Building Bridges: VIUSU Meets with VIU’s International Department

The VIU Students’ Union continues to advocate for the needs of students, ensuring their voices are heard in important conversations with VIU’s Administration.

In a recent meeting with Vice President of Students Carolyn Russell and Director of VIU International Cynthia Murphy on November 14, your student representatives raised important concerns impacting international students. This productive discussion led to immediate actions and identified opportunities for further collaboration.

Addressing Gaps in Information and Communication
International students often face challenges navigating complex immigration policies, especially amidst the recent changes made by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenships Canada (IRCC). We highlighted several issues, including gaps in communication and service delivery from VIU that have exacerbated these difficulties.

• ‘Work Hours’ Miscommunication
  An incident was raised by the Students’ Union in which a VIU immigration advisor incorrectly stated the number of hours international students can work on study permits (the correct number is 24 hours of off-campus work and unlimited on-campus work hours), during an IRCC info session. This misinformation created unnecessary confusion for students striving to meet academic and financial commitments. VIUSU emphasized the importance of consistently sharing accurate resources, such as this official IRCC webpage, to ensure clarity.

• Inaccurate Spousal Work Permit Advice
  Broad and generic advice about spousal work permits was another concern raised during our meeting. This type of guidance fails to consider students’ unique situations, leaving many confused. We urged the need for more individualized advising, especially for complex immigration issues.

• Tone of Communication During Sessions
  The tone used by VIU Advisors has been criticized for lacking empathy when assisting students with their immigration journey. A key issue raised by VIUSU was the delivery of immigration updates during an information session, where an advisor referred to recent policy changes as a “positive change for Canada,” framing them solely as responses to economic needs. While the advisor may have intended to highlight potential benefits, this tone overlooks the stress, uncertainty, and frustration many students have felt in response to these changes. For many, these policies are perceived as threats to their immigration status and work opportunities. The overly optimistic framing failed to resonate with the concerns of students, and VIUSU has called for a more compassionate and understanding approach. Ensuring that students feel heard and supported is crucial, rather than dismissed or minimized in the face of these challenging changes.

• Missed IRCC Communication
  VIUSU also discovered that some international students, including its own representatives, had not received a critical email from IRCC about virtual seminars and updates. Russell and Murphy, surprised by this oversight, acted quickly to ensure the information was distributed. Within 24 hours of the meeting, on November 15, an email with the relevant details was sent to all international students by VIU’s Marketing and Communications department.

Advocating for Further International Supports
Beyond communication gaps, VIUSU has been actively gathering feedback from students to identify areas where additional support is needed. In follow-up discussions and correspondence, including an email sent on December 6, VIUSU outlined several key areas of concern:

• Housing Resources
  In our meeting, we recommended strengthening partnerships with off-campus housing providers and promoting verified resources like places4students.com more effectively to students and landlords. To prevent housing scams, updates to pre-arrival resources and ongoing information sessions are essential for helping students identify and avoid scammers or fraudulent housing arrangements. Additionally, education around renters’ rights should be expanded beyond orientation week, with year-round workshops for students and potential partnerships with organizations like the Residential Tenancy Branch. We  also suggested creating a dedicated housing resource corner in the international building (b.255) to provide students with direct access to support and information.
  
  IELTS and Language Testing
  With recent IRCC changes requiring international students applying for their post-graduation work permit (PGWP) to complete a language test, we recommended increasing the availability of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) testing at VIU to address the growing demand and reduce barriers for students. Additionally, offering alternative language tests such as CELPIP and PTE on campus would provide students with more convenient options to meet these new requirements.

• Healthcare Access
  We made recommendations to VIU to enhance orientation sessions to improve students’ understanding of the BC healthcare system and how to register, etc. We also highlighted that VIU ought to be expanding their promotion of the on-campus nurse practitioners as an accessible alternative for medical care. Additionally, including info about the Here2Talk mental health support service in the ‘New Student Handbook’ and ongoing communications would help students to become more aware of this resource, particularly during long wait times for counselling appointments at the University.

Opportunities for Collaboration
The meeting we had also opened discussions about partnerships. The Director of International expressed an interest in renewing the International department’s extracurricular programming to better serve all students, not just those in the international community. We see this as a valuable opportunity to co-host events and collaborate on initiatives like the VIUSU Grants program, which funds student-led projects. Strengthening these partnerships could provide increased funding and resources for student activities. (For details on VIUSU Grants, visit viusu.ca/student-grants)

VIUSU’s Continued Support for the WUSC Program
The Students’ Union remains committed to prioritizing the WUSC (World University Service of Canada) program, which supports students from refugee and disadvantaged backgrounds by offering them the opportunity to study at Canadian universities. Through this partnership, VIU sponsors students facing significant challenges, providing them with access to education in a supportive and inclusive environment.

We have been actively involved in advocating for the program’s success and improvements, working closely with VIU International to ensure the continued delivery of the WUSC program. This includes supporting the needs of sponsored students, enhancing their access to resources, and improving their overall experience at VIU.

As part of this ongoing effort, VIUSU aims to ensure that the WUSC program remains robust and responsive to the evolving needs of these students, particularly in areas such as housing, mentorship, financial support, and campus integration. By fostering a strong collaboration with VIU International, VIUSU is dedicated to ensuring that WUSC students receive the necessary support to thrive academically and personally, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the program.

Moving Forward
This meeting underscored the necessity of continued dialogue and accountability between VIUSU and VIU’s International department. While VIU’s quick action in addressing the missed IRCC email reflects an effort to improve communication and services for students, VIUSU will remain steadfast in upholding our commitment to advocating for students and will apply pressure to ensure the University follows through on these improvements.

Have feedback or ideas? Reach out to us at our office or email action@viusu.ca to share your thoughts.