VIU Student Housing Orientation
We are gearing up for Orientation 2025! Stay tuned for updates in the coming months!
VIU Student Housing Orienation
In partnership with VIU's - RockVIU: Weeks of Welcome, this five-day week is full of in-person events aimed to explore the theme of Connect, Engage, and Discover.
This year’s event will continue to be packed with exciting activities designed to familiarize students with the VIU Student Resience and its community, VIU campus, resources, the City of Nanaimo, Student Housing and VIU services, while also connecting students with their Faculty, Student Housing Staff and peers. RockVIU and Student Housing Orientation activities will promote a sense of belonging, self-efficacy and provide a strong welcoming experience for students at VIU. Space is limited to 300 students, so sign up as soon as it becomes available. Sign up for Orientation is on a first come first serve basis
Take a look at our tentative schedule below for RockVIU: Student Housing Orientation for Fall 2025.
2025 Student Housing Orientation Schedule
Please be aware that dates, times and programs in this schedule are subject to change.
Substance free week
Rock VIU: Student Housing Orientatioin program is an alcohol and cannabis free program. Consumption of any substance is prohibited during the Orientation week.
Download
You can also download a printable schedule for Student Housing Orientation.
Virtual sessions
Tuesday August 26
9 am to 3 pm
In-person sessions
Don’t forget your student ID card!
Wednesday August 27
10 am to 3 pm | B4 Cedar Centre
Move to In Day
Music, Events, Games, Prizes
10:30 am to 5 pm | VIU Quad
RockVIU Campus Adventures
11 am to 12 pm | Building 200, Room 203
Student Housing Parent Info Session
4:30 to 6 pm | Building 310, Malaspina Theatre
Residence Welcome
6:30 to 8:30 | Building 4 Cedar Center
Welcome Dinner
8:30 to 10 pm | All Student Housing Buildings
House Meeting & Games
Thursday August 28
8 to 9 am | Building 193, VIUSU
Breakfast Bar
9 to 10 am | Building 170, Shq’hapthut
Indigenous Welcome
10 am to 12 pm | Faculty Buildings
RockVIU Faculty Block Parties
12 to 1 pm |
Lunch Break
12 to 4 pm | Lot G
RockVIU Connect Fair
5 to 6:30 pm |
Dinner Break
6 to 9 pm | Downtown Nanaimo
Comercial Street Night Market
Friday August 29
8 to 9 am | Building 193, VIUSU
Breakfast Bar
10:30 am to 4 pm | VIU Campus Various Buildings
RockVIU Pick & Play Sessions
Cleaning, Cooking, Self to Care, Consent, Being a good Roommate.
5 to 6:30 pm | Building 300, Cafeteria
Dinner
7 to 11 pm | Building 310, Malaspina Theatre
RockVIU Movie Night
Saturday August 30
8 to 9 am | Building 193, VIUSU
Breakfast Bar
10 am to 2 pm | Building 4, Cedar Centre
Explore Nanaimo Riddle Master Scavenger Hunt
Get connected to VIU and the Nanaimo Community
12 to 1 pm |
Lunch Break
5 to 6:30 pm |
Dinner Break
7 to 8:30 pm | Buildings 4, 7 and 9 Common Rooms
Community Mixers
International, 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous
8:30 pm to Late | Student Housing Courts
Capture the Flag and Indoor Games
Sunday, August 31
8 to 9 am | Building 193, VIUSU
Breakfast Bar
10 to 3 pm | Building 4, Cedar Centre
Second Move to In Day
Music, Events, Games, Prizes
11:00 am to 12:00 pm | Building 200, Room 203
Student Housing Parent Info Session
12 to 1 pm |
Lunch Break
5 to 6:30 pm |
Dinner Break
8:30 to 10 pm | All Student Housing Buildings
Second House Meeting & Games
Monday, September 1
Self explore day, grab a map and get out and see what Student Housing, VIU and the Nanaimo community has to offer. Grocery Shuttles, Games, Walks, Connecting with your peers.
Why sign up for VIU Student Housing Orientation?
-
You are able to unpack and move in without the added stress of school starting right away!
-
Gives you time to explore VIU campus and surrounding areas. You can find where your classrooms are located as well as shopping areas nearby.
-
Meet all your fellow students in Student Housing and Community Leaders! Plus, you have a chance to bond with others during welcome week activities instead of diving into individual academics right away.
-
You're able to get your textbooks ahead of time if you wish, get your Student ID at the library, and any other school items required!
-
Plus, you can gain interpersonal skills during our educational interest sessions, have fun at Student Housing events/socials, and VIU Student Housing merch!
- After moving into your new home, you will be treated to events that include an opening welcome, interest sessions, how to adult sessions, and much more.
At the conclusion of the RockVIU and Student Housing Orientation program we hope you will feel connected to your new community and will have made many friends along the way!
What to Expect
RockVIU Student Housing Orientation week is full of loud music, games, and activities that can be overstimulating to some people, especially on our typical move-in days. There are loud onboarding activities happening at Student Housing and on VIU’s campus from 8 AM - 11 PM every day. If you are someone who can be overstimulated by crowded spaces, loud noises and loud music, but want to attend welcome week, we recommend that you utilize our “Quiet Move-In” times. If you have any questions about what to expect during orientation, please contact us at residence@viu.ca
Fall 2025 Move-In Options
(please note times may slightly change)
Wednesday, August 27th - 10 am to 3 pm
-
RockVIU: Student Housing Orientation Move in Day
Sunday, August 31st - 10 am - 3 pm
-
Second Move-In Day (If you are NOT attending RockVIU: Student Housing)
Quiet move-in times
(please note times may slightly change)
If you want a low stimulus move-in environment, you can request to move in on our Quiet move-in times: 9 am to 10 am and after 3 pm
-
on Wednesday August 27, 2025 (You will be required to register for RockVIU: Student Housing Orientation)
-
on Sunday August 31, 2025
Move-in exceptions
- If you are a culinary student, you can request to move in early for the start of classes by emailing residence@viu.ca:
- August 24th, 2025 - 10 am to 2 pm (You will be required to register for RockVIU: Student Housing Orientation)
- If you require a low stimulus move-in day, you can request to move in on our Quiet Move-In Day by emailing residence@viu.ca:
- Monday September 1 - 10 am to 2 pm (If you are not attending RockVIU: Student Housing Orientation)
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the VIU Student Housing Community!
Meals and Food - Welcome Week
Meals are not included in RockVIU: Student Housing Orientation program. Certain events may have food options. Dinner and Lunch breaks have been scheduled throughout the week so students can eat in between activities. It is encouraged that students sign up for a meal plan with VIU Food Services, getting signed up and having money on your student card makes it easy to grab a quick meal, snack or coffee when you are on the go!
To sign up for RockVIU: Student Housing Orientation and Welcome Week please Log into your Portal and go to the my fees sections and select extra items for arrival where you can sign up for orientation.
Pictures from Previous Orientations
