Student Supports - Academic
Accessibility Services provides information, support services and reasonable accommodation to students with documented permanent disabilities including:
- mental health conditions
- ADHD
- learning disabilities
- chronic health issues
- hearing\ visual impairments
- physical disabilities
- temporary impairments due to accidents or injuries
All students with disabilities are encouraged to register with our office.
Contact
- Building 255, 2nd Floor Reception
- 250.740.6446
- AccessibilityServices@viu.ca
Educational Advisors can help you to discover, plan and work toward your educational goals. You can achieve a more fulfilling educational experience through an advising relationship.
Contact
- Building 200, 3rd Floor at the Registration Centre
- 250.740.6410
- Advising@viu.ca
The Assessments and Exams Services team supports students with accommodation letters who request accommodated exam services.
Contact
- Building 255, Room 115
- 250.740.6276
- Assessments@viu.ca
The Centre for Experiential Learning (CEL) offers courses that contribute to academic success. These courses help students within Co-operative Education and Internship programs find work experience within their fields of study. Student learning is enhanced when integrated with academic and experiential education. Upon graduation, students who participate in these programs transition into the job market with sought-after skills and experience.
Contact
- Building 255, 2nd Floor Reception
- CEL@viu.ca
Peer-Supported Learning (PSL) offers free, regularly scheduled, informal study sessions led by a senior student who has been successful in this course. At its core the PSL program helps students integrate what to learn with how to learn and it has been successfully implemented around the world as an effective study program.
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Thriving in Action (TiA) is an evidence-based program that combines positive psychology and innovative learning strategies to support students in developing the skills and resiliency that they need to thrive. TiA is a group-based course that supports students, prevents distress, bolsters self-efficacy, and supports persistence.
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Student Supports - Services
The VIU Career Studio, located in Building 255, Room 204 operates as a physical space and virtual hub where students can find career development education, support and resources. At the Career Studio, we offer drop-in services, workshops, specialized appointments, and preparation for job search and events.
The VIU Financial Aid and Awards Office is committed to supporting students in their search for financial assistance including provincial and federal loans, grants, and internal and external Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries.
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Off-Campus Housing is private, rented accommodation. Students coming to Nanaimo search for accommodation and sign a legal contract with a local landlord. VIU does not communicate directly with landlords to find accommodation but we will support you with resources and local information.
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The objective of the Vancouver Island University Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is to ensure a safe and positive working and learning environment for all. The OSA provides support for students, faculty and staff in the resolution of non-academic student misconduct issues related to the Student Code of Conduct (Non-Academic). Academic misdemeanors are, wherever possible, addressed at the instructional/departmental level through the Student Code of Conduct (Academic).
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Vancouver Island University is committed to creating and maintaining a supportive, respectful, enriching, and safe learning and living environment in which students can reach their full academic and personal potential.
We recognize that students, staff and faculty may encounter situations where they require additional support either for themselves or for another member of the VIU community. We have a variety of resources to assist you if and when these situations arise.
Contact
- Emergency: 911 as appropriate and/or Campus Security at 250.740.6600
- Non-emergency: ConductAndCare@viu.ca
Are you the parent, guardian, or a family member of a VIU student? Learn more about how you can help support your learning on their university path!
Student Wellbeing
Counselling Services offers free confidential and professional support to enrolled VIU students. Counsellors collaborate with students in a compassionate setting to clarify concerns, establish goals and explore resources for well-being. We offer a variety of services which can assist in the management of personal challenges allowing students to have the best university experience possible.
Counselling involves the development of a therapeutic relationship between a student and a Counsellor that focuses on the student's needs and hopes. This involves a collaborative effort to identify and work towards the student's goals. Counselling is a process that promotes self-awareness and the development of personal resources for greater social and emotional functioning and life satisfaction. Counselling may focus on developmental issues, processing grief or trauma, improving relationships, making decisions, coping with a crisis or traumatic experience, or overcoming obstacles interfering with your well-being.
Addressing concerns with your counsellor takes courage and at times can bring up emotions that may be difficult to feel. It's important to be patient with yourself and trust that your ongoing effort will help you identify and reinforce your strengths as well as build new skills to help you succeed. Through counselling people often experience more understanding, confidence, clarity, lightness, relief, courage, and/or hope.
Contact
- Building 200, 3rd floor
- 250.740.6416
Distance counselling for VIU students is available through VIU Counselling Services from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. To book an appointment:
- For Domestic Students
- Call 250.740.6416.
- Leave a voice message with your name, student number, and email.
- Please ensure your phone number and email match your student record. If this information does not match your student record, please update your My Student Record.
- You will be contacted by Counselling Services to set up an appointment.
- For International Students
- Email Counselling.International@viu.ca (this email is only monitored Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm).
- Indicate your name and student number only (the auto-reply from the email will indicate next steps).
- Please ensure your phone number and email match your student record. If this information does not match your student record, please update your My Student Record.
- You will be contacted by International Counselling Services to set up an appointment.
If you are experiencing a crisis, you can reach out to the Vancouver Island Crisis Line via phone at 1.888.494.3888 (24/7), text or chat at 250.800.3806 (6-10 pm); Kuu-us Crisis Line (24/7); and YouthInBC online chat (noon to 1 am)
The Government of British Columbia has launched Here2Talk, a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students. The service offers confidential, free single-session services by app, phone or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please see: Here2Talk.
- For Domestic Students
The VIU Student Health Clinic is open to provide medical health care to students enrolled at Vancouver Island University. The VIU Student Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care Clinic run by Nurse Practitioners who provide comprehensive clinical care including the diagnosis and management of disease/illness, prescribing medications, ordering/interpreting laboratory/diagnostic tests, and initiating referrals to specialists.
Contact
- 250.740.6620
VIU is committed to creating a respectful, safe and supportive learning, working and living environment where members of the University community are free from sexual violence and sexual misconduct. VIU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and associated Procedure demonstrate this commitment and ensure everyone, regardless of gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation feels safe and supported. Together, we can create a culture of respect and understanding.
On the Nanaimo Campus, students have access to Meditation, Prayer and Reflection Rooms. There are two rooms which are located on the first floor of Building 200. These rooms are available to students and employees and are shared by people of a variety of religious, spiritual and other reflective beliefs and practices.
To report issues related to the Meditation, Prayer and Reflection rooms, please email MedAndPrayer@viu.ca.
Do you need after-hours access to the Meditation, Prayer & Reflection rooms? Please email MedAndPrayer@viu.ca with your full name and student or employee ID number.
Thrive is a collection of events, activities and resources to support student well-being. Check out Thrive’s webpage and social media pages for the most up to date information on upcoming activities.
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VIU’s Wellness Peers are trained student volunteers who provide support to their fellow students through empathic listening, education, and resource connection. Got questions? Looking for a resource? Or just need someone to talk to? Connect with a VIU Wellness Peer - a VIU student volunteer trained to help you navigate student life and thrive! The Wellness Peers are located in the Wellness Lounge in the Nanaimo Campus Library.
Contact
Student involvement
Home of the VIU Mariners! Athletics and Recreation runs programs and services, such as outdoor recreation, inside recreation, intramurals and special events, fitness and lifestyle, and services and facilities (weight room, squash/racketball court, and more).
Contact
- Building 190
- 250.740.6418
- Gym@viu.ca
Home of the VIU Mariners! Athletics and Recreation runs programs and services, such as outdoor recreation, inside recreation, intramurals and special events, fitness and lifestyle, and services and facilities (weight room, squash/racketball court, and more).
Contact
- Building 190
- 250.740.6418
- Gym@viu.ca
The Office of Co-Curricular Engagement and Learning (OCCEL) is connected to the Centre for Experiential Learning and Student Affairs.
OCCEL is committed to the following goals:
- Committed to student success and learning through experience, outside of the classroom.
- Create opportunities for student engagement on campus and outside within community
- Leadership Development- creating opportunities for students to strengthen relationships and to build upon relevant skills through professional development
- Facilitate new student orientations & volunteer opportunities
- Facilitate student engagement at VIU in terms of connecting activities to the VIU Graduate Attributes
- Organize programming which help students to become reflective learners
Contact
Additional services
Resources for studentsContact Us
Nanaimo campus
General inquiries, please email StudentAffairsAdmin@viu.ca.
Building 255, 900 Fifth Street
Phone: 250.740.6412
Cowichan campus
General inquiries, please email Advising.Cowichan@viu.ca.
Building 700, 2011 University Way
Phone: 250.746.3509
tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus
General inquiries, please email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca.
Building 610, Room 118, 100-7085 Nootka Street
Phone: 604.485.2878