This will be the last regular edition of the Student Pulse of the Summer Semester. Included is info on Pride Month events. Stay tuned to our social channels for info about Indigenous History Month resources and National Indigenous Peoples Day events. We hope you have a good summer and look for this newsletter in your inbox leading up to the first day of classes this fall!
In this issue:
- Info on student loans
- Bhangra dancing
- Show your pride
Mark your calendars
Bhangra dancing and samosas 🎤
Please join us today (May 31) as we wrap up Asian Heritage Month with a celebration of Bhangra dancing and samosas. Bhangra Teacher Sukhi Sangha will lead participants in a short Bhangra lesson. You can also come to watch the demonstration and appreciate the music. Enjoy a samosa and join the fun! When: May 31, 12 to 1 pm. Where: Royal Bank Plaza, Nanaimo campus. Learn more.
Pride flag raising 🏳️🌈
Join the VIU Positive Space Alliance tomorrow (June 1) at 11 am to celebrate the raising of the pride flag in observance of Pride Month. President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Saucier and Chris Yeast, Chair of the PSA, will say a few words and the event will end with a group photo. Learn more.
Applying for a student loan? 💰
If you plan on applying for a student loan for the 2023-24 academic year, applications will be open in mid-June. Apply early, as applications can take up to 6 to 8 weeks to process. For more information and to apply, visit Student Aid BC. Email financialaidinfo@viu.ca with your financial aid questions!
Connect
Show Your Pride 🏳️🌈
As part of Pride Month activities, VIU and the Positive Space Alliance invite all members of the VIU community to a picnic in the quad on June 7. Wear your pride colours (VIU Pride T-Shirts and hoodies are available for purchase in the Campus Store), bring your lunch and participate in our group photo. Rainbow cupcakes provided! Learn more.
VIU in the Nanaimo Pride Parade 🌈🚶♀️
Join your Students' Union, VIU and VIU’s Positive Space Alliance in the Nanaimo Pride Parade on Sunday, June 11!
📍 Location: Starting in Victoria Crescent, along Commercial street, then to Maffeo Sutton park
⏰ Time: 11 am to 12 pm (approx.)
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to show your support for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA2S+ or are an ally, everyone is welcome to walk with us! To secure your spot in the VIU entry to the parade, register here. After the parade, stop by our booth in Maffeo Sutton Park from 12 to 6 pm! Pride in the Park will be waiting for you with food trucks, entertainment, tons of vendors and all the fun you could imagine! We can't wait to see you there, spreading positivity and showing our pride! 🌈✨
Nanaimo GoByBike 🚴♀️
It’s GoByBike week in Nanaimo! Check out the celebration stations throughout the city and play BikeTag! Participating puts you in the running to win prizes and swag. Learn more.
Artful resilience 🎨
A free, family-friendly art, film and sustainability happens at VIU June 8 from 3 to 9 pm in Building 310. Check out the screenings, join the Nanaimo Art Gallery to co-create a public art piece using sustainable materials and enjoy food trucks. Jointly hosted by VIU, the City of Nanaimo, the Regional District of Nanaimo and Nanaimo Art Gallery. Learn more.
Thrive Team job positions 👥
Are you passionate about promoting wellness and mental health? We are happy to inform you that there are still some vacancies to be part of the VIU Thrive team for the 2023-24 academic year! These positions seek to enhance the quality of student life by promoting wellness and mental health-related programming, education and resources to students. If interested, please write to thrive@viu.ca to learn more about these student employment opportunities.
Volunteer with Run for the Cure 🎗️💪🏃♀️
Calling all passionate individuals! Join our cause and make a positive impact. Volunteer with Run for Cure Nanaimo and be a part of the fight against breast cancer. The volunteer crew is full of VIU students as well, so you would be working with peers! Learn more about available volunteer positions.
Road trips 🚗
Join the Cultural Connections Road Trips team on exciting adventures to awe-inspiring locations available to all students. Check out the monthly events calendarfor more details. Highlights for Summer Session include:
- June 3: Go-karting and Coombs
- June 10: East Sooke Provincial Park and Chemainus Mural hike
- June 17: Rathtrevor Beach Summer Picnic
- June 24: Wildplay Adventure Course
Local hikes 🌲
Each semester we head outdoors and explore some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring local hiking trails Nanaimo and has to offer! The Local Hikes program is designed to encourage confidence and creativity in participants, while at the same time aiming to forge a connection with nature and a desire to protect it. Each hike is only $2. Check out the monthly events calendar for more details. Some upcoming hikes:
- June 2: River hatchery
- June 9: Linley Valley
- June 16: Englishman River Falls ($10)
- June 23: Pipers Lagoon
Supports and services
VIU Off-Campus Housing 🏠
Need information and support with your off-campus housing needs?
Visit the OCH blog, Off-Campus Housing homepage, email housing@viu.ca or book a meeting.
Cowichan campus summer hours ⌚️
The Cowichan campus is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays through to September 4, 2023. Please check campus hours online, as the daily schedule will change for July and August.
VIU library services 📚
New to VIU? Check out the Getting Started guide to learn how to get your VIU ID card, and all other useful tools and tips to help kickstart your studies. If you’re graduating in June, congrats! You did it! As an alum you can get a community members card to continue to get access to library resources. Looking for some summer fun? Explore our VIU Reads collection at the Nanaimo campus library featuring fiction and non-fiction books and novels. Reserve your next summer read here! We also offer access to extensive movie and film databases like Criterion on Demand and Audio Cine Films. Enjoy the library during your summer downtime!
Myth: Cybercriminals take vacation ✈️🌴⛱️
Of course they don’t, but you might. Stay cyber safe following some simple practices to keep your vacation plans free from cybercriminal meddling. For some light summer reading 📚, why not learn more about cyber myths and facts.
Career Studio Summer Hours 📅
If you are looking to secure a summer job or volunteer position in the coming months, or you are a recent graduate looking to move into your career, stop by the Career Studio in Building 255, Room 204. Our team can assist with resumés, cover letters, interview preparation and all other career-related needs. Our summer hours for drop-ins and appointments are now 9 am to 2 pm, Monday to Thursday.
The Advising Centre is here for you 🗣👥
A friendly reminder that the Advising Centre is open all summer. Advisors can be reached by email at advising@viu.ca, Zoom drop-in daily, phone at 250.740.6410 or in person on all three campuses.
Want to add an internship to your program?
Keep an eye out for INTP 300 when you are putting together your course schedule for next year! This online internship prep course runs throughout the year and helps prepare students pursue an internship relevant to their program of study. Modules covered include resumés/cover letters, job search strategies, interview prep and more. This course is a prerequisite for ITRN 303, which allows students to add an internship to their studies.
Food on campus 🥑
The main cafeteria (Building 300) will be closed until August 26. The lower cafeteria (Building 185) is open until June 15. Coffee, grab and go items as well as freshly prepared hot and cold options will be available through the Campus Store and Starbucks during the Summer Semester. Starting May 1, the new business hours will be as follows:
- The lower cafeteria (Building 185) will be open Monday to Thursday from May 1 to June 15 and run by the Culinary Arts program. Hours:
- 7:30 to 10:30 am, then again from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
- VIU Campus Store will be offering grab and go hot and cold options, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
- Starbucks will operate Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm.
Questions? Connect with Food Services via Ancillary.Communication@viu.ca.
LinkedIn group for VIU students seeking employment 💼
The VIU Career Studio has a LinkedIn group for VIU students seeking employment. You’ll find job postings, event details and information to help you get connected with employers and organizations relevant to your area of study. If you are looking for a summer job make sure to join this group.
Deals
Travelling in BC this summer? The Deals App has student discounts all across BC! The Deals App is BC’s student discount program delivered by the BC Federation of Students, the VIU Students’ Union and 14 other Students’ Unions across the province. Download the app to start saving!