VIU Senate Backs Students in Push to Restore 24/7 Library Access
In a major boost for student advocacy at Vancouver Island University, the VIU Senate has officially voted to support the reinstatement of 24/7 library access — a milestone moment in the VIU Students’ Union’s We Matter Here campaign.
The motion passed on May 1 by Senate states:
“Be it resolved that the VIU Senate formally supports the reinstatement of 24/7 access to the VIU Library and urges the university administration to take immediate action to restore these hours.”
While the decision doesn’t make the change final, it sends a strong message: students deserve access to the resources they need to succeed, and university leadership must take action. The final call now lies with VIU’s senior administration and Board of Governors.
“This isn’t just a campaign about library hours - it’s about honesty, trust, and respecting student needs,” said Brandi Klee, Director of External Relations at VIUSU. “This is the result of collective action - students organizing, refusing to be ignored, and holding the institution accountable. But this fight isn’t over.”
How We Got Here
The campaign began in spring 2024, when VIU abruptly cut overnight library access — ending over a decade of 24/7 availability during peak study times. Since then, students have been mobilizing. Over 1,200 signatures were collected, multiple conversations were had with senior administrators, and a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was filed to uncover the rationale behind the decision.
The FOI request revealed that senior administrators had already completed a safety risk assessment — contrary to what they had told student leaders. The documents confirmed what students have long argued: the library is safe and has been operating without issue for years.
“The data shows what we’ve been saying all along,” said Janelle Wilson, VIUSU’s Organizer for Strategic Priorities & Governance. “Students feel safe in the library, and the space operated 24/7 for over a decade without issue. Taking it away has hurt students — especially those with caregiving responsibilities, precarious housing, or distracting home environments.”
What’s Next
The Senate’s support is the strongest institutional backing the campaign has received so far - but it’s not the end. VIUSU is now urging VIU’s administration and Board of Governors to follow through and bring 24/7 access back. The Board of Governors are set to meet on June 3.
“This is a crucial moment,” said Klee. “The Senate has done the right thing — now we’re calling on the people with the power to make this real. Students need action, not more delay.”
The We Matter Here campaign isn’t just about library hours — it’s about broader student issues: representation, transparency, and sustainable investment in services that matter. This latest victory shows what’s possible when students organize — and reminds us that when students speak, institutions need to listen.
Sign the Petition: wematterhere.viusu.ca
📧 Media Contact: Sydney Sullivan, Organizer-Communications – communications@viusu.ca
