Landing at UVic

Summary

The video welcomes new students to the University of Victoria (UVic), offering a land acknowledgment and highlighting the diverse Indigenous communities the campus resides upon. The presenters, Danica and Samantha, introduce key areas and resources at UVic, including the First Peoples House, student services, and campus facilities. They emphasize the importance of mindful, respectful engagement with both the land and the community, including sustainability efforts. The video also provides practical information about living on and off-campus, as well as policies to ensure a positive and responsible university experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acknowledge the importance of leaving negative feelings at the door and entering spaces with a positive mindset.
• 😀 UVic welcomes a diverse student body, including international, Indigenous, mature, graduate, and undergraduate students.
• 😀 Danica Paul, a member of the Songhees and Tsartlip Nations, emphasizes the significance of cultural awareness and respect for the land.
• 😀 UVic is located on the traditional territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Nations, whose ongoing relationship with the land continues today.
• 😀 The University of Victoria invites everyone to participate in decolonization and Indigenization efforts as part of its commitment to reconciliation.
• 😀 UVic encourages all students to learn about local Indigenous protocols and engage with the lands and territories they live on.
• 😀 The First Peoples House at UVic offers a home for Indigenous students, providing social, cultural, and academic support.
• 😀 Residence services offer guaranteed housing for first-year students and resources for upper-year students in sustainable buildings.
• 😀 UVic supports sustainability through various initiatives, including bike-friendly campus facilities and student-led sustainability projects.
• 😀 New students are encouraged to respect shared spaces in residence and familiarize themselves with policies like academic integrity and non-academic misconduct.
• 😀 UVic’s campus layout features the Ring Road, with key buildings and services, and outside the ring are additional student resources and support services.

Q & A

What teaching does Danica's Grandpa Skip give about entering a space?

Danica's Grandpa Skip taught her that whenever you enter a space, you should leave all your negative feelings at the door on a hook.

Who are some of the student groups at the University of Victoria?

The student population at the University of Victoria includes international students, Indigenous students, mature students, transfer students, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

What does the name ÍY, SȻÁĆEL mean, and who uses it?

ÍY, SȻÁĆEL is a greeting in the Lək̓ʷəŋən language, meaning 'Good day.' Danica Paul, who is from Songhees and Tsartlip Nation, uses this greeting.

What is the significance of acknowledging the land at UVic?

Acknowledging the land at UVic is a way to honor the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) and WSÁNEĆ nations, whose historical relationships with the land continue today. It is also a step towards decolonization and reconciliation.

What is the role of the First Peoples House at UVic?

The First Peoples House at UVic is a space for Indigenous students to gather, supporting them with social, cultural, and academic assistance, and rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

What services does the Jamie Cassels Centre provide?

The Jamie Cassels Centre houses various student services, including the Welcome Centre, Mystic Market food court, ONECard, Student Awards, Financial Aid, and the International Centre for Students.

What is the significance of Sngequ House at UVic?

Sngequ House is named after a village in the Cadboro Bay area and serves as the home for the Indigenous Student Lounge. It provides a space for Indigenous students living on or off-campus.

What resources are available for off-campus students at UVic?

UVic provides resources for off-campus students, including information on rental housing, renter's rights, and transportation options like BC transit, car sharing, and cycling.

What initiatives support sustainability at UVic?

UVic promotes sustainability through student-led initiatives like the Campus Community Garden, the UVic Sustainability Project, bike-friendly infrastructure, and recycling and composting stations around campus.

What are some of the important policies students must follow at UVic?

Students at UVic are expected to follow policies regarding academic accommodation, academic integrity, the student code of conduct, and non-academic misconduct to maintain a respectful and accountable community.