North Cowichan council makes motion to consider transformation of University Village

North Cowichan council is considering how the area around Vancouver Island University’s campus could be transformed into an attractive town centre and economic hub. At a recent council meeting, two councillors made a successful motion to have staff complete a report by the end of March 2026 to address issues within University Village. The report […]

Vancouver Island University has received official recognition as a Moose Hide Campaign Ambassador Campus that supports the campaign’s mission. This campaign encourages Canadians—especially men and boys—to commit to ending gender-based violence. VIU’s Student Engagement and Experiential Learning department has hosted Moose Hide Campaign events for the past seven years, distributing 40,000 pins on campus. Pin […]

Postsecondary institutions across Canada hosted community-building activities, informational sessions, and prize draws to help students get oriented to their new lives on campus. Students took part in social events that ranged from headphone discos to pep rallies to inflatable courses and games, as well as academic workshops to prepare students for their studies. Dalhousie University […]

In an article for the Nanaimo News Bulletin, retired Vancouver Island University Professor Don Alexander laments how cuts at VIU have changed the institution. Alexander describes the university’s development over the last two decades, highlighting both its growth and expansion into graduate programming and the headwinds it and other BC universities have faced. He asserts […]

With National Indigenous Peoples Day falling on a Saturday this year, several institutions held special events and shared resources in advance of the weekend. Institutions such as NorQuest College, the University of Waterloo, and Vancouver Island University held special celebrations with food, dances, and cultural learning opportunities. Dalhousie University hosted a morning smudge. MacEwan University […]

Vancouver Island University has cancelled 14 programs and suspended six others to make time for further evaluation as part of efforts to reduce its deficit. VIU Acting Provost Claire Grogan explained in a letter to the community that the suspensions support academic renewal and affirmed that impacted students will be supported as they complete their […]

Postsecondary institutions across Canada are hosting events and initiatives to celebrate Pride Month. Institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Winnipeg, Vancouver Island University, and York University are kicking off the month by raising flags recognizing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Brock University and YorkU highlighted ways that their communities could learn more through […]

Vancouver Island University Professional Baking and Pastry Arts students will be assembling a 21.3-metre-long, one-metre-wide nanaimo bar on Saturday in a bid to break the world record. “The record isn’t even held in Nanaimo—we gotta fix that,” said VIU student Ben Cram. What is expected to be a nearly-500 kg dessert—containing an estimated 2,400,000 calories—will […]

Vancouver Island University has proposed a series of changes to its structure and programs to address financial pressures and enrolment declines. VIU plans to restructure academic leadership by reducing the number of deans from eight to four by 2026, while retaining associate deans and faculty staff. The proposals would also phase out over a dozen […]

The Government of British Columbia has invested nearly $4M Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learning (ELL) pathway programs at 11 public postsecondary institutions and Native Education College. The funding will support 23 new pathway programs until the end of August 2026. These programs will help students transition into postsecondary programs with tailored programs […]