Self-care, stressbusters and Light It Up VIU! 🎄

As you gear up for exam season, our student blogger Preet Parmar wants to remind you not to forget to take care of yourself. Read her self-care tips on the VIU Blog, and don’t forget to participate in some of the activities listed below to keep you energized and motivated. 

Need to know 

Transgender Awareness Week 

Saturday, November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honour and remember those we have lost due to acts of anti-transgender violence and hate. In recognition of this day, and Transgender Awareness Week, the transgender flag will be raised at half-mast November 15 to 21 at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. On November 19 from 11 am to 1 pm, the VIU Positive Space Alliance will be in the quad on VIU’s Nanaimo campus, where people can write messages of support that will be added to a display. Please join us to honour those we have lost and add your message of commitment to inclusion.

Stressbuster series 🧘‍♀️

Your VIU Students’ Union is pleased to present the annual Stressbuster event series to help you have fun, relax and get energized!

• November 22: Free swim at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
• November 23: Cardio hip hop dance class with Vibe Studios
• November 24: Breakfast of Champions in the VIUSU office lobby
• November 25: Light It Up VIU (see post below)
• November 26: Stretch & Sip: a one-hour yoga session and free bevvie from the pub
• November 28: Wellness walk
• December 1: Magic show at the pub

Learn more.

Light It Up VIU 💡

Join Fun@VIU, Thrive and the VIU Community on Thursday, November 25 as we light up VIU’s quad to bring some warmth and light to the VIU campus during this season! Drop by for hot chocolate, fire pits, marshmallows, a photo booth, music and the Light Up! If you are not able to make it to the event, the lights will be left up throughout December to be enjoyed by VIU students and the surrounding community. We can’t wait to see you there! RSVP on Facebook.

Connect

Navigating change 🗺

This professional development workshop focuses on providing VIU students with answers to their questions about coping with unintended change. This workshop takes place Wednesday, November 17 from 5 - 7 pm, both in-person and virtually. Sign up here.

Teddy Bear Toss 🧸

We are very excited to launch our Teddy Bear Toss at the upcoming VIU Mariners Hockey Game on Saturday, November 20. Bring a NEW Teddy Bear in a sealed plastic bag to throw on the ice when the Mariners score their first goal! The game starts at 7 pm at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. All 50/50 proceeds and teddy bears will be donated to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. Bring your valid Student ID to enter the game at a discounted rate of $5. Adults $10. Vaccine Passports are required for entry. See you there!

Nanaimo Santa Claus Parade 🎅

Walk with VIU in the Nanaimo Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 27 at 5 pm. Sign up here to be part of our entry!

Self-Acceptance: Co-Curricular Record Talk 🎙     

This presentation gives students the opportunity to reflect on their journey of self-acceptance and share stories with peers. This talk takes place on Thursday November 18 at 5 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room in Building 300 (above the cafeteria). Co-curricular Record Talks is a program initiated by the Office of Co-Curricular Engagement & Learning to provide student leaders with the opportunity to put their oral communication skills into action.

Countdown to shutdown 📆

From November 29 to December 17, join the energy savings online advent calendar. Look for daily challenges (Monday to Friday) and participate to get in the running for weekly prizes.

Holiday Shutdown Checklist 📜

Do you live in Residence or a place you’ll be leaving for an extended break? Fill out this Google form to see how much energy you can save by assessing what can be switched off, unplugged or turned down. Besides helping the environment, you could win prizes for participating.

VIU launches new Strategic Plan

VIU’s new 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, People, Place, Potential presents our vision and direction over the next five years. Please read the plan and become familiar with this exciting new direction for VIU, which was developed from conversations with more than 2,000 people in our community. Learn more on the Strategic Plan website and be sure to watch the video.

VIU Games: Volunteer opportunity 🏃‍♀️

Are you interested in meeting new people, being a part of an exciting in person event or looking to gain volunteer experience? We would love your help at the VIU Games on November 28! If you are interested, please fill out this Google doc form.

Mariners Basketball home games 🏀

We loved seeing the bleachers full last weekend! The energy and excitement in the gym propelled us to two home wins! Join us back at the VIU gym November 19 and 20 as we host the Capilano University Blues.

Hearts and Hands Pins

Hearts and Hands pins designed by Kwagiulth artist Carey Newman/Ha-yalth-kingeme are now available at the bookstore. The heart represents caring and the hands represent the work that needs to be done in response to what was revealed by the Truth and Reconciliation Canada Commission, as well as what we are learning as more and more graves are revealed around former Residential Schools. A portion of the proceeds go to the Orange Shirt Society with the rest going to the artist who designed the pins and toward VIU Elders’ initiatives. Please consider buying one to show your support! 

Supports and services

Therapy Dogs 🐕‍🦺

Are you in need of some canine cuddles? Who isn’t?! The therapy dogs are available every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:30 - 3:30 pm in the Nanaimo library. Brought to you by the Wellness Peer Program in the Wellness Lounge.

Wellness in Words – Hope and Resilience ❤️

Join us for this virtual workshop on November 30 that uses the power of poetry and film to unite folks in community, connection and conversation around topics that explore the intersection of mental health and hope. Everyone welcome and feel free to join anonymously. Register on Eventbrite.

FREE Hot Chocolate! ☕️

Need a study break? Come check out the new Wellness Lounge located in the south-east corner of the Nanaimo library. We have fidgets, colouring pages, and tea and hot chocolate! Available select hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – check out the Wellness Peers website for details.

Study rooms and audio recording booths 📚

Need a quiet space to join your next Zoom class? Recording a podcast for your next assignment? We’ve got you covered with individual use study rooms and audio video recording labs that can be booked at our Nanaimo and Cowichan campus libraries. Contact us with any questions!

Attention EXPO students! 🍎

Are you in Exploratory Studies? What is next for you? Chat with an Advisor about your goals. Connect with an Advisor by phone, email, Zoom and in-person.

Looking for work? 💼

Did you know that VIU has its very own online job-posting board? CareerVIU is available to all VIU students and alumni. With more than 3,000 employers registered, a variety of new opportunities are posted daily. Registering for CareerVIU is quick and easy – all you need is your SRS username and password! Learn more about CareerVIU.

Finding a place to live in Nanaimo 🏠

Looking for accommodation, now or for the next semester? Our Off-Campus Housing Coordinator has some tips to help steer your efforts. Read his advice on the VIU Blog.

Positive Space Alliance training session

The PSA is also organizing a training session on Thursday, November 18 from 12 - 1 pm in Building 200, Room 238. Attend this session to learn more about making VIU a welcoming place for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

Education Savings Week: November 14 to 20 💸

Education Savings Week is here! Now is the perfect time to learn more about the saving opportunities available to you. Did you know that in 2020, $3.9 billion was withdrawn from RESPs to help 419,898 students cover the cost of their education? You can find more about the different ways to save by visiting the Canada Revenue Agency’s Students webpage. 

Canada Revenue Agency workshops 💸

From financial literacy 101 for post-secondary students, to a presentation on Canadian income tax for international students, to how to be scam aware, the Canada Revenue Agency has a number of upcoming free webinars available to VIU students. Don’t miss out on a tax benefit or credit, and get your questions answered live! Register for these webinars online.

Mark your calendars

Important deadline for withdrawal

Monday, November 29 is the last day for academic penalty-free withdrawal from a Fall semester course or program, or to change from credit to audit (or vice-versa) in academic programs.

COVID updates

Masks and vaccine cards on campus

Curious about where you need to wear a mask or produce your BC Vaccine Card? VIU’s Health and Safety Services has created a handy chart to answer these questions.

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