University of Victoria

University of Victoria
Former names
Victoria College, British Columbia
Motto "יְהִי אוֹר" (Hebrew)
"multitudo sapientium sanitas orbis" (Latin)
Motto in English
"Let there be light"
"A multitude of the wise is the health of the world"
Type Public
Established 1903
Endowment $394 million (2016) [1]
Chancellor Shelagh Rogers[2]
President Jamie Cassels, QC[3]
Provost Dr. Valerie Kuehne, PhD[4]
Academic staff
886 faculty[5]
Administrative staff
5,156 employees [6]
Students 21,696[6]
Undergraduates 18,389[6]
Postgraduates 3,412[6]
Location 3800 Finnerty Road
Victoria
, British Columbia, Canada
V8P 5C2
Campus Urban, 163 hectares (403 acres)
Colours      Red
     Gold
     Blue
Athletics U Sports, CWUAA, NAIA
Nickname Vikes
Affiliations AUCC, IAU, CUSID, CBIE, CUP
Mascot Thunder
Website www.uvic.ca

The University of Victoria ('Victoria University', 'UVic', or simply 'Old Blue') is a large public research university located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The University of Victoria, founded in 1903, is the oldest university in British Columbia and began as Victoria College, an affiliated branch of McGill University.[7] The University of Victoria is a non-denominational institution which is mostly centred around the leafy suburbs of Oak Bay. The university consists of more than 20,000 students, including many post-graduate and doctoral candidates.

The University of Victoria is one of the most international universities in Canada, attracting students from around the world. Since the university's founding, many future political leaders, Olympic medalists, and heads of government in Canada have passed through the university's halls, including Rona Ambrose, Fin Donnelly, and George Abbott. 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. The University of Victoria has also produced several Rhodes Scholars and Gates Scholars in recent years, while its alumni and faculty have worked on Nobel Prize winning research teams.[8]

Academically, the University of Victoria is noted for its programs in the Faculty of Law, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, Economics, Political Science, Earth and Ocean Sciences, and Engineering Departments. It is the nation's lead institution in the VENUS and NEPTUNE deep-water seafloor observatory projects.[9] UVic also participates in several multi-institutional research consortia, such as the Pacific Institute of Mathematical Studies, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, TRIUMF, the Canadian Consortium of Oceans Research Universities, WestGrid, and Compute Canada.[10][11] The University of Victoria has served as an incubator for many major tech companies and start-ups. The University of Victoria boasts one of the largest financial endowments in Canada, and receives a significant portion of federal research revenues each year.

The Victoria Vikes (more commonly known as the UVic Vikes or simply the Vikes) represent the university in a number of competitive sports, including rowing, sailing, rugby, soccer, and basketball. The Vikes have especially long and eminent ties to competitive rowing where it has competed with the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford for several international titles. Sailing is also a popular sport for students at the University of Victoria and the UVic Sailing Club maintains facilities and boats on campus at the nearby Cadboro Bay.

UVic consistently ranks as one of the top universities in Canada and the world. It has been the top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada since 2010. In this category, Maclean's magazine ranks UVic either first or second for eight consecutive years. It also ranked first nationwide and 20th internationally in the Times Higher Education' ranking of schools under 50 years old. In global rankings, UVic is within the top one per cent of universities around the world and sits on the Top 200 list.[12] It clocked in its highest ranking at 135 globally in 2010 and has since maintained a strong presence in global ranking charts. UVic has also been named as the Canadian "Research University of the Year" for 12 of the past 14 years by Research Infosource. The university has also been home to more than 40 faculty members who are Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada since it was founded.[13][14]

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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] 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.[15]

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.[17] 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.

Former home of the University

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.[18]

Victoria College Stained Glass (Craigdarroch Campus)

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.[17] 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.

Former Home of the University of Victoria (now Camosun College)

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.[15]

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.[15]

The university gained its full autonomy in 1963 as the University of Victoria.[17] 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.[19] 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).[20]

The following is a list of the more prominent buildings on campus:[21]

Petch Building Breezeway

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.[24] 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.[25]

First People's House (UVic)

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[26] 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.[27] 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.[28]

Undergraduate faculties, departments, and schools

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

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.[32][33]

UVic
The Gustavson School of Business (UVic)

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.[34] 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.[35]

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 for political leaders and mid-career civil servants.[36]

Law

Island Medical School (UVic)
Island Medical School (UVic)

The UVic Faculty of Law is consistently ranked as one of the best and most-applied to law schools in Canada. It offers a hands-on work experience program for young lawyers and an intensive environmental law program, featuring a course at Hakia Beach, BC in association with the Tula Foundation. UVic Law has been deeply involved with many Aboriginal, ecological, and environmental cases in British Columbia, and continues this tradition today.[37][38]

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.[39][40]

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities[41] 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.[42]

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.[43] 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.

Continuing Studies

Continuing education has been an integral part of the University of Victoria since its inception in 1963. Today, the Division of Continuing Studies[44] provides adult and continuing education programming in co-operation with UVic faculties and community partners. The Division of Continuing Studies offer a comprehensive portfolio of programs in a range of academic disciplines, using diploma, certificate, degree and other programming models to serve adult, part-time, internationhically dispersed students.

Graduate programs

UVic is one of Canada's largest graduate schools, offering more than 160 graduate programs across the University's faculties and departments. Their most popular graduate degrees are in the following areas:

UVic's Graduate programs range from individual interdisciplinary programs to graduate research programs. The university also offers students specialized degree options and doctoral options.

Academic profile

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.[45]

Medieval manuscript (UVic Libraries)

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.[46]

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.[47]

Quad lawn (UVic)

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.

In 2017, the University of Victoria announced plans to develop a downtown campus/accommodation centre in the historic area of Victoria, BC including accommodation for students and other facilities. The new downtown campus will be centered in buildings donated to the university and located around the historic Broad Street area, beside the old Bay Centre. [48] The downtown development has been suggested as a possible future home for UVic's Peter B. Gustavson School of Business.

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 ongoing basis.

Research

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.

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 was scheduled to be in service by late 2011.[49]

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.

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.[50]

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.[51]

Admissions

Admission to the University of Victoria is based on a selective academic system and is highly competitive. Each year, the university 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.[52]

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 program 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

University rankings
Global rankings
ARWU World[53] 201-300
QS World[54] 346
Times World[55] 301-350
US News and World Report Global[56] 274
Canadian rankings
ARWU National[53] 7-13
QS National[54] 14
Times National[55] 15-16
US News and World Report National[56] 10
Maclean's Comprehensive[57] 2

The University of Victoria is consistently ranked as 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. [58] Its Faculty of Law has also ranked first in the country in 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.[59] UVic is British Columbia's second largest research university, after UBC, and is one of Canada's top 20 research institutions.[10] 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.[60] For the year 2013, five departments are ranked in the top 200 in the QS[61] world rankings, with one department (Department of English) ranked in the top 100: Earth and Marine Science, English Literature, Law, Geography, and Philosophy.[62]

Culture and student life

The University Club

The University Club of Victoria[63] 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.

UVic, Castle
Former home of the University (Craigdarroch Castle)

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 no 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.

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 '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.

UVic, Forest, Victoria, Canada
Mystic Vale (wood area)

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'.

Finnerty Gardens, University of Victoria

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.[64]

Many years ago, University of Victoria students started a fraternity, 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:

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.[66][67][68][69]

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

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 less-than-polite behaviour 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:

Championships[70]
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[70]
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

University traditions, myths, lore

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 adorn 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

The Effingham Carcass, Vancouver Island, 1947; supposed remains of 'Caddy'

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.

Weeks of Welcome

UVic Orientation/Weeks of Welcome 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.[71]

People

Chancellors

Order NameYears in office
1 Joseph Clearihue 1963–1966
2 Richard B. Wilson 1967–1969
3 Roderick Haig-Brown 1970–1972
4 Robert T. D. Wallace 1973–1978
5 Ian McTaggart-Cowan 1979–1984
6 William C. Gibson 1985–1990
7 Robert Gordon Rogers 1991–1996
8 Norma Mickelson 1997–2002
9 Ronald Lou-Poy 2003–2008
10 Murray Farmer 2009–2014
11 Shelagh Rogers 2015–present

Presidents

Notable faculty

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

Notable alumni

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

Alumni in the arts

Alumni in business

Alumni in government and public affairs

Alumni in the sciences

Alumni in sports

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.[92]

See also

References

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