Student society raising student voting awareness
BC students have launched the Students Are Voting campaign in an attempt to get more students to commit to voting in the May provincial elections. The Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) was campaigning to get signatures at the Lansdowne campus on March 15 and will continue gathering signatures until May.
Camosun developing new policies
Camosun College’s education policy team has created a new public policy page at camosun.ca. On the page, students will be able to see the education policy development process, give feedback on draft policies, and see Camosun’s policies as they stand now. The policies being worked on currently are Sexual Violence and Misconduct, Involuntary Health and Safety Leave of Absence, Acceptable Technology Use, and Privacy.
New construction begins at Interurban
Ground was broken for and construction began on Camosun’s new Health and Science Centre at Interurban during the week of March 20. The new building is being built next to the Centre for Business Access, near the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE). Interurban students and staff be warned: noise and construction will increase as the building takes shape.
Camosun student wins co-op award
Camosun College Electronics and Computer Engineering student Gavin Poole has received the Association of Co-operative Education for BC and the Yukon College Co-op Education Student of the Year award. This is the 10th year in a row that a Camosun student has won this award, which is given to a student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in their co-op experience.
Camosun Chargers men’s volleyball team places fifth in nationals
The Camosun Chargers men’s volleyball team recently tied for fifth place with rivals Vancouver Island University Mariners in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament, which took place in London, Ontario from March 9 to 11.
Camosun to host national conference
Camosun College will host the College and Institutes Canada (CICan) national conference from April 29 to May 1, 2018. Upwards of 800 delegates from across Canada will attend the conference, which has the theme of Na’tsa’maht—Working Together as One. Camosun is looking for people to help with communication and planning and will send out a call for volunteers as the conference draws nearer.
Camosun receives health care funding
Camosun is due to receive $165,000 of provincial government money, which will go toward the college’s Health Care Assistant program. The money will result in 32 full-time-equivalent seats at the college. A total of $345,000 is being donated by the government to post-secondary institutions; along with the money going to Camosun, $96,800 is going to North Island College and $83,200 is going to Vancouver Island University. The next start date for the program at Camosun is September 2017.
Camosun students begin fentanyl project
Camosun student Marissa Peluso is doing a service project with her sociology class to spread awareness about BC’s fentanyl crisis. The death count due to fentanyl in BC was approximately 900 in 2016; there were over 100 deaths in BC in January of 2017.
Bookstore closed for inventory
On Thursday, March 30 and Friday, March 31, the Camosun Lansdowne and Interurban bookstores will be closed for inventory.
Uber coming to British Columbia
Uber has been cleared by the Christy Clark government for provincial operation by the end of 2017. Many taxi companies are upset, saying it will hurt their businesses.
Cheaper parking options available downtown
As of April 1, Victoria will have a park and ride at the corner of Douglas Street and Frances Avenue, where there used to be a Metro Toyota dealership. For $100 a month, you get a bus pass and a parking space; the first month is free if you commit to three months or more. Head over to downtownvictoria.ca/parking for more information.
Marijuana shops under fire
If you’re a student who uses local marijuana dispensaries, listen up. The City of Victoria is cracking the whip on retailers who have not applied for a business licence or a rezoning in wake of regulations that took effect in November 2016. According to the City of Victoria, 16 marijuana vendors have not applied for a rezoning; among those, one does not have a business licence.
City of Victoria wants volunteers to help with budget
The City of Victoria is looking for volunteers to help with a $60,000 budget draft that will involve public opinion. Want to be a volunteer? Applications can be submitted at victoria.ca/pbvic until April 9.