Great information for your first year at VIU Cowichan.
Important Information
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: registration.cowichan@viu.ca
Accepts applications and registration for all VIU courses and programs, requests for transcripts, and tax forms. Answers questions regarding fees, your academic record, adding/dropping classes.
- Your online student record: register for courses, check waitlists, claim seats, view and pay fees, check grades, order transcripts, print tax receipts, change address, re-set PIN/password, apply to graduate, complete scholarship/bursary/ award profile, etc.
- For information about paying fees: visit viu.ca/admissions/how-do-i-pay
Please visit cowichan.viu.ca/campus-hours for current opening hours and holiday closures.
Phone: 250.746.3516 or place order online.
Web: campus-store.viu.ca
- Check your email prior to class
- VIU Safety App
- VIU’s Facebook page
- JUICE.FM 89.7
Email: ccr@viu.ca
Web: services/viu.ca/co-curricular-recordtech
Download app for 24/7 support and access to the VIU community, including events and resources. Access Co-Curricular Dashboard and earn reward points and swag.
Access computers, Wi-Fi and pay-for-print services with your VIU Student Computer Account. You MUST have your student card in order to print, you will be asked to show it when requesting services.
Two ways to create your computer account:
- Log into your student record and create computer account.
- Log onto a VIU student computer with username: newaccount and password: newaccount
Student Tech Support
Phone: 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6300
Email: studenttechhelp@viu.ca
Assistance with issues logging on, and connecting to internet on campus.
Web: technology.viu.ca/help/free-office
Free download of MS Office 365.
Web: technology.viu.ca
Connecting to Wi-Fi, printing, and great tips on file management.
Web: learn.viu.ca
Resources for VIULearn, cloud learning environment, and web-based portfolios.
- Check your course outline/syllabus as instructors list contact information.
- Email your instructor when you are not going to be in class.
For first-aid on campus please alert any staff member, security, or call Local 6600 from any campus phone.
A microwave is located on the second floor near the vending machines.
Ask Student Affairs about the "Little Free Pantry". Also, look out for the Pop-Up Pantry in the commons area on random days weekly.
Building 700
- Computers with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel etc.), scanning, study rooms.
Phone: 250.746.3517
Email: cowlibrary@viu.ca
- Services, including research help, borrowing books, DVDs, and equipment are posted at library.viu.ca
- Use your VIU computer account password to log into your Library account or to access the Library's online resources.
- Student Photo ID cards: upload photo to your Student Record. See directions at library.viu.ca/student-id
FREE. Ask for one at the Welcome Centre.
Items are turned into the Welcome Centre. Food and beverage containers can only be held for 24 hours, all other items are kept for up to two months.
FREE parking at the Cowichan campus. Please observe all posted signs, reserved spaces, and tow away zones.
EV Charging
Stay tuned for upcoming information.
Courtesy phone for local calls is located in the stairwell, ground floor, opposite Campus Store.
Web: viu.ca/admissions/tuition-fee-schedule
The Activity Fee is collected to administer campus life activities and athletic programs for students.
The Student Services Fee covers services related to three areas: student health services, experiential education, access to technology.
- Student Photo ID cards: upload photo to your Student Record. See directions at library.viu.ca/student-id
Nanaimo Campus, Building 193
Email: info@viusu.ca
Web: viusu.ca
VIU Students' Union is the voice of students at VIU and organizes events, hosts services, runs the student pub at Nanaimo, provides advocacy, and more. Students' Union fees are democratically set by students.
VIU Campus Store
Phone: 250.746.3516
Web: campus-store.viu.ca/
Online orders can be delivered to Cowichan campus for you to pick up.
The VIU Buyback program is currently under review but it is hoped to have it back. Stay tuned for more information.
Used textbooks are available but inventory varies.
VIUSU Textbooks: Buy/Sell/Trade
Private Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/243644978999403/
This private Facebook group is run by VIU Student Union. It is ONLY for the trading of textbooks. If you wish to post things that are not textbooks you can do this on the VIUSU app.
BCcampus Open Education
Web: bccampus.ca/topics-of-practice/open-education/advocacy/
Enabling access to free available content.
BC Open Collection
Web: collection.bccampus.ca/
The BC Open Collection offers a selection of openly licensed textbooks, open course packs and associated resources that can be searched by subject.
Subtext Books & Things via University of Victoria
Web: uvss.ca/subtext/
Consignment store open Monday - Friday, 10 am - 4 pm
Web: www.bctransit.com/cowichan-valley/home
Post-secondary students are eligible for reduced fare.
Phone: 250.746.3500
Email: welcome.centre@viu.ca
Ask for directions or assistance from the Welcome Centre.
Prepare for Online Learning at VIU
Who can help me?
Here are resources to help prepare yourself, and your computer for taking an online course.
Your main support resource: YOU
- Update your computer, software, and internet browser regularly.
- Learn how to deal with big files.
- VIULearn is the platform where you take most of your classes. Take an orientation tour by visiting learningmatters.viu.ca/taking-online-course
- Keep your contact information up-to-date in your Student Record.
Your secondary support resource: Centre for Innovation and Excellent in Learning (CIEL)
1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6179
Email: learnsupport@viu.ca
For questions about
- VIULearn - online courses
- VIUTube - videos and photos
- VIU Online Meeting Rooms
- VIU WordPress - website or blogs
- Zoom - video conferencing
Contact IT for questions about
- Difficulties logging in.
- Issues with VIU computers assigned to you.
- Connecting to internet on campus.
1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6300
Email: studenttechhelp@viu.ca
Student Affairs - Supports for Students
Phone: 250.746.3509
Email: advising.cowichan@viu.ca
Web: cowichan.viu.ca/support-services
Educational Advisors/Counsellors can reply to your email with answers to your questions, as well as arrange with you to continue the conversation by phone, Zoom, or in-person.
Zoom: we can set up an online meeting through the cloud based video conferencing program Zoom. It's free and easy to download from www.zoom.us
Phone: 250.746.3509
Email: accessibilityservices.cowichan@viu.ca
Web: cowichan.viu.ca/support-services/services-students-disabilities
Information, support, and reasonable accommodation in all programs to students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities ranging from attention deficit, learning disabilities, chronic health issues, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and temporary impairments due to accident, illness, or injury.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the office. Most services and programs provided are restricted to students who have registered.
Phone: 250.746.3509
Email: advising.cowichan@viu.ca
Web: cowichan.viu.ca/support-services/educational-advisors
Appointments are available during office hours Monday to Friday. We also provide drop-in advising sessions in-person and by Zoom. Contact the front desk on 250.746.3509 to make an appointment.
Phone: 250.746.3509
Email: assessments.cowichan@viu.ca
Web: cowichan.viu.ca/support-services/assessment-services
- Accuplacer Grade 12 English Equivalency
- ABE English and Math assessments
- Keyboarding
- Program assessments
- Third-party exam invigilation
Phone: 250.746.3509
Email: advising.cowichan@viu.ca
Web: cowichan.viu.ca/support-services/cowichan-counselling
Counsellors offer free professional and confidential support to current registered VIU students.
Here2Talk.ca
here2talk.ca - connects students with free mental health supports when they need it.
Counselling Groups and Workshops
Web: services.viu.ca/counselling/groups-workshops
Information about groups and workshops available for students.
Phone: 1.888.920.2221 local 6430 (toll free)
Email: humanrights@viu.ca
Web: adm.viu.ca/human-rights
Consultation regarding issues of discrimination and harassment; they will meet with you at Cowichan campus.
Phone: 250.746.3509
Email: financialaid.cowichan@viu.ca
Web: services.viu.ca/student-affairs/financial-aid-awards
We can help with your financial questions. Be sure to PLAN AHEAD and always have a PLAN B.
Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries
Complete the Scholarship/Award/Bursary profile located in your VIU Student Record at viu.ca/students
- Bursary, Research, Conference, Travel deadline October 31
- Scholarship, Award, Entrance, Research, Travel deadline March 31
StudentAid BC Loans and Grants
Phone: 1.800.561.1818 (toll free within Canada and the US)
Web: studentaidbc.ca
- Government student loans and grants
- Adult Upgrading Grant funding
- Canada Student Grants for part-time students, and students with disabilities
Assistance, information, and support for Indigenous students (including status, non-status, Métis, Inuit) to succeed by providing the following services:
- Academic and career support
- Assist new students with applications, registration, and timetabling
- Funding options including loans, scholarships, and bursaries
- Personal counselling
- Liaise with faculty, Elders, Bands, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous organizations
- Support from the Elders-in-Residence for cultural and spiritual matters
Academic Assistance
TBA
Help preparing to write program assessments when enrolled in upgrading.
Drop-in Monday - Thursday
12:30 - 3:30 pm
viu.zoom.us
Meeting ID: 663 5138 1450
Password: help
One-one-one writing assignment help from an English instructor. To see the schedule and book an appointment go to vancouver.mywconline.com
Email: volunteertutorcoordinator@viu.ca
Web: acp.viu.ca/vtp-volunteer-tutor-program
FREE one-on-one help is available for most courses. Submit a request for a volunteer tutor online. You can also get a paper copy of the request form at Cowichan Student Affairs.
Phone: 250.746.3517
Email: cowlibrary@viu.ca
Please visit library.viu.ca/library-hours for current opening hours and holiday closures.
Start your library research early!
- Get research help in person, by phone, email, or online chat: library.viu.ca/researchhelp
- Access online articles, books, videos from on or off-campus
- Borrow books, DVDs, and equipment