About the We Matter Here Campaign
Photo by Russell McNeil licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
The We Matter Here campaign, led by the VIU Students’ Union, is a student-driven advocacy initiative calling for meaningful student consultation, transparency and accountability, and the long-term sustainability of essential services in decision-making at Vancouver Island University. Amidst financial mismanagement and service cuts, students are being left out of crucial discussions that shape their education and campus life. This campaign calls on VIU to prioritize student voices, ensure responsible financial management, and protect essential services that support student success. By uniting students and pushing for accountability, We Matter Here aims to create a more inclusive, student-centered university where decisions are made with students, not for them.
Our priorities
student
representation
Students deserve a seat at the table where decisions are made. The We Matter Here campaign calls for a formalized framework that ensures meaningful student consultation and representation in all levels of university governance. When students are actively involved in shaping policies that affect their education, campus life, and well-being, decisions are more equitable, informed, and reflective of the real student experience. This pillar is about making sure students aren’t just heard - they’re included from the start.
transparency & Accountability
A university that serves its students must also be accountable to them. This pillar demands clear, accessible information about how decisions are made, who is making them, and where resources - especially student fees - are going. For too long, key financial and administrative processes at VIU have lacked openness, leaving students in the dark. We Matter Here calls for a culture of transparency and accountability that builds trust, empowers student advocacy, and ensures that institutional priorities align with student needs.
Sustainability of
Student Services
Essential student services are the foundation of a successful university experience. As VIU faces financial pressure, this pillar advocates for the protection and long-term sustainability of services like mental health support, academic resources, library access, and affordable campus amenities. Cuts to these services disproportionately affect students and jeopardize their ability to succeed. The We Matter Here campaign insists that investing in student services is not optional - it’s essential for creating a campus that is supportive, inclusive, and future-focused.