Universities are overwhelming in size and constantly difficult to navigate. There is always such a variety of things going on and you never know what you might be missing! Social events, workshops, and just general academic assistance to help you do your best throughout the year. So here are some resources you may not have known UVic had.
Campus Alone
Campus Alone is a program run by campus security. If you are ever on campus alone working/studying on evenings, weekends, holidays etc. You can call the Campus Alone phone number and they will send an officer to check up on you at regular intervals. Just make sure you let them know when you’re leaving and if you need a walk to your car or your dorm they have the Safewalk program available too.
SafeWalk
Safewalk is an escort service provided by campus security. They can walk you from building to building, to your car, to your dorm, and even to the Ian Stewart Complex. Their number is on the back of your one card. Just give them a call and you’ll be asked to provide your exact location so an officer can meet you there. You can also request the gender of your officer if that makes you more comfortable.
Both these services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Engraving and Bike Registration
Not only does campus security provide you with services to keep you safe and comfortable on campus, they also help in the event of stolen or lost items. Campus security offers free engraving on bikes, and bike registration in the event that a bike is stolen or lost.
SPOKES
Brand new bike recycling program started just this year! Its located underneath the University Centre just behind it (close to David Strong). Need a bike but don’t want to buy one for hundreds of dollars? You can borrow a bike for a semester at a time for just $40! Half of that is donated back into SPOKES and the other half is a refundable deposit you receive when the bike is returned. SPOKES also offers repairs, gear and helmet sales as well as free sheltered parking for bikes.
Libraries
UVic actually has 3 libraries. You probably know about the main McPherson Library right next to the fountain in front of the quad. At the front desk of the McPherson Library you can borrow headphones, laptops, ipads, green screens, digital cameras and camcorder and more! Mcpherson has the means learning centre which gives drop in help for most subjects as well as study rooms you can book online. We also have the Curriculum library in the upstairs of MacLaurin, which has large desks and several beanbag chairs. They also encourage eating in the library! Preferably with food brought in reusable containers. We also have the Diana M. Priestly Law Library, its open to students of all faculties and will probably be the quietest place to study. Its located in the Fraser building just outside of Ring Road.
With FREE couselling services to all registered students as well as an on campus clinic, dentist and chiropractor, UVic is also home to multifaith services.
Mutlifaith Services
Multifaith Services provide religious support and spiritual care. They services such as pastoral counseling, mediation groups, religious education, workshops, retreats etc. Their services oversee several religions such as: Bahà’í, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Muslim, and Unitarian.
Its comforting to know that the University of Victoria does not solely care for your physical and mental well-being, but your spiritual well being as well.
Learning in Motion
Whether you want to find jobs on campus, off campus, part time, full time or volunteering position, learning in motion is here to help. It’s an online portal that gives employers and community members to hire specifically students. On the website there is also a calendar with different events put on by co-op and career services such as resume workshops, interview workshops, how to network secessions, money managing etc.
International Exchange
Did you know you can study abroad while still paying UVic tuition? Well you can! UVic is partnered with over 50 universities worldwide. International student services are located on the second floor of the University Centre. Online you can look at which universities UVic is partnered with and see which have your programs and a general outline of how much it will cost, how to prepare, how long your exchange can be, and benefits to going on an exchange.
When it comes to student life UVic is booming with clubs, course unions, vikes nation and advocacy groups. From our UNICEF club, to Outdoor Yogs, Ska and Reggae club, the UVic brew club (beer club) and more! Check out the UVSS website for a full list of active clubs with contact info if you want to join!
Uvic has endless oppourtunities to offer and these hopefully provided some enlightment to some of the resources you may not have known UVic has.