New Student Orientation

Tuesday, August 27 to Friday August 30, 2024

RockVIU is your chance to learn how to get the most out of your time at VIU. Explore campus, meet faculty and connect with other students. Attend a mixture of in-person events at the Nanaimo campus and online info sessions open for students at all campuses. All events are virtual on Tuesday, August 27. In-person events are on August 28, 29 and 30.

Highlights: 

  • Virtual sessions: How to get involved on campus, setting up your student account and accessing student services (August 27) 
  • Residence Orientation and first move-in day (August 28)
  • Interactive campus tours and scavenger hunt (August 28)
  • Connect Fair & Community Corner (August 29)
  • Meet your profs and peers at block party socials (August 29)
  • Graduate student orientation (August 30)

Register now

Orientation events for graduate students and international students also happen August 28, 29 and 30. Register for these events by clicking the link above and selecting if you are an international and a graduate student.

Rock VIU

September 3 is new student orientation day at the Cowichan campus and September 11 is new student orientation day at the tiwsemawtx campus. 

RockVIU Nanaimo schedule

Tuesday, August 27

9 to 10 am
Q&A panel: How to access your student services (virtual)
Learn about student services on all campuses.

11 am to 12 pm 
Q&A panel: How to get involved at VIU (virtual)
Get the answers and information you need to make an impact on campus.

12 to 1 pm
University survival guide: Setting up your student accounts (virtual)
This presentation, in collaboration with VIU Residence, is to help students feel prepared to excel at being independent, whether they are living in student dorms or in off-campus housing. Learn how to create your student account, use the Co-Curricular Involvement App and the Experience Hub.

Wednesday, August 28

10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Campus Adventures
Starting location: Welcome Centre (Building 300)
Get to know your way around VIU. Campus Adventures are interactive tours of the campus led by students. Play our scavenger hunt game for the chance to win the coveted Saucier Cup! Pre-register for a time slot between 10 am and 5 pm on either day. The tour lasts about an hour and a half to two hours. 
 

Thursday, August 29

9 to 10 am
Indigenous Students Welcome
Shq’apthut (Building 170)
Join the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement for this traditional welcome for Indigenous students.

10 am to 12 pm
Block Party Socials
Location varies by faculty
Turn strangers into friends. Meet your professors and classmates at a Block Party Social. Each VIU faculty hosts an informational and fun networking event where you can learn about the opportunities available in your program.

12 to 4 pm
Connect Fair and Community Corner
Parking lot G
Play carnival games and enjoy lunch at the Connect Fair. Check out campus and community groups and local businesses at the Community Corner.

Friday, August 30

11:20 am to 12 pm
Where did you come from? Where are you now?
Malaspina Theatre (Building 310)
Indigenous perspectives

2 to 2:30 pm
Leaders and Leadership
Malaspina Theatre (Building 310)
Learn what good leadership is, why it matters and how to gain leadership skills at VIU.

7 to 11 pm
Movie Night
Malaspina Theatre (Building 310)
Join us for some games, snacks and a movie.