Vancouver Island University (VIU) commits to a respectful and safe learning and living environment. We support all students in reaching their full academic and personal potential.
We recognize that students, staff and faculty sometimes need extra help. This could be for themselves or another VIU community member.
Successful student support and behaviour intervention depends on the VIU community acting together to identify concerns and offer timely assistance and referrals.
Contact the Conduct and Care Office: ConductandCare@viu.ca or 250.740.6364
Request support
Resource Request and Referral (Early Alert) (faculty or staff concerns about a student's academics or personal well-being)
Sexualized Violence or Misconduct (yourself or others)
Student Conduct (online form)
Personal Harassment (including on grounds of race, sex or disability)
VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU) Advocacy (independent from VIU, help with fairness issues, disputes and appeals)
Emergencies, Student Safety and Support
Contact the Conduct and Care Office: ConductandCare@viu.ca or 250.740.6364
What is student conduct?
The Student Code of Conduct Policy describes behavioural standards expected at VIU. See also the Student Code of Conduct Procedure.
The policy includes, but is not limited to, the following examples of student misconduct:
- Endangering the safety of any individual
- Violence or threats of violence
- Personal harassment (Policy and Procedure)
- Disruption of the learning and work environment
- Theft or Vandalism
- Violation of Provincial laws governing the production, use, or sale of alcohol and drugs, including their unauthorized possession or use on campus or, in association with University sponsored activity, off campus.
- Providing false information
- Refusing reasonable requests of authorized employees
- The posting of obscene, libelous and copyright material
- Misuse of the University name
Request Support (sexualized violence, conduct, academic performance, wellbeing)
Contact the Conduct and Care Office: ConductandCare@viu.ca or 250.740.6364
Academic misconduct
Student Affairs provides support for students, faculty and staff for non-academic student misconduct issues.
Academic conduct issues are, where possible, addressed at the instructional and departmental level through the Academic Integrity Policy. Reasonable effort should also be made to address student classroom conduct at this level. See also Faculty and Staff Supports.
Academic Conduct Inquiries? Contact Student Affairs Admin: StudentAffairsAdmin@viu.ca or 250.740.6412
Faculty and staff supports
Resource request and referral (early alert)
Faculty* can use Resource Request and Referral (Early Alert) for concerns about a student’s well-being or academic performance. Help identify students in difficulty or crisis as well as those who may benefit from the additional campus supports. See also the Supporting Students in Distress resources.
* Instructors of the English Language Centre (ELC), Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation, should refer student concerns to the ELC Program Chair.
Classroom conduct
Resources to help resolve conduct concerns at the faculty and department level:
- Create a Contract for Improvement (download to complete)
- Complete a Probation Report (download to complete)
Emergencies, Student Safety and Support
Request Support (sexualized violence, conduct, academic performance, wellbeing)
Contact the Conduct and Care Office: ConductandCare@viu.ca or 250.740.6364
CARE and RTAT teams
VIU Conduct and Care convenes the Collaborative Assessment, Referral and Education Team (CARE) - a cross-campus group of representatives from multiple VIU student support services. CARE works with community stakeholders to promote academic success and the health and safety of VIU students by coordinating supports for students at risk of physical or emotional harm to self and/or others.
The Risk and Threat Assessment Team (RTAT) conducts fact-based assessments of students, employees or visitors who may present a risk or potential threat to the VIU community. Referrals to RTAT come through incident reports, email to ConductandCare@viu.ca or Resource Request and Referral (Early Alert)
Emergencies, safety and student support
In a medical emergency: Call 911
For all other emergencies:
- Get immediate help - call 911
- then call campus security - 250.740.6512 or local 6512
- then contact ConductandCare@viu.ca or 250.740.6364
Vancouver Island Crisis Line: After-hours crises (concern for harm to self or others). 1.888.494.3888 or 911.
See also the Supporting Students in Distress resources and Faculty and Staff Supports.
24/7 Here2Talk: Free and confidential counselling and referrals for all BC post-secondary students. Available via app, phone and web.
Brooks Landing (Nanaimo): Walk-in crisis counselling for all ages. Referrals and resources for individuals 19 years old and over. (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5:15 pm.)
For non-emergency consultations, contact VIU Counselling (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:00 pm. Call 250.740.6416 or visit the Health and Wellness Centre in B200, 3rd floor. Limited same-day service available.
Request Support (sexualized violence, conduct, academic performance, wellbeing)
Contact the Conduct and Care Office: ConductandCare@viu.ca or 250.740.6364
VIU safety app
Personal safety features include Safe Walk and Friend Walk and the Safety Toolbox. Find out what’s happening on campus in an emergency or severe weather closure. Enable push notifications and stay up to date with useful on-campus health and safety news.
- Watch a short VIU Safety App video.
- Download from the iTunes Store (iPhones)
- Download from Google Play (Android)