Joint Camosun campus opening delayed
The opening of a single campus building for four post-secondary institutions—including Camosun College—in downtown Langford has been delayed for one year. Initially planning to open its doors to students this fall, the campus hit roadblocks when experiencing labour shortages and material delays. Now expected to be open for students in September 2025, the joint campus will offer courses from Camosun, Royal Roads University, University of Victoria, and the Justice Institute of British Columbia. The project comes as a response to the Westshore’s below-average direct-to-post-secondary transition rate, with long commutes and housing shortages being significant barriers.
Camosun film studio plans on temporary hold
Camosun’s plan to build a soundstage for film and TV production at its Interurban campus is on a temporary hiatus as the college ended its relationship with its partner, Visionary Group, in early fall 2023, according to a recent CHEK News report. Initial plans for the studio began in 2019 when Camosun saw opportunity for students looking to work in Vancouver Island’s rapidly growing film industry. After receiving government funding to further develop plans for the studio in 2021, the college announced in February 2023 plans to move ahead with approvals and construction. Camosun is currently considering finding a new partner for the project but has no confirmed next steps. A Camosun spokesperson confirmed to Nexus there are no further updates on Friday, May 24.
New grants available for women in finance
The Alitis Investment Counsel has partnered with Camosun College to offer new grants in an effort to be inclusive and diversify Vancouver Island’s finance sector with more opportunities for women in the field. Two $1,500 Women in Finance grants will be awarded to women studying in the Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting Degree program, or the Accounting and Finance, Advanced Certificate program at Camosun to celebrate and uplift students demonstrating dedication, passion, and drive to advance the industry and those around them. The award ceremony will take place at Camosun’s Interurban campus on Thursday, June 13.
Camosun student club places in nationals
The Camosun College Enactus team recently placed in the top four in Enactus’ national competition. The team showcased their Campus Quisine kits, which are designed to combat food insecurity among students, in the competition, which took place in Toronto from May 14 to 16, and placed as one of two national finalists, below the champion and runner-up. The team—still in their first year—also took home the Rookie Team Award. Enactus teams aim to use entrepreneurship and innovation to make a positive social impact.
Chargers women’s basketball get new coach
The Camosun Chargers women’s basketball team have a new head coach. John Dedrick will be bringing his experience coaching women’s basketball at the University of Alberta and with the Grant MacEwan Griffins, as well as his time spent as girl’s technical director with Edmonton-based GOOD Hoops Basketball, to the position starting with the 2024-25 season. Look for our full story soon.
Camosun Library gets upgrade
The Camosun libraries’ main online search tool, Single Search, has been redesigned to feature new tools and a better user interface. In its preview stage now, the service goes live and is available to all Camosun students on Wednesday, August 14 with enhanced accessibility, personalized dashboards, additional ways to like and share resources, and more. A sneak peek of the software is available on the Camosun library homepage.
BCFS speaks up about overdose prevention
Following the recent overdose death of UVic student Sidney McIntyre-Starko, the British Columbia Federations of Students (BCFS) has released a statement addressing the ongoing toxic drug crisis. The federation—which all Camosun students are paying members of—is taking action to support provincial student access to harm-reduction tools such as naloxone. Although free naloxone kits and education tools are currently available through community partners, accessibility to these resources are yet to be available on campus—something the BCFS advocates for. The BCFS hopes that with collaboration with community partners, decision-makers, and stakeholders, post-secondary institutions will be able to continuously provide emergency life-saving resources to ensure safe campuses.
L.I.F.E. program now open to students
The District of Saanich has expanded its Leisure Involvement for Everyone (L.I.F.E.) program, including making the program available to post-secondary students. L.I.F.E. offers access to recreation services and programs to low-income individuals and families residing in Saanich. See saanich.ca/life for details.