How are your Study Days going so far? If they are not as productive as you hoped, our service areas have shared some tips in this newsletter to help you make the most of your time.
In this issue:
- Funding opportunities to help pay for school
- Graduating this year? Deadline to apply for graduation is coming up fast!
- Changes to fee structure for student fees – and a survey
- Research help from the library
Need to know
Student services and activities fee changes: take the survey 📝
VIU wants to update its structure for collecting the Student Services Fee and Student Activity Fee. The Student Services Fee covers student health services, experiential education and access to technology. The Student Activity Fee is for recreation activities and athletic programs for students. The proposed new fee structure will ensure that all VIU students are treated in a consistent and fair manner when it comes to what fees they pay. It will also ensure VIU practices align with those of other universities.
The proposal is to convert the fees to flat-rate monthly fees assessed to domestic and international students as opposed to a percentage of the tuition, which is the current model. This ensures all students pay the same amount of fees. It will also mean students in programs that previously did not pay the fee will now pay the fee.
Along with the proposed updates to the fee structure, VIU wants to hear from you on how the money should be spent. What services and activities would best support you and your experience at VIU? Share your thoughts by filling out the survey by March 5. You’re also invited to attend a one-hour info session on February 29 on Building 250, Room 125. There are two sessions: 12 to 1 pm and 4 to 5 pm.
Connect
Get a grant to study or work abroad ✈️
The final Global Skills Opportunity Student Travel Grant deadline of VIU’s current project is February 25. GSO Student Travel Grants are designed to increase participation in study/work abroad experiences and reduce barriers for underrepresented students. Awards of $5,000 and $10,000 are available to financially support students accepted for a medium-term education abroad program (5 to 16 weeks), departing in summer 2024/fall 2024. Apply now.
Culture Night with Madelaine McCallum
Powwow Impact with Madelaine McCallum is on February 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room (above the main cafeteria in Building 300). Brought to you by Services for Aboriginal Students.
Global Citizens Forum: February 27 and 28 🌏
What does it mean to be a global citizen, at VIU and in our community? The Global Citizens Forum is a two-day event on February 27 and 28 that engages students and employees in this question through dialogues, workshops and art. From live music to film screenings and an art show, check out the full schedule.
Road trips ⛷️
Join the Cultural Connections Road Trips team on exciting adventures to awe-inspiring locations. Every semester, we prepare a schedule of road trips and hiking activities available to all registered VIU students. Sign up every Tuesday and Thursday between 12 and 1:30 pm in Building 255. Upcoming events include:
- February 23: Ice skating
- March 2: Victoria day trip
- March 9: Wildplay adventure course
Climate action and sustainability at VIU 🌏
Do you want to learn more about climate action and sustainability at VIU? Join the VIU Climate Action & Sustainability Community of Practice Teams site. Students can be added as a guest. Email sustainability@viu.ca to join.
Supports & services
Work-integrated learning career fair: March 5 💼
The VIU Centre for Experiential learning is working with faculty members in the Recreation and Tourism, Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Baking programs to host a Career Fair for students in these programs seeking internships! This event takes place on Tuesday, March 5 from 11 am to 3 pm in the main cafeteria. View participating employers and register.
Student Financial Aid funding opportunities 💰
Have you checked out the many funding opportunities available to you? VIU’s External Awards page provides various funding opportunities to help you with educational expenses. Some awards include the 2024 Ike Barber Transfer Scholarship Program, 2024 Indigenous Awards Program and the Telus Student Bursary. Learn more about funding.
Research help at the library 📚
Spring semester study days are here! A lot of us may be powering through our assignments. Whether you spend hours looking for the “ideal” source or pick the first source you find, take advantage of free VIU library services to improve your research skills and elevate your work. Meet with a librarian in person or online to chat about your research and get support with finding, evaluating and citing sources. Need a quiet place to study? Book a study room or use our silent study spaces. And remember the Nanaimo library is a 24-7 hour space with a VIU ID card. Have a great, productive week everyone!
Study smarter not harder for Study Days 💻
Learn how to take lecture notes more effectively, how to manage time and concentration, how to prepare and take exams and learn more effective study skills and techniques. Learning Matters is a free, digital collection of resources. It includes videos, learning tips, study strategies and best practices to make you a more efficient and effective student. This tip is brought to you by VIU’s advising team, which is available all week to answer your questions.
April 26 career fair 💼
Just in time for summer, VIU’s Career Studio is organizing a large-scale career fair in the VIU gym from 11 am to 3 pm on Friday, April 26! Find a summer job or learn about exciting careers in a variety of industries. This event is open to VIU students, alumni, members of the public and local Grade 12 students, so please make sure to register to receive reminders and updates about this event!
Tax help for student ☎️
Need some help this tax season? Volunteer Nanaimo offers tax info. You can access your VIU T2202 and T4A tax slips through the Finance tab within your online student record.
VIU welcomes new counsellor 🗣️
Yuka is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is a VIU alum herself! Yuka is originally from Tokyo, Japan and provides counselling services in both English and Japanese. Learn more about Yuka.
Experience Hub services 💻
Only have three minutes? Log in to VIU’s Experience Hub. Accessing this platform will allow you to book in person and online Advising appointments from the comfort of your home, view on campus employment opportunities and connect with the Career Studio.
Stay in VIU Residences this summer 🏘️
Looking for an affordable place to stay this summer? VIU Residences has 84 beds available for the summer months. You can pay monthly, May to August. Learn more.
Sign up for convocation 🎓
Are you graduating in 2024 and want to attend convocation? Convocation is June 12 to 14 and the deadline to sign up is February 29. Find Convocation information.
Grad photo sessions 📷
Graduation photo sessions are coming up from March 4 to 28. Book your session through Appointment-Plus. Find more information here.
Save with TD Insurance 💰
Take advantage of your student benefits through the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Program, which gives you access to preferred insurance rates on home, condo and tenant coverage. For more information or to get a quote visit TD’s website for VIU students.
Protecting your data 💕
This February don’t give your heart (and data) away to a cyber criminal. You might have heard of ransomware, but do you know why it poses such a serious threat and how you can protect yourself? Find out what you need to know! Social media is a great place to share life updates and photos with your loved ones, but before you do, make sure to check your privacy settings. Protect your profile to stay connected in a safe way.
VIU Off-Campus Housing 🏠
Get information and support with:
Visit the OCH blog, Off-Campus Housing homepage, contact Off-Campus Housing or book a meeting.
VIU Safety App 📲
The VIU Safety App has many features to make your life easier at VIU. It provides students and employees with up-to-date information about the VIU campus. The app is a great place to find any emergency notifications, including weather-related campus closures and campus emergencies. You can also quickly access emergency contacts for on-campus first aid, security and more. If you’re walking to or from campus, you can use the app to schedule a safe walk with campus security or a friend walk, which allows a friend to monitor your location and make sure you arrive at your destination safely. You can also use the app to report suspicious activity on campus, quickly find out what to do in an emergency, and access VIU support services and a campus map with accessibility routes. Download the app.
Canine Cuddles with the Wellness Peers program 🐶
Visit the Wellness Lounge at the Nanaimo campus library for free tea and hot chocolate, fidgets, adult colouring, friendly chats with the Wellness Peers and therapy dogs. Available Tuesdays to Thursdays. Check out the VIU Thrive websitefor more info.
Mark your calendars
Fill out your online profile to win scholarships 💸
Don’t forget to fill out your online Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries profile by Thursday, March 30 at midnight to get in the running for hundreds of VIU scholarships and awards. To complete your profile, go to your student record. Visit the Financial Aid website for tips.
CREATE 2024 🧑🔬🧪
Register by March 8 to guarantee your spot at VIU’s CREATE Conference and join the celebration of student scholarship, research and creative activity! Check out the different ways you can participate. Questions? Send an email to create@viu.ca.
Shq’apthut Well-being Wednesdays
Access services in Building 355, Room 211 every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm. Services include advising, Elders-in-Residence, Writing Centre, therapy dogs, library research assistance, reiki, Bannock, math tutoring and smudging.
ASIST Workshop
ASIST is an internationally acclaimed two-day workshop that prepares participants to provide suicide first aid interventions. It is open to VIU staff and students on February 22 and 23, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For more information and to register, visit VIU Thrive.