Student Pulse News: October 20, 2021

We hope you’re having a spook-tacular October! If you’re haunted by thoughts of missing out on the Halloween fun happening around campus, never fear, this newsletter has you covered. 🎃

Need to know

VIU-wide earthquake drill Thursday, October 21 🌎⚠️

The Great BC Shakeout is back! On Thursday, October 21 at 9:45 am, VIU’s mass notification systems will announce the beginning of the drill, initiating the “drop” to the ground, “cover” yourself by getting under a table or desk and “hold on” by waiting until the five-minute drill is over. This year, due to COVID-19, we will not be evacuating at the end of the drill. Review our emergency plans.

Meet VIU’s new student blogger 😊✏️

Preet Parmar has joined the Communications and External Affairs team this semester to write for the VIU Blog. Preet is a second-generation Canadian with hometown roots in Vancouver, BC. She is currently a Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology student at VIU and her long-term goal is to enter the legal profession.

Update on Convocation 🎓

One of the impacts of the pandemic was a change to the way we approached our annual convocation ceremonies, with virtual celebrations over the past year and a half. This pause from our in-person ceremonies has given us an opportunity to explore how we can best celebrate our graduates. We have decided to postpone our January 2022 celebrations and combine them with our convocation events in June. Look for more details on our Convocation webpage in coming months!

Spooky season

VIU Spidey is back! 

Staff in our Facilities Services and Campus Development department are installing a large web and spider on the side of Building 120 at the Nanaimo Campus this weekend. Swing by and take your picture with Spidey, then use the hashtag #VIUSpidey on Instagram or Facebook so we can check out (and re-share) your pictures! Thanks to our Facilities staff for creating this awesome display for our community!

Halloween Movie Night 🎥 👻

Fun@VIU is excited to partner with the Satyr Players Club and Mariners Spirit to bring to you a Halloween Movie Night on October 29. The movies will be Goosebumps followed by a concession, then The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tickets are $5. Register online prior to the event or at the door on the night of! And most important: wear a costume! 

Westwood Lake Witch Paddle 🧙‍♂️

Join the VIU Students' Union for a Halloween witch paddle at Westwood Lake! Bring your stand-up paddle board or kayak, life jacket and costume and have a fun paddle on the lake. We’ll be stationed at the beach near the second main parking lot. Also bring your reusable mug to get some free hot chocolate and coffee to help warm you up after!

Corn Maze & Bonfire 🌽🔥

Join VIU’s Cultural Connections program for a trip to McNab’s Corn Maze on Wednesday, October 27. Explore the maze, take a hayride and enjoy the bonfire. More details.

Pumpkin carving in the quad 🎃

Join the VIU Students’ Union on October 28 from 11 am to 1 pm to carve pumpkins in front of the library. Pumpkins will be entered into a contest to win a gift card to a business listed on the Deals App. Sign-up link to reserve your pumpkin coming soon.

Connect

Come say hi to VIU’s Wellness Peers 🖐

Have you noticed some students in teal shirts hanging out in the corner of the Nanaimo Library? Are you wondering who they are and what they do? These students are your new Wellness Peers! The VIU Wellness Peers are student volunteers trained to listen, and you can talk to them about almost anything! 

A weekend of basketball 🏀

Watch the Mariners Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams play UFV on Friday, October 22 at 5 pm (women) and 7 pm (men). Friday night is a fundraiser to support the family of an Island basketball player, Jonah, who passed away after battling brain cancer, so entry will be $5. Saturday, October 23 game time is 4:30 pm (women) & 6:30 pm (men) and is free for students.

Volleyball home opener 🏐

The VIU vs. Camosun Volleyball Home Opener takes place November 5 at 6 pm (women) and 8 pm (men). Come watch the Island teams face off! We will also be celebrating the women’s victory at CCAA nationals back in 2020. There will be a pre-game tailgate and activity zone. Next door, the VIUSU pub will be open and live streaming the game! Can't make Friday? The Mariners play again Saturday, November 6 at 1 and 3 pm.

WorldVIU Days: Nov 1-5

This special week explores how culture influences the way we make sense of the world. Join us as we showcase efforts that students, staff and faculty are making to increase social connections between people from different cultural backgrounds. More info available here soon.

Join the BC Youth Parliament

The British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP) provides a forum for young people to develop skills in leadership, organization, public speaking, and the parliamentary process, and to put these skills into practice through service to youth in their local communities. It costs $425 to participate, but if you live in Mid Island-Pacific Rim, MLA Josie Osborne’s riding, she will sponsor this cost if a youth from the riding is selected. For more details, visit bcyp.org.

Nominate someone for the Community Hero Program

Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero Program, presented by MLSE and Scotiabank, wants to shine a light on our country’s outstanding youth. The program includes giving $10,000 towards a charity of their choice. All you have to do is nominate someone you know under 30 who is making a difference! Nominations are open until October 29.

Write for The Artifice

The Artifice is an online magazine that covers a wide spectrum of art forms, including film, literature, anime, comics, games and arts. It is collaboratively built and maintained by the writers, who range from undergraduate students to emeritus professors. Learn more.

Child and Youth Care info sessions

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, youth and families? If you are considering a move into VIU’s Child and Youth Care program, come out to an information session, happening every month this academic year. The next one takes place on Thursday, October 21.

Tune in to A Sound Constitution

#DYK that nursing students have a radio show that airs on Thursdays on CHLY 101.7 FM? This Thursday at 2 pm, tune in for “Let’s Talk About … Our Sexual Health” on A Sound Constitution.

Get involved with the VI Leadership Conference

Want to get involved with VIU’s student-run leadership event? The Vancouver Island Leadership Conference (VILC) 2022 team recruitment form is now live! Visit www.linktr.ee/vilc and click “Join the Team” for more information on each role and to submit your application. The last date to apply is October 28, 2021.

Supports and services

Work Smart, Not Hard: Budget & finance workshop 💰

The Student Leadership Circle is organizing this handy workshop to provide answers to student questions about smart budgeting and how to finance for your future. The workshop takes place today from 5:30 to 7:30 and is a hybrid event – come to Building 180, Room 134 on VIU’s Nanaimo campus or call in via Zoom. Register now.

Get $$$ to help with your research 💰

Are you working on a great research or creative project? Could you use $3,000? Why not consider applying for a REACH Award? Apply by October 31!

Learn to make awesome infographics

Need to learn how to make an infographic? Want to learn how to make a great virtual interactive poster? Come check out this virtual workshop hosted by Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity on Friday, October 22 at noon. Register now.

Still looking for housing? 🏠

We know finding accommodation in Nanaimo can be challenging, but there are signs that the number of available student properties is starting to increase. We also know that two-bedroom houses or apartments usually offer the next best affordability and availability after one-bedroom places. So, if you’re still struggling to find a place on your own, why not consider searching with a roommate? Two great places to meet are:

• The Roommate Finder on Places4Students.com, and
• The VIUSU app – go to “Student Housing and Roommates.”

If you’d like help or advice about your priorities or wording your post, or any other housing advice, please get in touch with ie.housing@viu.ca. Off-campus housing drop-in help is available:

• Every Tuesday between 2 and 3:30 pm in Building 255
• Every Thursday between 12 and 1:30 pm in the Upper Cafeteria

Borrow laptops, cameras and much more from the library 💻📷

Did you know the Nanaimo campus library has a large equipment collection, including DSLR cameras, GoPros, audio recorders, microphones, laptops, projectors, SAD lamps and more! Take a look at our equipment booking tool to find all that you might need for your next project or assignment. Questions? Contact us! Over the next several weeks, stay tuned as we’ll be taking you through our top 10 favourite things about the VIU Library!

Canada Graduate Scholarships 

Going to grad school? Already in grad school? You may be eligible to apply for the Canada Graduate Scholarship worth $17,500 for one year. More info is available on the Graduate Scholarships homepage or by emailing Kendra.Stiwich@viu.ca. Application deadline is December 1.

Applications for Fall 2022 are now open 

Are you thinking about or preparing to apply to a specific program next year? Advisors make great sounding boards. Connect with an Advisor by phone, email, Zoom and in-person.

Looking to make a difference with a senior? 

Volunteer with the Hand in Hand Intergenerational Storytelling Project! The project connects volunteers with seniors to preserve their live stories for their families and friends all while keeping them connected in the community. Be a philanthropist and give of your time! You never know what wisdom you will receive. For more information visit Hand in Hand or email Gwen at handinhandnanaimo@gmail.com.

New academic integrity policy moves from enforcement to nurturing

Are you aware that in May 2021 VIU Senate approved revisions to our academic integrity policies and procedures? The new procedure is a marked departure from our old “Student Academic Code of Conduct” in that it differentiates between “poor academic practice” and intentional “cheating,” and focuses more on “corrective action” than “discipline.” The Academic Integrity Working Group is undertaking an education and promotion campaign soon, which students will be invited to get involved in.

Mark your calendars

Deadline to apply for VIU Bursaries: October 31 💰

#DYK that the deadline to apply for VIU bursaries is noon on October 31? There are hundreds of financial awards available at VIU for almost every program, as well as several general ones. To apply for all of them, all you have to do is fill out your Scholarship, Award and Bursary Profile.

PLACE21 Planning Conference

VIU is hosting a Canada-wide planning conference known as PLACE21 from November 4 to 5, with a "Meet and Mentor" session on November 3. The conference is free for any students to attend and takes place virtually with  presenters and students from across the country. Register via Eventbrite.

COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 illness protocols 😷

Wondering what happens if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or you have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19? Island Health has information available on their website for both of these scenarios: 

• What to do if you have been in contact with a person with COVID-19
• I have tested positive

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