Welcome to the 2024-25 Academic Year
Last week we welcomed our new students to campus with RockVIU. A huge shoutout to everyone who contributed to make this an energetic and successful introduction to VIU. Please say hello to all our new and returning students as you see them on campus.
As our latest students are joining the VIU community, I find myself reflecting on the students who completed their academic credentials last spring. It was wonderful to celebrate the successes of our graduates through four ceremonies and Semélshun from June 12 to 14. Campus was buzzing with students, friends, families and VIU community members. It was a welcome opportunity for students to share their favourite VIU sites and stories with the special people in their lives. This was a watershed moment for so many people and a major highlight for me.
Another one of my highlights from the 2023-24 academic year was the launch of the Provost’s Circle. This is an opportunity for campus community members to come together in small groups representing students, non-instructional staff and instructional staff to share values, experiences and ideas about what makes VIU special. We hosted 11 events in the Spring 2024 semester with over 160 participants at our Nanaimo, Cowichan and tiwšɛmawtxʷ campuses. I am grateful to all the attendees for their authenticity, courage and candor shared through these sessions. I learned a lot from what I heard, and these insights will help significantly as we continue to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our students, staff and the greater community. I also received considerable positive feedback from participants about the value of the Provost’s Circle to them. Based on a successful launch, I will be continuing the Provost’s Circle into the current academic year.
Each of the Provost Circle events was unique and the conversations varied depending on the experience and interests of the participants. Sessions often started with some hesitation, and perhaps skepticism or nervousness. This was not surprising as there was not much detail in the invitation to participate and groups were often comprised of individuals who did not know each other. Invariably, however, the small group breakouts quickly established a rapport, and meaningful conversations ensued. When the small groups reconvened to share perspectives with the larger group, the interaction was lively and poignant. In addition, conversations often continued after the formal end of the event. Many participants remarked on the value and importance of convening this type of discussion and were clear in their desire to see more of these opportunities.
Two of the most common themes to emerge from the discussions were anchored in “community” and “transformation.” Participants, both new and long-time members of VIU, commented on the sense of community on campus. This was connected to a sense that we are a relatively small institution with many connections among faculty, staff and students. People deeply value the relationships with their colleagues. The other most common value was related to the transformation nature of education at VIU. Many individuals chose to share stories of activities and approaches in our learning environment that subtly or radically transformed the lives of students. There was a strong sense of understanding the needs of individual students and addressing them in a way that increased their confidence and skills to achieve their academic and professional aspirations. Both themes are deeply rooted in relationships. My observation was that “relationships” was probably to most repeated word across all the sessions.
Participants were clearly concerned about the potential impacts of addressing the current deficit. There was significant discussion on the cumulative effects of ongoing change and cutbacks. Participants referenced the disruption caused by COVID and the subsequent changes associated with the decrease in enrolments alongside increases in the costs of operations. The uncertainty associated with this change is hard on the community and there was consistent expression of desire for timely and complete information. Individuals shared the importance of having an opportunity to express their concerns, ask questions and feel like they have been heard.
Participants often commented on specific features of VIU’s programming that should be maintained as we adapt to changing conditions. The most common of these features included: meeting the needs of our Indigenous communities and their students, advancing our commitments to reconciliation and decolonizing the institution, the value of experiential learning in the many ways it occurs at VIU, opportunities for more interdisciplinarity and collaboration across all our areas of instruction, continuous improvement of internal systems, and more and improved supports for students with accessibility and learning needs.
These are all critical insights for ensuring that VIU continues to embody the characteristics that our students and community value most. Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing strategies and ideas to help form a foundation for the next institutional strategic plan. This refined vision will be crucial in making us a sustainable and vibrant institution. We have an exciting year ahead. The work will not be easy, but I am confident that our community has the talent and desire to do what is required.
Provost Division Updates
We have some leadership changes in the academic area for 2024-25.
Dr. Jean Maltesen has accepted the role of Interim Associate Vice-President, Academic for the period of August 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. Jeannie has been the Dean of the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation (ACP) since 2013 and has also been providing senior-level support with Facilities over the past several months. Jeannie holds a Doctor of Education from the University of British Columbia (UBC), a Master from the University of Calgary (UCalgary), and several other undergraduate and professional credentials.
Linda McCandless has accepted the role of Interim Associate Dean of the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation during this time.
Marti Harder started her appointment as Associate Dean, Health Sciences and Human Services in June 2024.
Office of Students
The Office of Students is a newly created division that houses the Office of Future Students, the Office of the Registrar, the Division of Student Affairs, and VIU International. The Office of the Registrar and the Division of Student Affairs will no longer report to the Office of the Provost, and will now report to Carolyn Russell, Vice President, Students.
We’ve Moved!
The Office of the Provost, along with the Office of the President and the Chief Financial Officer’s office, have moved to the second floor of building 255. Email ProvostOffice@viu.ca for directions on how to find us.
Fulbright
Each year, VIU hosts a Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies. Fulbright Canada Research Chairs are pre-arranged affiliations to host exceptional scholars who conduct research important to that university. Partner universities are excited to welcome the Fulbright Canada Research Chairs into campus life and encourage them to engage with students and faculty, and the broader community.
Dr. Sara Vogel was VIU’s 2024 Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair in Indigenous Studies. Her focus was on embedding Indigenous values into sexual education curriculum. Below is a quote from Dr. Vogel and her experience researching at VIU:
“It is not hyperbole to say my time at Vancouver Island University was life-changing for my family and me. The connections I made with researchers and faculty across studies of women and gender, sociology, history, nursing, and other related fields are connections I will keep for life. I wanted to send a huge shout-out of gratitude to the Department Chair of Studies of Women and Gender, KJ Reed, and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities for creating such a welcoming environment for me.
During my time at VIU, I developed an empowering, inclusive, asynchronous online curriculum for people to explore their sexual agency and sexual identity development. Although my time at VIU has concluded, my hope is to continue building it out and eventually offer the course to VIU students.
By early next year, a specialized version of this curriculum will be available for free thanks to generous grant sponsorship from the Fulbright Canada Community Action Project and the Maple Leaf Foundation. This curriculum will specifically focus on the postpartum experience and will help new mothers and caregivers reconnect with their bodies and their sensual selves during the first two years postpartum. The hope is that through a guided curriculum, moms can take the first steps needed to address intimacy and body confidence issues, battle postpartum depression, and adjust to new challenges of balancing the demands of motherhood and their need for freedom.”
Details on the 2025 Fulbright Research Chair in Indigenous Studies will be shared in the next newsletter.
Events and Awards
Connect with Mike at Provost's Circle
Members of the VIU community are invited to attend Provost's Circle again this year. We will be hosting Provost's Circle sessions twice a month in the fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters, starting October 3, 2024. Visit the Provost Circle to register for an upcoming session.
2024 Provost’s Awards
The award recipients have been chosen for the Provost Awards for Excellence in Teaching Design and Practice and the Provost Awards for Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity. An announcement on the award recipients is forthcoming.
The President and Provost Awards ceremony will be held at a later fall date.
Provost and Deans
The Provost and Deans are continuing to meet regularly into the 2024-25 academic year to work on the current model of academic operations and program mix.
Faculty Resources
The CIEL Blog holds a variety of resources for employees to familiarize themselves with using artificial intelligence (AI) and Microsoft Teams in the classroom and in meetings:
- Recharging Assessment with Generative Artificial Intelligence
- Teaching in Teams: Meeting Basics
- Teaching in Teams: Key Features for Instruction and Collaboration
- Accessibility in Teams: Creating and Sharing Accessible Content
- Accessibility in Teams: Best Practices for Running an Accessible Teams Session
Good New Stories and Accomplishments
Do you have a good news story about a colleague, team, or yourself that you would like to share in an upcoming Provost Newsletter? Fill out the Good News Stories form. The form link can also be found on the right side of the Provost Newsletter.
- Danielle Johnsrude, Director of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning, was featured on the Modern Careers podcast to share her insights into careers and tips for students looking for work.
- VIU Media Studies hosted a Showcase and Social at Shaw.
- Dr. Sean Sloan, VIU’s Canada Research Chair in the Human Dimensions of Sustainability and Resilience, shared his research in the article ‘How human intervention is reversing a decades-old trend in Indonesia.’
- VIU’s Arts and Humanities department hosted a colloquium lecture. Watch Bryn Skibo examine Margaret Atwood’s novel through an Ojibwe lens and Joy Gugeler share the evolution of the Portal magazine.
- Astronomy Professor Dr. Greg Arkos shared his experience traveling to Mazatlán, Mexico to view the total solar eclipse that occurred in April.
- Dr. Whitney Wood, Canada Research Chair in the Historical Dimensions of Women’s Health, spoke on the Medical Humanities podcast, ‘Making Modern Maternity.’
- Students from Katharine Rollwagen and Chelsea Horton’s history classes collaborated to design an exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum called ‘Beyond the Bar: Sampling Nanaimo’s Culinary Past.’
- Graphic Design graduates shared their work at the VIU Graphic Design 2024 Grad Show on May 2.
- VIU Geography Adjunct Professor Dr. Bill Floyd collaborated with UNBC and Hakai Institute at the Hakai Cryosphere Node to use LiDAR technology to measure snowpacks on a grander scale than what was possible before.
- Biology Professor Dr. Jasmine Janes joined members from the North American Orchid Conservation Centre and the Canadian Orchid Congress to contribute to the ‘Orchids In the Wild – The Beauty of Nature’ exhibit.
- UBC researchers received $3.4 million to address brain injuries in survivors of intimate partner violence. UBC will collaborate with VIU, Fraser Health, and SOAR Canada to identify biomarkers to improve diagnosis and care.
- Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Indigenous artist Guud Sans Glans (Robert Davidson) were presented honorary degrees from VIU at the June 12 convocation ceremonies.
- More than 50 Indigenous graduates attended the Semélshun Indigenous Graduation Recognition Ceremony on June 14.
- Dr. Sandy Shultz received an Innovation Grant for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury.
- Horticulture Chair Christine Quist spoke at the Sustainability in Trades - Women in Trades panel discussion on June 26.
- Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Specialists Jessica Gemella and Anwen Burk will share their DIY digital literacy toolkit at BCCampus’ FLO Friday on July 26.
- Finance and Quantative Methods Chair Charles Schell shared his expertise in the Chek News article ‘Vancouver Island MP’s private members bill to address shrinkflation.’
- VIU is receiving $400,000 from the Government of BC to continue its Pathways programs.
- Honorary Research Associate Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa spoke on the podcast Sidedoor about the research on wooly dogs, a now-extinct breed that was a fixture of Indigenous Coast Salish communities for millennia.
- History Professor Dr. Cheryl Krasnick Warsh published a biography on Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey titled ‘Frances Oldham Kelsey, the FDA, and the Battle against Thalidomide.’
- Management Professor Dr. Evan Hoffman shared his expertise on learning how to maximize golden opportunities in nonprofits.
- History Professor Dr. Kelly Black published an article in The Discourse, titled ‘The role of animals in Vancouver Island’s early logging and mining history.’
- Honorary Research Associate Bill Beese shared his expertise in the Times Colonist article, ‘B.C.’s drought: Forests at risk from drought, but climate change isn’t the only culprit.’
- Geography Professor Dr. Alan Gilchrist shared his expertise in the Times Colonist article ‘B.C.’s drought: After a challenging two years, a close watch on Vancouver Island.’
- A significant Pentlatch cultural Belonging unearthed by K’ómoks First Nation and archaeological collaborators is on public display for the next six months at VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station.
- Dr. Tim Green, VIU’s Research Chair for Shellfish Health and Genomics at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station, was quoted in the National Observer article ‘Why researchers are racing to restore B.C.’s kelp forests.’
- Environmental psychologist and Psychology Professor Dr. Lindsay McCunn shared her expertise on the science behind how nature affects people’s wellbeing in the Ducks Unlimited Canada article ‘Wetlands and our well-being.’
- VIU researchers shared their expertise on how 6PPD-Quinone is decimating salmon populations in The Discourse.
- Management Professor Dr. Evan Hoffman conducted a three-day online seminar for youth from Central Asia and Afghanistan on conflict prevention, mediation, and negotiation.
- Sports psychologist and Professor Jordan Herbison shared his expertise on post-Olympics blues in athletes in a National Post article.
- Dr. Evan Hoffman wrote an article on VIU’s Reading Circle sessions, a series of sessions for non-profit organization leaders to share ideas and experiences.
- The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has partnered with VIU to develop an Indigenous Student Success program.