Plan your time on campus
To reduce the environmental footprint of this event, most of the material for Discovery Day is online. It's a big event with lots going on. Explore the links on this page to find the activities that are the best fit for you. Please also read the arrival and departure details.
When you're on campus, you can use our free WiFi to access this page.
9 am Buses arrive at the Nanaimo Campus
Our team will welcome you and one of our volunteers will guide your group to the VIU Gym.
9:30 am Pep Rally in VIU Gymnasium — Building 190
The Pep Rally is hosted by our Student Ambassadors, Abbie and Taps. The focus will be on sharing important information for the day and welcoming our guests in a fun and energetic way.
10 am - 2 pm Faculty Open Houses — Campus-wide
There are many open houses to choose from. Visit the department pages to plan your day and make the most of your time with us.
- Arts and Humanities
- Education, Social Sciences and Management
- Health Sciences and Human Services
- Science and Technology
- Trades and Applied Technology
10 am - 2 pm Student Support Market — VIU Gymnasium, Building 190
The Market will gather many of the services and support we offer students into one place and present it in a fun and engaging way. There will also be Grad photo backdrop and a Recruiter Information booth.
10 am - 2 pm International Open House — Building 255
Come sample snacks and treats from around the world at VIU’s Center of International Education. There will be games and activities including a study abroad photo booth, giant world map puzzle, and world flag trivia with chances to win a VIU hoodie amongst other prizes. Teachers and counselors are welcome to take a break at our coffee lounge in room 205.
10 am - 2 pm Teachers' Lounge — Royal Arbutus Room, top floor Building 300
Lunch for teachers will be served in the Teachers' Lounge at 11:30 am.
11 am Performance by Khowutzun Singers and Dancers — VIU Gymnasium, Building 190
This dance group belonged to the late Ray “Qwulshemut” Peter (VIU Elder-in-Residence) and has been performing for the community for over 25 years.
11:30 am Pizza Lunch — Upper Cafeteria, Building 300
Sponsored by Panago Pizza
Students need to show their Discovery Day pass to get lunch. Lunch for teachers will be served in the Teachers' Lounge above the cafeteria
12 pm - 2 pm Library Photo Scavenger Hunt - Building 305
Complete all the clues, share the photos with the VIU Library Instagram, and win a prize! Clues will be posted by 10am, and you can complete the hunt any time before 2pm to be eligible to win.
12 pm - 2 pm Open House at Shq'apthut -A Gathering Place — Building 170
Come chat and have tea and bannock with an Elder/Advisor/Student
1 pm Cancelled: Fire and Ice Demonstration
The Fire and Ice Demonstration has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions
2 pm Event concludes
The extras
Prizes
Prizes will be handed out throughout the day. Students will get tokens they can trade in for prizes at the prize table in Building 200 (first floor, beside Registration).
Hoodie deal
Students can use their Discovery Day pass get a 50% discount on a hoodie from the campus bookstore (while supplies last).
Social media contests
Post a video or picture of your favourite Discovery Day activity and use the hashtag #DiscoverVIU and you'll be entered to win an Instamax mini 11 camera or a JBL Bluetooth speaker.
TikTok
Student Ambassador Abbie has hidden tokens for $5 Starbucks gift cards around campus. She'll post videos on VIU TikTok account at 11 am, noon and 1 pm showing the campus location where the tokens are hidden. Stitch Abbie's video with one of yourself finding the token to be entered into a draw to win a social media package that includes
- Zhiyun SMOOTH Q3 Gimbal Stabilizer Combo
- UBeesize 10inch LED Ring Light with stand and phone holder
- Professional wireless Lavalier microphone
Connect to free Wi-Fi on campus
- Select viu-guest from your list of available wireless networks.
- A prompt will open with the viu-guest landing page. If you don't get the prompt, open a browser and attempt to go somewhere on the internet. This should direct you to the viu-guest landing page.
- Your connection will be active for 4 hours by default. If you need wireless access for more than 4 hours, you can change this to 8 hours.
- Read the terms of use. Once you have read and agreed to the terms, checkmark "I accept the terms of use" then click Register.
Arrival and Departure
Arrival
Buses should drop students off in front of Building 108 - Trades Discovery Centre. We will check your group in, and a volunteer will escort you to the gym for the Pep Rally.
Departure
The event concludes at 2 pm. The most convenient place for buses to pick up your student group is in the Welcome Centre loop, accessed off Fifth Street via Entrance 5C, through Lot F.
