VIU is upgrading its technological infrastructure to give you better access to campus facilities and services through your student card. This means you need to obtain a new student card at no charge, whether you are a new or returning student.
Use your VIU student ID card for registration services, to borrow materials from the library, to use the gymnasium, for the Dining Dollars program in the cafeteria, for printing and to write exams. Beginning in December 2019, you will need your card to gain access after hours to the Library Commons.
To prepare for this change, all current students who were issued a card prior to July 1, 2019, need to replace their current ID card with a new ID card at no cost. Employees do not need to replace their ID cards.
How to Get Your Photo ID Card
This option is currently available only to incoming International students and students in Residence.
Avoid the line-ups and submit your photo online. You can upload your photo through the Student Record System.
If you are an incoming international student starting a program in late-August 2019, you can pick up your ID card at the library service desk once you have been notified by email that your card is ready. Cards take approximately three business days to process.
If you are a student living in Residence, you can pick up your ID card starting August 28 on move-in day at Residence.
Photo Requirements:
- Facing forward looking straight towards the camera
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- No tint or reflection on your glasses
- No face or head covering, unless worn for religious or medical reasons
- Head and shoulders only
- No filters or digitally-enhanced images
- A neutral background
- JPEG images only (.jpg or .jpeg file types)
- File size is limited to 2 megabytes (MB)
Photos that do not meet these requirements will need to be re-submitted. You will be notified by email.
To obtain your student ID card you need to bring with you:
- A piece of picture ID or 2 pieces of non-picture ID
- Your Student Number
At Nanaimo campus, you can get your photo ID by visiting the library service desk in Building 305. Cards are issued up to 30 minutes prior to closing.
At Cowichan Campus, ID cards are issued at the library service desk in the Commons.
At Powell River campus, cards are issued at the reception desk.
To obtain your VIU student ID card you need to bring with you:
- A piece of picture ID or 2 pieces of non-picture ID
- Your student number
Students taking online courses who are not able to attend campus may email library@viu.ca to request a card. Include an image of one piece of photo ID along with a photo of yourself. Photo requirements are the same as those submitted through the online option. Include your student number and mailing address in the email. After processing, the card will be printed and mailed out to you. This option is only available to students who are not able to attend campus in person to obtain their photo ID.
VIU has introduced a new ID card for students called a proximity card. Proximity cards can be used to access various buildings and facilities on campus as determined by your user category.
Beginning in mid-December, 2019, you will need your card to gain access to the Library Commons after hours. Over time, other campus buildings will be accessible to students with cards after hours.
As well, the card will allow for simplified access to VIU computer services by reducing the number of logins you need to remember.
To prepare for this change, all current students who were issued a card prior to July 1, 2019, will need to replace their current ID card with a new ID card. Faculty and staff do not need to replace their current ID cards.
You can pick up your ID card at the campus library you selected when you uploaded your photo to the Student Record System. You will receive an email when your ID card is ready for pick up. Cards generally take about three business days to process.
To obtain your VIU student ID card you need to bring with you:
- A piece of picture ID or 2 pieces of non-picture ID
- Your student number
There is no charge to get your old student card replaced with the new ID cards.
If your card is lost or stolen please report it immediately to the library service desk. There is a fee of $10 for replacement cards.
Please upload your file as a jpeg. The photo can be up to 2MB in size.
If your photo does not meet the requirements specified, you will receive an email letting you know that you will need to upload a new photo so that your card can be processed.
Staff or faculty wishing to bring groups of students for ID cards must book an appointment ahead of time. At Nanaimo campus, email library@viu.ca. At Cowichan campus, email cowlibrary@viu.ca.
In each case, please specify the desired date, time and number of students.
Student ID cards are non-transferable. Do not share your card or its information. The person whose name appears on the ID card is responsible for all use of the card, including library items borrowed and any charges on the card.
Email library@viu.ca if you have any further questions.