVIU now. Interviews will begin in April/May, with training in August. We look forward to meeting you!

ComSciConCAN 📅

This workshop is the only Canada-wide science communication training opportunity designed for graduate students, and is all-expenses-paid for those accepted to attend. Learn more at ComSciConCAN 2022.

Volunteer as a Wellness Peer 🙋‍♀️

Are you passionate about promoting wellness and mental health? Interested in developing skills to aid in a future career in the helping professions? Apply to volunteer as a VIU Wellness Peer in the 2022-23 academic year! Visit theWellness Peers homepage for details.

Supports and services

Accessible, stair-free routes ↔️

Follow the blue dots through nine VIU buildings across campus that indicate accessible, stair-free routes. This signage system is a combination of floor wayfinding decals and elevator signage that informs wheelchairs users – and anyone else who will benefit from using elevators – to enter and exit through buildings safely, without stairs, to access upper and lower areas on campus. Buildings include: 200, 205, 210, 250, 255, 300, 305, 355 and 356. For more information about accessibility on campus please contact: UAC@viu.ca. 

Master’s program students! Tell us about your experiences 🗣

Calling all master’s program students! VIU is participating in the Canadian Graduate and the Professional Student Survey. Students in master’s degree programs would have received an email inviting them to participate on Monday (April 4). The survey is open until April 24. Results will be used by VIU to learn about and improve academic experiences and activities for master’s program students.

Transition award for ABE students💰

Students who have completed upgrading recently and are ready to enroll in full-time post-secondary studies may be able to access a $5,000 Transition Award from the Irving K. Barber Society. Learn more. 

Spring clean your tech 📲

It’s time to shake off the late winter blues and reinvigorate your tech. That’s right, spring is the perfect time to:

• Have a backup plan for your data;
• Give yourself a digital makeover;
• Dump those unused programs and apps, and check your app permissions;
• Declutter your digital data; and
• Freshen up that old password.

Ready for more? Give the NEW Spring Cleaning quiz a try.

Join an Internship Planning Course 💼

If you are an undergraduate student interested in gaining hands-on work experience prior to graduation, you may want to consider registering for INTP 300: Planning for Upper-level Internships. This 3-credit elective course will run from 1-4 pm on Wednesdays this fall, and it will enable students to develop confidence and practical skills prior to securing internships relevant to their field of study.  

Access on- and off-campus career opportunities

On CareerVIU, VIU’s Job Portal, more than 3,000 employers are looking for students like you. New opportunities are posted daily and registering forCareerVIU is quick and easy – all you need is your Student Number (the 9-digits on your student card) and your created Student Record Password. Top postings this week include 3 on-campus summer internships with the Centre for Experiential Learning: Graphic Design Intern (29255); Marketing Lead (29259); and Communications Lead (29266).

Moving Out Time? 🧳

Are you coming to the end of your private rental tenancy? There are a few questions to think about to make sure you finish your contract without issue. For advice or representation, contact Michael in the Off-Campus Housing office at ie.housing@viu.ca. You can also visit our website for educational resources. And if you’re starting to think about accommodation for next semester, you’ll find useful information there, too!

Work-Able internship

Work-Able is a 12-month BC Public Service work experience program for recent post-secondary graduates with disabilities. This unique program provides learning, coaching and mentorship to employees who face barriers to help them achieve gainful employment. Learn more. 

Help with taxes 📱

Want to avoid delays and get the tax info you need? Try the Canada Revenue Agency’s digital services. No need to wait on the phone, the CRA has many online ­tools to help you!

COVID-19 updates

Rapid test kit pickup

VIU has free rapid test kits (five tests per kit) available for pickup at any of the following locations with a student card:

• B170 – Shq'apthut (the gathering place)
• B193 – VIUSU
• B255 – International reception
• B300 – Welcome Centre
• B305 – Campus Store

Deals

Did you know that as a VIU student you have access to exclusive discounts in your community and across the province? Download the Deals App, administered by the VIUSU and the BC Federation of Students, to learn more. Today’s featured businesses:

• Aisle Sustainable Period Products: Get 15% your purchase.  
• White Sails Brewing: Get 10% off in-house beer or coffee purchases.

Campus events

Stay on top of what's happening at VIU. Find ways to get involved: 

• Campus Events website
• Co-curricular involvement app
• VIU Students' Union app