Message to students from Jim Dunsdon, AVP Student Affairs
Dear students,
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the University of Victoria as we begin a new academic year. If you’re a returning student, I hope you had an enjoyable summer. If you’re a new student, we’re so excited that you’ve joined us. UVic is an incredible community of students, faculty and staff and we look forward to supporting you through this new and important transition. The New Student Essentials video series is a great resource to help you navigate these early days on campus and your first year.
Start of term events & activities
By this point, I hope you’ve taken advantage of the welcome activities across campus. There are still more to come – I encourage you to check out the many events hosted by the University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS), the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE), the Native Students Union (NSU), the Graduate Students’ Society (GSS), Vikes Athletics and Recreation and many others that are listed on the UVic Events Calendar.
To help support this transition and your engagement in campus events and activities, I want to take a few moments to clarify expectations that we have for all community members and remind you of the many resources designed to support your health and wellbeing.
Emergencies & Campus Security
- In an emergency, call 9-1-1 first, then Campus Security at 250-721-7599. View a list of emergency contacts.
- Familiarize yourself with building numbers (noted on signs near most building entrances). In case of emergency, knowing where you are will make it easier for first responders to find you. Share your location with 9-1-1 and Campus Security.
Campus Security
Campus Security officers are here to help support your safety on campus. They are available 24/7, 365 days a year and patrol on foot, bicycle and visibly marked security vehicles. They know campus well and can assist with situations you find concerning or suspicious.
- Download the UVic Safety App for easy access to all Campus Security services, including calling 9-1-1, Campus Security, accessing the Friend Walk app and maps of campus.
- Campus Security also offers the Safe Haven, SafeWalk and Campus Alone programs 24/7. Harm reduction supplies are available in the Safe Haven foyer.
Alcohol & substance use
- If you drink, please drink responsibly. It’s a good idea to use a buddy system and stick together with your friends. Learn how you can make safer choices around alcohol consumption.
- Please pour your own drinks and never leave your drinks unattended. Learn about steps you can take to protect yourself and others from drink tampering.
- If you use cannabis, consider safer cannabis use practices. Remember that smoking and vaping on campus is restricted to specific areas.
- If you use drugs, please test them to make sure they’re as safe as possible and don’t use alone. For more information on safer substance use and campus resources, visit the Student Wellness Harm Reduction webpage and the UVSS Safer Use webpage.
- You’ll find automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and naloxone kits in buildings across campus. The UVic Safety app has this information at your fingertips.
The university has just launched a new Substance Use Health Strategy that lays out clear actions to reduce harm, promote well-being and build a campus culture of care around substance use. Its launch marks a significant step in UVic’s efforts to help keep you safe against the harms caused by the toxic-drug crisis.
UVic’s Non-Academic Misconduct Policy has been updated, including the removal of illicit drug use and possession of illicit drugs for personal use, as examples of Non-Academic Misconduct. Informed by student and campus community feedback, the changes encourage you to seek help and access supports before, during and after substance-related incidents. You will not get in trouble for calling 9-1-1 and Campus Security, or for administering naloxone. You are also protected from criminal charges by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, even if you have taken substances or have a small amount in your possession.
Wellness supports
The Student Wellness Centre offers services to support students’ mental, physical and spiritual health. You can make a same-day or pre-booked appointment with a counsellor, nurse, physician or spiritual care provider.
- SupportConnect is a free confidential mental health support service available to UVic students 24/7. Get connected with qualified counsellors via phone, chat or video. They also offer in-person counselling options.
- Vikes Recreation provides recreational programs in a safe, inclusive, and accessible environment. Explore programs and sports for all abilities, backgrounds and fitness levels.
- The Student Wellness Centre and the Multifaith Centre host programming throughout the year, including yoga, skills sessions, game nights, career workshops, the Pet Café and more.
Student residences
If you are a student living in residence, familiarize yourself with how to contact your Community Leaders (CLs). CLs can support your engagement in orientation events, address issues in your community, share your building’s emergency information and location of naloxone kits, and connect you with resources for your wellbeing and success.
- Residence policies, including the Contract and Community Living Handbook, have been updated for the new academic year. This includes clarifying that you will not get in trouble for reaching out to residence staff for support or for contacting emergency services and Campus Security for help, including during a suspected overdose.
- UVic residences are for residents only and their invited guests. There is a no-guest policy in and around our residence buildings from Aug. 31 – Sept. 15 to help our students settle into their studies and life on campus. After Sept. 15, any guest in residence must be hosted by a student living in that community.
- Good Night Out will be on campus for the next 3 weekends in their peach-coloured “Here2Help” shirts to provide safer-sex supplies, bystander intervention and support with preventing sexualized violence.
Off-campus living
If you’re living off-campus, we encourage you to foster positive relationships with residents in your neighbourhood and understand your rights and responsibilities as a community member.
- Getting to know your neighbours will help you to better understand each other in case any issues arise. Introduce yourself when you move in and say hello when you see them coming and going.
- Your rights and responsibilities as a resident may differ depending on where you live. Make sure you know the rules about garbage disposal, property maintenance, noise levels and more.
- Develop a schedule for cleaning and maintaining your rental unit. Completing these tasks on a regular basis creates a healthy living environment and helps to ensure there are no lasting damages.
- Many areas in Victoria have neighbourhood associations that plan events and activities for their residents. They also provide forums to discuss issues that may arise. Participating is a great way to be an active community member.
Social gatherings on campus
When meeting friends on campus, please keep gatherings small and be considerate of your peers and our neighbours.
Much of the campus is open to the community, but it is also private property. University policies and applicable provincial and federal legislations apply.
Sexualized violence prevention & support
Everyone has a right to live, learn and work in an environment free from Sexualized Violence. Preventing sexualized violence begins with respecting one another and practicing consent in all interactions. Read UVic’s Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy.
- The Sexualized Violence Resource Office (SVRO) in Equity and Human Rights is your campus hub for education, advice, support, and options when it comes to preventing and responding to sexualized violence on campus. Support is available in person, over the phone, or online through the SVRO’s Anonymous Disclosure Office Hours. Learn more about services and get support.
- Take UVic’s self-paced online course: Sexualized Violence Prevention 101.
I wish you all the very best for a great fall term and year ahead.
Sincerely,
Jim Dunsdon (he/him)
Associate Vice-President Student Affairs
University of Victoria
