Contact Us

Office of the Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs

The Office of the Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs is responsible for the overall strategic and operational direction of the Student Affairs Division at Vancouver Island University, as well as oversight and responsibility for issues related to institutional student conduct. The Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs has administrative responsibility for policies such as the Sexual Misconduct Policy, the Student Conduct Code, the Student Academic Code of Conduct and the Academic Appeals Policy.

The Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs’ portfolio includes the office of the Director, Student Services, Athletics and Recreation, Student Engagement and Experiential Learning, and the Student Conduct Office (see below).

Location: Building 255, 2nd floor

Email: StudentAffairsAdmin@viu.ca

Phone: 250-740-6412

Advising

Educational Advisors can help you to discover, plan and work toward your educational goals. They are available to answer your questions or steer you in the right direction when questions arise. For more information, please visit the Advising Centre.

To schedule an appointment: Call 250.740.6410; toll free at 1.888.920.2221 or email Advising@viu.ca

Assessment and Exam Services

Athletics and Recreation

Counselling 

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.

For more information on Counselling Services. 

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 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 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 to 10 pm); Kuu-us Crisis Line (24/7); and YouthInBC online chat (noon to 1 am)

  • Additional suggestions for supporting yourself through this time can be found here - VIU Supports for Student and Employees.

  • 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. 

Counselling services are also available at:

Centre for Experiential Learning

Career Studio

Accessibility Services

The Accessibility Services Office provides information, support services and reasonable accommodation in all programs to students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities ranging from mental health, ADHD, learning disabilities, chronic health issues, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities and temporary impairments due to accident, illness or injury.

All students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the office. Access to most services and programs provided by Accessibility Services is restricted to students who have registered with Accessibility Services.

Financial Aid and Awards

The Financial Aid and Award Office is committed to supporting students in their search for financial assistance, both in the form of loans and awards, and in helping students to make the best use of these resources.

Services for Aboriginal Students

Provides culturally appropriate services to a specific body of students with one-on-one student appointments, phone calls and emails for:  advising, first level counselling, financial aid, scholarships, funding options, career counselling, daycare, and housing.

Nanaimo Campus

Bldg. 170 - Shq'apthut
Tel: 250.740.6510
Fax: 250.740.6385
Toll-Free: 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6510
Email: SAS@viu.ca

Cowichan Student Affairs

Building 700, 2011 University Way
Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Phone: 250.746.3509
Website: Cowichan Campus Student Affairs

tiwšɛmawtxʷ Campus Student Affairs

Building 610, Room 118, 100-7085 Nootka Street
Mondays to Thursdays, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; hours may vary - contact the campus for an up-to-date schedule
Phone: 604.485.2878
Contact: tiwšɛmawtxʷ Campus Student Affairs