Think Forward | My UVic values

With new students, staff and faculty joining our community every year, our community is constantly changing and shifting. However, there are a few core values that always continue to hold true.

Word cloud of words pertaining to UVic's values. The largest words are learning, equity, Indigeneity, sustainability, and community. Medium sized words include open-minded, climate, safety, care, growth, culture, support, curiousity, respect, diversity, reflection, explore and connection. Other words in the word cloud include care, take risks, opportunities, responsibility, eco-footprint, branch outside comfort zone, relationships and sense of place.

Learning and Curiosity

As an academic institution, learning and curiosity are central to who we are. From students participating in classrooms lectures, to the wide-variety of hands-on learning opportunities available, to researchers exploring new topics and trying to answer innovative questions, learning is infused in everything we do.

Environment and Sustainability

When you’re located in a place like Victoria, it’s hard for the environment not to take a huge role in the community. Nature is an integral part of campus, where you can find a large quad, Finnerty Gardens and Mystic Vale and the ocean is only a 5-minute walk away. Living in this environment makes us want to preserve it, so you’ll find plenty of sustainability-related initiatives, offices and student clubs in addition to research labs such as the Pacific Institute for Climate Sciences and Oceans Network Canada.

Equity & diversity

We believe our campus should represent the diversity of our larger communities and that every person should be treated equitably. Initiatives such as the Global Community, a number of residence events and many student clubs work to share perspectives, celebrate diversity, and foster intercultural connections. Organizations and events also exist to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community (e.g. UVic Pride), religious communities (e.g. Multifaith Services) and students with disabilities (e.g. Centre for Accessible Learning and Society for Students with a Disability). UVic is also home to the world’s only Chair in Transgender Studies.

Indigenous Relations

UVic has a longstanding commitment to, and a unique relationship with, the First Peoples of Canada and is committed to increasing educational access and success for Indigenous students. You’ll begin to notice this commitment the moment you walk on campus, from the First Peoples House located at the center of campus, to the land acknowledgement at the beginning of every event, to the Indigenous-focused academic programs on offer.

Community & Support

We want UVic to feel like home to you and we want you to succeed in your time here. Whether it’s a professor who knows you by name, university staff who will answer your questions and help you navigate any challenges or your peers who will be by your side, there’s always a whole community behind you.

What do these community values mean to you? Click ‘answer the questions’ to begin an activity that will help you answer that question. Your answers in this activity will be kept confidential and will not be seen by other students.

Response activity

As you join the UVic community, think about what these values mean to you and how you can incorporate them into your life.

Text image: Learning & curiosity Text image: Indigenous relations Text image: Environment & sustainability Text image: Diversity & inclusion Text image: Community & support

Which value resonates with you the most?     [dropdown menu]

How will you practice this value as you become a member of the UVic community?     [blank text box]

Pick a second value that resonates with you.     [dropdown menu]

How will you practice this value as you become a part of the UVic community?     [blank text box]

>> Return to the overview of the Welcome to our community topic