University of Victoria

History

The University of Victoria is the oldest university in British Columbia as it was established in 1903 as an affiliated college of McGill University, later gaining full autonomy through a charter on 1 July 1963 in Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria College, which had been established in 1903 as an affiliated college of McGill University, gained autonomy and full degree granting status on March 1, 1963. The non-denominational university had enjoyed 60 years of prior teaching tradition at the university level as Victoria College. This 60 years of history may be viewed conveniently in three distinct stages.

Between the years 1903 and 1915, Victoria College was affiliated with McGill University, offering first- and second-year McGill courses in Arts and Science. Administered locally by the Victoria School Board, the College was an adjunct to Victoria High School and shared its facilities. Both institutions were under the direction of a single Principal: E.B. Paul, 1903–1908; and S.J. Willis, 1908–1915.

The opening in 1915 of the University of British Columbia, established by Act of Legislature in 1908, obliged the college to suspend operations in higher education in Victoria. University of British Columbia was created in 1908. A single, public provincial university, it was modeled on the American state university, with an emphasis on extension work and applied research. The governance was modeled on the provincial University of Toronto Act of 1906 which established a bicameral system of university government consisting of a senate (faculty), responsible for academic policy, and a board of governors (citizens) exercising exclusive control over financial policy and having formal authority in all other matters. The president, appointed by the board, was to provide a link between the two bodies and to perform institutional leadership.

In 1920, as a result of local demands, Victoria College began the second stage of its development, reborn in affiliation with the University of British Columbia. Though still administered by the Victoria School Board, the college was now completely separated from Victoria High School, moving in 1921 into the magnificent Dunsmuir mansion known as Craigdarroch Castle. Over the next two decades, under Principals E.B. Paul and P.H. Elliott, Victoria College built a reputation for thorough and scholarly instruction in first- and second-year arts and science. It was also during this period that future author Pierre Berton edited and served as principal cartoonist for the student newsletter, The Microscope.

Between the years 1921-1944, the enrollment at Victoria College did not very often reach above 250. However, in 1945, 128 servicemen returned from World War II. This pushed enrollment up to 400, and in 1946; 600.

The final stage, between the years 1945 and 1963, saw the transition from two-year college to university, under Principals J.M. Ewing and W.H. Hickman. During this period, the college was governed by the Victoria College Council, representative of the parent University of British Columbia, the Greater Victoria School Board, and the provincial Department of Education. Physical changes were many. In 1946 the college was forced by postwar enrollment to move from Craigdarroch to the Lansdowne campus of the Provincial Normal School, the current location of Camosun College's Lansdowne Campus. The Normal School, itself an institution with a long and honourable history, joined Victoria College in 1956 as its Faculty of Education. Late in this transitional period (through the co-operation of the Department of National Defence and the Hudson's Bay Company) the 284-acre (1,1 km²)--now 385-acre (1.6 km²)--campus at Gordon Head was acquired. Academic expansion was rapid after 1956, until in 1961 the college, still in affiliation with UBC, awarded its first bachelor's degrees.

In the early part of this century, professional education expanded beyond the traditional fields of theology, law and medicine. Graduate training based on the German-inspired American model of specialized course work and the completion of a research thesis was introduced.

The policy of university education initiated in the 1960s responded to population pressure and the belief that higher education was a key to social justice and economic productivity for individuals and for society.

The university gained its full autonomy in 1963 as the University of Victoria. The University Act of 1963 vested administrative authority in a chancellor elected by the convocation of the university, a board of governors, and a president appointed by the board; academic authority was given to the senate which was representative both of the faculties and of the convocation.

University of Victoria's Arms were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on April 3, 2001. The historical traditions of the university are reflected in the coat of arms, its academic regalia and its house flag. The BA hood is of solid red, a colour that recalls the early affiliation with McGill, as do the martlets in the coat of arms. The BSc hood, of gold, and the BEd hood, of blue, show the colours of the University of British Columbia. Blue and gold have been retained as the official colours of the University of Victoria. The motto at the top of the Arms of the University, in Hebrew characters, is "Let there be Light"; the motto at the bottom, in Latin, is "A Multitude of the Wise is the Health of the World."

Campus and grounds

The main campus is located in the Gordon Head area of Greater Victoria. With a total area of 403 acres (163 ha), the campus spans the border between the municipalities of Oak Bay and Saanich. The original campus plan was prepared by the San Francisco architecture and planning firm of Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons. The general concept of the original design is still being followed, with the academic portions of the campus located inside Ring Road, which forms a perfect circle 600 m (1,969 ft) in diameter. Outside of Ring Road are the parking lots, the Student Union Building, residence buildings, sports facilities, as well as some of the academic facilities that are more self-contained (Law and Theatre for example).

The following is a list of the more prominent buildings on campus:

Administrative Services Building – Accommodates the university's executive team as well as other administrative functions such as accounting, research services, pension, and payroll.

Army Huts – Nine single-storey, wood-frame utilitarian Second World War buildings (1940) on the northern part of the University of Victoria campus. These structures are on the Registry of Historic Places of Canada

Bob Wright Centre – Home to the School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, the Department of Chemistry, and the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling & Analysis (CCCMA). Also features the Department of Astronomy dome and telescopes, lecture theatres, offices, meeting rooms, labs, and SciCafe dining outlet.

Business and Economics Building – Besides the obvious, the Business and Economics building also houses the offices of senior university administrators and contains a student computing facility.

Campus Services Building – Includes Career Services, the UVic Bookstore, the Computer Store, the Resource Centre for Students with a Disability, and MultiFaith Services.

Clearihue – Home to the Faculty of Humanities, houses the Departments of English, French, Germanic and Slavic Studies, Greek and Roman Studies, Hispanic and Italian Studies, History, Linguistics, Medieval Studies, Pacific and Asian Studies, Philosophy, and Women's Studies. Contains numerous classrooms as well as student computing facilities, including the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) facility and the Computer Help Desk. It is the location of the Department of University Systems, which is largely responsible for the systems, networking and support of the university, including student computing facilities and language labs. Clearihue is the oldest building on campus, originally constructed in 1962 and augmented by an addition in 1971. It is named after Joseph Clearihue, who was chairman of Victoria College from 1947 until it gained university status in 1963.

Cornett – Includes classrooms and houses the Departments of Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology.

Cunningham – Contains the Department of Biology, the Centre for Forest Biology, a herbarium, and numerous specialized research facilities.

CARSA Building – CARSA is the new Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities on the UVic campus. It houses the UVic Vikes athletics and recreation programs in state-of-the-art facilities, as well as offices, labs and a machine shop for CanAssist, which develops customized technologies, programs and services for people living with disabilities.

David Strong Building – Contains classroom spaces, including seminar rooms, breakout rooms, and the Mathews and McQueen auditorium.

David Turpin Building – Formerly Social Sciences and Mathematics. Houses the Departments of Geography, Political Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and the School of Environmental Studies. Also features the Water & Climate Impacts Research Centre (W-CIRC).

Elliott – Includes the Departments of Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy, as well as a number of offices, classrooms, and laboratories. The building is topped by the Climenhaga Observatory.

Engineering Buildings – Includes the Engineering Office Wing (EOW), the Engineering Lab Wing (ELW) and the Engineering/Computer Science building (ECS). Home to the Faculty of Engineering, which includes the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Software engineering.

Fine Arts – Contains the departments of Writing and History in Art as well as offices, classrooms, a lecture theatre, a photography darkroom, Arts Place dining outlet, and a multi-purpose lobby that may be used for readings and performances.

First Peoples House – Anthropological building that provides a welcoming home-away-from-home for Indigenous students.

Fraser Building – Formerly known as the Begbie building. Houses the Faculty of Law and the Institute for Dispute Resolution. The building also contains classrooms, seminar rooms, a moot courtroom, and the Diana M. Priestly Law Library.

Halpern Centre for Graduate Students – Colloquially known as "The Grad Centre", the building houses the Graduate Student Society (GSS) general office, the "Grad House" restaurant, which is open to the public, and the David Clode lounge. There is also a meeting space (boardroom) that can be booked by contacting the GSS Office.

Hickman Building – Formerly called the Centre for Innovative Teaching. Includes "Smart" classrooms featuring closed-circuit cameras and remote projection systems to link teachers and students with classrooms at remote locations.

Human and Social Development Building – Classrooms and offices for Child and Youth Care, Dispute resolution, Health Information Science, Indigenous Governance, Nursing, Public Administration, and Social Work.

Ian Stewart Complex – One of UVic's recreational facilities. Includes tennis courts, squash and raquetball courts, an ice rink, an outdoor pool, a dance studio, a physiotherapy clinic, a gym, and a weight room. Also contains the Alumni Services, Development, Corporate Relations, and Advancement Services departments.

MacLaurin Building – Includes the Faculty of Education and School of Music, as well classrooms, the David Lam Auditorium, the Curriculum Library, and Mac's Bistro.

McKinnon Building – Encompasses the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, an indoor swimming pool, fitness and weight room, dance studio, outdoor tennis courts, squash courts and a gymnasium.

McPherson Library and William C. Mearns Centre for Learning - The McPherson Library houses UVic's library holdings, as well as the university archives, special collections, and map library. A 2008 expansion to the McPherson Library created the William C. Mearns Centre for Learning, which contains the Learning Commons, media commons, classrooms, and several group study rooms.

Medical Sciences Building – The home of UBC's Island Medical Program.

Petch Building – the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, and School of Earth and Ocean Sciences.

Phoenix Theatre – the Theatre department.

Sedgewick – Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI), Centre on Aging, Centre for the Study of Religion in Society, Centre for Global Studies; administration offices.

Student Union Building – popularly known as the "SUB", it houses a movie theatre, food services, a consignment bookstore, and the headquarters of several clubs and campus organizations, including a radio station (CFUV). There is also a student pub, Felicita's, and a defunct nightclub, Vertigo, which is now study space.

University Centre – includes many administrative offices (Accounting, Payroll, Advising, Record Services) as well as the main public cafeteria, and the Farquhar auditorium.

The university offers on-campus housing for over 3,200 students. A variety of housing is available, including single and double dormitories, Cluster Housing (apartment-style housing with four people per unit), bachelor and one-bedroom apartments, and family housing. Four buildings in one of the oldest residential complexes at the university are named for Emily Carr, Arthur Currie, Margaret Newton, and David Thompson. Construction on the South Tower Complex was completed in January 2011. The largest residence building in terms of capacity is Ring Road Hall, which holds 294 beds and is split into three wings. The campus has become increasingly cycling-friendly.

Much of the university estate has been dedicated to nature, notably Finnerty Gardens and Mystic Vale, a 4.4 ha (11 acres) forested ravine, and endowment lands. The large campus is home to deer, owls, squirrels and many other wild animals native to the area. A large population of domestic rabbits, which likely descended from abandoned house pets from the surrounding community, was a feature of the campus in years past. In May 2010, the university began trapping and euthanizing the rabbits as they had been known to put athletes at risk in the playing fields and cause extensive damage to university grounds. Local veterinarians offered to perform neutering of the male rabbits. As of July 2011, the UVic campus is free of rabbits. 900 rabbits were saved and sent to shelters. The majority of rabbits moved to shelters died between 2011 and 2016, after which the remaining survivors (147 rabbits) were relocated to a private sanctuary in Alberta.

Undergraduate faculties, departments, and schools

Below is a list of undergraduate faculties, departments, and schools within the University of Victoria system.

Education, which includes Education, Kinesiology, and Recreation and Health Education

Engineering, which includes Biomedical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, and Software Engineering, as well as Computer Science

Fine Arts, which includes the departments of History in Art, Music, Professional Writing, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Writing

Human & Social Development, which includes Child and Youth Care, Health and Community Services, Health Information Science, Nursing, Social Work, and Public Administration

Humanities, which includes Applied Linguistics, Chinese Studies, English, French, Germanic Studies, Greek and Latin Language and Literature, Greek and Roman Studies, Hispanic Studies, History, Italian Studies, Japanese Studies, Latin American Literary and Cultural Studies, Linguistics, Medieval studies, Mediterranean Studies, Pacific and Asian Studies, Philosophy, Professional Writing, Religious Studies, Slavic Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, and Women's Studies

Law, which includes the Juris Doctor program

Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, which includes Commerce

Science, which includes Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Microbiology, Ocean Sciences, Physics, and Statistics

Social Sciences, which includes Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology

UVic also offers a number of interdisciplinary undergraduate programs, including Applied Ethics, Arts of Canada, European Studies, Film Studies, Human Dimensions of Climate Change, Indigenous Studies, Latin American Studies, Social Justice Studies, and Technology and Society.

Peter B. Gustavson School of Business

The Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, formerly the Faculty of Business, was renamed following a donation by local entrepreneur Peter B. Gustavson. This business school offers a wide range of programs including the BCom, MBA and other business degrees, EQUIS and AACSB accredited. The program starts with two years of general studies (with 5 required classes) and then the 3rd and 4th year are business intensive. Three co-op work terms are also required.

School of Earth & Ocean Sciences

The university's School of Earth & Ocean Sciences has produced a large number of influential findings in its history. The School of Earth & Ocean Science also collaborate with the VENUS and NEPTUNE research institutes. The university was a founding member of the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society. UVic maintains this field station on the west coast of Vancouver Island, which is jointly run by the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary.

School of Public Administration

The UVic School of Public Administration specializes in its M.A., and PhD. programs but also offers a selective admission minors program.

Law

The UVic Faculty of Law is consistently ranked highly by the media. It offers a co-op work experience program and an environmental law intensive program, featuring a course at Hakia Beach, BC in association with the Tula Foundation. UVic Law has been deeply involved with many of the Aboriginal, Ecological, and Environmental cases within British Columbia and continues this tradition today.

Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering admits approximately 400 students into first-year programs each year. Students can specialize in the following disciplines: Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Software Engineering.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities consists of ten departments (English, French, Genders Studies, Germanic and Slavic Studies, Greek and Roman Studies, Hispanic and Italian Studies, History, Linguistics, Pacific and Asian Studies, and Philosophy), as well as three Programs (Latin American Studies, Medieval Studies, and Religious Studies). The faculty offers certificates, minors, and majors leading to both BA and BSc degrees, as well as MA and PhD degrees. Languages, narratives, philosophies, histories—the Faculty of Humanities brings these all together in a critical context of analysis, interpretation, research, and communication.

Fine Arts

The Faculty of Fine Arts splits into five different departments: Art History and Visual Studies, the School of Music, Theatre, Visual Arts and Writing. UVic's Department of Art History and Visual Studies has a long tradition of scholarship in the areas of Islamic art, South and Southeast Asian art, and Native arts of North America. It is one of few schools that has traditionally held two chairs of Islamic art, most recently filled by Anthony Welch and Marcus Milwright.

Graduate programs

UVic offers more than 160 graduate programs. Their most popular graduate degrees are in the following areas:

Business, Sardul S. Gill School of Business. This school focuses on International business.

Education, which includes Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, and Indigenous Education

Engineering, which includes Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering

Fine Arts, which includes Art History & Visual Studies, the School of Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Writing

Humanities, which includes English, French, Germanic and Slavic Studies, Greek and Roman Studies, Hispanic and Italian Studies, History, Linguistics, Pacific and Asian Studies, and Philosophy. The history department has a reputation for Digital History.

Human and Social Development, which includes Child and Youth Care, Community Development, Dispute Resolution, Health Information Science, Indigenous Governance, Nursing, Public Administration, Public Health and Social Policy, Studies in Policy and Practice, Social Dimensions of Health, and Social Work

Law

Science, which includes Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biology, chemistry, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Neuroscience, and Physics and Astronomy

Social Sciences, which includes Political Science, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology

Graduate programs range from individual interdisciplinary programs to graduate co-op programs. The university also offers students specialized degree options and certificate options.

Libraries and Museum system

The University of Victoria Libraries system is the second largest in British Columbia being composed of three 'on-campus' libraries, the William C. Mearns Center for Learning/McPherson Library, the Diana M. Priestly Law Library, and the MacLaurin Curriculum Library. The Library System has undergone significant growth in recent years thanks to the University's investment in library purchases and research. Amongst the highlights in the University of Victoria Archives and Special Collections are priceless items from Imperial Japan, to carbon dated original manuscripts of the Sancti Epiphanii. The collection also includes extensive histories of colonial Victoria and the Colony of Vancouver Island among other documents. The library's digitization programme is becoming increasingly active in making materials available. Renovations and new construction over the past decade have included special collections classrooms, an innovative Learning Commons and an art gallery. The UVic libraries collection includes extensive digital resources, over 2.0 million books, 2.3 million items in microforms, plus serial subscriptions, sound recordings, music scores, films and videos, and archival materials.

The University of Victoria houses the Education Heritage Museum, which displays educational history artifacts in the main hallway of the MacLaurin building. The collection consists of manuscripts, texts, photographs, audio-visual material, lesson plans, posters, bells, ink bottles, fountain pens, desks, maps, athletic clothing, photographs, and school yearbooks used in kindergarten to grade 12 schools in Canada from the mid-1800s to the 1980s.

The University of Victoria has two art collections (University and Maltwood) which host loan exhibitions, and exhibits of the works of students and faculty in the University Centre Exhibition Gallery. The University Collection, founded in 1953 by Dr. W.H. Hickman, Principal of Victoria College (1953-1963), consists of 6,000 works, mainly by contemporary artists practicing in British Columbia. The Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery, founded through the bequest of English sculptress and antiquarian, Katharine Emma Maltwood, F.R.S.A. (1878-1961), reflects her and her husband John Maltwood's taste. The collection of 12,000 works of fine, decorative and applied arts includes Oriental ceramics, costumes, rugs, seventeenth century English furniture, Canadian paintings and Katherine Maltwood's own sculptures.

Estates and properties

The University of Victoria has acquired a portfolio of properties around Victoria, British Columbia and across Vancouver Island. These include the Maltwood Gallery in downtown Victoria, the University Club, the Inter-urban campus, a former Saanich-based lodge and retreat, the Swans Hotel and Restaurant complex, and the Queenswood Property. The large, partially forested Queenswood property has been proposed as a site of future expansion for the university.

The UVic endowment (estimated at $374 million) and large private donations have allowed for the university's estate to continue growing and for facilities to be upgraded and expanded on an on-going basis.

Research

Bamfield Marine Research Station

The University maintains a field station on the west coast of Vancouver Island to conduct marine research. The facility is jointly run by the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. Undergraduates at the University of Victoria have full access to research and learning at this facility.

SEOS Oceanic Vessel

In 2011 the university, in collaboration with the provincial government purchased and modified a state of the art ocean vessel capable of launching 'deep sea submersibles' and conducting long-range marine biology research expeditions. The 'floating laboratory' is undergoing upgrades and expansions currently and will be in service by late 2011.

VENUS/NEPTUNE

The School of Earth & Ocean Sciences is also home to the renowned VENUS and NEPTUNE research institutes responsible for seismic, oceanic and climate change research.

Centre for Law

Located in the Greater Victoria area the University's legal centre provides free legal assistance to the disadvantaged as well as dealing with important environmental cases in British Columbia. The UVic Law Center is the only full-time, term clinical program offered by a Canadian law school. The program reflects the faculty's emphasis on integrating legal theory, legal skills, and community service while providing students with unique education and research opportunities.

Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP)

Located in the Greater Victoria, British Columbia area the Vancouver Island Technology Park is a state of the art, 35 acre commercial research facility. It is the largest university-owned technology centre in BC. The venture allows the university to work with leading technology and biomedical companies while provided students with unparalleled research opportunities. The facility focuses on fuel cell, new media, wireless, and life science/biotechnological research. The UVic Genome BC Proteomics Centre and a number of other research institutes are based out of the research park. The Capital Regional District is a major commercial hub for technology companies.

Admissions

Admission to the University of Victoria is based on a selective academic system and is highly competitive. Each year, the university of Victoria receives far more applications than there are spaces available, making it one of the most applied to institutions in Canada. Applicants are required to submit applications with their grade percentage averages (GPA) and personal statements in order to be considered for admission. The University may also accept qualified applicants studying under IB programs, AP programs or other international distinctions. Given its endowment, the University of Victoria is able to offer scholarships and financial aid to a large number of students.

International exchanges

The University of Victoria is one of the most international universities in Canada and has partnered with a number of research institutions to provide UVic students with the opportunity to gain valuable research experience abroad. International conferences and study abroad opportunities are encouraged for all students, with many students completing a gap year before commencing their studies. Both UVic undergraduate and graduate students may travel abroad with UVic's many partner universities. This international exchange programs develops the collegial yet international atmosphere at the University of Victoria, and promotes an exchange of information.

The University of Victoria has partnered with high-ranking institutions around the world, including Sciences Po, University of London, University of Washington, Hong Kong University, Utrecht University, and the National University of Singapore.

Rankings

The University of Victoria is consistently ranked one of the top universities in the world, and within Canada. Maclean's Magazine, has ranked UVic as the best comprehensive universities in Canada for three consecutive years. 2014. Its Faculty of Law has also ranked first in the country, 8 out of the last 11 years. Currently, it is ranked 4th by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. University of Victoria's MBA program is consistently ranked among the top 10 of its kind in the nation. UVic is British Columbia's second largest research university, after UBC, and is one of Canada's top 20 research institutions. According to ScienceWatch, UVic is nationally ranked first in geoscience, second in space science and education, and third in engineering and mathematics for the period of 2000–2004. For the year 2013, five departments are ranked in the top 200 in the QS world rankings, with one department (Department of English) ranked in the top 100: Earth and Marine Science, English Literature, Law, Geography, and Philosophy.

The University Club

The University Club of Victoria is a private club located on the campus of University of Victoria. Faculty, Staff, and students are all members of the club and outside organization may also use the dining halls, meeting rooms, and other facilities. Alumni of the university often become members as well. The catering staff host dinners and awards celebrations frequently and the Holiday Roast Pig is a classic event on campus.

The University Club (formerly called the Faculty Club) opened on March 16, 1982. The west coast design and cedar construction of the building lends itself gracefully to the natural picturesque setting in a wooded dale. The building, located on campus, is surrounded by high trees in a quiet, wooded area. Artistic landscaping with flowers and shrubs blooming year round are reflected in the adjacent pond.

Residence Halls

The University of Victoria maintains several residence halls on campus, which were originally based on the Oxbridge Collegiate model of constituent colleges which service as home to the students of the greater university. The University now longer operates these halls as individual colleges, but rather as residences, dormitories, and apartments as part of the Residence Life and Education department. Today, all are equipped with Common Rooms and high-speed internet for students. Most UVic students live on campus or within a few blocks of the campus.

The oldest and most famous of these residence halls is Craigdarroch, which features large stone-clad buildings and ivy covered walkways and courtyards. The modernist Lansdowne Halls feature six buildings connected by a series of bridges, walkways, and tunnels, including the popular 'UVic Underground'. Gordon Head and Ring Road Hall feature modern rooms and amenities for students, organized around a series of large courtyards.

In the centre of the Residence Village is the Cadboro Commons and a number of restaurants operated by the university, where students may eat and study. The Residence Halls provide a picturesque and grounding home for students. A mixture of dorms, single rooms, apartments, cluster studios, and family housing are available but decided by lottery system. First year students are guaranteed accommodation in one of the Residence Halls of campus.

The Martlet student newspaper

UVic's oldest and most recognized weekly student newspaper, founded in 1948, is The Martlet. It is distributed all over campus and the Greater Victoria area. The paper is named after the legendary martlet bird, whose inability to land is often seen to symbolize the constant quest for knowledge, learning, and adventure. The Martlet is partly funded by student fees. The paper has long and eminent ties to the radical politics and free-speech movement of the 1960s, and has sometimes been criticised for its for its 'progressive', 'left-leaning' editorial stances. Various conservative writers and publications have sprung up to reflect the views of more conservative students on campus, including the "Eye on the UVSS".

Today, the Martlet has a wide circulation and can be found through Victoria, British Columbia. The newspaper maintains its strong editorial line and commitment to politics and activism; though it has drawn criticism for its 'progressive', 'left-leaning' orientation. Many national journalists and columnists in Canada have gotten their start in writing journalism at the Martlet and it continues to produce opportunities for student writers to become professionals.

The University of Victoria Students Society (UVSS)

The University of Victoria Students' Society is the second largest student society in British Columbia and represents the UVic undergraduate student body, plans campus wide events and operates the Student Union Building. The student society's leadership is elected annually during campus wide undergraduate student elections. As a multimillion-dollar organization, the UVSS is among one of the larger student unions which exist in Canada. The UVSS also negotiates with local government and healthcare providers for Student Transit Passes and health insurance.

In 2014, the UVSS Student Union building underwent a major overhaul and renovation. In 2015, the University expanded and doubled the capacity of the public transit hub on campus which is adjacent to the Student Union building.

In 2016, plans began for the fundraising and building of a new, much larger Student Union Building to accommodate the growing student population.

The University of Victoria Graduate Student Society (GSS)

The University of Victoria has one of the highest percentages of graduate and doctoral students in the country. The GSS offers services and academic support for UVic's 3,000 Graduate students. The society's services include the Grad House Restaurant, health and dental plan, funding for grad student events, and reduced-cost membership in the Victoria Car Share Co-operative.

Radio Station (CFUV)

CFUV is a long-standing campus radio station focusing on the campus and the surrounding community. CFUV serves Greater Victoria at 101.9, and via cable on 104.3, Vancouver Island and many areas in the Lower Mainland and northwestern Washington state.

CFUV is closely associated with the Martlet and has a 'cult following' of committed fans in Victoria, British Columbia. Many of Canada's top broadcasters and news anchors have worked with the CFUV since the radio station was established. The CFUV actively promotes the campus experience and plays a large role in UVic's annual 'Weeks of Welcome'.

Greek life

Several fraternities, sororities, and secret societies exist on the University of Victoria, despite the fact that the Students' Society does not recognize fraternities, sororities, or societies on the basis that they, by definition, seek to exclude portions of the membership. This issue continues to be a key debate in student politics at the University of Victoria.

Many years ago, University of Victoria students started a fraternity and two sororities and one non-exclusive, non-profit social-service club. Although the fraternities and sororities have no affiliation with the University of Victoria itself, they continue to thrive and have purchased nearby properties. The fraternities and sororities on campus are as follows:

1. The International fraternity Delta Kappa Epsilon chartered the Beta Tau chapter in 2010, currently estimated at 125 members.
2. The International sorority Kappa Beta Gamma chartered a chapter in 2011, currently estimated at 100 members.
3. The local sorority, Alpha Chi Theta was chartered in 2013, currently estimated at 55 members.
4. The Omega chapter of Phrateres, was installed in 1961.

Athletics

The university is represented by its team the Victoria Vikes, more commonly known as the UVic Vikes or simply the Vikes. More recently the University has successfully branded its teams as "Vikes Nation". With a large endowment and scholarships, Vikes teams are some the best in Canada and participate in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) (the western division of ) and in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Basketball games are played in the 2,500 seat, McKinnon Gymnasium. The facility was built in 1975.

A brand new athletics facility was completed in 2015 and provides considerably more space and facilities for athletics. The $77 million Centre for Athletes, Recreation, and Special Abilities (CARSA), opened its doors on May 4, 2015.

The university currently has both men's and women's teams in each of the following sports:

Rowing

Sailing

Basketball

Cross Country & Track

Field Hockey

Golf

Rowing

Rugby

Soccer

Swimming

Rowing

The University of Victoria is one of the top universities in Canada for competitive rowing. The UVic Rowing Crews are amongst the best in the world and frequently compete internationally for titles.

UVic has long and eminent ties to its Rowing Program, and its maintains a boathouse on Elk Lake in Victoria, British Columbia. Rowers and student athletes are often awarded scholarships and training in specialized facilities in the new CARSA Athletics Building on Campus in Oak Bay. UVic Rowers are well known in Victoria and sometimes participate in the Dragon Boat festival in the Inner Harbour of Victoria, near the Legislative Assembly of BC.

UVIC and UBC rivalry

As the two oldest universities in the province, the University of Victoria (UVic) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have long been fierce rivals in sports and athletics, including in Rowing, Rugby, and Soccer. The UVic Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds rivalry is a symbol of good sportsmanship, but has sometimes resulted in violence and bad behavior by both sides. The "Annual UBC I UVic Soccer Classic" is one of the largest university sporting events in Canada and pits the UBC Men's Soccer Team against the UVic Men's Soccer Team. The annual classic alternates between the UVic Centennial Stadium and the UBC Thunderbird Stadium.

Vikes Nation fans and UBC Thunderbird fans pack into the Centennial stadium for the classic, with the UVic Cheerleaders and Marching Band also present. In 2015, UVic also constructed a new and expanded Athletics Facility (CARSA) which includes a major auditorium/gymnasium for Vikes Basketball and Volleyball Teams, and significantly more seating, stands, and court facilities.

Centennial Stadium

The Centennial Stadium is a historic stadium located on the campus of the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The large facility was built as a 1967 Canadian Centennial project to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canadian confederation, but has undergone many repairs and upgrades since then. Today, it is one of the largest university stadiums in British Columbia and is home to the UVic Vikes.

Sports Hall of Fame

UVic Charter Inductees are:

Lorne Loomer: Rowing Coach – Builder/Administrator

Wally Milligan: Men's Soccer Coach – Builder/Administrator

Gareth Rees: Rugby – Athlete Category

Ken Shields: Basketball – Coach Category

Kathy Shields: Basketball – Coach Category

Johnny Franklin: water polo (All-Star)- Athlete Category (50in'15)

Championships
Men's basketball: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1997
Women's basketball: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2003
Men's cross-country: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2015
Women's cross-country: 1981, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Women's field hockey: 1985, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2008
Men's soccer: 1976, 1988, 1997, 2004, 2011
Women's soccer: 2005

Canadian University Championship Titles
Men's rugby: 1998, 1999
Men's rowing: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2009
Women's rowing: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Men's golf: 2003

Canadian Western Universities Championship Titles
Women's field hockey: 2015

Fight song

Notable among a number of songs commonly played and sung at various events such as commencement and convocation, and athletic games is 'Rack and Ruin' a reminder of the tradition of the founding Victoria College. "Rack and Ruin, Blood and Gore, Victoria College Evermore!"

Martlet Icon

The martlet and its red colour adorns many parts of the University of Victoria, including the crest, coat of arms, and flag representing the university's previous affiliation to McGill University which also uses the martlet. The legendary martlet bird's inability to land is often seen to symbolize the constant quest for knowledge, learning, and adventure. The oldest student newspaper on campus, The Martlet, is named after the bird.

Cadborosaurus

Cadborosaurus, is a mythical sea serpent in the folklore of regions of the Pacific Coast of North America that is rumored by students to live in Cadboro Bay, adjacent to the University of Victoria. The Cadborosaurus, or Caddy as he is colloquially named, has become a favourite for students.

UVic Orientation

UVic Orientation takes place each year for all new students to the school. UVic Orientation includes events, activities, and workshops to help students adjust to university life. The main event of UVic Orientation, which takes place on the day immediately preceding the first day of classes, has gone by a number of names over the years. This event is currently referred to as New Student Welcome, and is UVic's largest Orientation event.

Finnerty Gardens

UVic maintains an extensive series of sculpted gardens on campus which serve as a place of respite and peace for students, staff, and members of the public who visit them. The Garden's include some of the largest collections of West-Coast plants and are cared for by the Friends of Finerty Gardens, a charity which raises funds and helps support the garden's growth. The Finnerty Gardens include ponds, trails, flower gardens, and benches throughout. The University Multi-Faith Centre is nestled neared the gardens.

Sport clubs and societies

UVic has 25 sport clubs that are administered by Vikes Recreation and run by students.

Presidents

W. Harry Hickman, 1963–1964 (acting)

Malcolm G. Taylor, 1964–1968

Robert T. D. Wallace, 1968–1969 (acting)

Bruce J. Partridge, 1969–1972

Hugh E. Farquhar, 1972–1974

Stephen A. Jennings, 1974 (acting)

Howard E. Petch, 1975–1990

David F. Strong, 1990–2000

David H. Turpin, 2000–2013

Jamie Cassels, 2013–present

Notable faculty

Some of the university's noted faculty members, past and present, are:

Alan Astbury, physics professor emeritus who played a part in the Nobel-prize winning discovery of a new subatomic particle and winner of the Rutherford Medal and Prize for physics

Taiaiake Alfred, noted Indigenous scholar and founding director of the Indigenous Governance Program at UVic

Mowry Baden, sculptor and winner of the 2008 Governor General's Award in Visual Arts

David D. Balam, astronomer and namesake of asteroid 3749 Balam

Benjamin Butterfield, internationally acclaimed operatic tenor

Brian Christie, Associate professor of Medicine and Neuroscience and active researcher

Louis D. Costa, neuropsychologist

Harold Coward, world-renowned scholar in religious studies and a president of Academy 2 of the Royal Society of Canada

Lorna Crozier, recent recipient of the Order of Canada

William Gaddes, noted psychologist and one of the first specialists in learning disorders in British Columbia

Werner Israel, physicist who discovered the important phenomenon of mass inflation, and together with Stephen Hawking, coeditor of two important celebratory volumes

Stephen Arthur Jennings, mathematician who made significant breakthroughs in the study of modular representation theory

Mary Kerr, production designer for the 1994 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies

Patrick Lane, poet and the recipient of almost every major Canadian literary prize

Hal Lawrence, World War II veteran and historian

Tim Lilburn, poet and winner of the Governor General's Award

Joan MacLeod, playwright and creative writing professor

Marshall McCall, scientist and expert on the chemical evolution of galaxies

Erich Mohr, researcher in experimental therapeutics for central nervous system disorders

Julio Navarro, astrophysicist involved in formulating a density profile for dark matter halos

Jesse Read, musical conductor, composer, and bassoonist

Otfried Spreen, neuropsychologist and aphasia researcher

Don VandenBerg, internationally acclaimed astrophysicist for his work on modelling stars

Mary Anne Waldron, university administrator

Andrew Weaver, one of the world's leading climate researchers, member of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which was co-awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize along with former U.S. vice president Al Gore, member of the British Columbia's Climate Action Team, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head since 2013 and Leader of the Greens since 2015.

Anthony Welch, art historian and one of the foremost authorities on Islamic art & architecture

Christine Welsh, Métis filmmaker

Anne Zeller, physical anthropologist specializing in the study of primates

Giselle O. Martin-Kniep, educator focusing on learning communities

Jin-Sun Yoon, 2015 recipient of 3M National Teaching Award

Notable alumni

The university has over 88,000 alumni. Listed below are some of UVic's noted alumni:

Alumni in the arts

Kim Adams, internationally known sculptor

Bill Burns, conceptual artist

Mark Chao, Chinese/Taiwanese singer, actor and model

Calvin Chen, singer and actor as a member in the popular Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit

Kyle Christie Journalist

Esi Edugyan, novelist

Nathan Fielder, writer and comedian

Leah Gibson, actress

Rick Gibson, sculptor and performance artist

Amiel Gladstone internationally produced playwright and director

Aislinn Hunter, poet and fiction author

Erin Karpluk, actress currently starring as Erica Strange on CBC's Being Erica

W. P. Kinsella, novelist well known for his 1982 novel Shoeless Joe which was adapted into the movie Field of Dreams

Eva Markvoort, author who chronicled her life with cystic fibrosis which became the subject of the film '65 Redroses

Aaron McArthur, Global News BC television reporter

Charles Montgomery (writer)

Peter Outerbridge, Genie-nominated actor in such movies as Kissed and Saw VI

Nilesh Patel, noted filmmaker

Eden Robinson, novelist and short story writer

Melanie Siebert, poet

Jessica Stockholder, artist

Richard Van Camp, short story writer and novelist

D.W. Wilson, writer

Alumni in business

Stewart Butterfield (B.A. '96), entrepreneur, businessman, and co-founder of the photo sharing website Flickr and its parent company Ludicorp Butterfield has recently also founded the team communication app Slack.

Peter Ciceri, former vice-president, Compaq Computer Corporation, United States

Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Guest Experience and Marketing of WestJet

Richard Flury, former chief executive of BP

Mark Hill, co-founder and former vice-president, WestJet

Ryan Holmes, founder and CEO of the online social media dashboard, Hootsuite

Jeff Mallett, former president and chief operating officer, Yahoo!

Tim Price, chair and director, Trilon Financial Corporation.

Sheridan Scott, vice-president, Bell Canada and former head of the Competition Bureau of Canada

Nathan Fielder, Business Makeover Guru and host of Nathan For You,

Kyle Vucko, chief executive officer and co-founder, Indochino.

Alumni in government and public affairs

George Abbott, former member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Shuswap

Rona Ambrose, Interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Opposition

Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly, public policy scholar and editor of the Journal of Borderlands Studies

Ric Careless, one of British Columbia's leaders in wilderness preservation, named Environmentalist of the Year (1991) by Equinox Magazine and River Conservationist of the Year (1993) by American Rivers

Murray Coell, former member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich North and the Islands and former mayor of Saanich

Rob Fleming, member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Victoria-Swan Lake

Barbara Hall, mayor of Toronto (1994–1997)

Colin Hansen, member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Vancouver-Quilchena

Derrick Haro, diplomat (1953–1993)

Lydia Hwitsun, former Chief of Cowichan Tribes

Judi Tyabji, member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Okanagan-East

Gary Lunn, former federal Minister, former Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands

Lorna Marsden, former president of York University

Rabbie Namaliu, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (1988-1992)

Adrian Norfolk, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar

Barry Penner, former Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Chilliwack-Hope and former president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER).

Andrew Petter, Canadian constitutional law scholar, former Attorney-General of British Columbia, and current president of Simon Fraser University

Tamara Vrooman, former Deputy Minister of Finance of British Columbia and current Vancity CEO

Fin Donnelly, Member of Parliament, New Westminster-Coquitlam

Alumni in sports

Kirsten Barnes, winner of two Olympic gold medals in rowing in 1992 in Barcelona

Ryan Cochrane, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in men’s 1500m freestyle swimming, and 2012 Olympic silver medalist in 1500m freestyle swimming

Stephanie Dixon, swimmer, gold medalist in the Paralympic Games in Athens (2004) and Sydney (2000), and numerous medals in the Pan American Games

Kyle Hamilton, gold medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics in men's eights in rowing

Sarah Kaufman (fighter), former Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship holder, current mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gareth Rees, CEO for Rugby Canada and Canada's all-time leading goal scorer in rugby

Ken Shields, former head coach of the Canadian national basketball team.

Alison Sydor, three-time world mountain bike champion and recipient of the Velma Springstead Trophy as Canada's top female athlete in 1995 and 1996

Lauren Woolstencroft, eight-time Paralympics gold medalist in alpine skiing

Asteroid 150145 Uvic

The asteroid 150145 Uvic was named in the university's honour on 1 June 2007. UVic was the first university in BC to have an asteroid named for it.