campus life + events
In a typical year, the Students’ Union hosts many campus-wide events, as well as smaller events that attract and cater to different types of students. Events are brainstormed and planned by the Campus Life Working Group which is open to all VIU students.
To keep up to date with all events of the Students’ Union, clubs, and course unions, download the VIUSU app. To volunteer, sign up at the bottom of this page.
VIU Polar Plunge Challenge (Fourth Annual)
Dare to Bear the FROST Polar Plunge challenge! From January 8 til January 21 we challenge you to a quick dip in cold water. Before you dip, challenge at least 2 VIU friends, faculty, or staff to do the same and post a video to your Instagram. Make sure to tag @viustudentsunion so we can re-share! We encourage all students, faculties, and departments to participate! Click the image for more information.
Polar Plunge - Virtual Challenge
Dare to Bear the FROST Polar Plunge challenge! From January 12 til January 29th we challenge you to a quick dip in cold water. Before you dip, challenge at least 2 VIU friends, faculty, or staff to do the same and post a video to your Instagram. Make sure to tag @viustudentsunion so we can re-share! We encourage all students, faculties, and departments to participate! Click the image for more information.
GoByBike BC Challenge
Join the VIU Student Cyclists Team, log your rides, and be entered to win prizes!
Happy Endings
Celebrate the end of the spring semester and the start of your summer! Happy Endings is an outdoor celebration for students featuring a live concert, club booths and local vendors, bar service, free taco's and tons of fun!
*Cancelled* FROST - Ski Lodge Open Mic Night
FROST Ski Lodge Open Mic Night in the Students’ Union Pub. Wear your Aprés Ski gear (ski goggles, snowsuit, scarves, toques, etc).
*CANCELLED* FROST - Campfire Tunes & Taffy
Campfire Tunes & Taffy is an evening of live acoustic music, a campfire with marshmallows, free hot chocolate, maple taffy on ice, and a food truck. We’ll also have heaters to help keep you warm!
*CANCELLED* FROST - Sugar Shack Breakfast
Sugar Shack Breakfast will include pancakes, coffee, maple sausages (pork and turkey options), and maple baked beans. Free until we run out!
*CANCELLED* FROST - Beer, Bacon, & Beavertails
Beer, Bacon, & Beavertails is a student social that includes live music, free bacon and beavertails with purchase of a specialty drink, and sugar shack games & activities.
Polar Plunge - Virtual Challenge
Dare to Bear the FROST Polar Plunge challenge! From January 14 til January 23rd we challenge you to a quick dip in cold water. Before you dip, challenge at least 2 VIU friends, faculty, or staff to do the same and post a video to your Instagram. Make sure to tag @viustudentsunion so we can re-share! We encourage all students, faculties, and departments to participate!
"Where is Lisa Marie Young?": An Interview with Laura Palmer
In honour of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, the VIU Faculty Association’s Decolonization, Reconciliation, and Indigenization Committee is honoured to host a Zoom event with Laura Palmer, the producer and host of the True Crime podcast Island Crime.
Cowichan Cereal Social
Join us in the commons for a brunch cereal social and end of semester treat. We will also be sharing information about the referendum that will be taking place in March, including a vote on whether to expand health and dental service to Cowichan students. If you are interested in this topic, please feel welcome to stop by and ask questions!
Can’t make it in person? Drop into our Zoom Q+A during the same time.
Powell River Christmas Lunch
Join us in Powell River during the Christmas Lunch for an end of semester treat. We will also be sharing information about the referendum that will be taking place in March, including a vote on whether to expand health and dental service to Powell River students. If you are interested in this topic, please feel welcome to stop by and ask questions!
Campus Life Working Group
This is a working group for the VIU Students' Union that is led by the Director of Events, Devon Stewart, and is responsible for planning and implementing events and community building activities as directed by VIUSU's Board of Directors.
Westwood Lake Witch Paddle
All VIU Witches and Warlocks are welcome to join us at Westwood Lake for our first ever halloween witch paddle! Bring your stand-up paddle board or kayak, life jacket, and costume and have a fun paddle on the lake. We'll be stationed at the beach near the second main parking lot.
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Join the VIU Students' Union from 11:30am to 1pm in the quad and carve a pumpkin to be entered into our contest. Your pumpkin will be uploaded to our VIUSU instagram account, where students will vote for their favourite pumpkins. Prizes for top 3 pumpkins. Winners will be announced on our Instagram on Friday, Oct. 29 at 4:00pm Prize announcement and sign-up link to reserve your pumpkin coming soon.
FROSH Outdoor Concert Night
Our FROSH Outdoor Concert Night will be an evening featuring live music, free food, a beer garden, and lots of free giveaways to the VIU campus community. Thousands of students attend FROSH events every year and with a solid line-up of performers Frosh 2021 outdoor concert will be another highly popular event. We will also have a number of exciting local vendors!
FROSH - Pancake Breakfast
Make sure to stop by the Students' Union on your way to class on Wednesday morning for our annual FROSH Pancake Breakfast and enjoy free pancakes, sausages, and delicious toppings. Oh, and coffee… always coffee!
FROSH Mini-Games Day
Our FROSH Mini-Games Day will include a variety of games for students including team competitions, minute-to-win-it games hosted by campus clubs, water games, inflatables, and more! We’ll also feature a live DJ, provide treats and pizza, and have some excellent prizes and giveaways for students. Keep an eye out for signups for competitions!
Welcome Week
Throughout this week we create a festive atmosphere with music, interesting vendors, club promotions, and giveaways for students in front of our building from 10:00am-2:00pm each day. This creates a buzz of excitement for students as you get ready for the new year and we welcome you back to campus.
Frosh Week 2022 - Video Recap
Frosh Week 2022 was our largest social and celebration for new and returning students at VIU this Fall. We had an incredible week playing with different forms of paint, eating delicious pancakes and sausages, and dancing a night away with live music from Anushka Kashyap, Wasakaka Latin All-Star Band, and DiRTY RADiO.
Thanks to all the students who joined us in the celebration, we can’t wait to see you at our next event!
A big thank you to our event photographer/videographer, Alex Harte.
join the crew
Volunteers are crucial to our collective work, particularly when it comes to events and advocacy initiatives. With shared effort among many volunteers, lots of notice for planning your schedule, and the ability to self select your shifts we hope that we can do great things together this year 🍀
Check out current volunteer opportunities.
If you are interested in volunteering, but are unable to sign up for any shifts yet, you can join our crew list to be contacted about volunteer opportunities in the future.
