Welcome to the University of Victoria

Message to new students from Jim Dunsdon, AVP Student Affairs

Welcome to the University of Victoria!

I hope you’ve enjoyed your first days of classes and were able to participate in orientation events – there is nothing quite like the energy on our campus in September.

Building a sense of community by meeting new people and becoming familiar with campus are important parts of university life. There is no shortage of things to do on or around UVic, especially in September. I encourage you to check out the many great events hosted by the University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS), the Graduate Students’ Society (GSS), Vikes Athletics and Recreation, or those listed on the UVic Events Calendar.

Below is a list of important resources and reminders that I want to share as you head into your first weekend as a member of the UVic community.

The start of term is an incredible time to meet friends, get connected to your new campus, and start to build a sense of community. We want to work with you to foster a campus culture that is compassionate, inclusive, supportive, and safe. Please take a few moments to make yourself aware of the expectations that we have for all community members and the many resources designed to support your success.

Again, welcome to the UVic community and have a great start to term.

Best regards,

Jim Dunsdon
Associate Vice-President Student Affairs
University of Victoria

Campus Safety

Emergencies & First Aid
If you need emergency support, call 9-1-1 first, then contact Campus Security at 250-721-7599. View a list of emergency contacts.

Campus Security
Download the UVic Safety App for easy access to all campus security services.

If you feel unsafe while on campus, reach out to Campus Security. The Safe Haven, Safe Walk and Campus Alone programs are available 24/7. Security Officers are available to assist with any safety concerns you may have. If needed, officers will assist you in contacting emergency services. Campus Security also provides other services on campus such as first aid response, personal safety support, and advice.

Good Night Out
Good Night Out will be providing an outreach team on campus for the next 3 weekends of September and over the Halloween weekend (Oct. 31 - Nov. 2) between the hours of 8:00 pm and 1:00 am. Look for them around the residence complex in their peach-coloured ‘Here 2 Help’ shirts for safer-sex supplies, bystander intervention, and support with preventing sexualized violence. 

Sexualized Violence Prevention and Support

The Sexualized Violence Resource Office in Equity and Human Rights offers information on how to start the conversation about consent, where to get support on and off campus, and the options available under UVic’s Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy.

Social Gatherings on Campus

Keep it small and responsible
When meeting friends on campus, please keep gatherings small and respect others and our shared spaces. Much of the university campus is open to the community, but it is also all private property. UVic student behaviour on campus is governed by several policies, including the Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.

Access to grounds in and around Residence Complex
There is a no-guest policy in and around our residence buildings until the end of September to help students settle into their studies and life on campus. This means that guests, including UVic students who don’t live on campus, are not permitted in the residence complex during this time. Only university-approved events and gatherings are permitted in or around the residence complex buildings.

Harm Reduction and Wellness Resources

Reach out to UVic’s Student Wellness Centre to access a variety of services to support your mental, physical, and spiritual health. You can also connect with a qualified counsellor through Support Connect, a free, 24/7, confidential mental health support service for UVic students.
Student Wellness also offers sexual health services, safer-sex supplies, and information on community resources.

If you drink, please drink responsibly. Learn how you can make safer choices around alcohol consumption.

If you use drugs, please test them to make sure they’re as safe as possible and don’t use alone. We encourage you to seek training on the use of naloxone and get a free kit – it’s an effective treatment for drug overdose and can save lives. There are many resources and supports on campus to support safer substance use, including UVic’s Harm Reduction Centre and the UVSS Safer Use webpage.